Before the 2015 season even took off, experts were projecting that the Dallas Cowboys would unanimously win the NFC East division. After all, they did so last year. Going into this season, however, it was no secret of the Washington Redskins troubles as well as the Eagles offseason moves that caused quite a few eyebrow raises and head scratches. All of this paved the way for the Cowboys closest competition to be the New York Giants even with Dallas having all the pieces working harmoniously together. A guaranteed winning year was a huge sigh of relief for those diehard Cowboys fans who have been patiently waiting for a postseason that consists of more than just one game.
Then tragedy struck not once, not twice, but three times. And in the span of four games.
In the Cowboys opening game against the Giants, wide receiver and favorite target for Tony Romo, Dez Bryant suffered a broken foot. Then in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Romo fractured his collar bone. Lastly, running back Lance Dunbar tore his ACL in his left knee in last weeks game against the Saints.
With the divisions top contenders considerably banged up on offense, who between these four teams stands to be the leader of the NFC East? Even after dropping their first two games due to blowing fourth quarter leads to the Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons, the Giants would be the clear pick after winning their last two games by playing better on offense and managing the clock better.
During this past offseason, Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles did some major reconstruction on offense that spelled trouble. Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, and Nick Foles are the noticeable players absent. Everyone thought that bringing in DeMarco Murray would be the silver lining, but so far the ex-Cowboy has only 47 yards and 1 TD. The Eagles have only won one game this season after having an explosive 2014 season with Foles at the helm. Only time will tell if this newly revamped team will crumble throughout the rest of the year or just need a little more time to gel collectively.
On the whole, the four NFC East teams have proved in the past that they are championship caliber teams. Dallas has five Super Bowls, New York has four, Washington has three, and Philadelphia has had twenty-four playoff appearances. All of that aside, neither of them can seem to get back to their winning ways. The Giants are the most recent of the bunch to take home a Super Bowl (2011 against the New England Patriots). But ever since the start of the 2013 season, the Giants have been that almost ‘painful to watch’ team. QB Eli Manning led the league that season with 27 INTs and most of them came way to early in the season for anyones liking.
Dallas are hopeful to be getting Bryant back on Oct. 25 for their game in New York against the Giants and Romo is expected back for the Cowboys Week 11 game against the Dolphins. If backup QB Brandon Weeden and the Cowboys defense can keep them afloat until then, America’s Team stands a chance to have another opportunity at postseason.
It is hard to tell who will come out on top but until the Dallas Cowboys are whole again, the Giants are now the clear favorite if they can keep winning. It will be imperative for both teams to win at their next meeting in Week 6 at MetLife. My opinion is that who ever wins that game will win the division.
The NFC East’s other two teams have many issues that need to be cleaned up – and hopefully soon – for any sports enthusiast to start taking them seriously again. Getting their act together won’t be easy and will take time, so until then, it looks as if the Cowboys and Giants will continue to battle it out for king of the division.