Which team will -NOT- finish in last place... (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

Nobody will be surprised if any of these four teams wins this great division this year. I'd like to approach this from a different angle. What I am wondering is, which team has the "highest floor," so to speak?

Your life is on the line.... which team will DEFINITELY NOT finish last in the NFC East?

I can't wait to see these teams beat up on each other this year. This should be fun to watch all season. I can't remember being more pumped up to watch a division like I am with this one, and I don't even root for any of those teams.

Any of the four teams finishing first wouldn't surprise me, and any of the four teams finishing last wouldn't surprise me. We'll look back on the poll results in January.

To answer my own question, I think the Redskins are the best team top-to-bottom in the division, so I will say that they are the team least likely to finish in last place.

But that opinion might change by the time I wake up in the morning.

 

[radballs]

I voted for Dallas and I'm sure it won't win the poll because too many people will be concerned about a potential T.O. explosion bringing down the team. But, in 2006 T.O. will be on his best behavior, and I can't see Parcells not having this team at least out of the basement.

And, I hate the Cowboys but this is going to be a terrific division race to watch unfold. This year will probably end up being the most I've ever watched interdivision NFC East games through the Sunday ticket because they should all be great match ups.

 

[Raider Nation]

I voted for Dallas and I'm sure it won't win the poll because too many people will be concerned about a potential T.O. explosion bringing down the team. But, in 2006 T.O. will be on his best behavior, and I can't see Parcells not having this team at least out of the basement.

I hear ya, but the Cowboys would be my choice to finish last for the T.O. factor you mentioned, but I also am not a believer in Drew Bledsoe. If things get off to a rocky start, Owens will make sure that the train continues to derail.My guess is that Philly gets the fewest votes in this poll, meaning that most people expect them to finish in the cellar of the division. I, however, see a bounce-back season for the Eagles. If McNabb stays healthy, if even one WR steps up big, and if Westbrook can handle a workload with more touches, I still think their defense is more than capable of causing havoc again. A lot of "ifs" to be sure... but McNabb and Reid are winners.

 

[-OZ-]

I voted for Dallas and I'm sure it won't win the poll because too many people will be concerned about a potential T.O. explosion bringing down the team. But, in 2006 T.O. will be on his best behavior, and I can't see Parcells not having this team at least out of the basement.

I hear ya, but the Cowboys would be my choice to finish last for the T.O. factor you mentioned, but I also am not a believer in Drew Bledsoe. If things get off to a rocky start, Owens will make sure that the train continues to derail.My guess is that Philly gets the fewest votes in this poll, meaning that most people expect them to finish in the cellar of the division. I, however, see a bounce-back season for the Eagles. If McNabb stays healthy, if even one WR steps up big, and if Westbrook can handle a workload with more touches, I still think their defense is more than capable of causing havoc again. A lot of "ifs" to be sure... but McNabb and Reid are winners.

I'll take "If TO keeps it together for one year" ahead of these if's.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

I can't wait to see these teams beat up on each other this year. This should be fun to watch all season. I can't remember being more pumped up to watch a division like I am with this one, and I don't even root for any of those teams.

I voted Dallas.

 

[fatness]

I can't wait to see these teams beat up on each other this year. This should be fun to watch all season. I can't remember being more pumped up to watch a division like I am with this one, and I don't even root for any of those teams.

It's been awhile since the NFC East has been this competitive. It's looking like 12 different Ali/Frazier matchups in one season this year. The Redskins went 5-1 in the division last year. Their only loss was to the Giants after Mr. Mara died. They avenged that loss later in the year and started the Giants on their season-ending tailspin. The Redskins won their last 5 regular season games. They've improved on offense and defense in the offseason. They will not finish last, and are more likely than the others to finish first.

I love the NFC East. It's just the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants I hate. This'll be a great season of slugfests.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I voted Philadelphia (obviously). They went 0-6 in the division last year---That won't happen again. They will be at least 3-3 in the division (maybe better). Games @HOU, @SF, GB, @NO, @TB, JAX, TEN, @IND, CAR, ATL--There's at least 5 wins minimum in that group.

I think the Eagles have the biggest chip on their shoulder of all the NFC East teams. Plus, they were the team most devistated by injuries and should, barring another injury plagued season, be a better team by just getting back their injured stars. Then when you factor in the additions (Howard, Bunkley, Barber, Gaffney) They be a 9 win team at a minimum.

I think WAS will be the team to finish last in the NFC East.

 

[jurb26]

I like Wash best in this division therefor I think they have the least amount of chance to finish last in it. I'm expecting a Giants dropoff so I'll take them to finish last this year.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Who will not finish in last? Whoever keeps their starting QB upright for 16 games. None of these teams have good backup QBs, and there will be a significant dropoff from the starter. Jason Campbell's probably the most exciting of the bunch, but Tony Romo, Tim Hasselbeck and 36 year old Jeff "I've thrown for less passing yards each of the last 5 seasons" Garcia don't inspire any confidence.

 

[zanti8]

this division is looking like the best for sure imo . reminds me of the mid/late 80s when parcellsgiants,gibbs skins and the eagles were all very good .those were my favorite games to watch in that era.

probably injuries will decide it but at this point i would go :

1-dallas

2-philly

3-washington

4-nygiants

i expect the wildcards (nfc-both from the east) to get road playoff wins vs seattle and the nfc central champ .

 

[jurb26]

i expect the wildcards (nfc-both from the east) to get road playoff wins vs seattle and the nfc central champ .

I dissagree. The sad part of this is that I think these teams will likely beat each other up so much the records will suffer and we could be looking at some very good 10-6 or 9-7 teams who get the shaft and miss out to lesser 10-6 or 11-5 teams.

 

[MLBrandow]

this division is looking like the best for sure imo . reminds me of the mid/late 80s when parcellsgiants,gibbs skins and the eagles were all very good .those were my favorite games to watch in that era.

probably injuries will decide it but at this point i would go :

1-dallas

2-philly

3-washington

4-nygiants

i expect the wildcards (nfc-both from the east) to get road playoff wins vs seattle and the nfc central champ .

I presume you mean North, but while I agree, I don't believe you should count out the TB/CAR dogfight in the South. Both look like 11-12 win teams this season.Personally,

1-WAS-d

2-NYG-w

3-PHI

4-DAL

I subscribe to the DAL implosion theory. Also the 'WAS wins the NFC' theory, the 'Eli and Plax don't need to talk to connect for 15TDs' theory, and the 'Reid needs Childress almost as much as MIN wants to get rid of him' theory.

Either way, I expect the NFC playoffs to be dominated by East/South teams this year because they are clearly the better teams.

 

[jurb26]

this division is looking like the best for sure imo . reminds me of the mid/late 80s when parcellsgiants,gibbs skins and the eagles were all very good .those were my favorite games to watch in that era.

probably injuries will decide it but at this point i would go :

1-dallas

2-philly

3-washington

4-nygiants

i expect the wildcards (nfc-both from the east) to get road playoff wins vs seattle and the nfc central champ .

I presume you mean North, but while I agree, I don't believe you should count out the TB/CAR dogfight in the South. Both look like 11-12 win teams this season.Personally,

1-WAS-d

2-NYG-w

3-PHI

4-DAL

I subscribe to the DAL implosion theory. Also the 'WAS wins the NFC' theory, the 'Eli and Plax don't need to talk to connect for 15TDs' theory, and the 'Reid needs Childress almost as much as MIN wants to get rid of him' theory.

Either way, I expect the NFC playoffs to be dominated by East/South teams this year because they are clearly the better teams.

People seem to be forgetting about Atl this year. I think they will be one of the teams to watch for in the NFC and win that NFC South.

 

[MLBrandow]

Mora v. Vick =

I agree that team-wise ATL is right up there with CAR and maybe even above TB, but the Coach v. QB struggles aren't going to let them succeed IMO.

 

[fatness]

From Cowboysplus.com

Q: With everyone in the NFC East appearing to be better on paper this year, who do you see as being the early favorite to win the division? --- Roger

Mosley: I would take the Redskins to win the division, and then put the Cowboys next. I'm not saying Washington had the greatest off-season ever, but it did fill some serious needs. But honestly, the Giants are right there. I could see 11-5, 10-6, 9-7 records from the top three teams. They're going to annihilate each other.

 

[jurb26]

Mora v. Vick =

I agree that team-wise ATL is right up there with CAR and maybe even above TB, but the Coach v. QB struggles aren't going to let them succeed IMO.

Mora and Vick are 19-13 together through 2 years and I think the team made some nice improvements this year. Particularly the addition of Abraham on D as well as Milloy. Gandy should be an improvement at Tackle and I think Jimmy Williams will fit in nicely as a nickle CB. This team was 8-8 last year which isn't exactly a far cry off.

 

[renesauz]

Although I voted Philly as least likely to finsh last, I might be a little bit biased.

Truthfully, I have a very hard time seeing ANY of these teams finish last. They all look too solid to be a "last place" team.

That means it's all about the key injuries. Last year, philly had a ton, and couple with the TO implosion, they finished last. I simply can't see a team this good having that happen two years in a row, and that's the biggest reason I voted Philly.

Truthfully, I can easily see all four teams in this division with 9 or 10 wins....and I can't remember ever being able to say that before!

 

[SSOG]

I voted for Dallas and I'm sure it won't win the poll because too many people will be concerned about a potential T.O. explosion bringing down the team. But, in 2006 T.O. will be on his best behavior, and I can't see Parcells not having this team at least out of the basement.

And, I hate the Cowboys but this is going to be a terrific division race to watch unfold. This year will probably end up being the most I've ever watched interdivision NFC East games through the Sunday ticket because they should all be great match ups.

Nostradamus you are not. Dallas is currently the leading vote-getter.I voted Dallas.

I think Brunell is more likely to turn into a pumpkin than Bledsoe is, and I think Dallas's defense is a lot more solid than Washington's, so Washington is more likely to finish last than Dallas.

I think there's a good possibility that Manning doesn't improve on his accuracy any. Another 52% completion rate will probably result in an upside-down TD:INT ratio. They did so well because their offense was phenominal and their defense was good. If their offense reverts, their defense is least-equipped to carry them of the 4 teams. As a result, I think New York is more likely to finish last than Dallas.

I think that Philadelphia hasn't really improved from last year's cellar-dwelling team. I don't believe in "addition by subtraction" (ask Minnesota how that worked out last season). I believe getting a lot of their defenders back will make a big difference, but I think they have the worst offense of the 4, and so I think they're more likely to finish last than Dallas.

Meanwhile, in Dallas itself, I believe that TO will be on his best behavior in his first yer and all fireworks will wait until at least his second season. I think Bledsoe is a very very worrisome componant, but Parcels has always gotten the best out of him, and I think they might just have the best backup in the division (although it's all speculation at this point). I also think their defense is best suited to carry their team if they have to patch the offense with duct tape and twine.

 

[Liquid Smoke]

i can choose two who i know wont finish last, Cowboys and Giants, but to pick 1 i'd say Cowboys

they have a great defense, great rushing game, and now with T.O. will have a much better passing game. so they are pretty loaded on both sides

 

[Sigfawn]

I like the skins. The best D, power rush offense coming from Al.

To go last, you're looking at 6-10 type record. With the skins D, I just don't see that happening.

 

[Assani Fisher]

and I think Dallas's defense is a lot more solid than Washington's

Last year's statsoints AllowedWas: 293Dal: 308Pass Yards AllowedWas: 3081Dal: 3083Yards Per Pass Attempt AllowedWas: 5.77Dal: 6.24Rush Yards AllowedWas: 1686Dal: 1731Yards Per Rush Attempt AllowedWas: 4.10Dal: 4.18You're going to have to explain this one to me.

 

[Assani Fisher]

i can choose two who i know wont finish last, Cowboys and Giants, but to pick 1 i'd say Cowboys

they have a great defense, great rushing game, and now with T.O. will have a much better passing game. so they are pretty loaded on both sides

I just compared their defenses, now lets compare their rushing games using last years' stats:Total rushing yards

Was: 2183

Dal: 1861

Rush yards per attempt

Was: 4.2

Dal: 3.6

Rushing TDs

Was: 15

Dal: 13

Are you Dallas fans just making up stats in your heads? Dallas was 13th in rushing yards, 26th in rushing yards per attempt, and 16th in rushing touchdowns last year....how is that a "great" rushing game????? Seriously, I just don't understand where you're coming up with this stuff! Washington imo is clearly the better team based upon last year, and while T.O. is surely a big addition, I think that Lloyd and Randle El offset that somewhat.

 

[kellumsboys]

the race should be one of the closest ever

looks like this to me

1- Dallas (9-7)

Washington

dead heat for these 2, but Dallas gets the tiebreaker

the other gets a wildcard

3- Eagles (7-9)

Giants

another tie for last

eagles will be better than everyone thinks and giants will come back to earth

all have tough schedules

no one runs away with it as they all knock each other off

road game wins will be huge in the East this year

 

[Urinal Mint]

I think we're all going to end up being surprised how stretched out this division becomes during the year. One team will fail miserably, two teams will hover around 8-8, and one team will squeak out a 10-6 to win the division.

As a Dallas fan, I'm hopeful but not sold on the offensive line tweaks made this offseason. The young defense will be a year more mature and better for that. However, you have to score points to win and I pray that Bledsoe can stay upright all season as I have no idea what the Cowboys have in Romo. That said, I don't think they'll finish last but I'm not confident they'll win the East.

 

[Raider Nation]

i can choose two who i know wont finish last, Cowboys and Giants, but to pick 1 i'd say Cowboys

they have a great defense, great rushing game, and now with T.O. will have a much better passing game. so they are pretty loaded on both sides

I just compared their defenses, now lets compare their rushing games using last years' stats:Total rushing yards

Was: 2183

Dal: 1861

Rush yards per attempt

Was: 4.2

Dal: 3.6

Rushing TDs

Was: 15

Dal: 13

Are you Dallas fans just making up stats in your heads? Dallas was 13th in rushing yards, 26th in rushing yards per attempt, and 16th in rushing touchdowns last year....how is that a "great" rushing game????? Seriously, I just don't understand where you're coming up with this stuff! Washington imo is clearly the better team based upon last year, and while T.O. is surely a big addition, I think that Lloyd and Randle El offset that somewhat.

Two 's in a row.Dallas is the most likely team in the division to implode, and when it happens, Tuna will retire for good. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be shocked if Washington won it all.

 

[MLBrandow]

Mora v. Vick =

I agree that team-wise ATL is right up there with CAR and maybe even above TB, but the Coach v. QB struggles aren't going to let them succeed IMO.

Mora and Vick are 19-13 together through 2 years and I think the team made some nice improvements this year. Particularly the addition of Abraham on D as well as Milloy. Gandy should be an improvement at Tackle and I think Jimmy Williams will fit in nicely as a nickle CB. This team was 8-8 last year which isn't exactly a far cry off.

Too many changes on defense. You're talking four, possibly five new starters on defense. They are going to need time to jell and I have yet to read anything that leads me to believe that the Mora/Vick problems have been resolved. They still have a somewhat questionable offense.Don't get me wrong, I think ATL will be very good, but not this year, and not under Mora. And that's not even a knock on Mora, but just sometimes personalities don't mix. Mora could well find himself in TEN next season, which would be a solid fit.

 

[MLBrandow]

the race should be one of the closest ever

looks like this to me

1- Dallas (9-7)

Washington

dead heat for these 2, but Dallas gets the tiebreaker

the other gets a wildcard

3- Eagles (7-9)

Giants

another tie for last

eagles will be better than everyone thinks and giants will come back to earth

all have tough schedules

no one runs away with it as they all knock each other off

road game wins will be huge in the East this year

9-7 is not going to win a wildcard in the NFC this year.The NFC is still soft, but it's very top-heavy this year, and with NYG/WAS/DAL/PHI, TB/CAR, and SEA/STL, you're looking at more than one 10+win team in at least two of these divisions.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I think that Philadelphia hasn't really improved from last year's cellar-dwelling team. I don't believe in "addition by subtraction" (ask Minnesota how that worked out last season). I believe getting a lot of their defenders back will make a big difference, but I think they have the worst offense of the 4, and so I think they're more likely to finish last than Dallas.

Injured players returning:Todd Pinkston (placed on IR 8/8/05)Jerome McDougle (placed on NFI/reserve list 8/30/05)Hank Fraley (placed on IR 11/9/05)Sean Considine (placed on IR 11/16/05)Donovan McNabb (placed on IR 11/22/05)Lito Sheppard (placed on IR 11/22/05)Tra Thomas (placed on IR 11/25/05)Brian Westbrook (placed on IR 12/13/05)Todd Herremans (placed on IR 12/20/05)New playersarren HowardBroderick BunkleyWinston JusticeShawn BarberJabbar GaffneyMatt SchobelThe Eagles will be very much improved just by getting their players back and will be an even better team with their new additions.

 

[The Jacket]

Least likely: Washington

Most likely: Philadelphia

Boom or bust team: New York

 

[SSOG]

and I think Dallas's defense is a lot more solid than Washington's

Last year's statsoints Allowed

Was: 293

Dal: 308

Pass Yards Allowed

Was: 3081

Dal: 3083

Yards Per Pass Attempt Allowed

Was: 5.77

Dal: 6.24

Rush Yards Allowed

Was: 1686

Dal: 1731

Yards Per Rush Attempt Allowed

Was: 4.10

Dal: 4.18

You're going to have to explain this one to me.

Last year was Dallas's first year in a new system, and I have the perceptions (correct or not) that Washington's D keeps leaking talent. I'm not saying that Washington won't have a top-10 defense, I'm just saying that I think Dallas's will be better.

Are you Dallas fans just making up stats in your heads? Dallas was 13th in rushing yards, 26th in rushing yards per attempt, and 16th in rushing touchdowns last year....how is that a "great" rushing game????? Seriously, I just don't understand where you're coming up with this stuff! Washington imo is clearly the better team based upon last year, and while T.O. is surely a big addition, I think that Lloyd and Randle El offset that somewhat.

You accuse someone of making up stats in their head, and then you start talking about how the addition of Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle-El will in any way offset the addition of Terrell Owens? Talk about making stuff up in your head...Anyway, I agree with you, Washington's run offense is TONS better than Dallas's. I also agree with you that based on last year, Washington was clearly the better team. Of course, as far as I can tell, this poll isn't "Which team is least likely to finish in last place in the NFC East last year".

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

A strong case can be made for every one of these teams, and yes I am an Eagles fan.

The problem is, the likelihood of 2 teams coming out of this division and into the postseason is diminished by the depth of the division. Translation - they're going to beat each other up all year.

So if you had a division with 2 walkovers and 2 solid teams, they'd both be more likely to get in the playoffs. That's a flaw in the system, if you ask me. I want the best 6 teams, not because you had 4 creampuff games in your division (see Jacksonville, 2005).

St. Louis Rams fans should be happy about this setup, as I have them 2nd in a mediocre division (Arizona and SF will continue to struggle). The NFC East and South are the best two divisions, yet 4 teams are very unlikely to come from here.

Adding insult to injury, the 3rd-best NFC East team may be better than the #5 or #6 seed in the playoffs this year. (San Diego scenario - although Pittsburgh seemed to do just fine last year).

There's a definite possibility of 4 teams at .500 or better in the NFC East this year. I don't know if that's ever happened before since the 4x4 realignment.

 

[Raider Nation]

There's a definite possibility of 4 teams at .500 or better in the NFC East this year. I don't know if that's ever happened before since the 4x4 realignment.

The NFL went to the 4x4 format prior to the '02 season, with Houston's arrival. There has been only two instances of all four division teams finishing .500 or better, each one occurring in the first year of the realignment.2002 AFC EAST

New York Jets 9-7 (Won division)

New England 9-7 (Missed playoffs)

Miami 9-7 (Missed playoffs)

Buffalo 8-8 (Missed playoffs)

2002 AFC WEST

Oakland Raiders 11-5 (Won division, obviously)

Denver 9-7 (Missed playoffs)

Kansas City 8-8 (Missed playoffs)

San Diego 8-8 (Missed playoffs)

 

[MLBrandow]

Last year was Dallas's first year in a new system, and I have the perceptions (correct or not) that Washington's D keeps leaking talent. I'm not saying that Washington won't have a top-10 defense, I'm just saying that I think Dallas's will be better.

You know that Dallas' defense was #1 in yards and #2 in points in Parcells' first year (2003) ?I don't remember that, but something I thought was interesting when I looked it up. Certainly worth mentioning for this Skins D/Boys D debate.

 

[SSOG]

There's a definite possibility of 4 teams at .500 or better in the NFC East this year. I don't know if that's ever happened before since the 4x4 realignment.

The NFL went to the 4x4 format prior to the '02 season, with Houston's arrival. There has been only two instances of all four division teams finishing .500 or better, each one occurring in the first year of the realignment.2002 AFC EAST

New York Jets 9-7 (Won division)

New England 9-7 (Missed playoffs)

Miami 9-7 (Missed playoffs)

Buffalo 8-8 (Missed playoffs)

2002 AFC WEST

Oakland Raiders 11-5 (Won division, obviously)

Denver 9-7 (Missed playoffs)

Kansas City 8-8 (Missed playoffs)

San Diego 8-8 (Missed playoffs)

That was a good season. The AFC West has been absolutely BRUTAL since realignment, and it's very small wonder that Shaun Alexander is talking about how glad he is to be out of there.

Last year was Dallas's first year in a new system, and I have the perceptions (correct or not) that Washington's D keeps leaking talent. I'm not saying that Washington won't have a top-10 defense, I'm just saying that I think Dallas's will be better.

You know that Dallas' defense was #1 in yards and #2 in points in Parcells' first year (2003) ?I don't remember that, but something I thought was interesting when I looked it up. Certainly worth mentioning for this Skins D/Boys D debate.

I did remember that, actually. It was so long ago, though, and in a different scheme, and (iirc) with a different coordinator, so I didn't consider it especially relevant for discussions of next year. Dat Nguyen was an absolute monster that season.