NFC East preview and predictions
Sept 8, 2022 16:18:04 GMT -5
Zimonami, katcavage75, and 1 more like this
Post by Bigjeep on Sept 8, 2022 16:18:04 GMT -5
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Coach: Nick Sirianni
2021 record: 9-8
O/U wins: 9.5
Key additions: WR A.J. Brown, DE Haason Reddick, CB James Bradberry, DT Jordan Davis, LB Nakobe Dean, LB Kyzir White, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, WR Zach Pascal, G Cam Jurgens
Key departures: G Brandon Brooks, RB Jordan Howard, DE Ryan Kerrigan, CB Steven Nelson, S Rodney McLeod, DT Hassan Ridgeway, OLB Gerard Avery, LB Alex Singleton, WR Mack Hollins, LB Genard Avery, WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR Jalen Reagor
First-and-goal: The trade for Brown that pairs him with WR DeVonta Smith can be a godsend for lightning-rod quarterback Jalen Hurts. Quez Watkins is a nice WR3 and Dallas Goedert can be a top-five tight end. An elite O-line anchored by veteran C Jason Kelce is bookended by massive LT Jordan Mailata and athletic RT Lane Johnson. RB Miles Sanders can flourish if he can stay on the field, although Kenneth Gainwell has better hands for the passing game and eyes on the short-yardage and goal-line role. Reddick (23.5 sacks over last two seasons) upgrades the pass rush. DT Javon Hargrave (7.5 sacks) notched his first Pro Bowl appearance. Davis, a first-round pick, is a rare 340-pound specimen summoned to shore up the run defense. DT Fletcher Cox returns on a one-year deal to provide leadership. The instinctive White registered 144 tackles last year with the Chargers. Gardner-Johnson upgrades what has been a mediocre safety position. Bradberry and CB Darius Slay are accomplished veterans. Hurts is dangerous as a runner. QB Gardner Minshew is a quality backup. The schedule is one of the easiest.
Fourth-and-long: Hurts (61.3 percent) needs to improve his accuracy and make a leap for the Eagles to enter the Super Bowl conversation. The pass rush ranked 29th last season.
Serby Says: 10-7. GM Howie Roseman crushed the offseason. Fly, Eagles, Fly.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Coach: Mike McCarthy
2021 record: 12-5
O/U wins: 9.5
Key additions: WR Jalen Tolbert, OT Tyler Smith, WR James Washington, DE Dante Fowler Jr., OLB Anthony Barr, DE Sam Williams, WR-KR KaVontae Turpin
Key departures: WR Amari Cooper, WR Cedrick Wilson, OT La’el Collins, K Greg Zuerlein, DE Randy Gregory, TE Blake Jarwin, S Damontae Kazee, G Connor Williams, S Keanu Neal
First-and-goal: OLB Micah Parsons (13 sacks as DROY) is eyeing 23 for the single-season sack record. DE DeMarcus Lawrence had a third Pro Bowl season sabotaged by a fractured foot. Second-round pick Sam Williams looks like a predator. It might be a good idea for Daniel Jones, Jalen Hurts and Carson Wentz to avoid throwing at CB Trevon Diggs (11 INTs). What if the Giants had drafted RG Zack Martin instead of Odell Beckham Jr.? RB Ezekiel Elliott is 27 with 1,938 career touches but remains a dual threat, especially if more explosive backup Tony Pollard can carry more of the load. Dak Prescott (career-best 68.8 completion percentage and 37 TDs passing) is another year removed from his gruesome ankle injury and WR CeeDee Lamb is elite. WR Michael Gallup, due back soon from an ACL, is a deep threat and TE Dalton Schultz is a big target. DC Dan Quinn and OC Kellen Moore are highly regarded, as is daring special teams coordinator John Fassel.
Fourth-and-long: Jerry Jones no longer has a dominant O-line, especially with LT Tyron Smith, who has played 68 of the last 100 games, on the shelf until at least December. Rookie Tyler Smith is the presumptive starter. Cooper is in Cleveland, while rookie receiver Tolbert had better be ready to make the jump from South Alabama. McCarthy will again find himself on the hot seat if he again fields the most penalized (127) team in the league. Lawrence needs Sam Williams as a bookend pass rusher when it won’t be Parsons. The center and right tackle positions are mediocre. Kicker is a concern.
Serby Says: 9-8. The Boys haven’t won the Lombardi since Super Bowl 30. What can go wrong will go wrong.
3. Washington Commanders
Coach: Ron Rivera
2021 record: 7-10
O/U wins: 7.5
Key additions: QB Carson Wentz, WR Jahan Dotson, G Trai Turner, G Andrew Norwell, DT Phidarian Mathis, RB Brian Robinson, S Percy Butler, QB Sam Howell, TE Cole Turner, DE Efe Obada, WR Alex Erickson
Key departures: G Brandon Scherff, G Ereck Flowers, S Landon Collins, DT Tim Settle, DT Matt Ioannidis, WR-KR DeAndre Carter, QB Kyle Allen
Carson Wentz.
First-and-goal: Wentz should be an upgrade over Taylor Heinicke, but his confidence and decision-making waver. Scary Terry McLaurin is his $71 million Go-To Guy. RB Antonio Gibson is a 1,000-yard dual threat even with his fumbling woes. J.D. McKissic is a dangerous third-down back. Five-time Pro Bowler Trai Turner replaces Scherff. DE Chase Young is rehabbing (ACL) and won’t be available early, but when he returns, he’ll join bookend Montez Sweat and DTs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on an elite front four. The secondary boasts CB Kendall Fuller and S Kamren Curl. The kicking game is solid with big-legged P Tress Way and PK Joey Slye. Opponents had a .462 winning percentage last season.
Fourth-and-long: Young (knee) will miss the first four weeks. The Colts gave up on Wentz, who wilted with playoffs on the line. Remember? Can WR Curtis Samuel rebound from his injury-marred 2021? Can TE Logan Thomas rebound from his torn ACL? Carter has taken his 8.4 yards per punt return and 25.1 yards on kick returns to the Chargers. Who replaces him? The less said about owner Dan Snyder the better.
Serby Says: 8-9. We’ve seen the best of Carson Wentz.
4. New York Giants
Saquon Barkley.
Coach: Brian Daboll
2021 record: 4-13
O/U wins: 6.5
Key additions: OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, QB Tyrod Taylor, C Jon Feliciano, G Mark Glowinski, RB Matt Breida, G Max Garcia, TE Daniel Bellinger, P Jamie Gillan, DE Jihad Ward
Key departures: CB James Bradberry, S Jabrill Peppers, TE Kyle Rudolph, QB Mike Glennon, QB Jake Fromm, RB Devontae Booker, LB Lorenzo Carter, P Riley Dixon, TE Evan Engram, G Will Hernandez, NT Danny Shelton, T Nate Solder
NFL PREVIEW 2022
Giants season preview: The search for stability — and wins — continues
First-and-long: Saquon Barkley can catch 91 passes again if he can stay healthy. LT Andrew Thomas is ascending. Safety Xavier McKinney has Pro Bowl written all over him. WR Kadarius Toney can break ankles in the open field if he can stay on that open field. Daboll’s offense will get the best out of QB Daniel Jones. Robinson is a jitterbug. You’d rather play with DC Wink Martindale than against him. Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari have a chance to be pass-rush terrors and could help Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. Graham Gano is a career 84 percent field-goal kicker. Backup QB Tyrod Taylor is far better insurance than Glennon and Fromm.
Fourth-and-long: The future is now for Jones. Or never. The O-line will be better, but let’s not call it fixed. RT Neal is a keeper, but there will be growing pains. Has WR Kenny Golladay been playing possum or what? Can WR Sterling Shepard stay healthy? Be nice if Mark Bavaro could come out of retirement, but it looks like Bellinger at TE. CB Aaron Robinson is a work in progress opposite Adoree’ Jackson. Is the left-footed Gillan an upgrade over Dixon?
Serby Says: 7-10. Year 1 of the new regime. At least they won’t be unwatchable.
nypost.com/2022/09/08/nfc-east-preview-predictions-eagles-soar-to-top-of-division/
Coach: Nick Sirianni
2021 record: 9-8
O/U wins: 9.5
Key additions: WR A.J. Brown, DE Haason Reddick, CB James Bradberry, DT Jordan Davis, LB Nakobe Dean, LB Kyzir White, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, WR Zach Pascal, G Cam Jurgens
Key departures: G Brandon Brooks, RB Jordan Howard, DE Ryan Kerrigan, CB Steven Nelson, S Rodney McLeod, DT Hassan Ridgeway, OLB Gerard Avery, LB Alex Singleton, WR Mack Hollins, LB Genard Avery, WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR Jalen Reagor
First-and-goal: The trade for Brown that pairs him with WR DeVonta Smith can be a godsend for lightning-rod quarterback Jalen Hurts. Quez Watkins is a nice WR3 and Dallas Goedert can be a top-five tight end. An elite O-line anchored by veteran C Jason Kelce is bookended by massive LT Jordan Mailata and athletic RT Lane Johnson. RB Miles Sanders can flourish if he can stay on the field, although Kenneth Gainwell has better hands for the passing game and eyes on the short-yardage and goal-line role. Reddick (23.5 sacks over last two seasons) upgrades the pass rush. DT Javon Hargrave (7.5 sacks) notched his first Pro Bowl appearance. Davis, a first-round pick, is a rare 340-pound specimen summoned to shore up the run defense. DT Fletcher Cox returns on a one-year deal to provide leadership. The instinctive White registered 144 tackles last year with the Chargers. Gardner-Johnson upgrades what has been a mediocre safety position. Bradberry and CB Darius Slay are accomplished veterans. Hurts is dangerous as a runner. QB Gardner Minshew is a quality backup. The schedule is one of the easiest.
Fourth-and-long: Hurts (61.3 percent) needs to improve his accuracy and make a leap for the Eagles to enter the Super Bowl conversation. The pass rush ranked 29th last season.
Serby Says: 10-7. GM Howie Roseman crushed the offseason. Fly, Eagles, Fly.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Coach: Mike McCarthy
2021 record: 12-5
O/U wins: 9.5
Key additions: WR Jalen Tolbert, OT Tyler Smith, WR James Washington, DE Dante Fowler Jr., OLB Anthony Barr, DE Sam Williams, WR-KR KaVontae Turpin
Key departures: WR Amari Cooper, WR Cedrick Wilson, OT La’el Collins, K Greg Zuerlein, DE Randy Gregory, TE Blake Jarwin, S Damontae Kazee, G Connor Williams, S Keanu Neal
First-and-goal: OLB Micah Parsons (13 sacks as DROY) is eyeing 23 for the single-season sack record. DE DeMarcus Lawrence had a third Pro Bowl season sabotaged by a fractured foot. Second-round pick Sam Williams looks like a predator. It might be a good idea for Daniel Jones, Jalen Hurts and Carson Wentz to avoid throwing at CB Trevon Diggs (11 INTs). What if the Giants had drafted RG Zack Martin instead of Odell Beckham Jr.? RB Ezekiel Elliott is 27 with 1,938 career touches but remains a dual threat, especially if more explosive backup Tony Pollard can carry more of the load. Dak Prescott (career-best 68.8 completion percentage and 37 TDs passing) is another year removed from his gruesome ankle injury and WR CeeDee Lamb is elite. WR Michael Gallup, due back soon from an ACL, is a deep threat and TE Dalton Schultz is a big target. DC Dan Quinn and OC Kellen Moore are highly regarded, as is daring special teams coordinator John Fassel.
Fourth-and-long: Jerry Jones no longer has a dominant O-line, especially with LT Tyron Smith, who has played 68 of the last 100 games, on the shelf until at least December. Rookie Tyler Smith is the presumptive starter. Cooper is in Cleveland, while rookie receiver Tolbert had better be ready to make the jump from South Alabama. McCarthy will again find himself on the hot seat if he again fields the most penalized (127) team in the league. Lawrence needs Sam Williams as a bookend pass rusher when it won’t be Parsons. The center and right tackle positions are mediocre. Kicker is a concern.
Serby Says: 9-8. The Boys haven’t won the Lombardi since Super Bowl 30. What can go wrong will go wrong.
3. Washington Commanders
Coach: Ron Rivera
2021 record: 7-10
O/U wins: 7.5
Key additions: QB Carson Wentz, WR Jahan Dotson, G Trai Turner, G Andrew Norwell, DT Phidarian Mathis, RB Brian Robinson, S Percy Butler, QB Sam Howell, TE Cole Turner, DE Efe Obada, WR Alex Erickson
Key departures: G Brandon Scherff, G Ereck Flowers, S Landon Collins, DT Tim Settle, DT Matt Ioannidis, WR-KR DeAndre Carter, QB Kyle Allen
Carson Wentz.
First-and-goal: Wentz should be an upgrade over Taylor Heinicke, but his confidence and decision-making waver. Scary Terry McLaurin is his $71 million Go-To Guy. RB Antonio Gibson is a 1,000-yard dual threat even with his fumbling woes. J.D. McKissic is a dangerous third-down back. Five-time Pro Bowler Trai Turner replaces Scherff. DE Chase Young is rehabbing (ACL) and won’t be available early, but when he returns, he’ll join bookend Montez Sweat and DTs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on an elite front four. The secondary boasts CB Kendall Fuller and S Kamren Curl. The kicking game is solid with big-legged P Tress Way and PK Joey Slye. Opponents had a .462 winning percentage last season.
Fourth-and-long: Young (knee) will miss the first four weeks. The Colts gave up on Wentz, who wilted with playoffs on the line. Remember? Can WR Curtis Samuel rebound from his injury-marred 2021? Can TE Logan Thomas rebound from his torn ACL? Carter has taken his 8.4 yards per punt return and 25.1 yards on kick returns to the Chargers. Who replaces him? The less said about owner Dan Snyder the better.
Serby Says: 8-9. We’ve seen the best of Carson Wentz.
4. New York Giants
Saquon Barkley.
Coach: Brian Daboll
2021 record: 4-13
O/U wins: 6.5
Key additions: OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, QB Tyrod Taylor, C Jon Feliciano, G Mark Glowinski, RB Matt Breida, G Max Garcia, TE Daniel Bellinger, P Jamie Gillan, DE Jihad Ward
Key departures: CB James Bradberry, S Jabrill Peppers, TE Kyle Rudolph, QB Mike Glennon, QB Jake Fromm, RB Devontae Booker, LB Lorenzo Carter, P Riley Dixon, TE Evan Engram, G Will Hernandez, NT Danny Shelton, T Nate Solder
NFL PREVIEW 2022
Giants season preview: The search for stability — and wins — continues
First-and-long: Saquon Barkley can catch 91 passes again if he can stay healthy. LT Andrew Thomas is ascending. Safety Xavier McKinney has Pro Bowl written all over him. WR Kadarius Toney can break ankles in the open field if he can stay on that open field. Daboll’s offense will get the best out of QB Daniel Jones. Robinson is a jitterbug. You’d rather play with DC Wink Martindale than against him. Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari have a chance to be pass-rush terrors and could help Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. Graham Gano is a career 84 percent field-goal kicker. Backup QB Tyrod Taylor is far better insurance than Glennon and Fromm.
Fourth-and-long: The future is now for Jones. Or never. The O-line will be better, but let’s not call it fixed. RT Neal is a keeper, but there will be growing pains. Has WR Kenny Golladay been playing possum or what? Can WR Sterling Shepard stay healthy? Be nice if Mark Bavaro could come out of retirement, but it looks like Bellinger at TE. CB Aaron Robinson is a work in progress opposite Adoree’ Jackson. Is the left-footed Gillan an upgrade over Dixon?
Serby Says: 7-10. Year 1 of the new regime. At least they won’t be unwatchable.
nypost.com/2022/09/08/nfc-east-preview-predictions-eagles-soar-to-top-of-division/
