Continuing our division by division odds and
updates series, today we take a look at what could be one of the best
divisions in the entire NFL this season. The NFC East should be a fight to the
death, with the defending champs not going anywhere and other teams on the rise.
Philadelphia Eagles +135 NFC
East, +400 NFC, +800 Super Bowl
The
Eagles opened up as the highest future odds favorite among NFC East teams last
season, but that didn’t end up working out too well for them. The Eagles had a
disappointing, borderline embarrassing season in 2011, and the “Dream Team”
will be looking to right the ship and win some more games this season.
The
Eagles’ offense will once again be their strong suit, but their defense is the
unit with question marks. Last season, with the acquisition of Dominique
Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, their secondary looked unbeatable.
However, the Eagles were barely a top ten team against the pass, and even worse
against the run. If they can improve their linebacking core to better stop the run, their secondary should get better. If the Eagles can keep Michael Vick
healthy and play better defense, they might be a double digit win team this
season. They hold the best value in the future odds of all NFC East teams.
New York Giants +200 NFC East,
+1200 NFC, +2500 Super Bowl
The
defending champs lost several key free agents this offseason, but they are
still in the mix in the NFC East. With Eli Manning playing at the highest level
of his career, it is hard to count out the G-Men. The Giants are starting to
resemble the Colts under Peyton. They have a potent offense but, while their
front four are outstanding, the rest of their defense kind of stinks.
Last
season the Giants defense got hot at just the right time to win the Super Bowl.
This season, they might just have to do the same. In 2011, New York was 29th
in the NFL in passing yards against, giving up over 255 passing yards per game.
Expect some high scoring affairs when the Giants play, but don’t expect them to
repeat as champs.
Dallas Cowboys +250 NFC East, +1200
NFC, +2500 Super Bowl
The
Cowboys match the odds given their rivals the Giants, and some consider them a dark horse to win the NFC this season. Dallas has yet to
put it all together, and their window to do so is running out by the day.
Dallas got hit with some bad luck last season, but they also didn’t live up to
their potential, a not unfamiliar phenomenon to Cowboys fans.
Dallas
lost Laurent Robinson to free agency last season, so Dez Bryant and Miles
Austin will have to step up their game to another level if the Cowboys want to
win a title for Jerry Jones. They are capable, but the odds don’t favor them,
nor do I.
Washington Redskins +850 NFC East,
+5000 NFC, +10,000 Super Bowl
Unsurprisingly, the longshots of the NFC East are the Redskins. A rookie quarterback
will lead them into battle, but I don’t think the 'Skins should be this much of
an underdog in the standings. They rank behind the Cardinals, Seahawks and
Panthers in the NFC odds, and behind the Raiders, Titans and Dolphins in the
Super Bowl odds. I am sure the 'Skins will be better than almost every team I
just mentioned.
I’m not saying they have value to win either their conference or the
Super Bowl because, once again, this division is tough. However, this team was
a 6 win team last season, and they could have been an 8 win team. This season their total wins are set at 6 ½, and I think they could win 7 or more.