The countdown to kickoff is underway. As the NFL season approaches, we’ll be breaking down each division and making wins projections for every team. Today: the NFC East.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
COACH: Chip Kelly
2014 PROJECTION: 9-7
2013 RECORD: 10-6
OVER/UNDER WINS: 9
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 20-1
First and goal: Rushing champ LeSean McCoy is Chip Kelly’s dream back. LT Jason Peters is elite. TE Zach Ertz and impressive No. 2 draft pick Jordan Matthews are big targets, and WR Jeremy Maclin is back healthy. Kelly will have fun tormenting defenses with RB Darren Sproles. If anyone can muster a pass rush from DE Vinny Curry and OLB Brandon Graham, it’s defensive coordinator Billy Davis. CB Cary Williams blanketed Pierre Garçon last year and CB Nolan Carroll provides depth at the very least. . ILB Mychal Kendricks is a playmaker who can blitz.
Fourth and long:Â WR DeSean Jackson won’t be as easy to replace as Kelly thinks. No way QB Nick Foles has a 27-2 TD-INT ratio. RT Lane Johnson serves a four-game suspension. S Malcolm Jenkins is an upgrade over Patrick Chung, and S Nate Allen had a good summer, but we’re talking about the league’s worst pass defense.
2. New York Giants
COACH: Tom Coughlin
2014 PROJECTION: 9-7
2013 RECORD: 7-9
OVER/UNDER WINS: 8
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 50-1
First and goal:Â It’s up to Eli Manning to make this West Coast offense work. RB Rashad Jennings should catch 60 balls. WR Victor Cruz needs Rueben Randle to blossom. The secondary is Legion of Boom East. The linebacking corps has been upgraded, but MLB Jon Beason needs to stay healthy.
Fourth and long:Â The offensive line is unsettled. Jason Pierre-Paul needs to walk the talk and be a double-digit sacker again. Waiting for Godot is easier than waiting for No. 1 pick WR Odell Beckham Jr. Is there a tight end in the house?
3. Washington Redskins
COACH: Jay Gruden
2014 PROJECTION: 7-9
2013 RECORD: 3-13
OVER/UNDER WINS: 7 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 50-1
First and goal: WR DeSean Jackson is a perfect complement to Pierre Garçon. TE Jordan Reed has star potential. RB Alfred Morris is a 1,000-yard back, just don’t expect him to be very involved in the passing game. OLBs Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan would welcome some pass rush help from DT Jason Hatcher.
Fourth and long:Â RG3 likes new head coach Jay Gruden better than Mike Shanahan, but he’s looked shaky in the new offense. The offensive line needs to protect better. S Ryan Clark and CB DeAngelo Hall are terrific quotes, but they’re long in the tooth. New special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica was summoned to make them respectable.
4. Dallas Cowboys
COACH: Jason Garrett
2014 PROJECTION: 5-11
2013 RECORD: 8-8
OVER/UNDER WINS: 7 1/2
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL: 50-1
First and goal:Â Give Jerry Jones credit for a) drafting WR Dez Bryant b) not drafting Johnny Manziel, even if he had reportedly had to be all but tasered by son Stephen during the Cowboys’ turn. He’ll regret it if Tony Romo’s back betrays him. RB DeMarco Murray can be elite if he can stay on the field, especially behind an offensive line that features three No. 1 picks. TE Jason Witten, 32, is The Pride of the Cowboys. Rod Marinelli replacing Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator is a plus. PK Dan Bailey and KR Dwayne Harris are strengths.
Fourth and long: There’s no pass rush and rookie DE DeMarcus Lawrence has a broken foot. MLB Sean Lee is gone for the year, so former Raiders bust Rolando McClain was summoned out of desperation. CB Orlando Scandrick serves a four-game suspension.