As the NFL season is right around the corner, optimism is at its finest. Every team is 0-0, tied for first place. No team has been eliminated from the postseason yet. Every rivalry’s bragging rights are still up for the taking. Every player could have THAT career-defining year. The point of these articles is to give every team’s hopeful season and every team’s disaster season. While some teams’ best scenarios involve Super Bowls, other teams are simply hoping for signs of great potential from young players. I will disregard injuries in worst case scenarios (unless talking about an injury-prone player) because obviously anyone can get injured in football. This article will focus on the four NFC East teams: New York, Dallas, Philadelphia and Washington.
BEST AND WORST CASE SCENARIOS IN THE NFC EAST
New York Giants
Best Case: The Giants have been the most-injured team over the past two seasons, so 2015 is a healthy year and features a high-flying New York offense led by quarterback Eli Manning. There is no shortage of weapons at his disposal: a healthy Victor Cruz, phenom Odell Beckham Jr., Reuban Randle and running back duo Andre Williams and Rashad Jennings. Manning cuts down on turnovers and the defense gets enough stops to keep the team in games. Sure, the Giants are in a division with two other very good teams (Dallas and Philadelphia). Yet Eli Manning has one of his best seasons and the Giants sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard.
Worst Case: Tom Coughlin’s time may finally be running out in New York as the injury plague continues to surround New York. The Giants have talent on offense but Eli Manning continues to turn the ball over and put his defense in tough situations. It doesn’t help that the Giants are matched up with AFC East and get four games against Philadelphia and Dallas. The Giants finish 6-10 and head into the offseason with more holes than solutions.
Dallas Cowboys
Best Case: The Cowboys prove that it was their line, not DeMarco Murray, that was responsible for a dominant 2014 rush attack. Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden form a solid backfield duo and combine for over 2,000 yards on the ground. Tony Romo has another good regular season using Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams to make sure teams do not cheat the run. The defense features Defensive Rookie of the Year Randy Gregory and a refocused Greg Hardy. The Cowboys win the NFC East and secure a first round bye in the playoffs. The team was one play away from winning in Green Bay and once again has the talent to make a deep run.
Worst Case: There is correlation between a strong run game and good quarterback performance. Last season, Romo posted a career-high 113.2 QBR while only throwing 34 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, the best ratio of his career. However, Romo also had his lowest passing attempt total since his rookie year. Romo was helped out because of a dominant run game. Romo is forced to throw the ball more in 2015 because of the departure of Murray and it doesn’t work out so well. The Cowboys aren’t bad, they just aren’t where they were in 2014. They finish 8-8 and watch the Eagles win the East.
Philadelphia Eagles
Best Case: The Eagles chaotic offseason turns into a major success. Chip Kelly proves to be a personnel genius as the Eagles have the best backfield in the league in DeMarco Murray, Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles. Add in a healthy Sam Bradford and this Eagles team wins 12 games. Nelson Agholor and Jordan Matthews are more than enough to suffice in the passing game while new corner Byron Maxwell puts opposing teams wide receivers on an island all season long. Watch out for the Eagles in the playoffs!
Worst Case: Sam Bradford has a typical Sam Bradford season, which is get injured and miss time. The Eagles backfield is too crowded and we watch the backs get frustrated over playing time. Jeremy Maclin is desperately missed and the Eagles defense cannot stop anyone. Maxwell does not look as good when he doesn’t have the Legion of Boom surrounding him. The Eagles finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs again. Chip Kelly takes the offer to coach University of Texas and the Eagles are looking for a new coach.
Washington Redskins
Best Case: In the Redskins best scenario, Kurt Cousins actually struggles to open the season, therefore giving Head Coach Jay Gruden no choice but to let Robert Griffin III the chance to play. The Redskins already guaranteed more runs this year, and first round draft choice Brandon Scherff provides a nice push for Alfred Morris and Matt Jones. The Redskins actually need a high pick; they are a team that isn’t very good AND does not have a lot of young talent. I get that its more fun to win five games than two, but in the long run this team needs a high pick to replenish their roster.
Worst Case: The Redskins don’t win a game in 2015. You heard me, this team is that bad. Alfred Morris is a good back, but Kurt Cousins isn’t the long-term answer in Washington and isn’t even that good right now. This defense is horrible as well. With three powerful offenses in their division, this team is going to be 0-6 in the division. It is very embarrassing to go 0-16, and this team may just go exactly that.
