Aussie Football finals are rolling around which can only mean one thing, so is the start of the NFL! Check out our NFC East Betting Preview below!
The NFC East was one of the leagues most surprising divisions last year with both the Cowboys and Giants proving to be above average and advancing to the playoffs easily.
This year sees both Big Blue and America’s Team as the favorites to advance once again.
The NFC East Division Winner Odds
Odds listed above courtesy of oddschecker.com and of course in fractional form.
The NFC East Team Overview
Dallas Cowboys
The big news from the Big D is no doubt Ezekiel Elliott’s six game suspension to start the season. Last years rookie of the year was dominant behind the Cowboys all conquering offensive line and helped to keep their suspect defense off the field. He was also a great safety net for a fellow rookie in Quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys have two capable back-ups in Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden but neither are as dynamic as Zeke and there is no doubt this will affect their ability to win games over the first six games of the season.
Their start to the season isn’t exactly easy either, hosting New York is never fun and then back to back road games at Denver and Arizona will be tough not to mention hosting Aaron Rodgers in Week 5. Very winnable games against LA and San Fran are the only saving grace and if the Boys’ are 3-3 by the time Zeke returns, all will not be lost.
In terms of personnel changes, not much to report on a team that dominated its way to a 13-3 record last year dropping just one game at home. First round pick (#28) Taco Charlton from Michigan has shown early signs in the preseason of being a nice addition to a mediocre defense.
The big question is whether or not Dak can maintain the level he set last year. Any regression combined with Zeke’s suspension and they could be more of a 10-6 team. They finished the regular season as the number two ranked in Football Outsiders DVOA rankings and should be heading back to the playoffs this season.
PROJECTED: 11-5 and NFC East Division winners
New York Giants
The New York Football Giants spent big last preseason on their defense and it paid off. After a slow start they quickly become one of the five best defenses in the NFL off the back of a breakout season from safety Landon Collins, Damon Snacks Harrison clogging up the middle and cornerbacks DRC, Jenkins and Apple constantly making big plays.
And I literally mean Landon Collins had one of the all-time great seasons at S in the NFL. Never could have imagined after his rookie season pic.twitter.com/z6y2HtfytW
— Wesley Gullett (@WesleyGullett) August 12, 2017
The pass rush of Vernon and Pierre Paul should improve as cohesive grows in year two and teams start scheming for Collins charging in from the secondary.
If the defense was the backbone the offense was the broken bone of the Giants season. Eli had a down season, the offensive line was inconsistent and they couldn’t run the ball to save themselves.
They’ve drafted a much hyped TE and grabbed Brandon Marshall from the Jets to go with Beckham and Shephard so the aeriel weapons are there if a ground game can be found.
Oh, and if Eli Manning has something left to give!
PROJECTED: 10-6
Washington Redskins
The team we think that are most likely to regress in the NFC East are the Washington Reskins.
Not only on paper are they the least talented, off the field they are the least stable and they look to be a legitimate chance to implode and finish last in the division.
Cousins doesn’t want to be there and you could make the argument that the Redskins front office don’t want him there either!
After preseason opener – Kirk Cousins says Redskins got ‘a wake up call’ pic.twitter.com/e4TZL1rRYu
— ABC 7 Sports (@ABC7Sports) August 11, 2017
The offense that ranked 5th in offensive DVOA last regular season has lost key players while the defense that ranked (25th) still looks to be an issue. In a tough division with a tough schedule, we’re happy to take them on this season!
PROJECTED: 6-10
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have an underrated defense full of playmakers that will be the key to them competing for the NFC East title this year.
Of course, Carson Wentz will need to make a substantial leap forward in year two but there is enough to suggest he is capable of that and let’s not forget, the Eagles did win seven games last year with a rookie QB.
That defense we speak of ranked 4th in defensive DVOA last year while the offense has some ground to make up (20th).
What effect will the Jordan Matthews trade have on the offense?
PROJECTED: 8-8
Punting Stars’ NFC East Betting Tips
Washington UNDER 7.5 Season wins
New York Giants to win the division @ 2/1