2013 NFC East Preview

By Michael Gertz
Wednesday, September 4, 2013

AFC: East | North | South | West         NFC: East | North | South | West

2012 Common Opponents: NFC South, AFC North
2013 Common Opponents: NFC North, AFC West

The NFC East faced a brutal schedule both in and out of the division in 2012. Their 2013 common opponents should be slightly easier, but schedules will still be loaded. With our 9th, 10th, and 12th rated teams from 2012, the division title should be a tightly contested 3-way battle yet again. And a bit of luck could even put the rebounding Eagles in the mix as well. This division could easily produce at least 2 playoff teams even with the NFC being incredibly strong. Though any of the teams would have a chance to make a run in the playoffs, none seem worthy of being considered in the elite of the NFC.

Dallas Cowboys

2012 Record: 8-8
2012 Rating: 2.1 (12th of 32)
2012 Deserved Wins: 8.4
2013 Division Rank Opponents: NO & STL
2013 Preliminary Rating: 1.7 (7th of 32)
2013 Wins by Preliminary Rating: 8.7

Projected Changes to Starting Lineup:
C - Ryan Cook / 79 / - >>> Travis Frederick / 79 / rk
G - Nate Livings / 80 / - >>> T Jeremy Parnell / 77 / -
DT - Sean Lissemore / 78 / - >>> Nick Hayden / 73 / FA
DE - Marcus Spears / 79 / BAL >>> LB Justin Durant / 80 / DET
LB - Ernie Sims / 75 / - >>> Sean Lee / 84 / inj
S - Gerald Sensabaugh / 78 / FA >>> Will Allen / 78 / PIT
S - Danny McCray / 74 / - >>> Barry Church / 78 / inj

The last couple years, the Cowboys have maintained good ratings while only managing 8 wins. The mediocre records have been the result of playing in a tough division and having bad luck. Helping the Dallas outlook is their preliminary 2013 rating, which indicates that they should fare better from usual season-to-season regression than most teams. While the division remains tough, the Cowboys should definitely accrue more wins than last season and be in the thick of the playoff and division races.

New York Giants

2012 Record: 9-7
2012 Rating: 2.7 (9th of 32)
2012 Deserved Wins: 8.7
2013 Division Rank Opponents: CAR & SEA
2013 Preliminary Rating: 0.8 (11th of 32)
2013 Wins by Preliminary Rating: 8.1

Projected Changes to Starting Lineup:
RB - Ahmad Bradshaw / 82 / IND >>> David Wilson / 81 / -
TE - Martellus Bennett / 83 / CHI >>> Brandon Myers / 80 / OAK
T - Sean Locklear / 80 / FA >>> Justin Pugh / 80 / rk
DT - Rocky Bernard / 80 / FA >>> Cullen Jenkins / 83 / PHI
LB - Mathias Kiwanuka / 81 / - >>> Keith Rivers / 79 / -
LB - Michael Boley / 79 / FA >>> Spencer Paysinger / 75 / -
LB - Chase Blackburn / 77 / CAR >>> Dan Connor / 78 / DAL
S - Stevie Brown / 79 / inj >>> Ryan Mundy / 77 / PIT

The Giants roster has turned over a bit for 2013, but should be of similar caliber. Like Dallas, the Giants were a bit unlucky to miss the playoffs last season. It is hard to separate any of the top 3 teams in the NFC East, meaning the Giants should also be right in the mix for either the division or a wild card spot.

Philadelphia Eagles

2012 Record: 4-12
2012 Rating: -1.8 (24th of 32)
2012 Deserved Wins: 6.3
2013 Division Rank Opponents: TB & ARI
2013 Preliminary Rating: -0.1 (18th of 32)
2013 Wins by Preliminary Rating: 7.8

Projected Changes to Starting Lineup:
WR - Jeremy Maclin / 81 / inj >>> Riley Cooper / 75 / -
C - Dallas Reynolds / 75 / FA >>> Jason Kelce / 77 / inj
T - King Dunlap / 80 / SD >>> Jason Peters / 89 / inj
T - Dennis Kelly / 73 / - >>> Lane Johnson / 81 / rk
CB - Dominique Rogers-Cromartie / 81 / DEN >>> Cary Williams / 81 / BAL
CB - Nnamdi Asomugha / 80 / SF >>> Bradley Fletcher / 79 / STL
DT - Cullen Jenkins / 83 / NYG >>> Isaac Sopoaga / 79 / SF
DT - Derek Landri / 80 / TB >>> DE Cedric Thornton / 76 / -
DE - Jason Babin / 84 / JAC >>> LB Connor Barwin / 81 / HOU
S - Kurt Coleman / 75 / - >>> Patrick Chung / 78 / NE

The Eagles weren't quite as bad as their record in 2012. With most of their offensive issues stemming from injuries and poor play on the offensive line, there is reason to believe Philadelphia can turn things around a bit on offense in 2013 with an improved offensive line. While the Eagles have had a lot of turnover on their defense, the new blood still leaves a lot to be desired. As such, the most likely scenario for Philadelphia is probably a bit of a rebound, but not quite back to the success they had in recent seasons past. The Eagles ought to be about a league average team in 2013, but playing in such a rough division should still keep them out of the playoff picture.

Washington Redskins

2012 Record: 10-6
2012 Rating: 2.4 (10th of 32)
2012 Deserved Wins: 8.9
2013 Division Rank Opponents: ATL & SF
2013 Preliminary Rating: 0.6 (15th of 32)
2013 Wins by Preliminary Rating: 7.9

Projected Changes to Starting Lineup:
TE - Logan Paulsen / 77 / - >>> Fred Davis / 82 / inj
LB - Rob Jackson / 75 / - >>> Brian Orakpo / 87 / inj
S - Madieu Williams / 78 / FA >>> Brandon Meriweather / 80 / inj
S - Reed Doughty / 78 / - >>> Bacarri Rambo / 74 / rk

The Redskins don't do especially well in our preliminary 2013 ratings, partially because such strong rushing offenses usually regress quite a bit the following season. But that piece of bad news is largely offset by the fact that Washington has kept almost all of its 2012 roster intact while adding back a couple key contributors from injury. Whether the Redskins make the playoffs could depend on the health of Robert Griffin and whether defenses are able to better defend their read option plays in 2013.

AFC: East | North | South | West         NFC: East | North | South | West