Can anyone unseat the Cowboys in the NFC East?
On the strength of an all-world offensive line and two super rookies, the Dallas Cowboys vaulted from worst to first to win the NFC East in 2016. For the most part, the roster is intact to defend its title and attempt to improve on its divisional-round appearance in last year's playoffs.
The Cowboys don't have the benefit of sneaking up on the competition this year, and rival coaches have had a full offseason to dissect Dak Prescott's and Ezekiel Elliott's game tapes. What they'll find, however, is that the pair is tough to stop.
Nonetheless, Dallas will face a first-place schedule in 2017 and has significant question marks on its defense. Will rookie cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Marquez White be able to contribute right away? Who will rush the passer?
The Cowboys are far from perfect, but can anyone knock them off their perch? Here are the contenders for the crown in the NFC East:
New York Giants
New York proved last season it has the roster composition necessary to beat the Cowboys, handing Dallas two of its three regular-season losses.
The Giants will feature much of last year's 10th-ranked defense and have loaded up for a run at a championship by adding Brandon Marshall. The veteran figures to be the secondary target necessary to open up the field for Odell Beckham Jr. to wreak havoc. Marshall will also be a welcome sight for Eli Manning, who was in dire of need of more weapons.
The running game continues to be New York's Achilles' heel, but Paul Perkins needs only to be adequate to put the Giants over the top.
With a balanced defense led by a number of rising stars, the offense finally has the support necessary to vault to the next level and contend for a title.
Washington Redskins
After two successful seasons, the Redskins enter 2017 with a neutered offense. Gone are Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, along with offensive wunderkind Sean McVay. Meanwhile, quarterback Kirk Cousins will lead the team after failing to receive a vote of confidence from the franchise in the form of a long-term contract for the second year running.
Bad news continues to envelop the Redskins, and the schedule-makers have done them no favors. Washington will have to face the NFC West - led by the Seahawks and Cardinals - and the vaunted AFC West in 2017.
Any drama surrounding the team off the field won't aid its attempt to remain competitive on it. Let's not forget that Washington's defensive coaching staff was overhauled after a porous 2016 - and with new coaches come new players.
A converted quarterback (Terrelle Pryor) inherits the team's No. 1 receiver job, and someone endearingly referred to as "Fat Rob" (Rob Kelley) is the assumed lead running back. It might be a long year in D.C.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles said and did all the right things during the offseason. Quarterback Carson Wentz promised to be better in his sophomore year and the franchise supplied him with proven producers in the form of Alshon Jeffery, LeGarrette Blount, and Torrey Smith.
The secondary is the unit with question marks, however. A number of youngsters are expected to make the leap in 2017, and they'll have to do so in a division chock-full of talent at the receiving position. Gone are Nolan Carroll and Leodis McKelvin. Enter Jalen Mills, Sidney Jones, and Rasul Douglas.
For the young Eagles, it'll be sink or swim in one of the toughest divisions in football.
Also from this series
- Can anyone unseat the Packers in the NFC North?
- Can anyone unseat the Falcons in the NFC South?
- Can anyone unseat the Seahawks in the NFC West?
- Can anyone unseat the Patriots in the AFC East?
- Can anyone unseat the Steelers in the AFC North?
- Can anyone unseat the Texans in the AFC South?
- Can anyone unseat the Chiefs in the AFC West?