For the first time in franchise history, the Philadelphia Eagles are defending Super Bowl Champions.  This team is also the class of this division.  Some questions still linger regarding Carson Wentz coming back from injury, but I expect him to be fine.  Philadelphia has an elite offensive line and will run the ball effectively this season with Jay Ajayi expected to be the feature back.  The defense will once again be anchored by Fletcher Cox in the middle, and the rest of the defense is solid.  The NFC East has a tough schedule playing both South Divisions, but expect Philadelphia to be near the top of the conference this season.

I think Washington is in for a much better year than others would expect, and they could be a borderline playoff team.  Washington was literally flying in offensive lineman last season only a few days before the game.  An offense will simply not be that efficient dealing with that.  Washington also couldn’t run the ball to save their lives last year.  I don’t know how much Adrian Peterson has left to help that cause, but a healthy offensive line and Samaje Perine should make the run game respectable.  I think Alex Smith is incredibly underrated and at minimum is a push after Kirk Cousins left for Minnesota.  Josh Norman (CB) and Ryan Kerrigan (DE/OLB) are still among the best at their positions.  I worry about the playmakers at the skills positions and the tough schedule should have Washington at the outside looking in playoff time, but this should be a quality team this year.

For the first time in a while, the major questions with the Cowboys are not on the defensive side of the ball.  The vaunted offensive line will be without center Travis Frederick for a bulk of games as he deals with Guillain Barre, and while I felt getting rid of Dez Bryant was the right move, this offense simply hasn’t looked good in preseason.  That doesn’t even mention the retirement of Jason Witten either.  The Cowboys do line up strong on defense, however.  Randy Gregory appears to have put his demons behind him and with DeMarcus Lawerence on the other side, they will have a dangerous pass rush.  Sean Lee needs to stay healthy, but Leighton Vander Esch does give them depth at linebacker.  Despite not acquiring Earl Thomas, I think the young safeties (if Kavon Frazier and Xavier Woods will come into their own) and moving Bryon Jones back to corner along with second year man Chidobe Awuzie (who has looked very impressive in preseason), will do the job and the defense will be strong.  I simply don’t see the offense overcoming what they have to and with a tough schedule, it will be a down year in Dallas.

I’m just not seeing the rebound for the Giants that many in the area are expecting.  Nate Solder is a solid tackle, but I don’t see him righting all the wrongs of the offensive line play last year.  Saquon Barkley will be a star in this league and Odell Beckham Jr.  (fresh off his new deal) is a game changer, but Eli Manning is up there in age and I don’t see this team being sharp as they revert out of the west coast offense they have been in the last few years.  Landon Collins is exceptional at safety, but I don’t see the defense returning to their 2016 form.  Maybe the Giants playmakers will be big time this year and I’ll be wrong, I’m just not seeing it here.