Examining how the Redskins stack up against the rest of the NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles
Coming of their first Super Bowl win, the Eagles are rightfully the favorite to win the NFC East. They got better through the offseason, but a there is one glaring story line that will impact the Eagles success. The return of Carson Wentz.
Nick Foles is not going to lead the team to a division title. I understand he played well in the playoffs last season, but Foles isn’t a franchise quarterback. Wentz will need to return to form after the ACL injury he suffered last season. He’ll need to be as explosive as ever, the Eagles have a tough schedule, and the entire NFL views them as the number one target.
The offense is led by a strong running back group headlined by Jay Ajayi as the early down back, and Corey Clement as the primary pass catcher. Darren Sproles returns this year, but I don’t expect the Eagles to overwork the 35-year-old who is coming off a nasty knee injury.
The offensive line is among one of the best in the NFL with the return of future Hall of Fame left tackle Jason Peters. I don’t expect the passing offense to have the same success it did last year, but it will still prove sufficient enough. The offense will thrive on consistency, they won’t be a top-five passing or rushing attack, but have all the tools needed to finish top 10 in total offense.
The defense is headlined by a daunting defensive line that thrives on getting after the passer. It’s depth did take a hit with the likes of Beau Allen and Vinny Curry leaving in free agency, but the Eagles subsidized it a bit by acquiring Micheal Bennett from the Seahawks. The secondary is in a little unknown. They have veterans Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod holding down the safety spots, but at corner is the competition of Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Sidney Jones fighting for the outside corner opposite of Ronald Darby. It should be an interesting competition as Jones has the highest upside, but Mills has the most experience and Douglas has the best physical traits.
The Eagles are the team to beat in the division, and I don’t expect them to replicate their dominance from last season. That said, I do believe they’re still the best team in the division, and are the best bet to win it. That being said, all four teams are hungry, and all four teams are 0-0 as of right now. Each team has it’s own strengths and weaknesses and we won’t know who the best team is until it’s all said and done. No team has won the NFC East in back to back years since the Eagles in 2003-2004.
Next. 25 bold predictions for the Redskins 2018 season. dark