On to the NFC with these now-famous four questions.
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The NFC East gets the first look as our analysts offer their thoughts as to who will be the division's breakout players, where the smart money lies for season win totals, and which team stands the best chance to advance to the postseason.
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Who's Your Breakout Player for 2011?
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Khaled: With Stephen Bowen moving on more snaps in the rotation are freed up – especially as a nickel rusher – for Jason Hatcher. He flashed well when he was given the opportunity so give him more snaps and you’re bound to hear his name a lot more. He’ll pressure the quarterback.
Ben: He showed glimpses last year and in the offseason he has apparently started to show more maturity as well. With Roy Williams now departed, this is the year for Dez Bryant to emerge and show the outstanding talent and consistency he showed in college. He showed ability as a receiver and a returner last year and with more passes going his way I think Bryant will give us all a look at what he is truly capable of.
Nathan: I expect the Cowboys to use even more two-tight end formations this year, as Martellus Bennett becomes an even better blocker. His blocking improved as the season went on, and his catching ability was a lot better in 2010 than it was in 2009. I know he is injured and will miss the first few games, but I think this is the year where he becomes an even bigger factor.
Neil: I had a complete disaster picking this division last year (mostly due to unhealthy Cowboy love) so I'm going to hedge my bets and give you so many answers at least one will be right. Dallas – ILB Sean Lee will be terrific. N.Y. Giants – I'm picking MLB Jonathan Goff and FS Kenny Phillips to take the next step and move from good to great. Philadelphia – If the Eagles do give Evan Mathis the chance to start at LG then he'll do them a great service and also make us look like the NFL savants we really are (really!?!). Finally for Washington RE Stephen Bowen should now get enough snaps to prove just what a fine pick up he was.
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The Over/ Under lines for season win totals in the division are: Dallas 9; New York Giants 9.5; Philadelphia 10.5; Washington 6.5. On which team would you put your theoretical $100?
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Khaled: They lost their starting star defensive tackle to a division rival. They’ve lost numerous cornerbacks to injured reserve. They’ve seen the others in the NFC East get stronger. They are the New York Giants, and they just aren’t going to do very well. It’s a weird kind of transitional phase they find themselves in, but this year they’ll do well to finish at .500.
Ben: Philadelphia Eagles over 10.5 wins is the pick for me in a very tough division. All four over/under marks are very high in this division and I was tempted to randomly pick one and plug for the under. I’m not entirely sure that this division is as strong as advertised, so one or two teams will fall short of expectations. That said I think the Eagles will see dividends from their investments and take the division with 11 or 12 wins.
Nathan: While you can say calling them the “Dream Team” is pushing it a little far, I would guess they can get to at least 11 wins. Anything less than that and the regular season would be a disappointment. The Giants and Cowboys both seemed about right, and while I do think the Redskins will do worse, I like the Eagles chances of surpassing the number.
Neil: I hate this, I really do. I could go the easy route and pick Washington fully expecting them to tank when either Rex Grossman or John Beck (or both) show their true colors. Truth is though, without being sold, I've seen enough solidity to expect them to get the 6.5 offered here. That's why I hate having to pick the Giants as under 9.5; they just can't buy a break at the moment and I'm kicking them while they're down. Life's a bitch.
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What do you see as the positional strength of the division?
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Khaled: I remember writing something similar last year, but this division has some impact pass rushers. I’m looking at DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys, the criminally underrated Trent Cole in Philadelphia, and Justin Tuck in New York. Throw in Brian Orakpo and some young players coming through, and this is a division that will make life hard for quarterbacks.
Ben: There is some terrifying pass rush talent in this division. Ware, Orakpo, Cole and Tuck are four top line threats and the only thing that’s going to hold any of them back from outstanding seasons is surely injury.
Nathan: It was tempting to say cornerbacks, but those in Dallas prevented me from going there. I like the running backs here. None of them are considered among the best in the league, but each team has reliable players. In Dallas, Felix Jones is an above average runner, and very good on passing downs. The Giants have a strong tandem in Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Philadelphia has an impressive rusher in LeSean McCoy, who is equally good in the pass game. In Washington, Ryan Torain is a man I like, although since he hasn’t played this preseason, it’s hard to tell if he can keep that up, but even Tim Hightower is worth noting.
Neil: Pass rushers – Sure I'm picking a mix of 3-4 OLBs and and 4-3 ends but Trent Cole, DeMarcus Ware, Justin Tuck, Brian Orakpo, Jason Babin and Anthony Spencer are all fantastic and who knows Jason Pierre-Paul and Ryan Kerrigan may well join them in 2011.
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Who is going to make the playoffs and do they have a shot to win it all?
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Khaled: Too much has gone wrong for the Giants, and the Redskins will improve to a degree, but really it comes down to Philadelphia and Dallas. Lost among a woeful season is that the Cowboys have a talented roster, and they look like a team that could impose themselves on you. Dallas to win the division, and Philadelphia to make it via the Wild Card. I could see these two meeting up with each other in the first round, with the winner losing in the divisional round.
Ben: The Eagles look to have the strength to take this one in a regular season setting and I suspect they may be the only playoff team from this division. Every year we hear from certain parts of the media how this division is the tops and how they’re going to take it to each other. I’m not so sure that’s true, I think the wildcards come from the North and the South in the NFC and in spite of their massive investments this offseason I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Eagles fail to win a playoff game.
Nathan: The Eagles won the division last year, and got better this offseason, so I believe they win it again. I could see them possibly getting to the NFC Championship game, but I don’t think they make it to the Super Bowl. I could see both the Cowboys and Giants end up with winning records this year, but I don’t think either will get enough wins to make it as a wild card.
Neil: Who wins? Dallas absolutely killed me last year; I picked them to win it all and I'm not being fooled again. That said, I am stupid enough to think they can win this division. In preseason watching Tryon Smith fit in, Martellus Bennett simply destroying people and Jason Witten still looking his best, I think Felix Jones (if he can stay on the field) will take the pressure off Tony Romo to do it all. So why not the “Dream Team”? Well towards the end of last year people started to figure the “new” Mike Vick out and I think he may not be able to overcome this happening again. They will make the playoffs though.
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Follow the guys on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled, @PFF_Neil, @PFF_NateJahnke … and the main feed: @ProFootbalFocus
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