2008 NFL Expert Picks, Predictions and Fantasy Football Notes - NFC East

By: FantasyFootballGoat.com

So far on my predictive trip through the league, picking the NFL Expert Picks”>Browns over the Steelers in the AFC North has sparked the most debate - and some pretty heated trash talk ta boot. But, I have a feeling this post will have no problem topping that.

This week I take on the ultra competitive NFC east. I have a feeling that all you fans of the teams in this division are a pretty passionate bunch so it should be interesting.

Anyway, let get to it. Seeing as how the Giants are the reigning champs it should be pretty easy to figure out who the favorite is right? Well, not exactly. Check it out.

2008 NFC East Final Standings:

1) Dallas Cowboys

2) New York Giants

3) Philadelphia Eagles

4) Washington Redskins

Thoughts:

I like the Giants but defending a title isn’t the easiest thing to do. Combine that with an ultra competitive division, the loss of guys like Kawika Mitchell, William Joseph and Gibril Wilson along with a tougher schedule, I just don’t think they can win the division.

The Cowboys are reloading and have a very bad taste in their mouth after another disappointing playoff appearance. Oh, and they still have 11 pro bowlers. On paper, it seems obvious.

Meanwhile, the Eagles can never be discounted. They have upgrade their defense by adding Asante Samuel and a pair of decent linbacker, Rocky Boiman (IND) and Chris Clemons (OAK). If McNabb could just stay healthy and get a real threat at receiver, they have just as good a chance as any in the east.

I don’t know what to say about the Redskins at this point. A new coach and slim pickins at the receiver position make it easy to put them last. Do I think they suck? Not at all. They were solid at times last year but they are in a tough division. We’ll see.

Fantasy Notes:

Dallas is all about Romo and T.O. but they are the team to watch in the draft. Rumor has it that Jerry Jones wants to get a big named back but we’ll see.

Barber is easily be a top ten fantasy back - arguably top five - if he gets the bulk of the work - which is likely since Julius Jones in now in Seattle. Even if the Cowboys pick up a back in the draft, Barber would get the bulk of the work early.

The Giants offense should be solid but I imagine after all of the post season exposure, Eli will be going a little early for my taste. He reminds me to much of Troy Aikman (the fantasy player). He’ll have decent games but week to week I bet he averages about a touchdown and a half.

A healthy Plaxico will demand a well deserved top 10 fantasy receiver slot. The two headed Brandon Jacobs - Ahmed Bradshaw backfield will keep owners guessing. I like Bradshaw as a spot duty RB2 or RB3 in points per catch leagues.

As always, the big question in Phili centers around McNabb. Can the guy stay healthy? Are his receivers good enough? Hard to say on either after last years roller coaster ride. It would be cool if they were able to cash in on those Chad Johnson rumors, but the chances seem pretty slim. Look the the Eagles to get one of the top receivers in the draft.

The fantasy situation in Washington centers around Clinton Portis but it will be somewhat of a wildcard with a new coach coming in. According to The Washington Post new Head Coach Jim Zorn plans to start out the season as a run first team, slowly move towards balance and then to his own version of the pass first west coast offense.

So there you have it, my early thoughts on the fate of the teams in the NFC East. Keep an eye out for my next post, I’ll be looking at the NFC North. Can a Favre-less Packer team repeat? We’ll see.

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Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Fantasy Football, New York Giants, NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

Corey Koehler is a blogger, podcaster and NFL fantasy football freak. He thanks you for reading his article and invites you to stop by and check out his Fantasy Football Blog at FantasyFootballGoat.com. There you will find more of the valuable NFL and fantasy football information seen here. Also, make sure you don't miss another post by Corey - or his team of fantasy geniuses - by subscribing to his all of his content for the very low price of FREE. You can subscribe to The Fantasy Football Goat by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get the info fast and easy. Don't understand this whole subscribing thing? Check out this short video on RSS. See you at the top!