The NFC East has always had its own version of Game of Thrones with the mighty Dallas Cowboys at the center of the maelstrom.
There was never really much doubt about whether they’d win it in 2016 though. After an opening day loss they seized the reins and never let them go en route to a 13-3 season, claiming home field advantage in the playoffs. Of course that came to little as they fell in the playoff opener against Green Bay. So the question moving forward is whether they can learn from that painful loss and improve.
Of course improving on a 13-3 season is almost impossible to do. Unfortunately they may need it given how the division is stacked up. New York looks better than they were last year, at least offensively. The Eagles have defense and now provided Carson Wentz with proper weapons at wide receiver. As for the Redskins, they still have Kirk Cousins who can get hot at the drop of a hat.
So will the Cowboys be able to maintain a grip on their crown?
Yes but the road will be a lot bumpier
Dallas should be counting its lucky stars that Ezekiel Elliott was able to avoid the suspension ax from the NFL. Having him and that offensive line do their thing will continue to protect Dak Prescott and a defense that is undergoing a huge transition with a lot of rookies trying to fill in gaps. Combined with a tougher division, at least on paper and the odds are the Cowboys will be losing a few more games this season.
We’re talking the 9-7 range. Thankfully this will still be just enough to claim the division for the second-straight year. The other three teams will do as always by spending all year splitting the series to a point where they ruin their chances to overtake Dallas.