NFC East: The most baffling division in the NFL

LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Kicker Brett Maher #2 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after missing a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Somebody needs to start explaining the NFC East because that division has established itself as the biggest roller coaster in the entire NFL.

Coming into 2018, the buzz around this group of four teams was substantial. It had the reigning champs, a team that went 13-3 two years before that was still young, and two teams that had made the playoffs at least once the past couple of years. All had seemed to have a good offseason. From top to bottom it seemed certain this division would be the centerpiece of the NFC conference. Turns out? Not so much.

Three teams now have a losing record with the halfway point of the season almost at hand. None of them look like genuine threats to win a championship. Things can change of course but right now the inconsistency is rampant and it’s hard to figure out. Here is a quick assessment of each team and why they are utterly confusing.

Washington Redskins (4-2)

Hang on a second. Wasn’t this team supposed to be bad this year? They lost Kirk Cousins. Their wide receiver position is weaker than its been in years. They haven’t made the playoffs in three years. Yet they lead the race for 1st place in the division and have done with classic good defense and running the football with a resurgent Adrian Peterson. What?

Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)

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The defending Super Bowl champions. The team that knocked out the mighty Patriots with their backup quarterback to win their first title since 1960. This team is supposed to be the cream of the NFC crop. It looked like they were regaining that form last week against the Giants. Then they inexplicably cough up a 17-0 lead in the second half against Carolina at home.

Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

Another team that can’t figure out who they are. The Cowboys had all the momentum in the world after blasting Jacksonville 40-7 at home a week ago. All they had to do was get by a Redskins team they had owned for the past couple years to seize control of the division. Instead Ezekiel Elliott rushed for just 33 yards and they took the ball out of Dak Prescott‘s hands when it mattered most.

New York Giants (1-5)

What’s amazing about this team is they are playing well below their talent level. New York has loads of offensive firepower led by Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley. They don’t have a good defense but it can be a decent one. To think they’re 1-5 and have looked as lost as they have is so confusing. That speaks to a lack of presence at head coach.

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