NFL 2018 predictions: Which team will win each division?
By Nile McNair
NFC East
1. Eagles
2. Cowboys
3. Giants
4. Redskins
The defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles return in 2018 trying to repeat as champions. Philadelphia had the best roster last season and they weren’t even fully healthy. The Eagles get three starters back, in quarterback Carson Wentz, linebacker Jordan Hicks, and left tackle Jason Peters. With a far superior roster compared to their divisional foes, the Eagles will dominate the NFC East in 2018.
“America’s Team” the Dallas Cowboys were in the playoff hunt all last season, while their best player Ezekiel Elliot was gone for six games. With Elliott back, the Cowboys look to return to their 2016 success, when they went 13-3.
Dallas will fall short of that because of some flaws on their roster. Their wide receiver corps lacks a true number one, and the secondary is still very young and unproven. Aside from the Eagles, when Dallas plays the Redskins and Giants they can dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Therefore, in the NFC East standings, the Cowboys will finish second behind the Eagles.
Just two years ago the New York Giants were 11-5 and made the playoffs. Last year they fell off a cliff and only won three games. This offseason they drafted Saquon Barkley, solving their running game issue. Through free agency and the draft, their offensive line has been upgraded, and their best player, Odell Beckham Jr., will return from injury in 2018.
New York’s defense still has stars, with the likes of Damon Harrison, Landon Collins and Janoris Jenkins to help keep them in games. After hiring a new offensive-minded head coach in Pat Shurmur, Eli Manning needs to have a bounce back season for the Giants to finish any higher than third in the NFC East.
The addition of Alex Smith as the new quarterback in Washington will give them more consistency at the position. Though they will get more consistency, they may lose the big plays in their offense. Smith, for the first time in his career, had five 300-yard passing games last year. He never had more than one in any season before last year.
The difference this season for Smith is that the Chiefs’ weapons around him last year, compared to Washington’s weapons this year, were better. Washington must perform well this season for their coach Jay Gruden not to get fired next offseason. Based off this prediction, Washington will finish last and will be looking for a new coach soon.