Beast in the East

The Beast is back in the East!

The new millennium had not been good to the NFC East. In the previous 8 years only the Giants & Philly made it to the Super Bowl and both lost. Not like the 90s when East owned the NFL winning 5 Super Bowl championships between 91 and 96 including four in a row from 91 to 94. The steak included 3 different teams – Dallas, Giants & Redskins. An Era no other division can match!

Last year the same trio all made the playoffs and the Giants’ upset of New England has put the East back on top. So far this year there is no touching them. The division has a 10-2 record, with the two losses coming against each other. The Cowboys handed Green Bay its only loss, Philly knocked Pittsburgh from the undefeated, while only the Redskins have beaten New Orleans & Arizona .

The Redskins playoff hopes are on the line the next two weeks when they play Dallas and Philly. OK, that may sound a bit dramatic but it is very simple. Finish last in the division and you’re out of the playoffs.

When it comes to making the playoffs, the divisional games are the most important. Since 2000 only 2 teams have made the playoffs with losing records in their division. In both cases (Dallas 2006 & Jacksonville 2007), their division put three teams in the playoffs. Only 11 teams made it with a .500 divisional record while 47 others stayed home.

Right now everyone is enamored with Quarterback Jason Campbell . Rightfully so, he has yet to throw an interception or fumble the football. This is scary as the streak has to end and this weekend seems like a prime time.

There are many people who think Dallas is the team to beat for the Super Bowl. Since the Cowboys have not won a playoff game since 1966, one has to think this is a little premature. However, when you look at the defensive & offensive lines you begin to understand the logic.
Dallas plays a 3-4 defense. The 3 down linemen ends Marcus Spears & Chris Chanity along with nose tackle Jay Ratliff were all drafted by Dallas in 2005. Think that was a good draft? Also picked in the draft was Linebacker DeMarcus Wade, the best of the group. What this gives the Cowboys is a core of young & fast players who are supported by Bradie James (6th year), Greg Ellis 11 year and Zack Thomas 13th year. All but Thomas were drafted by Dallas. This defense was built by Bill Parcells. Are you understanding Vinny??

The offensive line is very experience with TE Jason Witten the youngest (6 years) while LG Kyle Kosiec , C Andre Gurode & RT Marc Colombo all in their 7th season. RG Leonard Davis (8) and LT Flozell Adams (11) rounds out the line.

So far this year, the Cowboys are winning the war along the lines, which is why they are the biggest Beast in the East.