2006 NFC Predictions

[Master4Caster]

I predict that the NFC East will be much tougher next season.

Little Eli will have another season under his belt and should cut down on mistakes. The Giants have a good linebacker group, led by "our" guy, Antonio Pierce. The secondary got better thru the season. They need another receiver to balance Plax Burress. Toomer is near done from what I see. They will compete for a receiver with the Redskins on the free agent market.

The Iggles are a playoff caliber team when they are healthy. Donovan McNabb makes them so. Plus, I'm not convinced they will follow-thru with dropping Terrell Owens. When faced with the reality of getting nothing in return for dropping him, the Iggles may lose the emotion and make a hard core business decision - no drop/trade if no value in return. For TO, there is no better way to rehabilitate his rep than by playing well for Philly. He will not improve his contract by leaving. I say it's 50-50 Owens stays. Don't laugh. I'm not predicting this, but won't be surprised if it happens!

The Cowboys have the biggest challenge only because O-line issues are the hardest to fix. If they can coach up those young tackles, they could easily win 9 games.

The Redskins take an interesting approach to 2006 by investing in coaches. I think that's smart. They have most of the other pieces already. The O-line is almost good enough to earn the name Hogs. David Patten returns; at least he draws double coverage. They have young rushing talent to back up Clinton Portis. We don't need to talk about the D, except to say we are better off with Arrington here than gone. Mostly thay have team continuity in staff and most players. They have to make better use of who they have. Gibbs didn't play fantasy football (play the name game) last season. He did his homework and thought about the attributes he wanted in role players. Then he got players everybody else overlooked. What did YOU think when you heard he signed Santana Moss and Mark Brunell? I believe he/Saunders will do the same and come up with someone unexpected, but who is exactly what the offense needs.

Barring injury, I say the Giants and Redskins could win 11-12 games next season. Philly is in that group with McNabb and Owens. Dallas' prospects depend on how well they upgrade protection for Drew Bledsoe.