Why the low expectations from the pre-season mags?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I don't think anyone thinks that, but when they were all together last year they looked pretty good. They got their act together at the end of the season and finished at 8-8, one more win and they could have had the Skins spot in the playoffs. They improved a little on D and while standing pat on offense (and still not getting a legit receiving threat) they weren't all that bad last season.

I mean, if you look at that team last year they were a few fumbles against Green Bay away from being 9-7. Also, Donovan missed a game against the Seahawks last year, he had a pretty good year, they only lost 24-28 without him, they could have very well won that game and been 10-6.

All that said, it may be an impossibility at this point to expect Donovan McNabb to play 16 games, but that has to be what you base any prediction on. I don't see them having another down year this year, but I see the Eagles and Skins battling it out for second place.

In regards to Dallas, they didn't need to make that many upgrades. They were 11-5 last year. Granted, they're a year older, but that usually means that Romo is going to be better. Unfortunately for them they still don't have much receiving depth past TO and their safeties are liabilities, but if they can pressure the passer the way we all know they can that will take a lot of pressure off of those guys.

Actually they were 13-3 last year, but that feeds into a point I am going to make. Realistically Dallas and NYG are due to come back to the pack a little. Dallas isn't going to win 13 games again, they will likely cap out at 11.

I don't know anyone who thinks the Giants are better than or even as good as they were last year. They lost 4 defensive starters, have some chemistry issues on offense (Shockey wants out, Plex want more $) and they got hot at the right time last year, I'd be surprised if they were better than 8-8, only 2 off of what they were last year.

Philly is the wildcard. They always worry me, but don't scare me anymore. McNabb, Westbrook and Dawkins need to play 16 games in order for them to be a playoff team IMO. They are solid across the board but great nowhere.

Playing the 'if' game could have put us at 12-4 easily last year (IF Betts didn't trip, IF Moss didn't fumble, IF Campbell didn't throw the INT to Newman)..

Why isn't it August?