NFC East
The NFC East is always one of the most competitive divisions in all of football. All of these teams truly hate each other and never hold back on trying to stop the other’s playoff hopes. The Cowboys, current favorites to win the division, are still waiting for their most important player to report. The Giants may have struck gold with Eli Manning’s heir. The Redskins are playing it safe and not rushing their rookie quarterback. Carson Wentz now has full control in Philadelphia and the team will do as he does.
Dallas Cowboys
Zeke who? It’s the comment that showed just how far apart the Cowboys organization and Ezekiel Elliott truly are in this contract holdout. Elliott has yet to report to camp and is now offended by the comment made by owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys reportedly offered a deal to Elliott today to make him the second-highest paid running back behind Todd Gurley. Elliott still has yet to sign it and yet to report, but maybe this is a sign of real progress.
The team did welcome back a familiar face. Fifteen-year veteran Jason Witten is back with the Cowboys after spending a year in the booth. Witten was one of the most productive players in his career and will be a great security blanket for Dad Prescott who lost Cole Beasley and who knows when Elliott will play.
Dallas recently extended linebacker Jaylon Smith which probably adds some sting to Elliott’s feelings. Smith still has two years left on his contract, but was able to work out a deal that benefitted him and the team.
New York Giants
After all of the hot takes that he Giants made a mistake with taking Duke quarterback Daniel Jones at number six were made, Jones has done nothing, but live up to expectations. It’s still preseason, but Giants fans have to be pleased with what they’ve seen. With no Saquon Barkley lining up, Jones has been front and center and has been dropping dimes in his first two games. This team is still technically Eli Manning’s, it’s clear the team will likely be handing off the reigns in the very near future.
This team has potential to be good thanks to Saquon Barkley’s ability to do everything. It will be interesting to see how the team steps up after losing Odell Beckham Jr., Corey Coleman and Golden Tate for the first four games.
Washington Redskins
Washington lost both Alex Smith and Colt McCoy to injuries and they will be unable to start the season, leaving the battle between Case Keenum and rookie Dwayne Haskins. The team is leaning towards picking Keenum to start the season instead of throwing the rookie out there. It’s definitely not the choice fans were hoping as they are excited to see what their new high draft pick, who vowed to make every team who did not draft him regret it, can do on the field in a live game. The team will play it safe, but Haskins will likely become the starter at some point in the season.
Washington will be without long-time tackle Trent Williams who has made it very clear he wants out. The team has tried to downplay it, but in the end it’s clear it’s time for Williams to be traded. The team was rumored to be in talks with the New England Patriots about trading Williams for a first round pick, but nothing has materialized thus far. It’s hard to imagine why Washington would not accept the offer considering it is clear Williams will never play for them again.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Nick Foles era has officially ended in Philadelphia. This is now completely Carson Wentz’s team good or bad. The Eagles welcomes back one of the franchise’s most well-known players, DeSean Jackson. The speedy receiver will definitely fit in well with this receiving corps that includes Alshon Jeffrey. Nelson Agholor, and Zack Ertz. It’s important to see Wentz hopefully play a full season healthy, something that he has yet to do. With 40-year-old Josh McCown as his backup, it’s all on Wentz.
