And in case you missed it and care, here are the results of my miserable 12-team fantasy draft this weekend.
Dallas Cowboys
Best Case Scenario: No Murray? No problem. Dallas's offensive line is so dominant, Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden do plenty to maintain one of the NFL's most balanced attacks. The Cowboys repeat as division winners and secure a bye week in January, putting themselves in their best position to return to the Super Bowl in two decades.Worst Case Scenario: Tony Romo's career-best 2014 season turns out to be an anomaly. Under the bright lights of five prime-time games, the befuddling QB coughs up many a fourth quarter turnover and becomes the center of sports media controversy ad nauseum once again. Despite their high level of talent, the Cowboys blow one too many games to edge out the Eagles and have another disappointing Week 17 exit.
Prediction: I'm feeling good vibes about that stellar young and healthy offensive line and some minor upgrades on the Cowboys' other line of scrimmage. Of course, I very much hope the karma of signing Greg Hardy catches up with 'dem boys, but I see Dallas repeating as 11 - 5 division winners.
New York Giants
Best Case Scenario: Although the Giants might as well have a drummer from Spinal Tap playing safety for them at this point, the receiver tandem of a healthy Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham more than atones for any shortcomings on defense. Trying to make the most of a contract negotiation year, Eli Manning has one of those weirdly good seasons that cannot be explained by science or religion. Big Blue emerges as an unlikely challenger to the Cowboys and Eagles for the NFC East title in December.Worst Case Scenario: Plagued by a slew of injuries and lots of question marks at just about every position but wide receiver, the Giants end up competing with the Jets for most forgettable season in the Meadowlands. It's finally enough to give Tom Coughlin the axe and make Eli take a pay cut, but it doesn't make this topsy-turvy team's prospects much better for 2016.
Prediction: There's definitely potential for this team to be one of the worst in the NFL this season, especially if Eli Manning's preseason performance is any indicator. But given a pretty easy schedule and way better prospects than the profoundly struggling Redskinks, I could see the Giants eking out 7 - 9 with plenty of ODB highlights to snack on.
Philadelphia Eagles
Best Case Scenario: Chip Kelly starts an NFL coaching revolution in earnest by proving you can get rid of your star running back, wide receivers and quarterback and still come out on top. Harkening back to his no-huddle days at Oklahoma, Sam Bradford fits right into Kelly's system and finally has that mythical breakout year. The Eagles keep on trucking with another 10+ win season and coach of the year accolades in January.Worst Case Scenario: All of the player turnover from this offseason proves to be a disaster for Kelly's Eagles. Bradford is a bust and/or get hobbled early in the season and has to turn the keys over to Mark Sanchez--or that other fringe ex-Jets QB who must not be named. What's more, Philly's bend-don't-break defense disintegrates without Trent Cole and Brandon Boykin around, making this points machine meaningless at the end of the fourth quarter.
Prediction: I've had to keep repeating the mantra that the preseason doesn't matter because the Eagles have looked mighty good in all of their showings so far this August. I wouldn't really be that surprised if Philly pulls it off despite letting go of almost everyone you've ever heard of this offseason, but my skepticism about the abilities and health of Sam Bradford and DeMarco "436 carries" Murray is strong. If anything happens to those guys, the Eagles could definitely slump below 9 - 7.
Washington Redskinks
Best Case Scenario: My creative writing skills aren't strong enough for this. If there was any part of you that hoped RG3 would rebound after two miserable, injury-laden seasons, that should have evaporated about five minutes into the Redskinks' first preseason game against the Lions. Washington is a complete mess, and the best this team can hope for is failing its way to another top draft pick that will simply be sacrificed to this abysmal offensive line in a few years.Worst Case Scenario: See above. Dan Snyder should probably consider removing a few more seats at FedEx Field while he's at it. If there's a zero-to-one-win candidate not named the Jets this season, my vote goes to the Redskinks. They've surely earned it with their unmatched gusto for public dysfunction at all costs.
Prediction: The Lady Blitz crystal ball shows Washington putting on a 3 - 13 quagmire that sends Robert Griffin packing for Buffalo in about ten months if he doesn't get traded mid-season.
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