2013 Win-Loss Predictions, NFC East Edition

For your amusement after no less than 3 simulations of 256 regular season games because I am that awesome with my free time, here are my 2013 win-loss predictions for every NFL team.  Let us continue with the NFC East, which in my opinion has the haziest outlook of any division this season by far.  The Giants and Cowboys are always up and down, the Eagles have a brand new regime in place, and the Redskins are new in their success.  What I do know is there are plenty of opportunities for all of these teams to prove themselves against the developing/uneven AFC West and NFC North and against each other. 

Dallas Cowboys

Best Case Scenario: Tony Romo has the transcendent season that has always been just beyond his reach, and it helps to have a defense and running game that are 99 times healthier than they were last year.  With Jason Garrett safely tucked away from managing the clock or calling plays, Dallas gets a couple more wins and a real shot at the playoffs.

Worst Case Scenario: All of the coaching shuffles turn out to be a band-aid on a larger chronic problem (Jerry Jones), Romo is just Romo, and Demarcus Ware starts losing a step or two with more years and injuries behind him.  Disorganization puts this team in the sub-0.500 zone.

Bellwether Match Up: It'll be interesting to see how Dallas does out of the gate when they host the Giants in Week 1.  Still, the meat of the schedule comes in December when the Cowboys face the Bears, Packers, Redskins and Eagles in consecutive weeks.  No doubt all eyes will be on Tony Romo in the clutch to close out the season strong and keep playoff hopes alive in those last two weeks.

Prediction: Even though I expect the Dallas defense to rebound from its injury woes and give the team a boost, I'm not confident the Cowboys will be the leaders of the highly competitive divisional pack, so 8 - 8 give or take a win.

Philadelphia Eagles

Best Case Scenario: Chip Kelly's innovative offensive system discombobulates opponents for weeks, giving the Eagles the early edge they'll need for a tough schedule to start the season.  The no huddle extravaganza makes Philly's QB committee and very fast skill player corps look Pro Bowl worthy.

Worst Case Scenario: All the bells and whistles that made Kelly successful as a college coach don't translate.  The offensive line can't generate any kind of run game or pass protection, and the Eagles are down to a self-doubting Matt Barkley--and the drawing board--by Week 8.

Bellwether Match Up: Assuming Philly will need some time to grow into its new identity, a big test will be Week 5 facing the Giants at the Meadowlands.  If the Eagles are going to step up to the plate this year, they'll definitely need the edge against a more seasoned and stable team.

Prediction: More caveats and question marks to come in this shot-in-the-dark prediction.  I do think the Eagles have potential to succeed by doing things quite differently than they have in the past 15 years, but they may need a couple more years to build the roster around the system.  They improve to 6 - 10 with high hopes ahead.

New York Giants

Best Case Scenario: Assuming New York can reinvigorate its once-dynamic pass rush and find a serviceable running game--as it seems to do every four years lately--the sky's the limit.  Say what you will about Eli Manning's bad days, of which there are a decent number, when it's time to be clutch, he can lead a team to January and beyond.

Worst Case Scenario: Say the pass rush and serviceable running game don't come together, especially with the loss of Osi Umenyiora and Ahmad Bradshaw.  Say Eli has an interception-heavy year without a healthy Victor Cruz and/or Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck are reeling with lingering injuries.  That kind of uphill battle puts the Giants at risk of a losing season for sure.

Bellwether Match Up: Every team in this division has something to prove against the others, but how can I resist Eli's matchup with Peyton at home in Week 2?  The elder Manning's more likely to be remembered generations from now, but Eli & co. have proven before they can handle a head to head with this sibling rivalry.

Prediction: Who can ever tell with the Giants?  They've had some decent draft prospects and reconfigurations since their most recent Super Bowl win, but they've also had some roster turnover and health concerns to contend with.  As with every year, they'll either be the best or simply mediocre and nowhere in between, so I give 'em a 9 - 7.

Washington Redskins

Best Case Scenario: RGIII is back in action early and as efficient and productive as ever.  With the help of Alfred Morris' legs and one of the best read option fakes in the game, the Redskins shred opposing defenses across America and get back defensive muscle with Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. The 'Skins pick up right where they left off near the top of the NFC pack.

Worst Case Scenario: I can't imagine this Washington team going worse than 8 wins, even if Griffin misses more time than expected since backup Kirk Cousins must be the envy of every Jets and Jaguars fan on the eastern seaboard.  Still, it'd be hard for any team to replicate the kind of 7-game win streak the Redskins pulled off last year, so a small step back isn't out of the question.

Bellwether Match Up: It's been a while since Washington has risen to #1 seed status, so they'll have plenty opportunities to spar with the top brass this season.  They'd gain some confidence in my book if they can give the Packers a run for their money in Week 2.

Prediction: I gotta say, I'm still pretty thunderstruck with how pro-ready Robert Griffin was last year, and he's got a very well-rounded supporting cast on both sides of the ball to have a relatively successful year.  I can see Washington getting to 10 - 6 this year if they get a few lucky bounces along the way.