NFC East

As the roomofzen.com predicted, the NFC East is now the dominant division in professional football. The Giants are kicking-ass, the Redskins are about to beat the Steelers, and both the Cowboys and Eagles remain dangerous football teams despite their recent fortunes. And after suffering through years of AFC dominance, I am enjoying every minute of this return to greatness. It feels especially good to see the Patriots suffer while Brady cries on the sidelines. Maybe he's hanging out in that new sports-bar by the Patriots stadium, drinking away his sorrows? Or maybe his supermodel girlfriend left him for Eli Manning in the Big Apple?

Tonight's game against the Steelers will put the Redskins on the map if they win. But if they lose, the media will start comparing Jim Zorn to Norv Turner, which is bad. Turner, during his Redskins tenure, went 7-1 and 6-2 and then allowed his teams to finish 9-7 and 8-8 during the 1996 and 2000 campaigns. Mark my words: ESPN will have a field-day with Coach Zorn if they lose to the same team which just lost to the Eagles and Giants. Tonight's game is therefore a must win situation for the Redskins. (Note: I will be at tonight's game, ensuring a successful outcome)

The Giants looked downright scary in their win over Dallas yesterday:

- Manning was efficient with the football and avoided costly turnovers
- Six-foot five Brandon Jacobs destroyed the Dallas linebacking corps
- Toomer and Boss started contributing to the offense
- The Giants O-line continued their solid pass-pro
- And the Giants pass-rush was just relentless in their harassment of Brad Johnson

While I am happy for Nick, why do the Giants have to be nasty this year when the Redskins finally put together a decent season? The only good thing I can say about the Giants is that we have them at home at the end of the regular season. By that time, assuming the Giants continue kicking-ass, we may not have to beat them for playoff standing or the Giants might be resting their starters. One can only hope for such an outcome, but I doubt it will happen.

As for Dallas, I've never seen a team implode so quickly or fail to live up to it's potential like the Boys have done this year. In retrospect, this isn't surprising because they have Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones, but the media always gives Jerry Jones the benefit of the doubt ("Hey, he did it before with Irvin and Newton, so why can't he do it again?"). Prediction: Wade Phillips loses his job if the Cowboys don't make the playoffs. If you look at their roster, they are simply too good to be playing this badly.

As for Philly, McNabb is getting old, but he still has a few good seasons left in the tank. Maybe the Eagles can play spoiler this year in the NFC East if they don't make a serious playoff run. Or maybe they will finish dead-last and have everyone laugh at them? I'm comfortable with either outcome.

As for their offense, I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Eagles should have signed a big-name receiver instead of bolstering their secondary. Yes, Samuels gives them turnovers, but who does McNabb have as a deep threat or consistent weapon at receiver? Nobody. If the Redskin's problem is a GM who spends too much money, then the Eagle's problem is a GM who doesn't spend any money.

I will say this, however: if there is one thing that makes me happier than seeing Dallas falter, it's Philly playing mediocre or borderline terrible football. With or without TO, the Eagles are probably the one team I could do without in the National Football League. When they demolished the Vet, for example, they should have thrown away the franchise with it.

From here on out, expect the Giants and Redskins to continue dominating the National Football League. I expect the Redskins to disappoint at least once or twice before the season is over, but realistically speaking, we should be able to beat Cincy, Seattle, San Fran, and and Baltimore. And assuming we lose to the Steelers, Giants, Cowboys and Eagles, that would still put us at 10-6 and into the playoffs. Or, if we beat the Steelers tonight, then we would be 11-5 and well on our way to a first-round bye.

Sick.