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NFL Predictions: 2014 Winners and losers

By Bryan Gibberman

Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Colisuem. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Colisuem. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 15, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly prior to a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly prior to a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

NFC East

1st Place- Philadelphia Eagles

2nd Place- Dallas Cowboys 

3rd Place- New York Giants 

4th Place- Washington Redskins 

If I could have bought stock in Chip Kelly before last season as people doubted whether his system would work in the NFL I’d be a rich man traveling around the world with no worries. Unfortunately for me that’s not a thing.

The NFC East is a no defense, all offense division and the Eagles do it better than any of the other three teams. Kelly does a fantastic job of putting his skill players in a position to succeed and limit the opportunities for mistakes by his quarterback. In 16 games last season Nick Foles and Michael Vick combined to throw five interceptions. At Oregon, in four seasons from 2009-2012, nine interceptions was the highest total his quarterbacks ever compiled in a single season. Yes, I expect some regression from Foles 27/2 line, no I don’t think it will be enough to significantly harm Philly’s offense.

The other three teams in this division I have a tough time getting a read on. I went with the Cowboys because they’ve proven to be consistently inconsistent. The last three years they’ve finished 8-8. The offensive line might be the best in football, Tony Romo is still the signal caller, Dez Bryant is an elite wide receiver and DeMarco Murray is a very good running back. The offense will be good enough to win games. Finding a way to put together even an average defense will be difficult and why the upside with this roster is hard to buy into. Average is most definitely plausible.

I went with the Giants above the Redskins because I believe in Tom Coughlin more than Jay Gruden. I was never a huge fan of the work Gruden did with the Bengals offense. Cincinnati’s offensive ranking according to footballoutsiders.com by their DVOA metric looks like this — 2013/13th,  2012/17th, 2011/14th.  Otherwise known as MEH. Gruden is also dealing with an unstable situation in Washington, while the Giants are typically one of the more stable organizations.

Coughlin did decide to make adjustments on the offensive side of the ball firing long-time offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and hiring  Ben McAdoo away from the Packers. The G-Men are transitioning to a West Coast style offense that went through some significant growing paints in the preseason, and by growing pains I mean they were absolutely putrid. The Giants revamped their secondary signing cornerbacks Dominque-Rodgers Cromartie and Walter Thurmond III along with safety Quintin Demps  in free agency. I don’t buy NY being much improved on that side of the ball, but they’re a more complete team than the Skins.

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