It’s time for the annual NFC Preview. Which teams will make the playoffs? Who will surprise us? How will your team finish? Listen to find out.
NFC EAST
NFC East 2018 Preview
With the 2018 NFL season approaching Rich Sports Talk is previewing each division on the Rich Sports Talk Podcast. On the first episode of this segment let’s break down the NFC East which in my opinion is the most interesting division in the NFL this season. Will the Eagles win the division or will the Cowboys claim the NFC East? Where will the Giants fall after their busy offseason and will Alex Smith elevate Washington? Check it out on the latest episode below and remember to like and subscribe for the latest content and so you don’t miss the other division previews.
The Lost Boys: The 2015 Season is Officially Lost for Dallas
Tony Romo’s injury is the final nail in the coffin for the Cowboys 2015 season
On Thursday evening there wasn’t much to be thankful for in Dallas, Texas as Tony Romo headed to the locker room. After heroically rushing back to try and save the Cowboys season, as Romo laid on the turf after a brutal hit by the Carolina defense the same thought ran through everyone’s mind. This season is over.
Technically speaking the Cowboys haven’t been officially eliminated from the NFC East, or as it should be called the NFC LEast. However, given that the team is 3-8 and will once again have to go with the incumbent Matt Cassel, the Cowboys should start waving the white flags.
It’s never easy to blame a season on injuries, but the injury bug is the main reason why Dallas is in their current predicament. It’s been a season that has highlights the Cowboys’ flaws and what they need to improve if this team wants to compete at a high level in 2016.
What are these flaws? An inability to run the football like they did a year ago and more importantly a defense that continues to I’ve games away. In six of the eight Dallas losses this season, the Cowboys had a lead that their defense couldn’t protect. This season also proved that the team needs to invest in a suitable backup for Romo given his injury history and age.
For Dez Bryant and Dallas what once looked like a season to remember has become one they would like to forget.
So what now? The Cowboys have to evaluate their roster to prepare for 2016. One thing the team must consider is what to do with All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant. Like Romo, Bryant rushed back from an injury and has not looked healthy on the field. Given their current predicament, it only makes sense to shut down Bryant to make sure that he is completely healthy for next season. True, the Cowboys are still technically in the race, but instead of chasing an almost impossible playoff hope this season, Dallas should reload and prepare to make a run next season.
Given the distraction and lack of production this season, The Cowboys should release Hardy
Finally it’s time for the Cowboys to get the elephant out of the room, and by elephant I mean Greg Hardy. Given the details of the domestic violence case now being released and the locker room issues he has already caused their is no good reason to keep him on the team. Hardy has produced on the field and the only defense that Jerry Jones has had for Hardy’s issues is that he helped the team win games. Given that this season is pretty much over and that the frustration could boil over in the coming weeks, it only makes sense to release this powder keg before their is an explosion the the Dallas locker room during the trudge to finish the season. At this point it’s anyone’s guess on what the Cowboys will do, but I strongly recommend these two actions to put the team in a better position next season.
2015 was simply a disaster for the Dallas Cowboys. Now the key will be to pick up the shattered pieces from the 2015 season and begin the process to rebuild the Dallas roster back into a serious contender is 2016.
ChipWreck: Is This Chip Kelly’s Last Year in Philly?
The Eagles have landed. In a year where the NFC East was ripe for the taking, the Philadelphia Eagles 2015 season has been a disaster. After
After two 10 win seasons, Kelly’s Eagles are 4-6 in 2015
back-to-back 10 win seasons Chip Kelly was the toast in the city of brotherly love. Now, those same fans who once praised Kelly are sharpening their pitchforks to run the third year coach out of town.
At 4-6 the Eagles are still in the NFC East, but after rookie quarterback Jameis Winston threw five touchdowns and Doug Martin ran for over 200 yards, the Eagles playoff chances are fading fast. This tension has been building in Philadelphia since Kelly took over football operations. In that time Kelly has let successful players such as Lesean McCoy, Desean Jackson, Nick Foles, and Jeremy Maclin go while bringing in players that made the Philly faithful scratch their heads. While Nick Foles played at a pro-bowl level, Kelly brought in the extremely fragile and unproved Sam Bradford who shockingly couldn’t make it through another NFL season.
The main problem? Kelly’s once dominant and playmaking offense is
Desean Jackson (left) and Lesean McCoy (right) were shipped out of town and since their departure the Eagles offense hasn’t recovered.
staler then a two week old cheesesteak. Chip’s confidence that his system was greater then the players has come back to haunt him as the Eagles have struggled to move the ball all season while his former players are making splashes in their new NFL homes. Fans have to wonder what kind of team the Eagles would be if those players still donned the green.
So what now? It would shock me if the Eagles fired Chip Kelly especially one year into giving him complete control. However, I predict that Chip Kelly will leave Philly at the end of this season. Why? He’s always been an opportunist, and their are just too many great opportunities out there. Don’t believe me?
Consider this. Chip Kelly was dying to get Marcus Mariota in this past draft and couldn’t pull off a deal. The Titans need a new coach and would probably give Chip full control if he became the coach. Also given the state of the AFC South, Kelly could see an easier road to the playoffs as well.
Still, there’s always college. With so many great college jobs that are available, or may become available he may go back to college football and
Could Kelly return to the PAC 12 as the Head Coach at USC? (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
look to win a National Championship. Possible jobs that could open include Texas and LSU while jobs that are already enticing include USC and the University of Miami. We know that Kelly can coach in college, and in recent years coaches like Saban and Harbaugh have thrived in their returns to the NCAA.
Could the Eagles make the playoffs? Sure. Could Kelly return next season? Of course. Still the way this season has gone and how the team has appeared to quit on Kelly, or at least the defense in the game against Tampa Bay, all eyes will been on Philadelphia as the soap opera plays itself out. Once thing is for certain, it certainly isn’t sunny in Philadelphia right now.
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