For the better part of the past decade, the NFC East has been recognized as the deepest division in pro football, with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins all making postseason appearances. The Giants and Eagles each made an appearance in the Super Bowl with New York winning it all in Super Bowl XLII, and after loading up again in the offseason there is a good chance that one of those NFL teams can make an appearance in the big game again in 2012.
The Eagles made the biggest additions to their team, including inking the biggest name on the free agent market in cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. With Asante Samuel already in the mix and the addition of Domenique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Arizona Cardinals in a trade for Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia has three starting corners and a ton of options defensively. The Eagles also added defensive end Cullen Jenkins from the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, and with Michael Vick now in his first full sports betting season coming into camp as the starter, there is no limit on what Philadelphia can achieve.
There will still be a spotlight on New York with both the Jets and Giants, and while the latter took a backseat in the headlines this offseason they could be the team that surprises this year. New York will return one of the most promising young receiving cores with Eli Manning under center, and defensively this sports betting bonus team has a ton of weapons along the line. Catching Philadelphia might be a stretch this year, but a Wild Card spot isn’t out of the question.
After a disastrous season in which many projected that the Cowboys would compete for a Super Bowl with the big game set in their hometown, Dallas will look to regroup and redeem itself after falling apart last year. Quarterback Tony Romo is back healthy and has his former offensive coordinator Jason Garrett as his head coach, while the defense should make strides under new coordinator Rob Ryan.
The odd team out at this point is the Redskins, which have a ton of question marks on both sides of the ball. Washington was able to move Albert Haynesworth to the New England Patriots to ensure there will not be another media circus that takes centerstage in the nation’s capital, but with no proven starting quarterback, no superstars, and a ton of holes it will be at least a year before head coach Mike Shanahan has his team in contention.
There is no NFL betting lines doubt that the Eagles are the favorite to emerge from the division listed at 6-to-1 odds to win the Super Bowl this year, second only to the Patriots. The Cowboys and Giants should both be improved enough to challenge for a Wild Card spot, while the Redskins show signs but take it slow in year two under Shanahan. Philadelphia will clinch the NFC East title this season, but it is what they can do beyond that, that will define this team.
