2024 NFL Season Preview: NFC East

[MightyGiants]

In our first full-length podcast, Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson preview the NFC East with key players/units, best case/worst case scenarios, and all of the notable storylines that will help dictate the outcome of the season. Plus the guys make their predictions for the regular season standings - and they don't agree who'll be crowned NFC East Champion in January.

00:00-01:55 - Intro
01:55-18:50 - Dallas Cowboys
18:50-36:00 - New York Giants
36:00-51:33 - Philadelphia Eagles
51:33-01:07:10 - Washington Commanders
01:07:10-01:10:05 - Predictions

[Bob In PA]

OK, this exercise is interesting, but even the commentators THEMSELVES admit there are a ton of assumptions being made for EVERY team, both positive and negative.

On the other hand, some commentary has decent value, like observations about how salary cap issue like QB's entering their really hi-pay years) affects overall depth; how coaching styles must match player strengths to avoid creating "friction" which can stop things from running smoothly; and how trends visible from start to end of last yr can continue this yr unless the problems were adequately addressed in the off-season.

I believe it's our duty (as informed consumers of the information) to subtract the b.s. (first paragraph above) from the "usable" data (second paragraph).

I did my own personal "calculation" as described above and reached a determination that the Giants were given far less credit than they deserve, while the scores for the Cowboys and Commanders are about right. The Eagles, IMO, were overvalued.

IMO worst case for Giants in the division is 2-4 (best case is 3-3, because I don't seem them beating the Commanders twice this year). To finish 4-2, which would give them a real chance to win the division, they would have to sweep either Eagles or Cowboys. That IMO is highly unlikely, so I see Giants' ceiling to be second over-all wild-card.

Bob

[Philosophers]

My groundhog day moment this season will be watching DJ under siege constantly and when he is not under siege, throwing only check downs on a 3rd and 8 and which yields just 3 yards.

[Trench]

The Giants will be as good as Daniel Jones is. Simple as that. If he can stay healthy and doesn't ply scared he has a chance to be very good. If he locks on recievers and anticipates checkdowns and hasn't learned pocket presence then we will stink

[Bob In PA]

My groundhog day moment this season will be watching DJ under siege constantly and when he is not under siege, throwing only check downs on a 3rd and 8 and which yields just 3 yards.

Phil: If he is constantly under siege, then Schoen, Daball, etc., are incompetent and must be fired. Bob

[Bob In PA]

The Giants will be as good as Daniel Jones is. Simple as that. If he can stay healthy and doesn't ply scared he has a chance to be very good. If he locks on recievers and anticipates checkdowns and hasn't learned pocket presence then we will stink

Trench: I understand why you say that, but IMO the Giants will be as good as their offensive line allows Daniel Jones to be.

If they come through, THEN I will stand with you and say "OK, the line is half-decent, so it is NOW up to Daniel Jones to deliver."

Without time to throw on a consistent basis, NO quarterback can utilize all of his skills, no matter how great (or feeble) they might be. The Giants knew this and it helped them beat Tom Brady in two Super Bowls.

Bob

[Trench]

Trench: I understand why you say that, but IMO the Giants will be as good as their offensive line allows Daniel Jones to be.

If they come through, THEN I will stand with you and say "OK, the line is half-decent, so it is NOW up to Daniel Jones to deliver."

Without time to throw on a consistent basis, NO quarterback can utilize all of his skills, no matter how great (or feeble) they might be. The Giants knew this and it helped them beat Tom Brady in two Super Bowls.

Bob

Fair enough....BUT we MUST see Jones develop into a QB who can stay calmer and see more than one option while extending plays.

My barometer early will be to monitor his ability to score points in pressure (but not the highest pressure)....meaning he needs to show a systematic ability to match the field and put points on the board at the 2 minute drill before halftime. If he can do this he will hopefully elevate himself and gain confidence to be able to do it at the end of the game. I also want to see more emotion out of him.

I think he can do these things. At least I hope he can.

We will know within the 1st 2 games

[Bob In PA]

Fair enough....BUT we MUST see Jones develop into a QB who can stay calmer and see more than one option while extending plays.

My barometer early will be to monitor his ability to score points in pressure (but not the highest pressure)....meaning he needs to show a systematic ability to match the field and put points on the board at the 2 minute drill before halftime. If he can do this he will hopefully elevate himself and gain confidence to be able to do it at the end of the game. I also want to see more emotion out of him.

I think he can do these things. At least I hope he can.

We will know within the 1st 2 games

T: I'm with you up to the last sentence. Maybe two game, but it depends. And it also works both ways.

If he lights it up in the 1st 2 games (neither team has a great defense), I will not be convinced.

If he starts bad I'm not sure. I might say "enough" but first I want to know who's playing on the o-line.

Bob