2015 NFC East Predictions with Betting Odds and Expert Picks

by Dave Schwab - 8/26/2015

For the last two NFL seasons I have been exclusively covering and handicapping the NFC East for Doc's Sports with my game previews and top pick for each week of the regular season. What I love about the NFC East is that is usually one of the most interesting divisions to cover in the league given the high-profile nature of the four major NFL markets each of the four teams represent.

Using BetOnline's NFL futures odds to win the NFC East, the following is quick look at each team's chances to capture the 2015 division crown as well as my official picks ahead of the start of the regular season in two weeks.

Dallas Cowboys Odds to Win the NFC East +125

The Cowboys finally broke through from three straight 8-8 finishes with a 12-4 record last season to win the division by two full games. They opened as clear favorites to win the East again this season when BetOnline first released its futures odds, but the betting public has closed that gap with some obvious concerns about the team's ability to match last year's performance.

One of the biggest concerns is how the offense is going to replace the league-high 1,845 yards that running back DeMarco Murray brought to the ground game in 2014. This, in turn, took some tremendous pressure off of veteran quarterback Tony Romo, who is coming off his best year as a pro. With Murray now in Philadelphia, the early results in the preseason appear to confirm this concern with the Cowboys struggling to score no matter which players are in the game.

Philadelphia Eagles Odds to Win the NFC East +125

I like to call Eagles head coach Chip Kelly the "Wizard of Broad Street" for his recent decision to completely overhaul his team after it won 10 games in each of his first two seasons at the helm. Given the scope and depth of the player personnel moves he made this past offseason, Philadelphia will either be one of the top contenders to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 50 or a sub-.500 team that took a major step backwards in light of such drastic change.

The two biggest additions were Sam Bradford at quarterback and Murray as the new feature running back for the departed LeSean McCoy. If these two players can stay healthy for all 16 regular-season games and the Eagles' young-but-talented receiving corps continues to develop, this could easily be the highest-scoring team in the NFL. The big question will be if Philadelphia's rebuilt defensive secondary can keep opposing teams from doing the same.

New York Giants Odds to Win the NFC East +500

New York is coming off back-to-back losing seasons, but this is still the same team that has won two Super Bowls since 2007 with Tom Coughlin as head coach and Eli Manning at quarterback. The addition of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the 2014 draft added an immediate boost to a passing game that finished last season ranked seventh in the NFL. There is even more added motivation for Manning heading into this season with a huge payday looming in a new contract.

The issue for the Giants last season was on the other side of the ball with a defense that was ranked 29^th in the NFL in total yards allowed and tied for 22^nd in points allowed. Not helping matters is a freak off-field hand injury to defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul that has his immediate playing status up in the air. Given the overall talent on this team, New York still has the ability to work its way right into the mix in the NFC East this year as long as a few breaks fall its way.

Washington Redskins Odds to Win the NFC East +1100

When Washington decided to draft Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick in 2012, the move paid immediate dividends with a 10-6 record and a division title. That run came at a cost with a devastating knee injury to their star rookie quarterback in the playoffs. Ever since then the Redskins have been a train wreck with just three wins in 2013 and a 4-12 record last season.

Questions still remain whether or not RG III is a legitimate starter in the NFL, and Jay Gruden is already on the hot seat in just his second season as head coach. The problems in Washington run much deeper than the quarterback position, and to me this team appears to have no clear direction on how to turn the ship around. I am not sure how many games the Redskins will win in 2015, but it will not be enough to climb back out of the basement in the NFC East.

NFC East Predictions

Last season I picked Philadelphia to win the division and came up short. That is not going to stop me from going in the same direction this time around behind a wave of optimism that Kelly is in fact a genius and that he has brought in the right collection of players to help his team take that next step.

I have the Eagles winning 11 games this time around, which should be enough to regain the NFC East title they won in 2013. I like New York's chances to get back above .500 at 9-7, and without a solid running game that will force Romo to try and win throwing the ball, look for the Cowboys to return to a very familiar record of 8-8.

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