Welcome back to my 4-part series detailing how each team can win Super Bowl LIII. In this week’s article, we will be taking a look at the East divisions in both the NFC and AFC. Let’s jump right into it.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles
Wow. The Eagles won a Super Bowl. Who would’ve thought this day would ever come. So, I want to start off this article by congratulating the Eagles and the city of brotherly-love on winning their first ever Lombardi. That was a truly remarkable playoff run that we will not soon forget. Now, how can the Eagles repeat as Super Bowl Champions? Well, the answer is simple. Just continue what you’ve been doing. Oddly enough for the Eagles, they will have a different starting quarterback Week 1 than they did in the past year’s Super Bowl. As far as I can remember, the most recent team to have this happen were the Denver Broncos after they won Super Bowl 50. But, the man the Eagles will have Week 1 is not a Trevor Siemian, instead it is MVP caliber quarterback Carson Wentz. This is the first time in a long time, that I can honestly say that a team improved after winning the Super Bowl. Typically, teams that win the Super Bowl usually stay the same if not take a step back the following year, but I think this Eagles team is different.
Dallas Cowboys
I myself am not a fan of the Cowboys’ chances at Super Bowl LIII. They have a young quarterback who took a big step back last year, and they just lost one of the best wide receivers in franchise history. Their offensive line is phenomenal as we all know, and Ezekiel Elliott is a great, hard runner, but I just don’t know if that receiving core and defense is ready. Sure, Allen Hurns is a solid receiver, but last year he was going up against number 2 sometimes number 3 cornerbacks. This year, guess who he will be going up against? Number 1 corners. Hurns will have to face the likes of Janoris Jenkins, and Josh Norman twice a year, and will also meet Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Marshon Lattimore, and even Desmond Trufant throughout the season. I’m gonna keep it real with you, I don’t like Hurns’ chances of success in Dallas. This Cowboys team’s chances of hoisting the Lombardi in Miami are reliant on a number of things. One main one being the performance of the defense. Now, the Cowboys may be able to survive without an A+ passing attack, but the same cannot be said about the defense. Defense wins championships ladies and gentlemen.
Washington Redskins
This Redskins team is one of the hardest to project in my opinion. One moment I want to believe that they will have a solid season, but at other times I feel like they could finish last in the division. They signed a proven winner (in the Regular Season), and they drafted who I think can become the steal of the draft in LSU product Derrius Guice. Now, where the real question comes in is the defense. How will they perform? They sent phenomenal corner Kendall Fuller to Kansas City in the trade to acquire Alex Smith, and lost Bashaud Breeland to free agency it appears. This Redskins team needs the defense to step up if they want any shot at the Lombardi in February.
New York Giants
Well. What an absolutely brutal season for the Giants. Heading into the season, this was a team that many people thought could win Super Bowl LII, and they flat out flopped. Now, this brutal season was a combination of a few things. One being coaching, and the other being injuries. Guys, I’m not going to hide it. I am a diehard Giants fan, and this season was the absolute worst thing I have ever seen on my television screen. Ben McAdoo was one of the worst things to ever happen to Giants football, and one can only hope that new head coach Pat Shurmur can turn things around in New York. This Giants team when performing at its full potential can be scary. With Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr. returning from injury, and a matchup nightmare in Evan Engram, this offense has no reason to not be at least top 10 in scoring in 2018. How can we see Odell lift the Lombardi trophy? Well chances are is that I myself wouldn’t see it because I would be passed out because of excitement and joy, but realistically this Giants team must live up to its true potential. They have all the right pieces on offense, and a solid defense that can very well compete. Just execute!
AFC East
New England Patriots
What’s new. The Patriots were AFC Champions once again, however as far as Super Bowl Champions go, close but no cigar. But, as always, the Patriots won’t sweat it, because they have who many view as the best quarterback and head coach in NFL history. This one will be short, because it is pretty self-explanatory. I mean they are the Patriots after all. But, if the Patriots want to hoist the Lombardi once again, they will have to rely on Tom Terrific. Just ride the GOAT like he’s a horse (uh-oh that didn’t sound right).
Buffalo Bills
The Bills finally broke out of their extremely long playoff drought after making the playoffs in 2017. This year doesn’t appear to be the same. The offense is on track to be sluggish especially with the departure of Tyrod Taylor, and the defense is average at best. If the Bills want any shot at the Lombardi in 2018, they must have superb quarterback play from either A.J. McCarron, or Josh Allen. That however, is not likely. At least on Josh Allen’s end. Anything is possible, though.
Miami Dolphins
The Jay Cutler effect was real last year in Miami. After Ryan Tannehill went down with a season-ending injury in the 2017 Training Camp, the Dolphins attempted to salvage their season by signing Jay Cutler to a deal. That clearly did not work. The Dolphins now get Tannehill back, with more hope than last year. The defense is eh, and the offense must step up if Miami wants any shot at being the first hosting city to play in the Super Bowl. I want to see what Ryan Tannehill has in him before I start talking about Super Bowls.
New York Jets
The Jets had a solid offseason that included the selection of USC product Sam Darnold at number 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Jets have lots to look forward to in the future, but realistically this team is simply not ready to be mentioned in Super Bowl conversations. A lot has to go right for the J-E-T-S to win Super Bowl LIII. I wouldn’t know where to start.
Return next week for the 4th and final article that will feature the NFC & AFC West divisions!