Thursday 16 February 2017 15:23, UK
With the 2016 season in the books, Sky Sports grades each team's efforts over the last seven months. Here's how we scored the NFC East...
Season in a tweet: Dallas ride dominant rookies to a first-round bye in the play-offs and a first home Divisional Round game since 2007... before defeat.
MVP: Ezekiel Elliott. Though he was pipped to the post for the NFL's Rookie of the Year award by team-mate Dak Prescott, Elliott's 1,631-yard and 15-touchdown season was truly astonishing stuff.
Under the radar: Cole Beasley. The underrated slot receiver beat out his more illustrious team-mates to top the team in receiving yards, with 833, as he developed a terrific understanding with Prescott.
Must do better: On defence. By no means pushovers, but no Dallas defender notched more than six sacks, nor picked off more than two passes.
Draft need: A dynamic difference-maker on defence, ideally in the secondary.
2016 Grade: A-
Season in a tweet: The Giants go one-and-done on their first trip to the play-offs for five years since winning the Super Bowl in the 2011 season.
MVP: It was hardly a faultless campaign, with off-field issues again causing too much of a distraction, but there's no doubting Odell Beckham Jr. is still box office, and he was comfortably the Giants' leading receiver with 1,367 and 10 touchdowns. Not bad considering this was apparently a fairly poor year by the wideout's high standards.
Under the radar: You could make a case for the rookie wide receiver who played opposite Beckham, Sterling Shepard - 683 yards and eight touchdowns - but it was the Giants' much-improved defence that really flew under the radar, surprising many a high-powered offence during the season.
Must do better: Running the football is still a problem in New York, with leading rusher Rashad Jennings' 593 yards coming at only 3.3 a carry.
Draft need: Running back is a position they will be targeting as a result of the poor production detailed above, while the Giants will also look to add a more consistent threat at tight end.
2016 Grade: C
Season in a tweet: Washington fall apart down the stretch - losing four of their last six - to kill their dreams of a first Super Bowl appearance in 25 years.
MVP: Jamison Crowder had a breakout sophomore season, chalking up 847 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming one of Kirk Cousins' favourite targets by the end of the year.
Under the radar: Relief tight end, Vernon Davis, arguably outshined his higher regarded positional team-mate, Jordan Reed, with his 583 yards off 44 receptions.
Must do better: Despite a decent looking season, statistically speaking - 4,917 yards and 25 touchdowns to 12 interceptions - there are many who think quarterback Cousins should have had more success with the offensive weapons at his disposal and led his side to the play-offs.
Draft need: Washington will be looking on defence, primarily their pass rush. Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan did well, getting to the quarterback 11 times in 2016, but the Redskins need to give him some help.
2016 Grade: C-
Season in a tweet: Despite securing an identical 7-9 record to 2015, and dropping two places in the division, there is cause for optimism in Philadelphia.
MVP: Though he tailed off somewhat towards the end of the year, Carson Wentz put together his own hugely impressive rookie season at quarterback, but just happened to have the misfortune of entering the league in the same year as Dak Prescott, and play in the same division as him as well.
Under the radar: Rookie running back Wendell Smallwood not only provided a spark in relief of a middling rushing attack, but he also showed his talents as a kick returner, taking one all the way back for 86 yards to the house.
Must do better: Wide receiver Jordan Mathews continues to almost, but not quite, deliver on his undoubted talent. Though his 804 yards don't scream at a poor season, costly drops continue to be a problem.
Draft need: Someone who can catch the ball, on either side. While the Eagles could use more consistent production at wide receiver, they could also benefit from some help in the secondary.
2016 Grade: D
