Friday 8 September 2017 16:43, UK
For the new NFL season, we preview all eight divisions...
Next up, it's time to look at the NFC East, plus at the foot of the page we give you the chance to take our personality quiz to determine which of the teams you should support...
Don't worry, if none float your boat here, there are seven other divisions to try!
Head coach: Jason Garrett
Key man: Dak Prescott. How well can Prescott cope without his fellow sophomore star? With Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension, all the pressure will be shifted to the young quarterback. There are some folks who say 'anybody' can run behind this supreme offensive line, and we'll find out if that's true when the underwhelming Darren McFadden takes the field as a starter. Can Dak be the focal point of an offence? He'll have a tougher challenge early on in year two.
Major additions: It was all defence this summer in Dallas. They made it a clear emphasis to shore up the secondary and improve on their nine interceptions last year (27th in the league). Nolan Carroll was stolen from Philadelphia, and defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis were added early in the NFL draft. Defensive end Taco Charlton was their star pick at the end of the first round, and will improve the team's pass rush.
Last season: The Cowboys had a 13-3 record, tying a franchise record and putting them at the top of the NFC. Ultimately, in what might have been the most entertaining game of the season, their defence couldn't slow down Aaron Rodgers and they lost in a heartbreaking 34-31 thriller in the playoffs.
Prospects: As confident as you may be with a team coming off an NFC East division win, there hasn't been a repeat winner in 13 years. It's always a strong division, and it's tough to imagine the team dominates quite to the same level. However, with their quarterback/offensive line combination, they have a strong chance to buck the trend.
Prediction: 1st (11-5)
Head coach: Doug Pederson
Key man: All eyes are on Carson Wentz this season. He had rookie struggles, throwing 14 interceptions and looking shaky throughout the year, but showed signs of being special. Philadelphia did everything they could to surround him with weapons this summer, and expectations are sky-high heading into year two.
Major additions: Under GM Howie Roseman, the Eagles always tend to be extremely active, and it was no different this summer. On offense, Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith and LeGarrette Blount were all added through free agency. On the other side of the ball, Philadelphia traded for two starters in defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and cornerback Ronald Darby. First-round pick, Derek Barnett, is already pushing for playing time at defensive end.
Last season: After coming out hot with a 3-1 start, the team lost eight of the next 12 games and ended with a 7-9 record. They had their first back-to-back losing seasons since 1998-99, but it was Pederson's first year at the helm and his quarterback wasn't even playing in the top tier of college football the year before. It was a respectable start for the Wentz era considering the Eagles had one of worst sets of skill position players in the NFL.
Prospects: While Wentz is the man in the headlines, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is one of the best in the game, and his group is ready to take the next step. With the young quarterback showing improvement and the defence becoming a top-10 unit, look for the Eagles to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Prediction: 2nd (10-6)
Head coach: Ben McAdoo
Key man: Arguably the most talented receiver in the league, Odell Beckham Jr. is a game-changer. Beckham is second only to Julio Jones in NFL history in receiving yards per game (95.9) and tied with former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry for most catches through the first three years of a career (288). He's truly special. The Giants will have to hope he's back to full speed after a scary-looking injury in the preseason as he's crucial to their success.
Major additions: The defence in New York was dominant last season, and Eli Manning needed some offensive help. He got it, with the arrival of 33-year-old wide receiver Brandon Marshall - a six-time Pro Bowler with eight 1,000-yard seasons to his name - and first-round tight end Evan Engram, the best pass-catching tight end in a very strong NFL draft class.
Last season: New York had a defence that allowed the second-fewest points per game, but an offence that scored in the bottom seven. Ultimately, it was the lack of attack that killed them as from Week 12 on, they didn't score more than 19 points in any of their last six contests. Ultimately, they were dumped out in the wildcard round of the playoffs by Green Bay with a flat performance.
Prospects: Although he has two Super Bowl rings to his name, with Manning at the helm, the Giants haven't been consistent regular season performers. Before last year, they hadn't made the playoffs since 2011, and even though the defence is strong, Manning struggled last year and now heads into his age-36 season. Expect a regression to the mean, but the team will still be competitive.
Prediction: 3rd (9-7)
Head coach: Jay Gruden
Key man: Kirk Cousins has been somewhat of a revelation since taking over as the Redskins quarterback. However, the team doesn't seem to want to commit to him, so what gives? With a 9-7 season followed by a 8-7-1 campaign, the jury is still out on Cousins. Can he be great? Or is he just 'good'? Quarterback-needy teams around the league - in particular, San Francisco 49ers - will be paying close attention.
Major additions: Despite their additions, the biggest story of the offseason might be Washington's subtractions. They boldly allowed two 1,000-yard receivers in Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson to walk, banking on free agent Terrelle Pryor becoming a dominant star and second-year man Josh Doctson returning from injury. Rookie runner Samaje Perine could challenge Rob Kelley in the backfield. Draft picks Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson will boost the defensive front.
Last season: The Redskins looked like a playoff team for a large part of the year, but dropped four of their last six games to fall out of contention and finish at 8-7-1. They entertained UK fans with a 27-27 tie with the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley, but that scoreline sums up their season pretty well - entertaining, but just not good enough.
Prospects: The Skins are hard to predict, but with the offseason distractions of Cousins' contract talks and the firing of GM Scott McCloughan, it doesn't feel like everything is hunky dory in Washington. In a tough division, being just 'good' isn't good enough, and Washington might take the hit.
Prediction: 4th (6-10)
