The NFC East? Seriously?

[black19]

I'm going to do my best not to sound like a homer for this post, but you will have to excuse me, because I am a Huge 'Skins fan. That being said, has anyone seen the latest Yahoo! (Barber-Silva Analysis) on the NFC East? I know that Tiki is still probably a homer which would explain much of his analysis, but can the Redskins get some respect? I mean, we beat the Cowboys and Eagles at home, on their turf, when we were huge underdogs. The only teams we lost to are the Giants and inspired Rams. Yeah, the same Rams team that turned around and whooped on the Cowgirls. We lost to them on a last second FG, a game we pretty much gave away due to turnovers. No disrespect, we still lost the game, but let's be honest, that same team put an absolute beat down on the Cowboys the next week. The Rams are playing inspired football! And about the Giants loss, granted we did lose to them, but it was the opening game of the NFL season. Anyone who watches football can see that the Redskins that lost that game is not the same Redskins who are playing today. Case in point, the Redskins lost to the Giants, who lost to the Browns (handily on national television) who the Redskins beat. Now I'm not saying we are going to be NFC East champs, hell I won't even commit to the Skins making the playoffs yet. All I'm saying is that to date, the Redskins have a legitimate shot at being contenders for both. Much more so than Tiki Barber wants to give credit for. If you ask me (please don't, because I'm incapable of giving a truly un-biased response at the moment) the Redskins are the best team in the NFC East at the moment. The Cowboys have injury and identity issues (but still are the most talented team in possibly the whole NFL), the Giants are looking beatable (they can win games, but is anyone else really convinced?), and the Eagles no doubt have injury, depth, and consistency issues to fight. Honestly, the Redskins are healthy, are playing pretty damm good ball, have a schedule in their favor at this point, and have been pretty consistent so far. Why are they not getting any respect?

Note: Please excuse this post, I'm 7 beers deep and for some reason decided to watch a merit-less Yahoo! sports feature which triggered my outburst. Comments are still wanted. Peace!

[cubuffsman78]

I've been preaching the Skins as the team to beat in the NFC East for two weeks. They are my current pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, losing to the Titans.

And this is coming from a Cowboys fan...

[kevmvp]

I just dont see how the team to beat in the NFC East and the NFC altogether can be anyone but the Giants. There in first place and have beat the Skins already. We can sit here and say that the Skins were coached badly in that game but what does that mean exactly? Thats more of a negative on the Skins then the Giants if you ask me.

The Giants have a lot of weapons and except for that hiccup in Cleveland have beat everybody they have needed to beat.

[NYJets30]

I tend to agree with kevmvp after the Giants go into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers basically without Plaxico Burress

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by NYJets30 I tend to agree with kevmvp after the Giants go into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers basically without Plaxico Burress

Say what you will, the Giants should have rocked the Steelers. Pittsburgh attempted to hand them that game in so many fashions. I find it interesting the Giants were so inadequate on offense despite the Steelers recording no sacks and forcing no turnovers.

Here's the argument for the Redskins and I really can't believe I'm making one.

Kev wants to say the Giants beat the Skins in the first game of the season so that makes the Giants the best team in the East. More changes about teams from the first week to the second week than it does between any other two weeks of the year.

The Skins made the most significant change of anyone. Anyone not saying the Redskins aren't the most improved team since the first week of the season either hasn't watched them play or simply doesn't understand football and just looks at records and numbers.

Washington did something that's tough even in the down years of the NFC East -- win two divisional road games in back-to-back weeks. And they did it in incredibly impressive fashion.

Jason Campbell has actually been much more consistent than Eli Manning, who is one of the most overrated QBs in the league right now. I know I'm not supposed to curse Eli because he's a New York media darling, but in this case the numbers don't lie. Go look them up for yourself if you don't believe me.

Also, the Skins sport the leading MVP candidate right now as well in Clinton Portis. Washington has very little distractions from a team standpoint as well.

The Giants have a good back in Brandon Jacobs, who the coaching staff underutilizes and one of the biggest team distractions in the NFL in Plax. T.O. is bashed constantly, but Plax has been fined and suspended over much more over his career than T.O. has. Strange how the New York media tends to ignore that fact more and more.

[kevmvp]

The New York Media kills Plax. I'll agree they dont bash him as much as T.O. but thats mainly because T.O goes out of his way more to be a distraction and is looking for the cameras and things like that.

I'll also agree that the Skins are the most improved team in the NFC East since the first week of the season. But that doesnt make them better then Big Blue.

I could also make the case that the Giants tried to hand that game to the Steelers. How many times did the Giants have first and goal early in that game? Eli played so so for most of the game and then in the 4th quarter made some big throws. He has a knack for doing that. I just look at this team and see them coming off a SB and off to a 6-1 start. They havent looked bad or anything and have beat everybody put in front of them (excluding Cleveland). I just dont see how they cant be the best team in the NFC or even the NFL at this point in the season.

[NYJets30]

Originally Posted by cubuffsman78 Say what you will, the Giants should have rocked the Steelers. Pittsburgh attempted to hand them that game in so many fashions. I find it interesting the Giants were so inadequate on offense despite the Steelers recording no sacks and forcing no turnovers. Here's the argument for the Redskins and I really can't believe I'm making one. Kev wants to say the Giants beat the Skins in the first game of the season so that makes the Giants the best team in the East. More changes about teams from the first week to the second week than it does between any other two weeks of the year. The Skins made the most significant change of anyone. Anyone not saying the Redskins aren't the most improved team since the first week of the season either hasn't watched them play or simply doesn't understand football and just looks at records and numbers. Washington did something that's tough even in the down years of the NFC East -- win two divisional road games in back-to-back weeks. And they did it in incredibly impressive fashion. Jason Campbell has actually been much more consistent than Eli Manning, who is one of the most overrated QBs in the league right now. I know I'm not supposed to curse Eli because he's a New York media darling, but in this case the numbers don't lie. Go look them up for yourself if you don't believe me. Also, the Skins sport the leading MVP candidate right now as well in Clinton Portis. Washington has very little distractions from a team standpoint as well. The Giants have a good back in Brandon Jacobs, who the coaching staff underutilizes and one of the biggest team distractions in the NFL in Plax. T.O. is bashed constantly, but Plax has been fined and suspended over much more over his career than T.O. has. Strange how the New York media tends to ignore that fact more and more.

I actually agree with you more than I disagree, but I think you're misunderstanding us a bit. Nobody is arguing that Washington is not the most improved team. They did not play well at all in the first game, and those back to back wins over Dallas and Philadelphia were quality wins. We are simply saying that, while Washington is a good team and definitely right in the mix in the NFC, the Giants still sit on top. The Giants do have that head to head victory, plus just beat a very good Steelers team in their own yard, basically without using arguably their top playmaker in Burress.

Yes, the 2 back to back division wins were impressive, but they came back to earth a bit since then. They lost to St. Louis. Yes, the Rams are playing better, but if Washington is top dog, they should win that game. They only beat Cleveland by 3. Again, the Browns are playing better, but Washington should have easily defeated them. And most recently they were trailing at halftime to the Lions before coming back to win

I completely agree on Campbell and Eli. I think Eli is by far the most overrated QB in the NFL. I remember in another thread the "Eli is better than Peyton" articles were brought up and we both shared the same viewpoint on that. My opinion hasn't changed. I would take Campbell over Eli any day. If Tyree doesnt make that prayer of a catch, we arent even having this conversation. Campbell has a QB rating off 100, is averaging 220 yards and a TD per game and hasnt thrown an INT halfway through the season. He has been very, very solid

This isn't really related to this conversation, but I rate Drew Brees slightly ahead of Portis in the MVP race at this point. If New Orleans finishes in the bottom half of the division and the SKins make the Playoffs, that will probably push it in Portis's favor. For now though, gotta give it to Brees

[Saint33]

Originally Posted by NYJets30 I actually agree with you more than I disagree, but I think you're misunderstanding us a bit. Nobody is arguing that Washington is not the most improved team. They did not play well at all in the first game, and those back to back wins over Dallas and Philadelphia were quality wins. We are simply saying that, while Washington is a good team and definitely right in the mix in the NFC, the Giants still sit on top. The Giants do have that head to head victory, plus just beat a very good Steelers team in their own yard, basically without using arguably their top playmaker in Burress. Yes, the 2 back to back division wins were impressive, but they came back to earth a bit since then. They lost to St. Louis. Yes, the Rams are playing better, but if Washington is top dog, they should win that game. They only beat Cleveland by 3. Again, the Browns are playing better, but Washington should have easily defeated them. And most recently they were trailing at halftime to the Lions before coming back to win I completely agree on Campbell and Eli. I think Eli is by far the most overrated QB in the NFL. I remember in another thread the "Eli is better than Peyton" articles were brought up and we both shared the same viewpoint on that. My opinion hasn't changed. I would take Campbell over Eli any day. If Tyree doesnt make that prayer of a catch, we arent even having this conversation. Campbell has a QB rating off 100, is averaging 220 yards and a TD per game and hasnt thrown an INT halfway through the season. He has been very, very solid This isn't really related to this conversation, but I rate Drew Brees slightly ahead of Portis in the MVP race at this point. If New Orleans finishes in the bottom half of the division and the SKins make the Playoffs, that will probably push it in Portis's favor. For now though, gotta give it to Brees

Personally, I don't think any player on a team last in their division should be considered a candidate for MVP. Nor do I think a player who doesn't make the playoffs should be a candidate either. What are they most valuable too, a losing team? Clinton Portis is my hands down MVP for the season so far. Although I think Albert Haynesworth's name should be spoken more in that regard than he currently is.

[NYJets30]

Originally Posted by Saint33 Personally, I don't think any player on a team last in their division should be considered a candidate for MVP. Nor do I think a player who doesn't make the playoffs should be a candidate either. What are they most valuable too, a losing team? Clinton Portis is my hands down MVP for the season so far. Although I think Albert Haynesworth's name should be spoken more in that regard than he currently is.

Which is why I threw in the part about it swinging to Portis if the Saints finish in the bottom half of the division and the Skins make the Playoffs. And it's not like the Saints are buried, they are 4-4 and I believe will finish 2nd in the division and be right there for a Wild Card. I dont have any problem calling Portis MVP though.