Stretch Drive: What NFC (East) teams must do in the final month
By Jeffri Chadiha
ESPN.com
Four weeks are left in the regular season. Four weeks to claim a playoff spot -- or begin planning for the draft. Here's a look at every NFC team -- what it has accomplished thus far, what it still needs to accomplish in the final month, and its playoff outlook. Welcome to the NFL's stretch drive.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (11-1)
How far they have traveled: Coach Wade Phillips has proven that he really can take this team places that Bill Parcells couldn't. He's thrived with a potent offense -- one that has been greatly helped by Terrell Owens' willingness to let his brilliant play do the talking for once -- and a decent defense that has been exploited by only one team, the New England Patriots. Guess owner Jerry Jones had it right in training camp: This team really is good enough to win it all.
What they have left in the tank: The Cowboys' win over Green Bay on Nov. 29 established them as the team to beat in the NFC. They've shown no signs of decline since that loss to New England, and their offense has only improved with more touches for running back Marion Barber. They could be a 15-win team heading into the postseason.
Road to the playoffs: It's only a matter of time before Dallas locks up the top spot in the NFC playoffs. It should wind up in the Super Bowl.
New York Giants (8-4)
How far they have traveled: This team was supposed to be done when it opened the season with two straight losses. It has rebounded with eight wins in its past 10 games, and was especially impressive during a six-game win streak. The keys: dominant defensive-line play and a lighter touch by reputed hard-line coach Tom Coughlin.
What they have left in the tank: As usual, this all depends on quarterback Eli Manning. He appeared to be making strides earlier this season, but his recent play (six interceptions in his past two games) has to have the Giants worried. His life won't get any easier now that injuries have hurt New York's running game (Derrick Ward is out for the season).
Road to the playoffs: The Giants will be a wild-card team but they won't win more than one playoff game. They will face a Super Bowl team but it'll be in the final regular-season game against the Patriots.
Washington Redskins (5-7)
How far they have traveled: No team in recent memory has endured more emotional trauma during a regular season than this bunch. The Redskins already were struggling with inconsistency before the shocking slaying of free safety Sean Taylor. His death has been so devastating that it's hard to imagine the Skins' recovering from it in the season's final month.
What they have left in the tank: There isn't much hope left here. The Redskins lost a great friend and teammate, but it's important to note that Taylor also was a critical member of their defense. This team simply doesn't have enough playmakers of his caliber to make a run at the postseason.
Road to the playoffs: The Redskins have had bigger issues to deal with than football.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)
How far they have traveled: The Eagles had the potential to win the NFC East until injuries (especially to quarterback Donovan McNabb) and off-the-field drama (the family problems of head coach Andy Reid) caught up with them. They continue to play hard -- as they did in close losses to New England and Seattle. But this team hasn't been steady all season. It's too bad, because the Eagles might not have many good years left in them for the foreseeable future.
What they have left in the tank: McNabb's future has been under the microscope since this season began, and that won't change now that we're in December. The Eagles also have to look at the remainder of their aging roster. It's safe to say that defensive end Jevon Kearse, for one, is in jeopardy of not returning next season.
Road to the playoffs: They're done.
ESPN.com
Four weeks are left in the regular season. Four weeks to claim a playoff spot -- or begin planning for the draft. Here's a look at every NFC team -- what it has accomplished thus far, what it still needs to accomplish in the final month, and its playoff outlook. Welcome to the NFL's stretch drive.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (11-1)
How far they have traveled: Coach Wade Phillips has proven that he really can take this team places that Bill Parcells couldn't. He's thrived with a potent offense -- one that has been greatly helped by Terrell Owens' willingness to let his brilliant play do the talking for once -- and a decent defense that has been exploited by only one team, the New England Patriots. Guess owner Jerry Jones had it right in training camp: This team really is good enough to win it all.
What they have left in the tank: The Cowboys' win over Green Bay on Nov. 29 established them as the team to beat in the NFC. They've shown no signs of decline since that loss to New England, and their offense has only improved with more touches for running back Marion Barber. They could be a 15-win team heading into the postseason.
Road to the playoffs: It's only a matter of time before Dallas locks up the top spot in the NFC playoffs. It should wind up in the Super Bowl.
New York Giants (8-4)
How far they have traveled: This team was supposed to be done when it opened the season with two straight losses. It has rebounded with eight wins in its past 10 games, and was especially impressive during a six-game win streak. The keys: dominant defensive-line play and a lighter touch by reputed hard-line coach Tom Coughlin.
What they have left in the tank: As usual, this all depends on quarterback Eli Manning. He appeared to be making strides earlier this season, but his recent play (six interceptions in his past two games) has to have the Giants worried. His life won't get any easier now that injuries have hurt New York's running game (Derrick Ward is out for the season).
Road to the playoffs: The Giants will be a wild-card team but they won't win more than one playoff game. They will face a Super Bowl team but it'll be in the final regular-season game against the Patriots.
Washington Redskins (5-7)
How far they have traveled: No team in recent memory has endured more emotional trauma during a regular season than this bunch. The Redskins already were struggling with inconsistency before the shocking slaying of free safety Sean Taylor. His death has been so devastating that it's hard to imagine the Skins' recovering from it in the season's final month.
What they have left in the tank: There isn't much hope left here. The Redskins lost a great friend and teammate, but it's important to note that Taylor also was a critical member of their defense. This team simply doesn't have enough playmakers of his caliber to make a run at the postseason.
Road to the playoffs: The Redskins have had bigger issues to deal with than football.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)
How far they have traveled: The Eagles had the potential to win the NFC East until injuries (especially to quarterback Donovan McNabb) and off-the-field drama (the family problems of head coach Andy Reid) caught up with them. They continue to play hard -- as they did in close losses to New England and Seattle. But this team hasn't been steady all season. It's too bad, because the Eagles might not have many good years left in them for the foreseeable future.
What they have left in the tank: McNabb's future has been under the microscope since this season began, and that won't change now that we're in December. The Eagles also have to look at the remainder of their aging roster. It's safe to say that defensive end Jevon Kearse, for one, is in jeopardy of not returning next season.
Road to the playoffs: They're done.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:19 PM
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