The NFC East, as a division, provides a chaotic allure where each team teeters on the edge of glory and disaster. Nowhere else in pro football is "any given Sunday" as brutally accurate as the division that's produced a different winner every year since 2004.
Where there is parity, there is rivalry and the allure of the NFC East is that this rivalry creates a hatred of a scale unseen anywhere else in American pro sports.
Entering the season, the Washington Redskins, led by part-time gunslinger, part time Tommy Bahama enthusiast Kirk Cousins, are the consensus favorite to win the division as the incumbent champions. Recent history is not on the side of the Redskins, as it usually isn't, seeing as during their last stint as defending division champs in 2013 they finished an abysmal 3-13 and last in the division. But unlike their 2013 predecessors, the 2016 Redskins have a healthy Quarterback and hope. Their offense is highlighted by a strong receiving corps featuring Jamison Crowder, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, rookie first-round pick Josh Doctson and tight end Jordan Reed. The running game looks promising, yet unproven as 2015 sensation Matt Jones is set as the first back, assuming he is back from his sprained shoulder in time for the season opener.
The big story coming out of the offseason continues to be free agent pickup Josh Norman, who is expected to improve on the league's 8th worst pass defense in 2015. The All-Pro had a shaky start to camp, getting burned in drills by veteran Pierre Garcon, but has shown improvement and a return to form. The ultimate goal of signing Norman was not only to improve pass defense, but to allow some of the leadership pressure to be taken off of veteran safety DeAngelo Hall. With any luck, Norman will be able to use this transitional season to solidify himself not only as Washington's superstar, but a leader too.
What makes this upcoming season promising for the Redskins is that more than ever the division is theirs for the taking. Tony Romo is hurt again, leaving the Cowboys looking between newly signed Mark Sanchez and rookie Dak Prescott. The Eagles are in a similar situation, dealing last year's starter, Sam Bradford, to the Vikings, showing that the team has thrown their support behind unproven FBS legend Carson Wentz. The Giants, while having quarterback stability with boy-band aficionado Eli Manning, are dealing with transition after their coach of 12 seasons, Tom Coughlin stepped down. While his replacement, former Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo knows the system, it is unlikely that success will follow a 6-10 team going through a coaching change.
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