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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Looking ahead at the NFC East race
Tony Romo and the Cowboys are currently in first place in the NFC East with a 6-3 record. (David Swanson/Staff Photographer)

The NFC East is not the best division in football.

But as we enter Week 11, it's clear that it's going to be one of the most competitive down the stretch.

The truth is the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles all have glaring holes. Each team has looked like it could be a contender at various times this season. And each team has looked like one of the league's worst at other times.

From here on out, we'll provide a quick snapshot of the race each week.

The first installment:

Dallas Cowboys (6-3)

Division record: 1-1
Remaining schedule: Washington, Oakland, at Giants, San Diego, at New Orleans, at Washington, Philadelphia.
Record of remaining opponents: 33-30
Home games remaining: 4
Road games remaining: 3
Division games remaining: 4 (Washington twice, at New York, Philadelphia)

A couple weeks ago, the Cowboys looked like the clear favorites. They were coming off four straight wins, including a victory at the Linc against the Eagles. But after managing just 7 points against the Packers last week, they were unable to widen the gap in the division. They very well could get to 8-3, but then face a tough stretch at the Giants, home against the Chargers and at the Saints. And of course, that Week 17 date with the Birds could be huge for the second straight season.

New York Giants (5-4)

Division record: 2-1
Remaining schedule: Atlanta, at Denver, Dallas, Philadelphia, at Washington, Carolina, at Minnesota.
Record of remaining opponents: 37-27
Home games remaining: 4
Road games remaining: 3
Division games remaining: 3 (Dallas, Philadelphia, at Washington)

After starting the season 5-0 and looking like Super Bowl contenders, the Giants have dropped four straight. You know how they say the best teams show they can win in different ways? Well, the Giants have been the opposite. They got slammed against the Eagles in Week 8 and then dropped a heartbreaker against the Chargers in Week 9 before the bye. Based on opponents' record, the Giants have the toughest remaining schdule of the three teams.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)

Division record: 2-1
Remaining schedule: at Chicago, Washington, at Atlanta, at Giants, San Francisco, Denver, at Dallas.
Record of remaining opponents: 33-30
Home games remaining: 3
Road games remaining: 4
Division games remaining: (Washington, at Giants, at Dallas)

Unlike the other two, the Eagles have not won or lost three in a row all season. Their inconsistency has manifested itself on a weekly basis. The loss to the Raiders in Week 6. The win over the Giants in Week 8. Inconsistency at the quarterback position. An banged-up offensive line, linebacking corps and secondary. Plus an inexperienced backfield. This is the time of year Andy Reid's crew generally steps it up, but can they do it this year? The Eagles play three of four on the road, starting with Sunday night in Chicago.

Week 11 picks

Last week: 6-9
Overall: 70-71-1

LIONS (-3.5) vs. Browns - MC's Pick of the Week (An impressive 7-3 on the season)
JAGUARS (-8.5) vs. Bills
CHIEFS (+10) vs. Steelers
COLTS (-1.5) at Ravens
FALCONS (+6.5) at Giants
49ERS (+6.5) at Packers
VIKINGS (-10.5) vs. Seahawks
REDSKINS (+11) at Cowboys
SAINTS (-11) at Bucs
CARDINALS (-9) at Rams
JETS (+10.5) at Patriots
BENGALS (-9.5) at Raiders
EAGLES (-3) at Bears
TITANS (+4.5) at Texans

Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 2:39 PM  Permalink | 22 comments
22
Comments   
Posted 07:30 AM, 11/20/2009
warbird
Dallas 9-7, NY 9-7, Birds 7-9. Game, set, match.
Posted 07:51 AM, 11/20/2009
Seed
Eagles have 7 very beatable opponents; they will be in playoff. This week will be critical for catching up with Cowboys. We missed a chance last week.
Posted 09:34 AM, 11/20/2009
kelprod1
warbird....you are correct, sir.
Posted 10:41 AM, 11/20/2009
ChazzLCamino
Maybe I'm the eternal optimist, but no team on the Eagles schedule scares anyone. 10 wins will easily win this division. Sure the Birds will lose at least one more game they shouldn't (I'm calling it now - they lose at home to S.F. after beating the Giants again!) but 5-3 down the strtch is all they need to get into the playoffs and that's doable even for this year's team.
Posted 10:58 AM, 11/20/2009
paul hs
Chiefs over the Steelers? What have you been smoking? Even with the 10 points I don't see it. But thanks for your articles, much appreciated.
Posted 12:10 PM, 11/20/2009
commonwealth
last year i would have said the eagles were dead in the water after the tie with cincy. i'm not saying they will go on a streak again like they did last year and make the playoffs, i just don't know what to expect from them anymore. and i think assuming they will win or lose certain games is an exercise in futility
Posted 12:20 PM, 11/20/2009
Big cushy
Eagles go 8 and 8. They got nothing.
Posted 12:37 PM, 11/20/2009
P Even
Eagles easily get at least more wins. Chi, Wash and SF. They could get 1 or 2 of the others.
Posted 01:31 PM, 11/20/2009
flyigglesfly
Why aren't the Deadskins included in this conversation? They won last week, have righted the ship and are headed for the Superbowl. There are actually people in this area (DC) who believe that is happening.
Posted 01:33 PM, 11/20/2009
lj23
eagles by far have the easily schedule, they could easily lose as little as 1 more game.. the cowboys are known for a late november-decmber crash and thats when there schedule gets the hardest.. The giants have a tough upcoming schedule as well, and they arent showing anything thta says they will even get through it playing .500 ball
Posted 02:15 PM, 11/20/2009
The Manager
flyigglefly just wait till Monday They won't be believeing it's happening anymore.......
Posted 02:18 PM, 11/20/2009
Bill1966
11 wasted years on this Mcnabb experiment and yet it still continues. Insanity.
Posted 02:32 PM, 11/20/2009
rtaylor1220
Deadskins.............superbowl?................HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Posted 02:51 PM, 11/20/2009
Panthro22
Dodobird and goofprod1, have y'all been hitting that stuff again?? PLEASE! Giants 9-7? EAGLES 9-7 and tied with the Cowgirls, unfortunately! Or it could go another way and they all be 9-7 (Gi-nots, Cowgirls and Birds). We'll see. With McPaid and Andy Bleed at the helm, I'm not expecting much except the old standby "...wait til next year".
Posted 02:53 PM, 11/20/2009
jakster
That is the whole problem people. Everyone is happy IF THEY GET IN THE PLAYOFFS! Doesn't anyone want to win a Superbowl. The teams mediocrity is built on the low expectations of its fan base, the cheapness of the owner and iced by the incompetence and arrogance of its coach. Nothing here will change until your expectations rise! It's time to win Superbowl. The team has been around forever and has no rings to show for it!