The NFC East is arguably the most intriguing division in football because it has experience the most turnover in recent years. No team has repeated as division champs since the Philadelphia Eagles did it in 2003 and 2004. That's a decade of new kings being crowned every year, a feat not even "Game of Thrones" could compete with.
But this season may put an end to that streak. The Dallas Cowboys, despite losing DeMarco Murray in free agency, are expected to be crowned NFC East champs yet again with a projected 11-5 record.
"The Cowboys will have to answer questions at runnin back and cornerback and make sure Dez Bryant is happy, but the schedule-maker has been somewhat favorable," ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer wrote. "They have back-to-back games against teams with winning records in 2014 just once (Seattle and Philadelphia in Weeks 8-9). In the second half of the season, they play just two teams that had winning records in 2014. Based off what we know now, the Cowboys could win consecutive NFC East titles."
Dallas is being helped by a lack of sure-fire competition. The Eagles, who have won 10 games in each of the last two seasons, have undergone massive roster upheaval in Chip Kelly's first offseason with front office control. The Washington Redskins have addressed several defensive needs but still suffer questions marks at head coach and quarterback which are, you know, kind of important. The New York Giants haven't done much to change the status quo of their 6-10 team from last season.
The Cowboys are not without their issues, of course. As Archer mentioned, running back and corner are two big areas of need. Fortunately for the Cowboys, this draft is deep at running back and there should be a few quality corners available when Dallas picks at No. 27. Will it be enough to push them towards a second straight division crown? We'll have to wait to find out.
