2014 NFL Season Previews: NFC East

The season gets closer every day and we continue the Running the Spread Blog NFL Season Previews. We've already broken down the AFC East and NFC North. Today I'll break down the NFC East.

1. Washington Redskins

2013: 3-13, Fourth in the NFC East. Missed playoffs.

Key Losses: TE Fred Davis (suspended), S Reed Doughty, MLB London Fletcher, S Tanard Jackson (suspended), OL Will Montgomery, WR Josh Morgan, P Sav Rocca, DE Darryl Tapp, CB Josh Wilson

Key Additions: rookie CB Bashaud Breeland, WR DeSean Jackson, S Ryan Clark, DL Jason Hatcher, LB Adam Hayward, LB Akeem Jordan, OL Shawn Lauvao, P Robert Malone, OL Mike McGlynn, rookie OT Morgan Moses, rookie LB Trent Murphy, CB Tracy Porter, WR Andre Roberts, LB Daryl Sharpton

Toughest Match-ups in 2014: Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts

2014 Outcome:
I know Ty is going to be pretty happy about this choice, but his fan loyalty isn't why I picked Washington to win the NFC East. In my mind they are poised for a bounce back year. Robert Griffin III struggled last year no doubt, but he was rushed back from his knee surgery and that left him hesitant at times. This year RG3 has a clear mind and has put the surgery, along with a terrible 2013 season, behind him. He has fantastic weapons offensively this year with Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed, which makes them very scary. Also Alfred Morris should be as reliable as he has been in his first two seasons. They're two biggest issues last season were their offensive line and their defense, two areas the addressed heavily this off-season. Bringing in lineman like Lauvao, McGlynn and two rookies in Moses and Murphy give them some depth and talent there. Defensively drafting Breeland and signing Clark and Porter helps solidify a pass defense that ranked 20th in the league last year. They lost future Hall of Fame linebacker Fletcher, but Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan will be the anchors of the squad at linebacker. Much like how I don't see Nick Foles repeating his stellar season for the Eagles, I don't see the Redskins defense repeating such a dismal one. They'll be better and put themselves in position to win an "up for grabs" division. There offense should be electric and put them in position to win any game. They're strength of schedule is in their favor too, but it's tough playing in the NFC East I never know which teams within the division they will and won't beat. 10-6 for Washington and a great start for new head coach Jay Gruden.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Monday Spread Option 03-31-14

1. The Final Four is set and we have one weekend left of college hoops! Who of the remaining teams do you think has the best chance to win the National Championship? 

Ty-
I picked Florida to win it all in my initial bracket. Which is probably the only pick that I had right in the whole tournament. So I should probably stay with my pick since Florida has looked every bit like the best team in the country so far. Although their side of the bracket was fairly easy with Kansas knocked out fairly early. But I am an idiot so I'm going to pick Kentucky. You really can't ignore how immensely talented that team is. Also the teams that they beat on the way to the Final Four shows you that they can beat any team in the country. Kentucky may not have beaten Florida this year but they were a possession away from doing so in the SEC tournament so I think they can pull it off.

Spencer-
I may not have picked this Final Four exactly but each team has earned the right to be there. The team I picked to win it all, Florida, is still in it though and there is a reason for that, simply they are the best team. I stand by that. I've talked about it a lot in these blogs but I think their senior leadership/tournament experience and more importantly their ability to play well together is a major plus for them and one that benefits them entering the final weekend. Its ironic two of the three other teams account for the only two losses Florida has this season (Wisconsin and UConn) but I think they will take care of business this time around. They look like a team on a mission. I will say though, Wisconsin has the best chance to derail the Gators if they meet in the Championship, but I think the Gators have a slight edge.