December in the NFC East

December is upon us. Snow will fly. Temperatures will drop. Christmas bells will ring. But things in the rough ‘n’ tumble NFC East are heating up. Four crucial matchups will decide which team takes the division crown, with the Eagles participants in three of the four games. As we drive toward the playoffs, let’s breakdown each team entering the final month of the 2008 season. I’ll start, where else, at the top.

New York Giants: 11-1

Big Blue controls its own fate. Win next week vs Philly and they seize the division. After that they play at Dallas, home to Carolina, then at Minnesota. A brutal stretch. If they do take the division next week, a #1 seed still remains. However, a two game cushion in the conference only helps their cause. Conceivably, they could lose their final four, but the odds of that happening are beyond remote. My prediction: They win the East, grab the #1 seed and finish 14-2.

Dallas Cowboys: 8-4

The ‘Boys are 5-1 at home and 3-3 on the road. Next week they travel to Pittsburgh, then host the Giants and Baltimore, before finishing up in Philadelphia. Without question the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL. They possess the talent to run the table, but do they have the determination? A banged-up Marion Barber isn’t likely to heal facing four punishing defenses. My prediction: A 10-6 record, good enough to edge the Falcons for a wild card.

Washington Redskins: 7-5

The ‘Skins are a puzzling 3-4 at home but 4-1 on the road. They are at Baltimore next week, at Cincinnati, home to Philly, then at San Francisco. The easiest schedule of the East teams. But Washington is heading in the wrong direction. They are averaging 10.7 points in their last four. Clinton Portis continues to rack-up new injuries. Can he survive the season? My prediction: A 9-7 finish, out of the playoff picture.

Philadelphia Eagles: 6-5-1

The Thanksgiving victory did indeed save the Birds’ season. They travel to the Meadowlands, host Cleveland on Monday night, then go to Washington, before ending ’08 at home against Dallas. To even have a shot at the post-season they will have to win every game. Is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? Because of the team’s Jekyll-Hyde persona, I say no. The Eagles have engineered December rallies in the past, but I’m just not feelin’ it this year. My prediction: No playoff reservations with an 8-7-1 record.

There you have it. It’s been a topsy-turvy year in the NFC East. A major surprise could be in order. That’s the great thing about the NFL. You just never know.