The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2019 season with one goal in mind, to improve and build upon their divisional round playoff loss to the Rams last season. Despite being the defending NFC East champions, many experts are picking the Eagles instead of the Cowboys to win the division. Which team is the better bet to win the NFC East in 2019? This answer to this question will have many sports fans wanting to put their money where their mouth is. Especially now that sports betting is legal in several states and a new era in sports gambling is being ushered in. There is no shortage of betting websites that sports fans can access online, make sure to check legal terms according to the state you are at and review the betting operators. The following is a breakdown of each team in the division and their predicted win/loss totals in order to answer this question; Will the Dallas Cowboys win the NFC East?
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: OVER/UNDER 9.5 WINS
Despite losing some key players such as Michael Bennett and Golden Tate, the Eagles more than made up for that by bringing in players like Malik Jackson, Jordan Howard, and DeSean Jackson. The 2018 Super Bowl Champions remain one of the deepest teams in the league and they finished hot last season coming within a hair’s breadth of making it to the NFC Championship game. Last season, injuries in the secondary really cost them some games but they should be much better in that area of the field in 2019. The biggest question mark for the Eagles will be how Carson Wentz and his teammates respond to the departure of fan favorite Nick Foles. If Carson Wentz starts out hot and regains his confidence, he could easily lead a talented Eagles team to another division title. PREDICTION: 11 Wins
DALLAS COWBOYS: OVER/UNDER 9 WINS
As a Cowboys fan, I am optimistic about the teams chances in 2019. On paper they appear to be one of the most talented teams in the division on both sides of the ball. They have addressed their offensive struggles by moving on from Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan and the front office seems committed to bucking the historical trend of mediocracy following a successful season. As a fan, I am hoping that history does not repeat itself but history is certainly not on my side. If I take a step back and look at this objectively, I am not as confident that my Cowboys will prevail. The Dallas Cowboys have not made the playoffs in back to back seasons since 2007. In addition, no NFC East team has won the division in back to back years since the Eagles did it in 2003 and the Cowboys have not accomplished that feat since 1996. The Dallas Cowboys will have their fair share of adversity to deal with this season as well. Once again, they will likely have to begin the season with a number of key players suspended with Randy Gregory, Tyrone Crawford, and Ezekiel Elliott all in danger of missing time. Their best defensive player Demarcus Lawrence, is coming off a shoulder surgery that was delayed because of this contract negotiations. Speaking of contract extensions, the Cowboys are hoping to sign Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper to long-term deals and that could potentially result in an off the field distraction the longer those players remain unsigned. Travis Frederick is returning after missing all of last season but it could take some time for him to get back to the same level he played at in 2017. Offensively, the Cowboys moved on from struggling Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan only to replace him with an inexperienced Kellen Moore and a brand new QB coach Jon Kitna. Those were risky hires and the Cowboys front office will face heavy criticism if they do not work out. In addition to all of that drama, the Dallas Cowboys will have an extremely difficult schedule, especially down the stretch. While my Cowboys fandom will keep me wide-eyed and smelling roses, as a betting man I can see this team finishing in another classic Jason Garrett 8 win season. Such a result would likely cost Garrett his job. PREDICTION: 8 Wins
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: OVER/UNDER 6.5 WINS
Many people are counting out the Washington Redskins despite the fact that they were leading the division last year before Alex Smith went down with a season ending injury. They were also able to overcome an offensive line decimated with injuries to finish with a respectable 7 wins. The Redskins can compete with any team because they are solid in the trenches and have a strong ground game. If they can get decent play at the QB position either from veteran Case Keenum or rookie Dwayne Haskins than they have a legitimate shot at contending for the division title. PREDICTION: 9 Wins
NEW YORK GIANTS: OVER/UNDER 6 WINS
From the outside looking in, the New York Football Giants appear to be an organization in turmoil. They are coming off of back to back seasons finishing dead last in the division. The 2019 offseason has not brightened their outlook for the upcoming season either. They traded their superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr a year after signing him to a massive contract. That trade and the release of DE Olivier Vernon resulted in the team incurring a massive dead money, salary cap hit that hindered their ability to sign quality free agents. In addition, GM Dave Gettleman was heavily criticized for drafting Daniel Jones and reaching for Dexter Lawrence with their two first round selections. There is always the possibility that they could gel and make some noise with their young improving OL and superstar RB Saquan Barkley but chances are they will be ‘fixin’ for another top 10 draft pick in 2020. PREDICTION: 4 Wins
*Photo by Kieth Allison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
Brinson, Will; 2019 NFL win totals: Vegas releases totals for all 32 teams, here are our favorite picks for 2019, www.cbssports.com, published May 1, 2019 at 1:39PM E, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2019-nfl-win-totals-vegas-released-totals-for-all-32-teams-here-are-our-favorite-picks-for-2019/
All data and statistics obtained and verified by https://www.pro-football-reference.com/
Legal state regulations, verified betting operators and reviews by https://www.usalegalbetting.com/
Wow! Go Wachington Football Team! Did you see the game? Sorry 49ers! LOL! So I guess that puts them 1st place in the NFC East right? Go team!