The Dream Team takes awakens to a new reality this morning. After looking terrific in nearly all facets of last nights game agains the Flacons, the Eagles saw their 10 point lead disappear when Mike “Freaking” Kafka had to come in for an injured Michael Vick. Once it became necessary to throw the football, momentum put on a Falcons jersey an never looked back. The 35-31 loss on Sunday Night Football and more importantly the concussion to dream-maker Michael Vick are considered.
Ship all banged-up required a flotilla this weekend so the guys look at the 12 most important players to go down. Along with Vick are, Jamaal Charles with a torn ACL, Brandon Lloyd with a groin injury, the Cowboys see four guys go down including Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Miles Austin, and Dez Bryant. Aaron Hernandez leads the next group that includes, DeSean Jackson, Knowshon Moreno, Malcolm Floyd, Ben Roethlisberger, and Braylon Edwards.
Finally the guys play lightning round with Pretenders or Contenders featuring the 2-0 teams and the 0-2 teams. On the 2-0 side of the ledger Jeff looks at the Patriots, Jets, Bills, Texans, Redskins, Lions, and Packers with mixed results. While Steven takes the 0-2 Seahawks, Panthers, Vikings, Chiefs, Colts, Dolphins and finds them all wanting.
I know it was a rapid fire segment, but I think more thought should be given to the Redskins versus the Lions in “pretender/contender”. I think the Lions are a better team than the Redskins, but as it looks right now, the NFC North is a MUCH tougher division than is the NFC East. If the Cowboy injuries are long term (QB, RB, WR) and if the Eagles have to play without Vick for a few games (not just off of this injury, but throughout the season) the East looks much more “winnable” than a division with the Packers and the Bears.
I would say the Lions are better than the Skins (and they do meet on the field this year), but the Skins would be a better odds on favorite to win (or finish second) in their division TODAY based on what we have seen in terms of team play and injuries.
From what I saw last night I don’t think the Redskins are in the same class as Philadelphia, with or without Vick. That front 4 and their crazy stance was frightening. I can see them chewing up any O-line in the NFC East.
To your point though, I think the Redskins are on the cusp of being contenders. The Dallas game will reveal much I think. A win is a win but that game against the Cardinals was just plain ugly!
I don’t think we are better than the Eagles either, but they and the Cowboys (probably to two favs to win the division) have injuries to contend with. I think the Packers and Bears are arguably better than the Eagles and Bears. That was all I was trying to say. Besides, second place in the NFC East could earn a playoff berth (deserved or not). I agree we should know more about this team after Monday night, but if they are as decimated by injuries as it appears right now, even that game may not tell us much.
can’t find a way to edit…that last post, second sentence should have read “Eagles and Cowboys” not “Eagles and Bears”.