Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Breaking down the league’s toughest divisions

By Peter Panacy

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Charcandrick West #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Malcolm Smith #53 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Charcandrick West #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Malcolm Smith #53 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 16, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 11: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys and Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants exchange jerseys after the game at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 11: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys and Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants exchange jerseys after the game at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

No, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t going to be quite as dominant in 2017 as their 13-3 record from a year ago suggests.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension watch is a messy situation, and the Cowboys once-dominant offensive line isn’t going to be nearly as effective this season. That means pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott too.

And none of this includes Dallas’ defense, which lost a number of starters this offseason.

The New York Giants may overtake the Cowboys for the NFC East title this season. New York’s defense is legit, and adding wide receiver Brandon Marshall to three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. only makes the Giants passing game more prolific.

Yet the wild card within the division is the Philadelphia Eagles.

Philly gave quarterback Carson Wentz two bona fide receiving weapons in Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith this offseason. If they contribute well enough, the Eagles offense could put them in the mix.

Don’t expect much out of the Washington Redskins, though, especially if quarterback Kirk Cousins’ preseason efforts are any indication.