The NFC East is a Beast: ESPN NFL Power Rankings

I don't normally take too much stock in the ESPN Power Rankings but their Week 4 rankings reflect how dominant the NFC East has been this season: ESPN has ranked the Cowboys first, the Giants second and the Eagles third. It's not only a statement about how good those three teams have looked, it's also difficult to argue with. Who in the NFL has been better this season? The Colts are 1-2. The Patriots have fallen mightily. The Steelers got manhandled by the Eagles last week. The Bills and Titans haven't proven anything yet. With the Cowboys beating the Packers last week, there isn't anyone else in the NFC who measures up.

Need more proof of the NFC East's dominance? The NFC East as a whole is 10-2. The only 2 games they have lost are against each other, meaning the division is undefeated (8-0) against non-division opponents. The Eagles are 2-1 and are tied for last place in the division. The Redskins, who are ranked 15th in the ESPN Power Rankings, have won two straight since losing to the Giants in Week One.

The NFC East is truly a beast. There has to be a way for all four teams to make the playoffs. Let's just leave the winner of the crappy NFC West out.

Ridiculously early NFL Power Rankings

It's mid-May, so obviously it's time for NFL Power Rankings! Both ESPN.com and SI.com have released their incredibly early preseason power rankings, and both of them have the Eagles just outside the top ten. Here are their rankings and their thoughts on the Eagles:

ESPN:
Rank: 13
Comments: Last season, they hit their stride when it was too late. With a fully healed Donovan McNabb and an improved secondary, the Eagles could be dangerous.

Sports Illustrated:
Rank: 11
Comments: The story's the same as ever in Reid-land: Donovan McNabb has to stay upright for 16 games for this team to have a chance to play deep into January. He's missed two, four and seven starts in the last three years. That's partly why the Eagles have fallen considerably short of their second Super Bowl appearance in the McNabb era.

Two assists for him this year. Lorenzo Booker's a better alter-ego to Brian Westbrook than Correll Buckhalter has been. And DeSean Jackson, even at 170 pounds soaking wet, should be a bit more of a stretch-the-defense third or fourth receiver than McNabb has had. If Jackson does nothing else, at least he'll spice up the blah return game (8.1 yards per punt return and 21.7 on kickoffs is no way to win ball games). Oh, and it would be nice if McNabb's tackles could block the Giants.

My thoughts: Those rankings seem about right for the Eagles, although I was very surprised to see the Minnesota Vikings ranked higher than the Eagles in both rankings, they don't even have a quarterback. Both ESPN and SI make the obvious statement that McNabb has to stay healthy if the Eagles want to make any noise this year. SI thinks McNabb has plenty of new weapons to keep him happy, although most Eagle fans would still prefer a true number one receiver. I am excited to see some offensive plays with both Booker and Westbrook in the backfield; they will make a dangerous combination.

I like the make-up of this Eagles team, they should be very competitive in a difficult NFC East. It's way to early to tell, but a return to the playoffs looks likely. Their defense appears to be above average again so it may simply come down to how effective McNabb and the offense can be. Of course, we are still about 4 months away from the season, so no one really knows anything yet.