It’s a big week here at Fifth Down as the season finally kicks off. Today we cover my predictions for the East. Tomorrow is my first official rankings of the year. Thursday is my top 10 predictions for the season including my official playoff and Super Bowl picks and finally on Friday we have our first 5 for Friday of the season. Let’s do this thing!

NFC East

First Place: Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)

Every part of me wanted to pick someone besides the Eagles to win this division. But not for the reason you might think. Sure the Eagles gave my Chiefs a forgettable beat down in the Super Bowl which could obviously lead to some hurt feelings and perhaps lead to me picking a different team. But I am above such childish behavior. You might think that I wanted to pick against them because Eagles fans tend to be obnoxious and annoying. But that’s not it either. Maybe you think I hate Bradley Cooper. But nothing could be farther from the truth. I’m a Bradley Cooper fan. So why do I want to pick against the Eagles so bad? It’s simple. No one has one this division two years in a row in the last 20 years and I think that is hilarious. I also hardly ever pick against streaks. And this is a streak of all streaks. But I am not an emotional predictor. My predictions are based in logic. The Eagles defense is awesome. They have the best offensive line and running back in the league. They have a top 2 or 3 duo at wide receiver. Their tight end is solid and their quarterback is very good and tends to play his best football in the biggest moments. Oh, and they also have a play that no one can stop even if it does have a stupid name. All of those facts have me picking the Eagles to break the 20 year streak. Ironically enough, the last team to win back to back divisional titles was the Eagles led by Andy Reid.

Second Place: Washington Commanders (11-6)

While I do like the Commanders, I am nervous about them. Jayden could have a sophomore slump and he seems like he is an injury waiting to happen. They had kind of a bumpy pre season with Scary Terry holding out and the trade of Brian Robinson Jr. But they are really good team with a very talented quarterback. They got better on paper at the offensive line and on defense. Jayden is fun to watch and plays big in big games. Their schedule will be much harder since they won’t be playing a last place schedule. But I think they will rise above it and still make the playoffs. I’m not sure how Deebo will work out but I like their young running backs and they have Zach Ertz at tight end who I like. All and all they are just a very solid team with a very talented quarterback. I wouldn’t be shocked if they win the division and I’ll be cheering for that because that is one funny streak.

Third Place: New York Giants (8-9)

The Giants seem to be in great spirits. I’m not exactly sure why. But it makes me want to pick them 3rd so I did. They have a talented front four on defense and some fun young weapons on offense. But they have a hit and miss coach and Russell Wilson starting at quarterback. Nothing against Russ but I think we are all just waiting for the day that Jaxson Dart takes over. First off all, he has an awesome football name. Also, he literally throws darts on the field. He looked great in the preseason. I think they are making the right decision to wait to play him. Give him a year to watch and learn and then add a few more weapons in the off season and look out, the Giants could be real contenders. The question is will they win enough this year for their coach to be around to see it?

Fourth Place: Dallas Cowboys (6-11)

Dallas is a dumpster fire led by Geriatric Jones. That guy is old and it is showing. The guy needs to hand over the reins but that would mean he would actually want to win which I am convinced he actually doesn’t care about. He only cares about getting attention for himself. And the media is happy to oblige. He got his money’s worth with the Micah Parsons saga. My favorite part was after the trade when he acted like he planned it all along. The only thing he planned was to get a bunch of attention from it. Anyway, the defense was bad with Micah and will be awful without him. But hey, it should be a good fantasy year for Dak and the Dallas receivers because they are going to be throwing a lot because they are going to be behind…a lot.

AFC East

First Place: Buffalo Bills (13-4)

This one’s pretty simple. The rest of the east isn’t very good. The Bills are good. The Bills also get to play the NFC South which besides the Bucs, isn’t very good. Bottom line, the Bills have lots of winnable games and they are good anyway. So the odds are definitely in their favor. They have the best coach in the division. By far the best quarterback in the division. Their defense is good against everyone but the Ravens and Chiefs. Their receivers are young and hopefully will be better this year. They have solid running backs and a very good offensive line. All in all, they are a real good football team that just can’t seem to get over the hump but will continue to dominate the division. Will they finally get to the Super Bowl? You’ll have to tune in on Thursday for my predictions to find out.

Second Place: New England Patriots (10-7)

My surprise pick isn’t that surprising as many other people are picking them to make the playoffs too. But my reasoning is solid. First, they got a massive upgrade at head coach. Secondly, although Josh McDaniels is arguably the worst head coach of my lifetime, he is also an excellent offensive coordinator that helped Tom Brady rise to stardom and more recently helped Mac Jones of all people have a pro bowl season. I am banking on him being able to help Drake Maye since he is way more talented than Jones was. They got better weapons and their defense will improve under Vrabel. And they play a last place schedule which is the 3rd easiest in the league. Put all that together, and you got 9-10 wins and a shot at a wild card.

Third Place: Miami Dolphins (8-9)

I’m not sure what to do with the Dolphins. I feel like they will either be a playoff team or a complete disaster. So I’m splitting the difference by making them go 8-9. I don’t have any more faith in their defense than I did a year ago. Tyreek is a head case who said he wanted to leave and everyone is saying they have moved forward…sort of. Tua always get hurt and without Tua they are a bad team. Devon Achane already has an injury. And I think the fun of having a video game like coach has played out. Still, they do have some talent. Their division isn’t that good besides the Bills and they play the AFC south. So I would not be shocked if the switch places with the Patriots. I also wouldn’t be shocked if the wheels fall off and they go 4-13.

Fourth Place: New York Jets (6-11)

I like Aaron Glenn. He might be the right guy for the Jets if the owner stays out of the way and actually lets him build something. But I don’t like this Jets team. The defense should be solid but the offense is murky at best. Breece Hall who was awesome a couple of years ago is now supposed to split carries for some reason. I can’t name one of their receivers after Garrett Wilson. Who knows who is playing tight end for them. And Justin Fields isn’t good at throwing the football. He is good at running but always gets hurt. So I think they will play hard and be competitive at times but ultimately finish last this year and hopefully Glenn gets a few years to fix things before the owner meddles in and screws everything up again.

Tune in tomorrow for my first official rankings headed into week 1!