NFL Report: Taking stock of NFC East

POINT-COUNTERPOINT

Each Friday, columnist Dan Daly and Redskins beat writer Ryan O’Halloran debate an NFL issue. This week’s topic: No team in the NFC East had a losing record last year, so is there a have and a have-not group?

Ryan O’Halloran: Some self-described experts thought the division would be two-tiered — Eagles and Giants up top, and Cowboys and Redskins bringing up the rear. Well, eight weeks into the season, only the Redskins have no hope of making the playoffs. Each of the top three teams has surprised me. Dallas and Philadelphia (both 5-2) have fared better, and the Giants (5-3) are struggling more than I predicted. What this trio has proved so far is how far ahead they are of the Redskins.

Dan Daly: And it’s not like the gap is going to narrow anytime soon. Given management’s feelings toward Jason Campbell, the Redskins are still looking for their quarterback of the future. The Giants and Cowboys, meanwhile, are set with Eli Manning and Tony Romo, and the Eagles have Kevin Kolb ready behind Donovan McNabb. But the main thing is, you’re looking at relative stability in those other places vs. total chaos in Washington. Being good year in and year out, as those teams have been for a while, requires having a sound plan and sticking with it. Dan Snyder’s “plan” changes every time the wind reverses direction.

RO: It’s entirely possible that the other three teams will reach the postseason if they take care of business against non-NFC East teams. I’ll go with 1. Philly, 2. Dallas and 3. Giants. The Eagles have a ton of weapons and can score from anywhere on the field. Something’s missing with New York — maybe it misses safety Kenny Phillips more than everybody thought.

DD: Or maybe the defense misses Steve Spagnuolo, who took the head job in St. Louis. I can’t believe a guy like Phillips makes that much difference. Besides, the key for the Giants is pass rush, not pass coverage. Put it this way: If the Redskins don’t win a division game, and it’s entirely possible they won’t, each of the other three teams can, hypothetically, go 4-2 in the NFC East. That usually gives you a decent chance to make the playoffs. I agree with you: You’ve gotta love the Eagles’ young receivers. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are exciting to watch. But you’ve also got to be impressed with how quickly the Giants made the transition from Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Jeremy Shockey to Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks. And speaking of wideouts, I’m stunned at what a game-breaker Miles Austin has turned out to be in Dallas. Maybe the Redskins should get a receiver from Monmouth instead of trolling all the obvious places like Oklahoma, Michigan State and Southern Cal.

WEEKEND PICKS

REDSKINS THIS WEEK

REDSKINS (2-5) at FALCONS (4-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: Ch. 5

Line: Falcons by 10

Outlook: The Redskins enter on a 13-day break and Atlanta a six-day week following its Monday night loss at New Orleans. It doesn’t matter. Until it shows otherwise, the Redskins’ offense is incapable of outscoring any team not named Tampa Bay or St. Louis. The Redskins’ 22nd-ranked run defense will have trouble against Michael Turner.

The pick: Falcons 21-17

GAME OF THE WEEK

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