Eagles, Giants, or Redskins? Which Beast in the East do you love to root against most?
Historically, the Cowboys vs. Redskins rivalry has been one of the most storied rivalries in all of pro football. And although the 'Skins have had some down years recently, they still give the Cowboys their all when they play. With a new GM, head coach, and quarterback trying to turn things around in D.C., we may find ourselves back rooting against Washington much more this season.
Philadelphia and New York seem to keep swapping roles of who gets to ruin Dallas' season lately. Wade Phillips has seen the Giants do it in the playoffs in 2007, and then the NFL has loved sticking the Eagles at the tail end of the Cowboys schedule. Because both those teams keep challenging for the division, we've probably found ourselves rooting against one or both every week - almost as much as we root for the Cowboys.
But if you had to choose, there's got to be one that you despise more than the other two.
Washington Redskins (4-12)
3-5 Home, 1-7 Road
0-6 in the NFC East
Key Newbies:
QB - Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman
RB - Larry Johnson, Willie Parker
WR - Bobby Wade, Joey Galloway, Roydell Williams
OT - Trent Williams, Selvish Capers
LB - Chris Draft
CB - Phillip Buchanon
DL - Adam Carriker, Vonnie Holliday
Although Washington had an abysmal 2009, they nearly pulled the upset at Cowboys Stadium in Week 11. Had Dallas lost that game, it may not have won the division. Today's players have still got to respect the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry. The Week 16 shutout to close out December was extra special because it was against the Redskins in their home.
This season, we won't really know what kind of success we'll see from the Redskins. A new offensive backfield running Mike Shanahan's west coast-based system. Mixing in some 3-4 looks on a defense that had a very good 2009.
The NFL is crazy. And the Beast is crazier. The Redskins may just push hard enough to get in the Cowboys way in 2010. You never know!
A Blast from the Past
Redskins @ Cowboys 1979 Season Finale
New York Giants (8-8)
4-4 Home, 4-4 Road
4-2 in the NFC East
Key Newbies:
QB - Jim Sorgi
DL - Jason Pierre-Paul, Linval Joseph
S - Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, Chad Jones
The Giants may be the biggest pain in the Cowboys rear recently. Not only did New York act as a north Texas buzzkill during Week 2's Cowboys Stadium inaugural game, but it then later notched itself a season sweep of Dallas with that frustrating Week 13 31-24 win at the Meadowlands.
Brandon Jacobs...grrr! 2007 playoffs. GRRR!
A Blast from the Past
Cowboys @ Giants 1993 Season Finale
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
6-2 Home, 5-3 Road
4-2 in the NFC East
Key Newbies:
RB - Mike Bell
DL - Brandon Graham, Darryl Tapp
LB - Alex Hall, Ernie Sims
DB - Marlin Jackson, Nate Allen
It's hard to imagine anything more satisfying than pulling a hat trick against the Eagles as the Cowboys did last season. Two games in a row with one a shutout and the other a spanking in the playoffs. Take that, 44-6 chanters!
Andy Reid has had Kevin Kolb up his sleeve, so if he comes out slinging that ball around to Philadelphia's talented young corps of receivers, the Eagles could easily still be division contenders. And you know the team will be pressing for revenge against the Cowboys, especially in Philly during Week 17.
A Blast from the Past
NFL Films documents the history of hate between Dallas and Philly