The View Back East: 'Dream Team' Continues To Struggle

The NFC East got shook up this week. The Cowboys blew a 20-3 lead at half-time to lose 34-30. The Eagles blew a 20-3 lead at half-time to lose 24-23. The Redskins continued their resurgence and dominated the Rams in a 17-10 victory and the Giants overcame a 27-17 deficit with 5:16 to play to win 31-27. This division is still up for grabs, but the Giants and Redskins have taken control of the division early on. Here is a recap of last week's games and a preview of next week's games.

49ers 24 Eagles 23

This was one of the strangest games of the year. The Eagles blew a 20-3 lead at half-time to lose this game. Michael Vick had his best game of the year with 416 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception and 75 rushing yards. There's no blaming Vick on this baffling loss. Jeremy Maclin and Ronnie Brown had terrible fumbles that were lost and the defense was awful once again. 49ers running-back Frank Gore had 139 total yards and a touchdown and Alex Smith threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns. How is this defense so bad after all those big free agent acquisitions?

One has to wonder if this team can turn things around at 1-3 and a trip to 3-1 Buffalo this week. It seems like nobody on this team wants to step up and be a leader. This team needs somebody to take control of the locker room and be a team leader. If they lose at Buffalo and are 1-4 will they officially hit the panic button? The "dream team" must win this game to save their season or their dreams will be shattered once again. The Eagles will win in a must win game 21-17.

Redskins 17 Rams 10

                  The Redskins defense sacked Sam Bradford six times and running-back Ryan Torain had a breakout game. Torain took control of this platoon with 135 yards rushing and a touchdown. This was a dominating effort by the Redskins after they took control on both sides of the ball. This team is looking more and more like a contender. The Rams look awful and it's doubtful they can save their season at 0-4. The Redskins are in first place after four weeks and have to be ecstatic. Who would have thought Rex Grossman was correct when he claimed them as the team to beat this year?

The Redskins have a bye week in week five, but face the rival Eagles in week 6. If Torain has another huge game, the Redskins just might win that game too. Coach Mike Shanahan has saved his job for now and has turned this franchise around.

Giants 34 Cardinals 27

                  Eli Manning took control of this game and overcame a 27-17 deficit to win the game. Hakeem Nicks proved once again he is one of the best receivers in the league with ten catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. Victor Cruz built on his huge game last week with six catches for 98 yards. The running game just wasn't there this week, but Manning and the passing game exposed the Cardinals weak pass defense. The Giants defense was sloppy and they gave up 138 rushing yards to running-back Beanie Wells and three touchdowns. The defense will have better days ahead.

The Giants take on a weakened Seahawks team in week five. The defense will harass quarterback Tarvaris Jackson all game and they should dominate. My prediction is a blowout victory of 31-10.

The Cowboys have a bye week this week, but they have to be feeling awful after they blew a big lead to the Lions. The good news is they should have Miles Austin back and he will be a huge addition to the battered receiving core. They will battle the Patriots in what should be a shoot-out in week six. Can they win to keep pace in the division? Time will tell.