NFL Network analyst and draft guru Mike Mayock sees a clear favorite in the NFC East before the season starts, and that team wears burgundy and gold.





"I’m probably most impressed with Washington,” Mayock told Pat Kirwan and John Clayton ​on Movin’ The Chains. “I think (general manager) Scot McCloughan and (coach) Jay Gruden are kind of tied at the hip philosophically and I think they’re building something where they have the same vision. I think they arrived a year ahead of time in a weak division last year, and I would believe they’re the team to beat. And I don’t think they’re going to beat themselves. I think they’re going to be a tough out, because Kirk Cousins will take care of the football.”

‘Mike Mayock Calls Washington Favorite In Wide - Open NFC East’ on #SoundCloud #np https://t.co/kcpl9qUuTN — NFL Fanzone (@NFLFANZONE) September 3, 2016

“With Tony Romo out and the uncertainty … let’s face it, with Romo in the game, that offensive line, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant, you’d think they can score some points,” Mayock said. “The defense is average at best. So, without Tony Romo, who the heck knows what’s going to happen there?"





“And then you look at the Giants and they spent all that money in free agency on the defensive side of the ball, yet I watched the tape of that Jets-Giants (preseason) game last week, and let me tell you something, that Jets front just thoroughly dominated the Giants front in the first half. Eli Manning had no time to throw the ball, there was no run game whatsoever. Even though they were No. 6 in points last year, you better protect Eli. And right now, the Giants, to me, look like a very average team at best.”





Mayock also said the Eagles have “depth concerns throughout.” He considers cornerback and wide receiver as being particular trouble spots in Philly.





“So, I think this division is wide open, with the favorite being Washington,” Mayock said.





To listen to Mayock's comments either click the link inside the tweet above or ​CLICK HERE.





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