NFC East: News Roundup

Excitable and intense, yes, but Dez Bryant is just fine, according to Jason Witten.

Last Sunday was a tough day for most of the NFC East.

The Dallas Cowboys snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, allowing the Detroit Lions to steal a victory in Motown. The Washington Redskins were barraged to the tune of 37 unanswered points, including 31 in the fourth quarter, to squander a 14-point lead against the Denver Broncos. The Philadelphia Eagles meanwhile lost quarterback Michael Vick to injury, resulting in another defeat, this time at the hands of the New York Giants, the only winners in the NFC East in Week 8.

After a tough week on the field, there have been plenty of headlines made off the field between the division’s four teams. BettingSports.com now brings you a quick roundup of the biggest news coming out of the division as we approach Week 9.

Washington: Redskins Nickname Faces Further Criticism

Dan Snyder continues to face pressure to change Washington’s nickname.

NFL executives met with representatives of the Oneida Indian Nation Wednesday, with the latter looking to convince the commissioner’s office to hand down sanctions against Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins.

The Oneida Nation contests that the use of the nickname Redskins is disparaging to Native Americans across the country being that it is actually a dictionary-defined racial slur. They are calling for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to use bylaws in the league’s policies to force Snyder to change the name.

A day earlier, Snyder met with Goodell and cemented his position that the team would “never” change its name so long as he’s in charge. The league itself is reported to have presented a number of arguments for keeping the name to the Oneida Nation.

This is by no means the first time the controversial nickname – which has been ditched by more than 20 high schools across the country – has been called into question. Nor will it be the last time. Expect this argument to plod on for some time to come.

The entire saga could prove to be a costly distraction for Mike Shanahan, Robert Griffin III, and Co., as they look to dig themselves out of a big hole.

Washington (2-5, 1-2 home) hosts the San Diego Chargers (4-3, 2-2 road) on Sunday (1:00 p.m. ET). Anything less than a win will effectively wipeout the team’s season.

Get San Diego Chargers vs. Washington Redskins odds and trends now.

Dallas: Witten Supports Bryant Despite Sideline Scuffle

Witten and Bryant are a-okay.

After a heated sideline ‘meeting of the minds’ saw DeMarcus Ware and Jason Witten attempt to talk sense into/calm down Dez Bryant during Dallas’ 31-30 loss to Detroit Sunday, ESPN Dallas is reporting that all is well in professional sports’ favorite soap opera.

Bryant has been criticized by many for being too intense, while others still label the fourth-year received as immature and unreliable. But Witten shouldn’t be counted amongst these naysayers.

“I feel like I have a lot of passion and I think he matches that passion,” Witten told ESPN. “I love that. It’s been an honor to watch him develop into the player and the person that he’s become, really an elite player at his position and what he does.”

As a team, the Cowboys have no time for internal struggles. The team’s fourth loss of the season highlighted just how poor the team’s pass defense is, while the offense continues to struggle when it comes to closing out the game, largely a result of a weak running game.

This Sunday (1:00 p.m. ET), the Cowboys (4-4, 3-1 home) will look to take advantage of a visit from the Minnesota Vikings (1-6, 0-3 road), a team with plenty of its own struggles this season. A win will see Dallas retain top spot in the NFC East regardless of results elsewhere.

Get Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys odds and trends now.

Philadelphia: Foles To Start Against Raiders

Nick Foles is scheduled to return to the starting lineup.

Nick Foles looks set to start for the Philadelphia Eagles (3-5, 3-1 road) when they take the field against the Oakland Raiders (3-4, 3-1 home) on Sunday.

Foles was knocked out in the Eagles’ Week 7game against the Cowboys, leading to Michael Vick being inserted into the lineup against the Giants last weekend. Vick himself had been sidelined by a hamstring injury that had opened the door for Foles.

Vick was hurt in Sunday’s game in Philadelphia, forcing head coach Chip Kelly to call upon the services of rookie Matt Barkley for the second straight week. Barkley threw four interceptions during his time on the field.

With Foles recovered and cleared for play, Kelly has announced he’ll start Sunday’s game in Oakland, a game that will by no means be easy pickings for either side. The Raiders have made a surprising start under surprising quarterback Terrelle Pryor, and will have home field advantage, something that has already paid dividends this season.

Get Philadelphia Eagles vs. Oakland Raiders odds and trends now.

New York: Coughlin Calls Out Critics

Try taking Tom Coughlin on at 5 a.m.

After starting the season 0-6, the New York Giants (2-6) picked up a second straight win last Sunday giving the blue side of New York something to celebrate.

But the critics haven’t exactly taken it easy on head coach Tom Coughlin, who so far has had to cope with a myriad of injury concerns, most notably at the running back position.

With suggestions swirling around that the 67-year-old Coughlin is too old to lead the Giants to success, the Giants’ head coach took to WFAN radio to call out his critics.

“You know, if you pin me down on it and I really knew that this was taking place,” he told the station, “I probably would say, ‘Come on out here and get with me at five in the morning and see who works harder, see who’s able to go.”

Coughlin’s spirited retort could serve the Giants well as they look to disprove the critics and make a charge at the NFC East title. Considered by many to be the streakiest team in the league, thanks to unlikely Super Bowl campaigns in 2007 and 2011, bettors should write the Giants off at their own peril, at least this early in the season.

The G-Men will take advantage of a bye week this week, before hosting Oakland (Nov. 10), the Green Bay Packers (Nov. 17), and Dallas (Nov. 24) over consecutive weeks.

For a full list of Week 9 NFL odds, click here.

For a full list of NFL Futures, click here.

For NFL team prop bets, click here.

For NFL player prop bets, click here.