NFC East Preview

The NFC East will arguably be the most difficult division during the season, with all teams capable of beating each other. The Dallas Cowboys won the division last season with an 11-5 record, and the Philadelphia Eagles also made the playoffs as a wild card with an 11-5 record as well. The New York Giants and the Washington Redskins missed the playoffs, but both teams have improved from last season, and are talented enough to make a playoff run as well. The NFC East plays the AFC South and the NFC North, so it won't be an easy task, but each team is capable of having at least a .500 record.

The Washington Redskins acquired Mike Shanahan as head coach and QB Donovan McNabb from the rival Eagles in the offseason. Those two acquisitions are enough to improve the Redskins drastically. However, they've had their problems with DT Albert Haynesworth, and McNabb has to learn a whole new system. The Redskins also had problems protecting former QB Jason Campbell, so it'll be a challenge holding McNabb upright. The Redskins were 4-12 last year. They will be significantly better, but they'll finish at 8-8, not enough for a playoff appearance.

The New York Giants started the season 5-0 before struggling the rest of the season and finishing 8-8. The biggest reason for that was the defense, which gave up 40 points five times during the season. QB Eli Manning had his best season without a big-name wide receiver, but the Giants struggled to run the football. The Giants made sure they do the things necessary to fix their defense. They acquired S Antrel Rolle, drafted DE Jason Pierre-Paul and hired Perry Fewell as their defensive coordinator. Their offense, particularly their run game, will be better than last season. The Giants will surprise this season, and win the division with an 11-5 record.

The Philadelphia Eagles are in transition at the quarterback position for the first time in more than a decade. After trading QB Donovan McNabb to the Redskins, the Eagles are now trusting their offense to QB Kevin Kolb. There is no telling how Kolb will do. He's looked impressive at times during the preseason, but his performance was great. The Eagles are now a young football team, but their defense will remain good. The only question is their offense without McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook, who was cut in the offseason. The Eagles will struggle in Kolb's first year, finishing at 7-9 and missing the playoffs.

The Dallas Cowboys are the defending NFC East champions, and they come into this season as the most overrated team in the NFL. Some analysts have the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, where it will be played in their home stadium. The Cowboys have looked awful in the preseason. Teams have played well in the regular season after playing bad in preseason, but it's time to hit the panic button if you're a Cowboys fan. QB Tony Romo is good, but his connection with WR Roy Williams is still off and WR Miles Austin will not have a season like he did last season. The Cowboys will finish at 10-6, good enough to win the Wild Card, but they won't get far.