NFC East Preview

Part eight of an eight part series examining each of the NFL's divisions. Today, we conclude with a look at the NFC East.

Philadelphia Eagles
This division may be the tightest at the top with the Eagles and Cowboys likely to battle for the title all year. The Eagles should win out though. The big story with the Eagles this season is the return of Donovan McNabb, and rightfully so. But the E True Holloywood Story with this team is the defense. Offensively they will be fine; and that is with McNabb not being at 100% for the beginning portion of the season. With McNabb playing up to his capabilities, this offense will be one of the best in the league. They were the number two offense in the NFL last season, behind only the Saints. Doing it with two QBs, the Eagles showed that they can, and will, rely on Brian Westbrook and the offensive line to lead the offense. McNabb will be just fine this season, the receiving corps is underrated, and Westbrook should repeat his career year behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Back to the defense. As few question marks as there are on the offense, there are that many about the defense. Starting with the linebackers, the Eagles will start two guys at MIKE and SAM, Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong respectively, who have never started a game at those positions. Takeo Spikes should be an upgrade at WILL, however, if he is fully recovered from injuries that slowed him the previous two years. But the Eagles don't place a high priority on LB since they rely on a solid play from the defensive line and defensive backs. However, they did not get solid play from these units the last couple years, which is why the defense has lost its status as one of the elite. If guys like tackles, Bunkley and Patterson, can perform up to expectations, and Safety Brian Dawkins can shake off preseason injuries, the defense should be plenty adequate in spite of the question marks at linebacker. Being in a weak conference, the Eagles should simply be able to outscore teams for a few wins this season.
Prediction: 11-5

Dallas Cowboys
Talent-wise, the Cowboys may be right up there with the Eagles. So why aren't they going to win the division? Well, a couple of reasons. First, they have a new coaching staff, and the last time I checked, a new coaching staff rarely reaches expecations in their first season. Plus, it's not like they are upgrading from an incompetent coach. They had Hall of Fame coach, Bill Parcells, for four seasons and they were unable to win a playoff game in that time. Secondly, the Cowboys are seriously lacking behind the Eagles in experience and leadership. The Cowboys also have serious questions marks on both sides of the ball. Tony Romo, "Snap-gate" aside, really dropped off towards the end of his season. It seemed that, once opposing defenses accumulated game film on him, he was in fact a mere mortal. The defensive backs had major coverage problems last season. Roy Williams, considered by many the most overrated player in the league, is a big hitter but he contributed greatly to those coverage liabilities. And Dallas had next to no pass rush outside of DeMarcus Ware. But again, it's a weak conference, and everyone has chinks, if not holes, in the armor. And with talented players at most skill positions, the Cowboys should earn a Wild Card birth if they don't win the division.
Prediction: 10-6

Washington Redskins
There is a huge drop off from the top two teams in the division to the bottom two teams. The Redskins underperformed in just about every aspect of the game last season, and they are bound to improve this year. However, now they have a QB starting his first full season. Analysts from all around the league really like Jason Cambell, and they see him progressing into a strong leader of the offense as the season progresses. If they're right, the Redskins could be a decent team. They have a strong two-pronged running attack with Clinton Portis and the emergence of Ladell Betts last season. However they are old and shallow at wide receiver; Santana Moss doesn't seem to have that game breaking speed anymore and there isn't much behind him. The defense is about average, but with a weak offense, they are unable to hold up for a full 60 minutes and a full season. This is clearly a transitional year for the 'Skins as they acclimate the new QB to the system. And it may be Joe Gibbs last season in this unsuccessful comeback attempt.
Prediction: 6-10

New York Giants
For some reason, coach Tom Caughlin is still the coach of the New York Giants. He has had, and still does to some extent, a talented roster every year. Yet, the Giants have been unable to accomplish much of anything. And last season it hit a low for Caughlin's Giants. That is, until this season probably. There is no leadership in that locker room and no one can keep their mouth shut. Everyone always has something to say about a teammate or a coach, and it is impossible to create a winning chemistry in that atmosphere. Aside from the negative intangibles surrounding this team, they have serious issues at a number of positions. This jury for Eli Manning is still out, but not for much longer. Eli needs to stop relying on the name on the back of his jersey and start improving the weaknesses of his game (and there are a number of them), or he will go down as a big-time bust; considering what he was supposed to be in this league. And things will not get any easier for Eli this season, with the retirement of Tiki Barber. The Giants feel Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns can pick up where Tiki left off, but I don't see it. Defensively, the Giants are weak at linebacker and defensive back. It's huge that Michael Strahan decided to come back for another year, but not even he can stop this train from derailing.
Prediction: 4-12