New York Giants: The Giants will have a tough time getting to 8 wins this year. The offensive line is adequate and will give Manning time to get the ball downfield to Burress, Toomer and Shockey. Brandon Jacobs is unproven as a full time starter so it will be interesting to see his stamina as the season goes along. Big questions on defense will keep the Giants out of the playoffs. Athletic DE Justin Tuck could see some time at DT because the Giants are so weak there. Who will be playmakers behind Umenyiora and Strahan? Aside from MLB Antonio Pierce, the giants have very little behind the D-line and they will be exploited throughout the season.
Dallas Cowboys: The offensive line is an NFL elite unit that will protect an as of now overrated Romo and create running lanes for Jones and Barber. Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens are both veterans who know how to get the job done. Throw in Jason Witten and the cowboys should find the end zone often if Romo lives up to expectations. All Pro LB DeMarcus Ware and All Pro S Roy Williams anchor a very strong defense. LB depth will be a problem if Ware or ILB Akin Ayodele miss games or if OLB Gregg Ellis cannot recover from his Achilles injury in time for the start of the season. The second CB spot is a concern that will need to be remedied if the Cowboys want to make a strong playoff run. The Cowboys will be in the playoffs unless Romo flops.
Philadelphia Eagles: McNabb will play this season with a chip on his shoulder and if he stays healthy, will vie for the league MVP. I consider him a top 3 QB in the NFL. He seems to have developed a nice rapport with free agent signing Kevin Curtis. Combine that with continued maturity from Reggie Brown, the play of always-reliable Brian Westbrook, and an excellent offensive line , the Eagles only question on offense will center on player health. Defensively, the Eagles are thin and inexperienced at LB. Takeo Spikes was a steal for the Eagles if he is fully recovered from a torn Achilles. Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson have faith in unproven MLB Omar Gaither and OLB Chris Gocong to fill in the LB spots next to Spikes. The secondary ranks in the top five and is the strength of the defense. The Eagles defensive line has to make strides this year, especially at DT, for the Eagles to make a Super Bowl run. A healthy Javon Kearse will help Trent Cole have a breakout year and the Eagles hope that 2006 1st round pick DT Brodrick Bunkley improves on a sup-par season a year ago.
Washington Redskins: The big question here is at QB. Jason Campbell is in a watershed year with the Redskins. He either produces or they will find someone else next year, possible sooner. The ability is there and the above average offensive line will protect him, so it will be fun to watch and see how he produces as a clear-cut #1 starter for the Redskins. A healthy Clinton Portis, along with rugged Ladell Betts form a great tandem at RB and should produce behind a solid O-Line. Defensively, the questions start at the D-line. They are all about average and the Redskins are looking for a play maker to emerge. The LBs are solid. The second CB spot behind Shawn Springs is also a question. It will be between free agent signings Fred Smoot, David Maklin and 2005 1st round draft choice Carlos Rogers. I would like to see Rogers get it and perform well.
Predictions: The Eagles and Cowboys will fight it out for the NFC East title, but both teams are quality enough to make it into the playoffs. Given the Redskin offensive line and solid defense, a productive Jason Campbell will give Washington good feelings about next year. I say they finish tied with the Giants for 3rd place this year.
1) Eagles 2) Cowboys 3) Redskins 3) Giants
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