What team has a chance to win the NFC East?

This division is far from being a sure thing for any team. Any of the 4 can win the division, and it wouldnt surprise me. The lone exception would be if the Redskins won - an aging defense, new coach, injury prone and underachieving offensive line, and a young QB should give them plenty of things to struggle with this year. They did have an excellent draft, but I don't know how much it will help them this year.

The Cowboys lost a couple of role players, and they had a good draft and added Pacman (which, realistically, could be a great steal or could be an awful gamble). TO is another year older, but he never seems to age either. I'd expect him to only have a couple more solid years left. Can Patrick Crayton step up and develop more as a receiver? Is Zach Thomas going to stay healthy all year? Can Roy Williams cover anyone yet? Will their corners be more consistent? How much longer will Greg Ellis be an effective pass rusher? If Romo goes down, is Brad Johnson worth playing? The Cowboys have quite a few questions themselves, and I think their depth is somewhat suspect - specifically at LB, WR, QB, TE, and DT. Although they have to be considered the front runner, they are a far cry from being a sure thing.

After the Cowboys, the Eagles and Giants have the next best chances of winning the division. The Giants obviously won the Super Bowl last year, but they come into the year with plenty of questions/doubts. Prior to his playoff run, people questioned if Eli Manning would be back, much less be an elite QB in the league. Their runningback committee and offensive line both were impressive last season, but how much would that change if one of their tackles went down? I really don't like their depth along the o-line, but then again, I haven't seen too many of their reserves play too much either. If Strahan retires, I'd assume they'll move Kiwanuka back to DE. That puts even more strain on their already weak linebacker position. Would they be able to stop the run? Can James Butler be a starter in the NFL? Will Kenny Phillips displace him early on? Will Sam Madison show his age? If he does, will anyone be able to take his place as a starter?

The Eagles are far from being a favorite to win the division after finishing last in the NFC East last year, but they also had quite a few issues to deal with in a tough season. They lost 5 games by 5 or less points going against the second toughest schedule in the NFL. This left them finishing at 8-8, and narrowly missing the playoffs. Additionally, nearly every one of their perennial pro bowlers or standout players (McNabb, Dawkins, Sheppard, William Thomas, and Westbrook) missed at least one game due to injury, with most of them missing significant time. They also had to deal with the distractions created by Andy Reid's sons being complete morons. By the time the team got healthy and undistracted, it was too late, but when they finished the season, I don't think there were any teams who would have wanted to play them. Can they stay healthy this year? Will they be able to put the ball in the end zone (they finished 6th in yards last year, but 17th in points)? Can David Akers return to his pro bowl form? Will the young linebackers continue developing as well as they did last year?

So who is my pick?

I'm going to go with the Eagles. My reasoning is as follows:

I think McNabb will come in and stay healthy this year. I think he's pissed and tired of people calling him injury prone. I also think that the Eagles have pretty good depth all around their roster. Their depth at offensive tackle worries me, but I think they can work around that by shifting Shawn Andrews to tackle (if necessary). He'd be limited to the right side, but I think he'd be fine. I also think Andy Reid will show up big this year - he's going to be coaching for his job, and I think he'll rise to the occassion. I think the roster and coaching staff simply has more talent than the Redskins, and my reasoning for why they will edge out the Giants is as follows...

Everyone will be gunning for the Giants this year. They'll watch every tape available (most notably the Vikings game of last year), and I think they'll force Eli Manning into making more of his infamous bad decisions. Eli has all the tools to be one of the best in the league, but theres something lacking in him - maybe its a lack of focus, maybe it's simply that he can't make good decisions under pressure, but something is holding him back. His playoff run impressed me, but I am far from convinced. I also think that the poor LB's combined with the weak DT's will open up the defense to be gashed by rushing attacks. If Eli makes a poor decision, and the G-men fall behind, I can see teams running all over their defense, especially in a division with Marion Barber, Brian Westbrook, and Clinton Portis and going against strong rushing teams like the Steelers, Ravens, and Vikings. Furthermore, an injury to Eli, and the Giants are doomed - David Carr is out of chances to succeed. He's no better than a 3rd string QB nowadays.

All that being said, I see the division wrapping up as follows:

1) Cowboys

2) Eagles

3) Giants (only behind a game)

4) Redskins (behind a couple games)

I think the best competition in the east for Dallas will be Philly. The Giants were just on a streak last season and with a big bull's eye on them for this coming season, they could wilt under the pressure. Eli should be back to mistake-prone deer-in-the-headlights Eli that we all know so well. The Redskins seem like just a .500 team that carried the emotion of Sean Taylor's death and rode it to finish really strong. Otherwise they'd have missed the playoffs.

Philly always plays Dallas tough and Michael Westbrook is the biggest threat as far as skill players go on enemy NFC east teams. They should get the wildcard and Dallas wins the division pretty easily.

I think that the Cowboys or Giants(I'm a giants fan) will win the division. I think that it will be the same as nearly every year where 3 teams form the division go to the playoffs,

Eagles- Good: donovan is solid. Westbrook is the best HB in the league. Kevin Curtis is great at recovering fumbes.

Bad-besides trent cole they're defensive line is sub-par. WRs are nothing special.

Cowboys- Good- T.O is a beast, MB is unstoppable. Solid corners if Pacman stays out of trouble. Above average all around team.

Bad- no special D-line. Tony Romo chokes.

Redskins-Good- Jason Campell can develop under zorn. Solid O-line when healthy. A fairly deep WR core with all sorts of talent.

Bad- No D-line. O-line gets injured. The whole team is a fumble generator. Aging linebackers.

Giants-Good-Amazing D-line with or without strahan. Solid O-line. Depth at HB,CB,and WR. eli is a clutch QB. Plaxico is a beast.

Bad- despite having depth, they lack that outstanding player to sure up the secondary. Jacobs fumbles too much. Eli is inconsistant.

All the teams have their ups and downs. I'm gonna rank them

1.Giants (barely)

2.Cowboys

3.Eagles

4.Readskins.

This could really be a 4 team race in the NFC East. Each team is capable of winning. By virtue of being the reigning champs, I would have to say the Giants, but, Philly made some strong moves in the offseason. This division could really be a toss up with each team knocking each other around.

I am going to have to go with the Eagles. They picked up Samuel's, he should help stop Dallas's passing game. I also like the fact that Philly drafted Desean Jackson. He is super fast, and has good hands. He probably won't be a number 1 receiver, but he will help out tremendously. They also have the most underrated RB in the league. Philly will be the team that gives the NFC East a run for its money this year.

Yes, all 4 teams have a shot in that division. Cowboys are the front runners, but the Giants ARE the defending champs, the Eagles should compete if they stay healthy, and the Skins improved with the draft and Campbell showed good leaps towards the end of the seaosn last year in maturity and development.

The Cowboys will dominate the NFC in 2008. We are just that close to a SB Appearance. But i guess if you have to ask which team will upset my boys or trail them, I'd have to say the Dirty eagles.....I dont know , but somethng about them can be dangerous closer to post season. That pesky Westbrook just keeps poking at us and runs big plays. And yea.....that guy earlier is right, Samuel will flop in Philly, He wont be the same as he was in the Cheating state "New england"...thats beacause they offense dominated the entire game......by cheating of course. I dont care,....my Boys will run the NFC east and the NFC this year....We are a very dangerous team...oh and T.O.............Dont even let him get it started.......he's hungry for that SB Ring...and so are we here in dallas..!!

I can honestly say, the cowboys had the best offseason, with the draft they got some players they really needed, they signed pacman jones who is one of the better shut down corners in the league even after being out of football for a year he'll be back to his old self as soon as he steps back on the field... they just signed barber to a long term deal, as well as newman... they have all of their building stones put in place.

so I'd say cowboys will win the division again... then giants redskins and finally eagles.

Edit : to the guy who thinks asante samuel is the "biggest pickup" I hate to tell you, but he's going to flop in philly... playing in new england when his team had a lead 98% of the game is alot easier than playing on a team that doenst win games by 24 points... when you actually have to cover people one on one rather than playing zone prevent its totally different, so I do not think samuel will "shine" like you philly fans want him to... I dont think he can cover T.O.

If McNabb is completely healthy, Eagles! Take a look at the last half of there season in 2007. There had finally established some cohesion and were playing well. 5-3 winning their last 3 games.

Giants and Redskins will have the best record there, both tied with 12-4, after them the cowboys will have 11-5. It is the best division in the NFC and they will be facing the Steelers, Browns, Bengals and Ravens. The ravens/Bengals games will sure be won by the NFC East team. Philadelphia will struggle a bit this season.