Dallas Cowboys
Here's what we know: the Cowboys are the clear-cut best in the division. Tony Romo and the Cowboys got the playoff monkey off their back last season, but they'll have to win more than one playoff game if they want to play the Super Bowl at home. Things are looking good for that opportunity. Although he does something really dumb on a regular basis, Tony Romo is an elite NFL quarterback with playoff experience, a great indicator for team success, and he is in position for a career year. Miles Austin broke out as an elite receiver last year, Jason Witten is an elite receiving tight end, and Dez Bryant should be able to take Roy William's place and contribute on the other side (if he can get on the field). The running back committee of Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice is among the league's best corp. DeMarcus Ware is an elite defensive player. No, there is no shortage of star power with the Cowboys. The schedulers did no favors for the Cowboys as their road schedule is brutal: out of division road games in Indianapolis, Minnesota, Houston, and Green Bay.
Key Games: Giants on Monday Night Football 10/25, @ Packers on 11/7, Saints on Thanksgiving.
Projection: 11-5
New York Giants
With the Jets making all the noise this offseason, the Giants have been very quiet in the news. The defense, which was so problematic last year, should be much better (couldn't be any worse); in the preseason they look very deep and their new D-coordinator should keep things in control. Last year the offense was awful in the red zone and their ground game was middle of the pack, a year after they led the NFL. Brandon Jacobs' best years are behind him and its time for Ahmad Bradshaw to emerge among the league rushing leaders. The o-line is a concern so they added former Pro Bowler Shawn Andrews, but their center is hurting. Without Plaxico Burress, Eli Manning had a productive season with the Giants' young but deep receiving group. Yes I'm a Giants fan, and I'm optimistic about the season. And they did beat the Cowboys twice in '09.
Key Games: @ Cowboys on MNF on 10/25, Cowboys on 11/14, @ Eagles on 11/21, @ Minnesota 12/12.
Projection: 9-7
Philadelphia Eagles
The Kevin Kolb era in Philadelphia is beginning. The Eagles offense is very young but looks pretty talented, with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, and Brent Celek, with LeSean McCoy in the backfield. It is difficult to lose your two best players over the last decade (McNabb and Westbrook) and stay consistent. The Eagles will be great in 2011 but I'm not high on them for this year; expect good statistics with inexperience mistakes for Kolb. Tough end of season schedule: last 7 games have Giants and Cowboys twice, Vikings, Texans, and at the Bears.
Key Games: Eagles on 10/3 (McNabb "homecoming"), Giants on Monday Night Football on 11/21, Vikings on 12/26.
Projection: 7-9
Washington Redskins
This is what I see: an over-the-hill quarterback that the Eagles felt fine with trading to a division rival, over-the-hill Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker as the running back committee all on their last legs, a bad offensive line, no real #2 receiver, a $100 million man on defense with all sorts of issues (Albert Haynesworth), coming off a 12-loss season. Luckily a game against the Rams ought to get them in the win column early in the season. There's a chance that Mike Shanahan can bring new life to DC (he didn't exactly leave the Broncos on top), but there are too many question marks.
Key Games: Cowboys on 9/12, Eagles on Monday Night Football on 11/15, Giants on 1/2.
Projection: 5-11
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