(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The NFC East promises to be one of the most competitive divisions in football. The Redskins and Cowboys were more talented than a couple of playoff teams (I'm looking at you, San Diego, Indianapolis, and Miami), but suffered from playing in a tough division. 

These four teams do not have many weaknesses; yet at least one (and maybe two or three) will be watching the playoffs from home. With that in mind, let's preview each team from the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys: No matter what, this team always seems to find itself in the spotlight.  From its high-profile owner, to its singer-dating quarterback, to its reality shows, the Cowboys certainly make for good gossip. 

In addition, while they are not as talented as they were two years ago when they ran  through the NFC, they still have some weapons.

The first thing I think of when I think about the Cowboys is the running back position, which could be the deepest in the NFC East. In Marion Barber, the Cowboys have a bruiser who wears down defenses with his tough running style. He has Pro-Bowl talent. 

Felix Jones is a candidate for a breakout season, according to many people.  Overshadowed by Darren McFadden at Arkansas, Jones finally proved his explosiveness last year. The Cowboys hope to use him like Brian Westbrook, and he could really add some fire to the Cowboys passing attack. 

Between Tony Romo, Roy Williams, and Jason Witten, the Cowboys should be successful moving the ball through the air, despite the loss of Terrell Owens.

Tashard Choice is the Cowboys third running back, and he is a versatile player who will be used a great deal.

The Cowboys rushing attack could rival the Giants' for best in the NFC East. The 13th-ranked offense from a year ago should rival those numbers this year.

The questions for the Cowboys are on the defensive side of the ball. DeMarcus Ware is great, and leads a solid front seven that ranked 12th in run defense last year, and helped cover up for a depleted secondary with a strong pass rush. 

Jay Ratliff is solid up-front, but the Cowboys rely on their linebackers for most of their pass pressure. If there is a weakness for these linebackers, it is coverage ability. Teams have had success dumping the ball out to tight ends and running backs against this team in the past.

The secondary is also a bit of a question mark. Terrence Newman has been an elite cornerback for most of his career, but he is 30, and coming off an injury-plagued year where he was beaten quite a bit. 

At the second cornerback position, Dallas will most likely start 2008 first-round pick Mike Jenkins, who showed flashes last year, and should be a good player in his sophomore effort. 

Nickelback Anthony Henry is an average player, and while Ken Hamlin has been solid, if not spectacular, at the free safety position, the Cowboys have a question mark at the strong safety position. 

The Cowboys secondary was exposed a few times last year. If they are healthy this year, they may once again become a solid unit, but that remains to be seen.

Overall, the Cowboys had a top-15 offense, and top-10 defense. I would expect those ranks to stay about the same, and the Cowboys should once again contend for a playoff spot. 

However, it may be tough to come by in the NFC East, as all three teams pose tough matchups. 

I see the Cowboys starting out strong, and heading into the bye at 5-0, but they could easily lose the last five games of the season. 

My prediction is 9-7 overall, and 2-4 in the NFC East (I think either the Eagles or Redskins could sweep the Cowboys, as both pose bad matchups for Dallas), though 10-6 or even 11-5 is a possibility.

New York Giants: The 2007 Super Bowl Champs have reloaded their defensive line.  They boast great depth, with three elite defensive ends in Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and Mathias Kiwanuka. 

Tuck's ability to play inside on passing downs should also allow the Giants to be creative with their pass rush, an area in which they should once again excel. 

The secondary has improved the last two years. Corey Webster has quietly become a top-10 cornerback, and this is only his third year. Kenny Phillips, a 2008 first-round pick at free safety, should also have a great season this year. After the Eagles, the Giants look to have the best secondary in the East. 

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