2012 NFC East: Why Anybody Can Win the NFL's Hardest Division

The Beast.

It says something when a 9-7 team wins the Super Bowl.

It says that their path to the big show was one in which they had to best a division opponent on the final week of the regular season. It says that they lost to the worst team in their division twice. It says that they had a harder path to the big dance than their opponents.

Why is this? Don't be surprised. It's the NFC East.

If your team can walk out of this division with the title, it means your team has what it takes to make a run at it all.

Last year, fans witnessed as three teams in the division finished within one game of each other. Last year, fans witnessed as the Giants defeated the AFC champions, and the Cowboys and Redskins both came within a touchdown of doing the same.

Going into 2012, all four teams have made the necessary changes to give their team a legitimate shot at outlasting their opponents. That's all you can do. You're not going to pull away from them, you just have to outlast them to the finish.

An NFC East team has not won the division by more than one game since 2008—a year in which no team in the division had a losing record.

What will the 2012 story be like? What team has the mental and physical endurance to take the division this year?

1. New York Giants

No one needs to be told by now what the New York Giants are capable of.

Eli Manning has established himself as one of the few elite quarterbacks in the league, and has led his team to two championships.  Both came at the expense of Tom Brady.

It will be difficult, however, to assess them as the same Giants we have seen in years past.

Remove Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham from the team's future and insert rookie back David Wilson and rookie wideout Rueben Randle.

Tom Coughlin has become one of the premier coaches in the business, and he can handle the task of grooming these young rookies into an already lethal offense.

Players like Jason Pierre-Paul and Victor Cruz came into their own last season and should look to build on their success in 2012.

The Giants enter the season as the favorites to win the East, but one can't overlook the fact that they split their divisional series against the Philadelphia Eagles, they had to beat the Dallas Cowboys for the division on the final day of the regular season and they were swept quite handily by the perceived-lowly Washington Redskins.

All three teams have reloaded and set their sights on the Giants. While a Super Bowl and even division repeat is by no means out of the question for New York, it's always difficult coming into the season as the team to beat.

2. Dallas Cowboys

2011 was another season of disappointment for the Dallas Cowboys.

Always boasting one of the most lethal offenses in the NFL, the expectations for Dallas always exceeds their results. Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten and DeMarcus Ware are all names who have the caliber and potential to be annual Pro Bowl players.

Their biggest problem is consistency and cohesion.

One almost has to feel bad for Tony Romo, as he truly is the most competent Cowboy on offense. The Dallas Cowboys' season was doomed when he was directing his receivers where they should line up on Monday night against Washington in Week 3.

He knows the playbook, Witten knows the playbook, but his receivers consistently let him down. His offensive line lacks concentration at times, and it's clearly evident.

Last year, the league was introduced to DeMarco Murray, who might be the final cog in an offense loaded with depth and potential. If he can pick up where he left off before his season-ending injury, Murray can be an elite back for years to come.

With the addition of Brandon Carr, first-round pick Morris Claiborne and another solid season from Michael Jenkins, the Cowboys could finally field a secondary to be proud of.

The window is quickly closing for Romo and Witten to win a championship. Romo is 32 years old, and his favorite receiver isn't far behind. They need to put it together soon or they might miss out on their chance.

If Dallas's receivers can properly execute their assignments, the offensive line can gel, including Tyron Smith improving on his already solid rookie season, and the secondary can come together quickly. The Cowboys are the favorites to win the NFC East in 2012.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Dream Team.

All puns aside, the dream is still very much alive in Philadelphia. This team was clicking on all cylinders toward the end of 2011, and they were playing at the level of play they were expected to.

Nnamdi Asomugha, last year's prized free agent, began to play at his Pro Bowl level down the stretch. After starting the season at 4-8, the Eagles were able to put together a four-game winning streak, including two wins against Dallas and Washington.

LeSean McCoy really came into his own and distinguished himself as one of the brightest and most productive backs in the NFL.

Heading into 2012, the Eagles hope they can play at the level they are capable of and finally bring that longed-for Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia. The additions of Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks and Vinny Curry to their front seven should help solidify the depth to an already stingy defense.

The real question for Philly will be the consistency of Michael Vick. At times throughout the year, Vick played brilliantly and up to the level that made him such an icon in 2010. At other times, he looked lost, made terrible reads and cost his team in turnovers. He needs to keep consistency heading into 2012 for the Eagles to reach an elite level of success.

The Eagles need to prove they were not a failure and that their 2011 free-agent acquisitions paid off.

If they can do this, they can more than compete with any team in their division and in the league.

4. Washington Redskins

Optimism and excitement don't even begin to describe the energy in the nation's capital in anticipation of their 2012 Washington Redskins.

Their season became relevant as soon as news broke of their blockbuster trade for the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.

Despite their 5-11 record, the team has the potential to be an above-.500 team.

Inconsistency at the quarterback position sincerely hurt this team in 2011 and cost them quite a few wins.

The Redskins actually boast one of the better defenses in the league, with players like Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, and obviously, London Fletcher.

With another year in Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense, the Redskins defense has the opportunity to reach elite level in 2012. However, much will be dependent on their secondary, which currently has an armada of average players.  

Haslett will have to choose two starters from the likes of Brandon Merriweather, Tanard Jackson, DeJon Gomes, Reed Doughty, Cedric Griffin and the list goes on. Undrafted free-agent Chase Minnifield could prove a valuable asset if he can stay healthy.

The Redskins' season may not be as dependent on Robert Griffin III as it will be on Roy Helu. If the second-best rookie running back (DeMarco Murray the best) from 2011 can establish himself as Shanahan's guy, it will set the tone for the Redskins offense.

The additions of Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan, the emergence of Fred Davis, and the running game will determine RG3's success in 2012.

Contrary to what many may think, the Redskins are a sleeper team coming into this season. Many considered the team to be "a quarterback away" from contending for the division. Well, they have their quarterback, so we'll see. 

Overall

Overall, the NFC East once again heralds four of the most exciting teams in football. The defending Super Bowl champs, the perennial Super Bowl favorites, the Dream Team and a team loaded with young talent all step foot into 2012 excited.

All four teams have set themselves up to make a run at it, and no one is hoping for anything short of an above-.500 season.

Overall, I would say the Giants have the spotlight, the Cowboys have the potential, the Eagles have the talent and the Redskins have the hunger to win the NFC East.

It's going to be a dogfight to the finish.

It's going to be exciting.

The Beast is back.