NFC East: A Preview of the 2012 NFL Season

Every season, the NFC East is listed as arguably the toughest division in the National Football League.

With the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys always contending for playoff spots, that statement can very much be backed up. This year looks as if it will be no different, as the Eagles try to live up to the lofty expectations of not only their fans, but the rest of the league, the Cowboys trying to do the same, and the Giants in Super Bowl defense mode.

4. Dallas Cowboys

2011 Record: 8-8

Projected 2012 Record: 6-10

The Cowboys have been haunted by not being able to find their way to the Super Bowl, and have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Jerry Jones has said that this could be their last chance to win a championship for a while.

Tony Romo had his best season last year, and is still being heavily criticized by just about everyone. Signing Kyle Orton will only make him hungrier and angrier. Romo has proven that he can be a good quarterback. He just needs to be consistent, and more importantly, win when he absolutely needs to.

DeMarco Murray is probably going to be the starter after Felix Jones couldn't even pass a conditioning test on the first try. Murray is seen as the Cowboys most complete back since Emmitt Smith.

Dez Bryant is such a talented receiver. It's just disappointing how he makes such poor decisions off the field (like allegedly beating his own mother). If he can get it together, he will be the best Cowboys receiver since Michael Irvin. Miles Austin is talented as well, but can't seem to get past his hamstring problems. Jason Witten is a future Hall of Fame tight end and is probably the most stable receiver the team has.

Tyron Smith and Doug Free could end up being one of the best tackle tandems in the league. Smith must adjust to protecting Romo's blindside, and Free has to step up after a poor season last year. Center Phil Costa is undersized, and the position could definitely be upgraded.

Dallas' real weakness on defense comes from the defensive line. Jay Ratliff is one of the best interior linemen in the league, but other than him, the Cowboys really have no help on the line.

DeMarcus Ware is the best pass rusher in the league. Period. If you don't believe me, check out his 19.5 sacks last season. Anthony Spencer was franchised this season, and needs to step up if he hopes to stick for the future. Sean Lee lead the team in tackles, and should be helped out by rookie Bruce Carter.

The Cowboys finally dumped Terrance Newman and are looking to deal Mike Jenkins. They've upgraded at the cornerback position with Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. Their only real question marks lie at safety, with Gerald Sensabaugh and Brodney Pool as the starters. Both men really are average at best, and the team should look to replace them.

From Bryant's latest arrest, to Felix Jones failing a conditioning test, the Cowboys may be doomed to last place in the division, which possibly could mean the firing of head coach Jason Garrett, and the trading or release of Romo.

3. Washington Redskins

2011 Record: 5-11

Projected 2012 Record: 7-9 

In the very competitive NFC East, the Washington Redskins have been the doormats for years, as they haven't made the playoffs since 2007. Now, with a rookie quarterback to lead the team, the Redskins look geared to compete in the future.

The Redskins traded three first round draft picks and a second round draft pick for the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and with that pick they selected Baylor standout quarterback Robert Griffin III. He's certainly an upgrade from Rex Grossman and John Beck, and is very similar to the likes of Cam Newton and Michael Vick. He'll likely start on Opening Day barring injury (knock on wood).

Timothy Hightower and Roy Helu will battle for the starting running back job, with Evan Royster likely spelling both of them. Hightower started off pretty well before getting injured, and then Helu ended up totaling over 1,000 offensive yards. I expect this unit to be a lot better this season if they can stay healthy,

Fred Davis returns as the leading receiver after the release of Jabar Gaffney. He was able to wrestle away the starting job from the oft-injured Chris Cooley, and should be the main threat in the passing game. For the first time in his career, Santana Moss will be fighting for a roster spot, as Leonard Hankerson and Pierre Garcon look to be the starters. Josh Morgan should be decent, as he started off pretty well last season in San Francisco before breaking his leg.

Trent Williams has yet to live up to being selected fourth overall selection in 2010, and will have to really step up to protect RGIII's blindside. Kory Lichtensteiger returns after tearing his ACL last season, and will need to step up as well.

The Redskins defensive line is pretty solid. Adam Carriker finally is starting to live up to his 2007 first round selection, as he posted 5.5 sacks last season. Stephen Bowen also is a solid pass rusher, and Barry Cofield brought veteran leadership to the unit last season.

The Redskins best unit has to be their linebackers, by far. With two college defensive ends playing outside linebacker in Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo, their pass rush is nearly unstoppable. London Fletcher remains one of the top linebackers in the league, even at the age of 37. Riley Perry is a heavy hitter with a lot of potential.

After releasing Oshiomogho Atogwe after a disappointing season, and losing LaRon Landry to free agency, the Redskins went out and signed three former starters in Brandon Meriweather, Madieu Williams, and Tanard Jackson to compete with holdovers Reed Doughty and DeJon Gomes for the two safety positions. DeAngelo Hall will be playing in the slot in nickel and dime packages, and should do well with the transition.

Overall, the Redskins are a good enough team to win now. It will take them a year to really hit their stride, but this team has a lot of talent. Playing in the NFC East is tough, though, and with a rookie quarterback, I don't see them in the playoffs this year. Next year, they very well could be there though.

2. New York Giants

2011 Record: 9-7

Projected 2012 Record: 9-7

Call it luck. Call it destiny. Call it divine intervention. However you slice it, the New York Giants won the Super Bowl last season. They still have much to improve on going into this season if they want any chance of returning.

Eli Manning is now a two-time Super Bowl MVP, yet he is still under much scrutiny as a quarterback. One thing he really needs to work on is cutting down on interceptions in order for the Giants to win more games this season.

Losing Brandon Jacobs is going to hurt this offense, especially with Ahmad Bradshaw not being able to stay healthy. Rookie David Wilson is primed to take over the No. 2 spot at running back behind Bradshaw. All in all, the Giants have to run the ball a lot better this season, as they finished last in the league in total rushing yards.

Just like the loss of Jacobs, the Giants will feel the loss of Mario Manningham. Although Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz make up one of the best receiving duos, the Giants don't really have a go-to guy in the slot as of right now. Rookie receiver Rueben Randle could be that guy, but there's nothing set in stone, with Jerrel Jernigan and Domenik Hixon both also in the mix. Losing tight end Jake Ballard to a huge controversy also will hurt, unless Martellus Bennett can live up to the expectations that he couldn't meet in Dallas.

After losing Kareem McKenize, the Giants' offensive line situation is very complicated. David Diehl could move to tackle to replace him.

Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul make up one of the best defense end tandems in the league. Tuck needs to just stay healthy. Osi Umenyiora proved last season that he still has something left in the tank, but won't start over JPP or Tuck. He still should find plenty of playing time, however.

Acquiring Keith Rivers was huge for the Giants. Rivers is a force when healthy. Expect Mark Herzlich and Greg Jones to battle for the position at weakside linebacker. Michael Boley probably will move to the middle, and Mathias Kiwanuka is set at the strongside.

Cornerback Terrell Thomas hurt his knee once again, so his season is in jeopardy. Corey Webster is one of the most underrated corners in the league, and will most likely be teamed with Prince Amukamara, who played only seven games last season. Antrell Rolle and Kenny Phillips are set at the safety positions. Phillips will need to step up if he wants to stick after this season.

All in all, the Giants just don't look like they are built for another playoff run, let alone another trip to the Super Bowl. They are a good team with a lot of talent, but in the tough NFC East, it will be hard to win the division again.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

2011 Record: 8-8

Projected 2012 Record: 12-4

Year after year, the Philadelphia Eagles are given huge expectations and always seem to fall short of them. In 13 seasons, Andy Reid has nine playoff appearances, only one conference title, and no Super Bowl victories. This season could be different, but in order for that to happen, the Eagles must stay focused and healthy.

Michael Vick is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He doesn't usually throw many interceptions, throws the deep ball well, and is still one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the league. His three big problems are turning the ball over, getting injured a little too often, and inconsistency. This team needs Vick to play a lot more consistently, and they definitely need him to stay healthy.

LeSean McCoy may be the best all around running back in the league. If he can continue where he left off last season, after rushing for 1,309 yards and 17 touchdowns, the Eagles will be successful.

DeSean Jackson had a disappointing season last year, and is looking to return to his old form. Jeremy Maclin has emerged as the team's top receiver, and Jason Avant still remains one of the best slot receivers in the league. Brent Celek is also coming off a big year, and looks to do more of the same this season.

One of the biggest problems for the Eagles in previous years was offensive line play. Losing Jason Peters for the season won't help that at all, and signing the injury-prone Demetress Bell isn't much of an upgrade. Danny Watkins struggled as a rookie, and the team will need him to step up this year.

Jason Babin remains one of the best defensive ends in the league, registering 18 sacks last season. Trent Cole added 11 sacks, and Cullen Jenkins added 5.5 more. In short, the Eagles, who had the most sacks in the league last year with 50, have one of the most fearsome pass rushes in the league.

Acquiring DeMeco Ryans really boosts this weak group of linebackers. He will get the nod as the MIKE linebacker between either rookie Mychal Kendricks or veteran Jamar Chaney at the SAM position. Brian Rolle will play at the WILL position.

Even with three elite cornerbacks, the Eagles still had one of the worst secondaries in the league last year. With Asante Samuel gone, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be the starters. Look for DRC to improve after struggling in the slot last season. Nate Allen looks to start at free safety, while Jaiquawn Jarrett and Kurt Coleman will battle for the strong safety position.

The Eagles certainly have enough talent to win a Super Bowl, but none of that will matter if they can't stay healthy. If they can get it together, this team could be destined for greatness.