2011 NFL Predictions: Who Will Win the NFC East, the NFL's Toughest Division?

For decades, the NFC East has been seen as one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.

Year after year there are one or two teams picked to make deep playoff runs, while the others provide stiff competition as well.

This year is no different.

The Eagles made big splashes in this year's shortened but hectic free-agency period and are being touted as the "Dream Team" because of it.

Are they the favorites to win the division? Let's take a look.

Philadelphia Eagles

2010 Record: 10-6 (4-2)

2010 Total Offense: No. 2 (389 yds/game)

2010 Total Defense: No. 12 (327 yds/game)

After an exciting, headline-filled 2010 season for coach Andy Reid and the Eagles, they have already topped last year's buzz before the first snap of the season. Major acquisitions, especially to their already impressive defense, have many picking them to compete for a title in Indy.

New signings Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins will join Trent Cole on what is shaping up to be a productive defensive front.

This biggest additions to their defense, however, were at corner. The team won the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes and traded QB Kevin Kolb to Arizona for ultra-athletic corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They are now three-deep at corner with veteran Asante Samuel in the mix which might give them some trade bait later in the year.

At safety, the departure of Quintin Mikell to St. Louis leaves the team extremely inexperienced. Third-year man Nate Allen looks to step up while second-round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett could also compete.

Only a few changes were made on offense, where the Eagles will shine again. If he can stay healthy, QB Micheal Vick will compete for MVP this season and will have a plethora of weapons to lead him there. His style of play, however, often leads to injuries. New backup QB Vince Young will do a good job filling in if he needs to. Hell, Andy Reid himself could suit up at quarterback and get the team down the field.

New Eagles RB Ronnie Brown and fifth-round lightening bug Dion Lewis fill out the running back position well, while the Eagles brought in five rookie WR's to add to an already impressive receiving corps.  

The near future is bright in Philly. If all of the new signings can gel in a shortened preseason, they will be force to be reckoned with.

2011 NFC East Finish: 1st

2011 Record: 13-3 

Dallas Cowboys

2010 Record: 6-10 (3-3)

2010 Total Offense: No. 7 (364 yds/game)

2010 Total Defense: No. 22 (352 yds/game)

Lofty expectations in 2010 once again led to disappointment for Cowboy fans as Tony Romo only played five games before he broke his collarbone and a porous defense produced maximum frustration. But things are on the turnaround in Big D and the 2011 season will be a positive one.

Owner/Dictator Jerry Jones used a "trickle-down" strategy, making big moves at the top in hopes of improving his team. Jason Garrett went 8-5 to close the season after being promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach midway through the season. More importantly, the defense will see huge improvements from last year as new, proven defensive mind Rob Ryan takes the reins.

"Jerr-uh" finally made some intelligent personnel moves, cutting space-wasters RB Marion Barber, WR Roy Williams, OT Marc Columbo and OT Leonard Davis among others. New faces on the offensive line are much needed

The Cowboys are arguably the richest of all NFL teams at the skill positions. Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett... the impressive list goes on. If Romo can stay healthy, the Cowboys will look to lead the league in offensive production. Keep an eye on rookie RB Demarco Murray. He is versatile and will find a way on the field and make a difference. 

While they won't win the division, "America's Team" will turn things around this year and will be in the mix for a wild card spot come season's end. 

2011 NFC East Finish: 2nd

2011 Record: 10-6 

New York Giants

2010 Record: 10-6 (3-3)

2010 Total Offense: No. 5 (380 yds/game)

2010 Total Defense: No. 7 (310 yds/game)

On paper, the Giants seemed to have a great year last year. They had high-ranking units on offense and defense, producing a normally wild-card worthy 10-6 record. However, head coach Tom Coughlin fed off a feeble schedule with only two of 10 wins coming against playoff-bound teams. Those two wins (Chicago, Seattle) were nothing to hang his hat on, either. The luck runs out this year, as the team has away games against the Pats, Saints, Jets, Cards and Niners while getting defending champs Green Bay at home. 

Re-signing RB Ahmad Bradshaw was a big plus, but massive turnover on the offensive line and even bigger problems at tight end will leave little running room for the speedster. Hakeem Nicks and Domenik Hixon are bright stars at WR, but receivers are only as good as their quarterback. The offensive line problems and a tougher schedule will expose QB Eli Manning's true colors as a middle-of-the-road quarterback this season. 

The tough, talented defense from 2010 will return, but a broken foot for first round pick CB Prince Amukamara causes big problems on the outside. DE Justin Tuck will improve on a dominant 2010 season, but the Osi Umenyiora saga will continue through the first part of the season, where his decreased production and bad attitude will likely see him shipped out for little to nothing.

The New York Football Giants failed to take advantage of their window last season and will pay the price this year with a mediocre .500 finish. 

2011 NFC East Finish: 3rd

2011 Record: 8-8

Washington Redskins

2010 Record: 6-10 (2-4)

2010 Total Offense: No. 18 (336 yds/game)

2010 Total Defense: No. 31 (389 yds/game)

If Redskins fans thought things were bad last year (they were), just wait for this season. More blatant mismanagement by Owner Dan Snyder will drive this franchise further into irrelevance. The team lacks a proven QB or RB and did little to improve a terrible 2010 defense.

WR Santana Moss is the only bright spot on offense, however his production will suffer in his 12th year as Rex Grossman and John Beck "battle" for the starting QB role. RB Ryan Torain showed flashes of brilliance last season, but off-season signee Tim Hightower will cut into his touches. The signing of Jamal Brown will help fill a gap opposite Trent Williams at OT, but don't expect any fireworks.

The defense was one of the worst in football last year, and they did little to improve. Former Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe will help a lot, but the departure of DB Carlos Rodgers will hurt. They took talented linemen Ryan Kerrigan and Jarvis Jenkins with their first two picks in the draft, but a couple of rookies are not going to save this sad unit 

The team put together an impressive (on paper) draft class that could impact future seasons, but 2011 will get ugly as the 'Skins compete for the rights to Stanford QB Andrew Luck at the top of next year's draft. Two wins is generous.

2011 NFC East Finish: 4th

2011 Record: 2-14