2011 NFC East Predictions: Why the Philadelphia Eagles Might Have Bought a Title

The NFC East has long been a tough battle where every team has taken turns ruling the roost. Since 2000, Philadelphia has been in first place seven times. Yet with all of that success, they are the only team in the division without a Super Bowl win.

The division is in flux once again. Though each team has championship aspirations, two are rebuilding and another has already been hit hard by injuries. This leaves the most active team in the NFL free agent market, the Philadelphia Eagles, looking stronger than the rest of the division.

Injuries and good fortunes often rule a teams direction, but that does not prevent the daydream of fulfilled potential. There have been plenty of times in NFL history a franchise has gone healthy an entire season and reached expectations.

Here is how the 2011 season could go for the 2011 season:

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The self anointed "Dream Team" has a ton of talented players thanks to owner Jeff Lurie going all out with his checkbook. Lurie has gone all in for a franchise that hasn't won a title since 1960. 

While the Eagles defense looks great in the secondary, the front seven may be an issue. The defensive line is full of pass rushers not known for stopping the run.

The linebackers are pretty inexperienced and kicker and punter are rookies too.

But the Eagles were smart by getting Vince Young to backup the oft-injured Michael Vick at quarterback. The offensive unit can score points, but a suspect offensive line could be their downfall. 

Philadelphia has a lot of pressure to produce in 2011. Historically, a bought team that spends heavy never realizes the successes compared to teams that mold their own talent. 

Yet the Eagles are in the right division this year with two teams rebuilding and another already riddled with injury. This could be the season that the city of Brotherly Love sees their first football trophy in 41 years.

2. New York Giants

The Jints already face an uphill battle with the possibility of four cornerbacks missing the entire season, as well as a rookie defensive tackle they had high hopes for.

Yet this is a veteran squad still full of immense talent. 

New York may end up having to win a few high scoring affairs this year, but this can happen because they have a deep wide receiver corps.

So deep that they watched Steve Smith walk over to a division rival a few weeks ago. 

Eli Manning was recently quited as saying he is an upper echelon quarterback in the league. This is time for him to back up his words, because his arm will be put to the test often. 

While they are still strong in the trenches offensively, it is aging. The rushing attack should still be strong for the Giants, led by the inside/ outside attack of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. 

The front seven of the defense is uncertain for the first time in a long time for the G-Men. Their top three defensive ends should be fine, but the rest of the front seven is a mix of inconsistent players and unknown commodities. 

So it seems the Giants offense will have to carry the team, as well as Manning actually becoming that upper echelon quarterback he thinks he is. This is a team as capable of making the playoffs as they are going 8-8.

3. Washington Redskins

The "Shanaplan" enters a second season after a very forgettable first year full of dysfunction and eight games decided by three or less points.

Closing out games was a big weakness for the team in 2010. 

The Redskins 2011 draft looked pretty good in preseason, and several draft picks made the roster or practice squad.

They upgraded the trenches through free agency, losing second-round pick Jarvis Jenkins for the year to injury. 

With the question of whether John Beck or Rex Grossman starts at quarterback, the Redskins are able to temper this with a group of running backs who have the ability to be productive. 

Washington has upgraded their wide receivers and tight end Fred Davis has lost so much weight that he looks like a hybrid tight end.

If the Redskins quarterbacks can be at least average, the team will score points. The defense is led by ageless middle linebacker London Fletcher. They have two young defensive ends playing outside linebacker and are getting positive results so far.

With the addition of two free agents on the defensive line, Washington expects better results after a poor showing in 2010. The secondary got a big boost by signing free safety O.J. Atogwe. Strong safety Laron Landry was the best safety in football last year until an injury ended his season early.

Washington is expecting big things from this duo. One of best offseason moves Washington made was acquiring Sav Rocco to be their punter.

This is a position at where the Redskins have seemed to struggle at for several years recently. Rocca's ability to pin opponents deep might make the difference between victory and defeat. 

With electric return man Brandon Banks, a big roster upgrade on both sides of ball at most everywhere but quarterback, the Redskins can be good enough to challenge for the division. Though that is no guarantee, no matter what Grossman says.

4. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas comes into 2011 walking the razors edge.

Despite the trenches holding back their teams from winning consistently the past few years, they got rid of a few players and lost a few more to free agency. 

Felix Jones is expected to carry the rushing attack, but there are skeptics as to whether or not he is the type who can handle 20-30 touches a game over an entire season.

After his first two seasons were shortened by injury. Jones had 48 receptions and 185 carries in 2010. 

Without veteran Marion Barber helping Jones anymore, fourth-year halfback Tashard Choice and his 222 career carries is the main reserve.

Dallas is said to be high on seventh round pick DeMarco Murray, though the rookie wassn't real impressive during preseason games. 

With a trio of small backs running behind an offensive line in flux, the passing attack with be the Cowboys best weapon. Quarterback Tony Romo, who missed 10 games to injuries last year, might end up with many games where he attempts upwards to 50 passes or more this season. 

The defense is pretty much the same group that was second to last in the NFL last year in points allowed. Though they are decent on pass defense, the Cowboys trenches are average at stopping the run.

It is an aging unit that hopes to flourish under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's system. Ryan has a huge task in front of him.

Coaching defense for the Cleveland Browns the last two years, his defenses were near the bottom against the run. Yet they improved from 21st to 13th in points allowed.

Before that, he spent four years as defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders, where his defenses were annually near the bottom in rushing defense and points allowed. 

It appears Dallas will have a lot of games where they will rely on Romo too heavily as their defense struggles. They will have to gamble often on this to win, hoping Romo holds up all season. 

Head coach Jason Garrett was given the job midway into last year, despite being considered by a few one of the worst offensive coordinators in the game.

Nepotism was thought to be one of the reason for his hiring, considering one of his brothers works in the Cowboys front office, his dad used to, and another brother is on the coaching staff.  

The team is in desperate need of rebuilding, and that will be seen a lot in 2011.