NFC East projections: I go and save the Birds for last

Eagles: 12-4 (5-1) It's all about the offensive line for this team, plain and simple. And I think they're gonna come together just fine. Maybe not in time to look very good on Sunday, but with a couple of punchless pass rushes coming after Carolina, that should be plenty of time to get it together. I expect Jon Runyan to be brought in to (god willing) back up Shawn Andrews just as soon as the Eagles can do it without guaranteeing his whole contract, as they would have to if he signed before the first game. He should stabilize the situation quite a bit. On defense, I see the team taking a step back without Stewart Bradley's dominance on the field and Jim Johnson and Brian Dawkins' leadership. But not that much of a step back. I don't put an ounce of stock in the fact that Sean McDermott's defenses looked timid and bland in the preseason, JJ's always did as well. Omar Gaither isn't the best tackler on earth but he's always had a knack for making plays when he's gotten on the field and I think he'll work out fine as the replacement middle linebacker. The most important player, in my opinion, is Victor Abiamiri. If he can generate any kind of pressure off the edge opposite Trent Cole, this defense will be very tough. Otherwise, I expect it to look a lot like the defenses from 2006 and 2007.

Giants: 11-5 (3-3) The Giants' defense is still going to make it very hard for quarterbacks to go down the field on them, and Brandon Jacobs is still literally as powerful as 2 normal men, but the Giants aren't going to miss Plax any less this season than they did down the stretch last year. Kevin Boss is far and away the best pass catcher the Giants have right now. There's a minute chance rookie Hakeem Nicks becomes a real player this year, but he's never going to be the kind of vertical, both on the field and in the air, threat that Plax was. Without him, it's a mediocre passing offense that's probably good enough for a Wild Card berth but won't be able to go out and win a game against a playoff caliber opponent.

Cowboys: 10-6 (3-3) I actually think the gap between the Cowboys and Giants is rather large in terms of talent, but don't see it making much difference in their records. The NFC East on the whole should see its record inflated at least a game or two as a result of playing the horrendous bottom three quarters of the AFC West. I still believe Tony Romo is nothing more than Brett Favre light on everything but the recklessness with the football. Their already mediocre passing game will miss TO a lot, and their defense is still being run by Wade, son of Bum.

Redskins: 7-9 (1-5) If they can keep Jason Campbell upright and healthy, this team might score some points. But Clinton Portis just can't keep up the kind of production he's put up forever, and their defense still doesn't look very good to me, Haynesworth or no. But if there's a single team I picked to finish last that I could see winning their division, this is without a doubt the one.