Breaking Down the NFC East.

This is how I think the division will shake out this season. If I end up being wrong, don’t hold me to it. If I’m right, a steak dinner would be nice.

1. Cowboys - Sure, the Cowboys have a new coach. But, they also have the best all-around talent on offense, and the best defense in the division. Many people are questioning Tony Romo’s abilities, but if he makes full use of the talent at his disposal and continues his development into a leader, that’ll shelve any doubts about his worth as a franchise quarterback.

More importantly though, is the performance of the defense. The expectations are high, with Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 seemingly a perfect fit for the Cowboys’ defensive personnel, and if the front seven disrupts, disrupts, disrupts for 60 minutes, that’ll relieve the pressure there is on the secondary to have to be all over the place.

The key for the Cowboys is overcoming the injury bug. The quicker Terence Newman’s foot becomes less of an issue, the less there is to worry about. And, the returns of Greg Ellis and Terry Glenn will make the team much stronger in those positions. There are places that depth could be an issue (corner, defensive line, receiver), but in the end, it’s all about finding a way to win, through injuries or any other problems that arise. And, it will make a great difference to have an even-keeled coach like Phillips, who won’t let his team get too far ahead of themselves, and on the flip side, get too overwhelmed if there are any bumps in the road.

2. Eagles - If McNabb stays healthy, the Eagles are going to be at least a playoff team. The question is: How will the defense play? Defensive struggles were a problem last season, and that’s the one thing that could really deter them from being a serious contender.

3. Giants - They’re the wild card in the division. If they put it together, Eli Manning and Co. could challenge the Cowboys and Eagles for the division. But, there are many areas where they could struggle, and that’s why they could very well end up under .500 just as easily. Tom Coughlin’s job is on the line (at least it should be!), so we’ll see how his team rallies behind him, and behind Manning, who has to show just how much of a leader he is, not only to shut Tiki Barber up, but to get the best out of his guys.

4. Redskins - There’s hope. But, in a division where the other three teams are all capable of doing well in the playoffs, it might be tough sledding for the ‘Skins. But, an improved Jason Campbell, a healthy Clinton Portis, and an improved defense could mean Washington at least has some sort of role in deciding the division, maybe not as an actual contender, but as a spoiler.

Key Game

Eagles at Cowboys, Week 15: Last season, the division was decided in Week 16. Just a few weeks prior, the division title seemed to be firmly within Dallas’ clutches, and the Eagles were trying to overcome Donovan McNabb’s second straight season-ending injury and a 5-6 record.

But, three straight wins for Philadelphia and two losses in three games made the Christmas night game in Dallas the division decider.

Philly was the coal in the Cowboys‘ stockings, as backup Jeff Garcia threw for 238 yards and a touchdown, Brian Westbrook ran for 122 yards, and the defense shut down the Cowboys’ offense in a 23-7 victory. The win completed the season sweep for the Eagles, which gave the Eagles the pivotal tiebreaker, which they didn’t need when a Philly win and Dallas loss the next week sealed the Eagles’ division title.

It may well come down to a matchup in Dallas again. It’ll be the Cowboys’ final home game before finishing up at Carolina and Washington, and they can’t afford to let a repeat of last year happen, because you don’t want to go into the final two games with ground to make up, or with someone right on your tail.

Names You Need to Remember

Chris Canty, Cowboys: If there’s anyone that might have benefited the most from the new defensive scheme, it’s Canty. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to get into the backfield this season, and given how much of a matchup problem he presents to opposing linemen because his size and his mobility, that could mean a big year for the third-year end, especially when defenses might be paying more attention to the linebackers regularly trying to wreak havoc, and with Marcus Spears on the other side.

Reggie Brown, Eagles: Brown had a solid second year in Philadelphia, catching 46 passes for 818 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s the #1 guy now, and with the Eagles sure to put the ball in the air with regularity, the former Georgia Bulldog could end up over 1,000 yards and in double digits in touchdowns.

Brandon Jacobs, Giants: Now that Tiki’s in the studio, it’s Jacobs’ turn to carry the load. In his first two seasons, he scored 16 touchdowns in only 137 carries. As a rookie, he had seven touchdowns in 38 carries, and last season scored nine in 99 carries, while averaging nearly 4.5 yards per carry. He doesn’t need to rush for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns, but if he can consistently run well, that’ll keep the pressure off of Eli Manning to have to win every game with his arm.

Rocky McIntosh, Redskins: Warrick Holdman was a liability at linebacker last season. McIntosh is going to take over at that spot, and the former Miami star, Washington’s first-round pick in 2006, is going to have a key role in shoring up the Redskins’ defense.