Dallas Cowboys – Big-D couldn’t be a more fitting nickname for Jerry Jones’ boys as they boast the best defense in their division. Ratliff is widely seen as one of the best pass rushing DTs in the league and their linebacking corps is led by a superstar in DeMarcus Ware. Their biggest question, heading into this season, is: Can they handle the pressure when it gets to crunch time? Miles Austin is my favorite player on their team; but he’s only had one breakout year, that doesn’t guarantee that he’ll be the same guy this year (see Javon Walker, Michael Clayton, Ronald Curry, etc). He’ll have to be “the man” if the Cowboys want to build on last year’s success. Projected Record: 11-5
Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles are the most questionable of the teams in their division, simply because of their youth. Kevin Kolb is solid, yet unproven, and LaSean McCoy is entering just his second season in the NFL (his first as a starter). This could be the year that Brian Dawkins’ absence is most felt in the locker room. The pressure will be on high for this young offense and the defense could end up paying the price. Expect to see a different type of passing offense this year; Kolb might not be as mobile as McNabb, but he had better be just as tough (on and off the field). If not, it will be a long year in the “city of brotherly love.” Projected Record: 8-8
Washington Redskins – Yea, they signed McNabb and everybody’s all excited for a breakout season from Fred Davis and Santana Moss; however I’m excited for Clinton Portis. Portis had some of his best years back in Denver with coach Shannahan, and I expect that trend to continue this year. Brian Orakpo was an absolute stud defensively last year, and he’ll need to continue to mature and maintain consistency to be successful. Shannahan’s real test will be turning LaRon Landry into what John Lynch was for his Denver teams. Lynch wasn’t the fastest or best pass coverage guy, but he was smart and played above his athletic ability; this bodes well for the much younger, more athletic Landry (but only if he’s ready mentally). Projected Record: 9-7
New York Giants – The G-Men had their issues last year; but this year, there will be no excuses. Eli Manning is a year better, and he has an established, pro bowl number one receiver in Steve Smith. Their key additions of Keith Bullock at MLB, and Antrel Rolle at FS will immediately make last year’s defense a lot better. This means less 30+ point shootouts and more grind-it-out, hard-nosed football. This style of play helped them win the Superbowl in 2008 and it should put them in a position to make the playoffs in 2011 (however, that’d mean Brandon Jacobs will have to play like he did back in 2007-08 as well). Projected Record: 10-6The bottom line is that all roads to the Superbowl go through Dallas (literally). The Cowboys have the perfect blend of veteran leadership, youth, coaching, and attitude to make this year’s Superbowl just another home game for themselves. Shannahan and Albert Haynesworth are bickering like Sammie and Ronny from Jersey Shore, and that could be a big distraction on a relatively young defense. The Giants and Eagles will only go as far as their running game takes them (although, for Philly, the run game is only needed to keep some of the pressure off new starting QB, Kevin Kolb).
By Aaron Hilton
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