NFC East preview

Manning: Can he carry on from last year's play-offs?

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The NFC East is one of the toughest divisions in the entire league. Not even the reigning Super Bowl champions managed to finish top of it last year.

The New York Giants' improbable march to the Vince Lombardi Trophy started with them gaining a wild card.

Instead it was the Dallas Cowboys who came out on top and they will once be fancied for a repeat success as the favourites to win the entire NFC.

However, the top two will not have it all their own way. The Washington Redskins also grabbed a wild card slot last season while the Philadelphia Eagles finished with a .500 record.

The key to success for any of the four storied franchises in this division is winning against your rivals. The Redskins and Giants will get an early chance to lay down a marker when they meet on opening night.

Dallas Cowboys (13-3)

After slow and steady progress under the previous leadership of Bill Parcells, the Cowboys had the shackles loosened by new coach Wade Phillips and ended up winning the division by a canter.

A high-powered offense was the key to their success. Led by quarterback Tony Romo, Dallas were second to only the record-breaking New England Patriots in terms of points scored.

Romo's number one target will once again by outspoken wide receiver Terrell Owens, who should be able to concentrate on playing football after signing a four-year contract extension in the off-season.

With the other receiving options a little more hit and miss than the dependable TO, tight end Jason Witten will continue to play a pivotal role in the passing game that should get the chance to flourish behind a solid offensive line.

The Cowboys should also be affective on the ground, despite the departure of Julius Jones to Seattle. His replacement is another Jones, rookie Felix (no relation) who is highly-rated out of Arkansas.

Jones will provide the speed to compliment the power style of Marion Barber, who is another Dallas player to be rewarded with a long-term deal during the off-season.

While points shouldn't be too hard to come by the defence looks mean enough to give their opponents plenty of problems. DeMarcus Ware provides the pass rush while the secondary is well stocked now Pacman Jones has been reinstated.

Owner Jerry Jones is a man with high expectations and coach Wade Phillips will be under pressure to get this side deep into the play-offs. They are certainly the favourites to come out of the NFC.

New York Giants (10-6 - Super Bowl champions)

While Dallas may have been the best in the East it is their division rivals who begin the campaign in the envied position of reigning champions.

The Giants produced the biggest Super Bowl upset ever seen when they defeated the New England Patriots in Arizona, a result which gave them a third title and first in 17 years.

Now they are a target for everybody, and their off-season has hardly raised hope of a repeat success in 2009.

Several players who helped the underdog triumph have been attracted away by big bucks, while tight end Jeremy Shockey, who was injured for the Super Bowl, has been moved on to New Orleans.

However, the biggest loss will be that of defensive end Michael Strahan, who after a will he-won't he debate over his future finally decided to retire. His absence in the locker room was a big enough blow but with Osi Umenyiora gone for the year through injury, the Giants are lacking two Pro Bowlers.

Even with the losses on defence there is still hope of at least a wild card berth, particularly if quarterback Eli Manning continues on from where he left off in the post-season.

Plaxico Burress is his number one target no matter what the receiver's injury problems, while coach Tom Coughlin has depth and diversity at running back. Kevin Boss should step up to fill Shockey's shoes at tight end.

Even more important is the return of highly-rated defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo. The 48-year-old snubbed the chance to take the top job in Washington to sign a new three-year contract. Could the Giants do it again? Don't bet against them.

Washington Redskins (9-7)

Sweeping changes have been seen in the capital after a traumatic season last time out that saw the 'Skins reach the post-season after the tragic death of safety Sean Taylor.

Coach Joe Gibbs has decided to end his second spell in charge and after a drawn out process, owner Dan Snyder decided to appoint Jim Zorn from his role as quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

Zorn's arrival should bring on quarterback Jason Campbell, who was beset by injuries last year and had to watch on as Todd Collins played in the play-offs.

Clinton Portis, coupled with the impressive Ladell Betts, means the Redskins will always have a threat on the ground but it is through the air where they must improve.

Chris Cooley is one of the premier tight ends and Zorn decided to draft some depth at wide receiver, adding the sizeable bodies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to go alongside the speed of Santana Moss.

While the new man in charge is calling the offensive plays the defence will be run by coordinator Greg Blatche. He has taken over a powerful unit from previous incumbent Greg Williams.

The sad loss of Taylor has denied Washington one of the rising stars in the secondary but they still have LaRon Landry, Carlos Rogers and Shaun Springs to play against the pass.

Add that to a linebacking corps led by London Baker-Fletcher and the arrival of Jason Taylor via a trade with Miami, Washington should be a tough nut to crack. If the defence does well their season will hinge on Campbell's development.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

They may have finished last in the division but the Eagles' 8-8 record shows just how close they came to a place in the post season.

Having been to the Super Bowl just three years ago, coach Andy Reid will be keen to get back in the play-offs.

After a topsy-turvy year that looked set to end in his departure from Philadelphia, quarterback Donovan McNabb has restored himself as the leader of a team laden with talent on both sides of the ball.

In running back Brian Westbrook the Eagles have a potent offensive force, not just for rushing yards but also in the passing game. He caught 90 balls last year and led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage with 2,104.

Receiving options have been the problem for McNabb ever since Terrell Owens controversial stay. They still lack a number one wideout and have lost Kevin Curtis for the start of the season with a sports hernia.

Defensively the Eagles do look strong. In the off-season they recruited Asante Samuel to add to a secondary that already included stellar corners Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.

Up front in the trenches Trent Cole is the star of a defensive line that should record plenty of sacks. Although the linebackers look a little less strong, Philadelphia should force plenty of turnovers.

McNabb's health, and the ability of the offensive line to keep him protected, will decide the team's fortunes. With Kevin Kolb drafted early last year, the 31-year-old knows he must perform sooner rather than later.