NFC EAST Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins Dallas Cowboys New York Giants

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1. Philadelphia Eagles

Predicted Finish: 12-4

Last Season: 11-5

Insight: The Eagles have put together consecutive 11-win seasons and there's no reason to think that they cannot do it again or even improve upon it. The have all the elements to be the best team in the league and should compete well into January. Their defense ranks among the top in the league and Donovan McNabb may end up as player of the year. The big question is how much production they can get from a rehabbed Duce Staley. He will have help in the backfield from explosive newcomer Brian Westbrook (rookie, Villanova) who has track speed and quick, shifty moves. He could be the catalyst that puts the Eagles where they want to be - holding the Lombardi trophy.

Key Games: Sept. 16, at Washington; Dec. 1, St. Louis - could be a prelude to the NFC Title game; Dec. 15, Washington - may decide the NFC East.

2. Washington Redskins

Predicted Finish: 10-6

Last Season: 8-8

Insight: Fear the Redskins. They have the potential to be one of the elite teams in the NFL. Head Coach Steve Spurrier is a proven winner and should adapt well to the rigors of coaching in the pros. He also has a bunch of former players who understand him and who will get plenty of playing time, including QB Danny Wuerffel, WR Reidel Anthony, WR Chris Doering, WR Jacquez Green, and QB Shane Matthews (don't be surprised if Spurrier uses two QBs - he did it at Florida). Also, this team is loaded with former SEC players whom Spurrier knows, so he can and will get chemistry in his favor. The defense is as solid as it can get, with Fred Smoot and Champ Bailey at the corners, Dan Wilkinson and Bruce Smith up front and LaVarr Arington emerging as a Pro Bowl linebacker. Stephen Davis will carry the rushing load without a problem and the Florida receivers and 2nd-year man Rod Gardner will get more than their share of balls thrown their way. This is a playoff team if ever there was one. Remember, last season the 'Skins started out 0-5 and won 8 of their last 11 games, so they were already improving.

Key Games: Oct. 20, at Green Bay; Nov. 3, at Seattle; Nov. 10, at Jacksonville; Nov. 17, at NY Giants - four road games in five weeks (home vs. Indy Oct. 27) is tough for any team. Should provide a clue to this team's overal attitude.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Predicted Finish: 6-10

Last Season: 5-11

Insight: Poor Emmitt Smith. He's the last from the good Cowboy teams. He's surrounded by mediocrity, from the front office (Jerry Jones) to the head coach (Dave Campo) to the QB (Quincy Carter). Clint Stoerner may end up being the QB as the team struggles to find any offense in the early weeks. The defense is only average and there's little upside to this team. 6 wins may be overly optimistic.

Key Games: NONE

4. New York Giants

Predicted Finish: 6-10

Last Season: 7-9

Insight: Can the Giants be worse than they were last season? Easily. They insist on keeping underachieving Ron Dayne in the offense and he hurts this team more than anything else. He's supposed to be a bruising runner, but he's the one taking the bruises mostly. The first hit is usually enough to bring him down. He's never proven that he has either the desire or talent to be a top NFL running back. Dayne makes third and short situations the Giants' nightmare scenario. The Giants also stood pat on defense, which is good, but shaky at linebacker and in the secondary. Jason Sehorn is a step slow since two surgeries and will also be more of a detriment than a positive for the Giants.

Key Games: Look at this lineup to open the season: San Fran, at St. Louis, Seattle, at Arizona, at Dallas. If the Giants come out of that with 3 wins, it would be a miracle. 1-4 is a likely start, and it will not get any easier.

LINKS PRO FOOTBALL HOME AFC EAST AFC NORTH AFC SOUTH AFC WEST NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL HOME SPORTS HOME	1. Philadelphia Eagles Predicted Finish: 12-4 Last Season: 11-5 Insight: The Eagles have put together consecutive 11-win seasons and there's no reason to think that they cannot do it again or even improve upon it. The have all the elements to be the best team in the league and should compete well into January. Their defense ranks among the top in the league and Donovan McNabb may end up as player of the year. The big question is how much production they can get from a rehabbed Duce Staley. He will have help in the backfield from explosive newcomer Brian Westbrook (rookie, Villanova) who has track speed and quick, shifty moves. He could be the catalyst that puts the Eagles where they want to be - holding the Lombardi trophy. Key Games: Sept. 16, at Washington; Dec. 1, St. Louis - could be a prelude to the NFC Title game; Dec. 15, Washington - may decide the NFC East.
	2. Washington Redskins Predicted Finish: 10-6 Last Season: 8-8 Insight: Fear the Redskins. They have the potential to be one of the elite teams in the NFL. Head Coach Steve Spurrier is a proven winner and should adapt well to the rigors of coaching in the pros. He also has a bunch of former players who understand him and who will get plenty of playing time, including QB Danny Wuerffel, WR Reidel Anthony, WR Chris Doering, WR Jacquez Green, and QB Shane Matthews (don't be surprised if Spurrier uses two QBs - he did it at Florida). Also, this team is loaded with former SEC players whom Spurrier knows, so he can and will get chemistry in his favor. The defense is as solid as it can get, with Fred Smoot and Champ Bailey at the corners, Dan Wilkinson and Bruce Smith up front and LaVarr Arington emerging as a Pro Bowl linebacker. Stephen Davis will carry the rushing load without a problem and the Florida receivers and 2nd-year man Rod Gardner will get more than their share of balls thrown their way. This is a playoff team if ever there was one. Remember, last season the 'Skins started out 0-5 and won 8 of their last 11 games, so they were already improving. Key Games: Oct. 20, at Green Bay; Nov. 3, at Seattle; Nov. 10, at Jacksonville; Nov. 17, at NY Giants - four road games in five weeks (home vs. Indy Oct. 27) is tough for any team. Should provide a clue to this team's overal attitude.
	3. Dallas Cowboys Predicted Finish: 6-10 Last Season: 5-11 Insight: Poor Emmitt Smith. He's the last from the good Cowboy teams. He's surrounded by mediocrity, from the front office (Jerry Jones) to the head coach (Dave Campo) to the QB (Quincy Carter). Clint Stoerner may end up being the QB as the team struggles to find any offense in the early weeks. The defense is only average and there's little upside to this team. 6 wins may be overly optimistic. Key Games: NONE
	4. New York Giants Predicted Finish: 6-10 Last Season: 7-9 Insight: Can the Giants be worse than they were last season? Easily. They insist on keeping underachieving Ron Dayne in the offense and he hurts this team more than anything else. He's supposed to be a bruising runner, but he's the one taking the bruises mostly. The first hit is usually enough to bring him down. He's never proven that he has either the desire or talent to be a top NFL running back. Dayne makes third and short situations the Giants' nightmare scenario. The Giants also stood pat on defense, which is good, but shaky at linebacker and in the secondary. Jason Sehorn is a step slow since two surgeries and will also be more of a detriment than a positive for the Giants. Key Games: Look at this lineup to open the season: San Fran, at St. Louis, Seattle, at Arizona, at Dallas. If the Giants come out of that with 3 wins, it would be a miracle. 1-4 is a likely start, and it will not get any easier.