As training camp has emerged creating a vast set of emotions of both hope for rookies and redundant routines for veterans, it is never to early to began the rampant speculations surrounding the issue of how the teams will look in the standings come season end. Through my knowledge of the sport and teams, as well as careful analysis of recent off-season acquisitions and losses, I have come up with a forecast of how I expect each team to finish in its respective division. After a disappointing update for the NFC North last update, I have a more optimistic outlook for the NFC East.

Beginning with the New York Giants, while some experts are predicting a slower season for Eli Manning's team for a poor postseason game, I see a similar record if not a better one this year. With the additions of Lavar Arrington, Sinorice Moss, and other players in terms of depth, I see no reason why the Giants should fall prey to all the criticism the team seems to be receiving. Tom Coughlin has lit a fire under the team and contributing his expertise with a strong sense of discipline which made the team so successful last season. The Giants have had some internal problems such as Tiki Barber speaking out against the coaching staff, but as long as he produces on the field all the negativity will be forgotten. What I also like is that Eli Manning is another year older with another year of experience, and while he had a horrid game against the Panthers in the playoffs, the experience will benefit him more than anything and correlate to an outstanding season for the New York Giants.

While the Giants should remain strong in the NFC East next season, I unfortunately see the Washington Redskins falling down to earth with a sub par year. Yes Washington did beef up the offense with Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Loyd, but from what I have seen, both players are overrated and marginal in relation to the big wide out desired; Laveranues Cole is not the answer either. The Redskins also lost Lavar Arrington to the Giants who will have face each other twice during season proposing a difficult match up for Washington whose defense, while still decent, has dropped in terms of power. The Redskins also had a dynamic stretch during the last part of last season building on momentum which unfortunately ended against the lost at Qwest Field in Seattle, and I do not see Washington regaining such strength especially with Mark Brunell as quarterback.

As the Redskins surged during the latter part of last season, the Dallas Cowboys, who were in contention for the playoffs most of the season, had a few devastating losses in the fourth quarter throughout the year causing an upsetting absence for the postseason. This year I do not see a repeat of fourth quarter misfortunes, but with the Cowboy's difficult schedule, making the playoffs may be a challenge. Despite all the acrimony surrounding Terrell Owens and his off field antics, I propose that for at least one season he will want to revamp his image, and however hard it may be, he will swallow his pride and remain relatively silent. If such an attitude is evident, Drew Bledsoe and the rest of the Cowboys will have another great season under the throne of Bill Parcells as both the defense and offense were upgraded throughout the year from signings and vicariously from the unfortunate experience of losing games in the fourth quarter.

The signing of Terrell Owens in Dallas may have benefited both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Yes it is apparent that the Eagles are sub par in relation to wide receivers, but Philadelphia does gain an intangible advantage in terms of chemistry. While there were allegedly reports of proponents of Owens's case in the Eagles locker-room, now that the cancer is gone the players will become teammates again, and Andy Reid will illustrate that he can win without a superstar wide out. Truth be told, even before Owens joined the Eagles a few years ago, Philadelphia was already on top of the NFC with a similar group of players that is currently on the team. With Donovan McNabb able to focus on winning games instead of defending himself against Owens' antics, the fans of Philadelphia as well as the NFL may be in for a surprise when January comes around and the Eagles are in the playoffs. While Philadelphia did not add many players in terms of depth, truthfully the team did not need to as every player and coach only need a sense of tabula rasa from last year's disaster.
Final NFC East Season Standings (*demonstrates making the playoffs):
1.*New York: 12-4
2. *Philadelphia: 10-6
3. Dallas: 10-6
4. Washington: 5-11