NFL Preseason Preview: NFC East/AFC East

NFC EAST:

Dallas Cowboys: Last season went 11-5 and won the NFC East and lost in Divisional Playoffs to Minnesota Vikings. They are hoping to be the first team to host the Super Bowl this year and finally got a playoff win last year after 13 years of failures. QB Tony Romo made some strides last year, but must continue to show growth and that he is a top quarterback. His mistakes have been known to cost the Cowboys games in the past and will under radar again. They look to a healthy 3-headed monster backfield with Felix Jones, Marion Barber, and Tashard Choice. None look to be a big 1,000 yard back, but together they can pile up over 1,500 yards and take pressure off Romo. Both Romo and the backs do need to be worried because if this time features a weakness, it is their offensive line. LT Doug Free might be the best member of that line and he is yet to prove his ability. If the team under performs this year, this might be why. Romo might have his best receiver tandem in Miles Austin and rookie Dez Bryant. Both can cause problems for defenses. Bryant is out hurt and might miss the first game or two. Thus he will probably start a little slow, but if he catches on; he gives them a threat they have been seeking. And if WR Roy Williams can recapture what he was early on during his time with the Lions; then this offense will have multiple weapons. TE Jason Witten had a bit of a down year, but should be that middle of the field presence that enables the team to move the ball. A major reason for the Cowboys' success late last year was their improved play on defense. They shut down the Saints and then quieted any time of offense the Eagles had consecutive weeks including a playoff win. LB DeMarcus Ware will probably be good for 15 sacks and a lot pressure and DT Jay Ratiff up the middle has been a disturbance in recent years. And do not count out veteran LB Keith Brooking. His leadership and presence makes the whole defense better. They will start an unproven kicker and could be a work in progress at position that decides some games.

New York Giants: Last season they finished at 8-8 and missed the playoffs. QB Eli Manning had a career year and should be able to an equally impressive year. WR Steve Smith had a break out year and gives the Giants everything they had with Plaxico Burress minus the size. That is where WR Hakeem Nicks comes in. The tandem can give Manning the weapons he needs to thrive. Problems might occur within the backfield. HB Ahmad Bradshaw could have a breakout season as the featured back, but that does not sit well with HB Brandon Jacobs. Off the field problems might arise and that can easily carry over to how the team plays. As long as the offensive line can stay healthy, they should be able to provide necessary protection. But like last year and previous years under Tom Coughlin, this team's success is based on their defense. They looked like a shell of themselves for much of the second half of the year letting other offenses control the game. They added S Antrel Rolle and he will upgrade a secondary that looked awful last year. Their linebacking corp loses Antonio Pierce. His absence will be missed with his play and leadership. However, they did add Keith Bullock and will fill that gap. Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck along with rookie Justin Pierre-Paul will give the Giants their dangerous front line if healthy. Perry Fewell should mix all these defensive guys and improve last year's defensive woes.

Philadelphia Eagles: They finished last year at 11-5 and lost to the Cowboys in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs. They ended the year with back to back bad losses to divisional foe Dallas. They traded franchise QB Donovan McNabb in the offseason and now turn the keys over to Kevin Kolb. He has showed some promise in his limited again in Philly. It will be year filled with growing pains. He will have good games and bad ones. The Eagles will probably have to rest their fortunes on his success as Mike Vick is yet to return to his previous form. For Kolb, he will have two fast threats in wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Both will allow the Eagles to spread the field and if TE Brent Celek can take the next step this year; they have a balanced passing game. The once loaded Eagles' backfield now features LeSean McCoy, who will have to prove he can carry the load. Defensively they took a bit of a step back a year ago in their first year without Jim Johnson at the helm as defensive coordinator. They will have LB Stewart Bradley back and healthy after missing all of 2009. They added LB Ernie Sims, who will be able to play his aggressive style via the Eagles' defensive schemes. DE Trent Cole provides good pressure on the outside and CB Asante Samuel still has the ability to play tough one on one coverage.

Washington Redskins: They finished last season at 4-12 and have made some nice moves in the offseason. They brought in Mike Shanahan as coach and traded for QB Donovan McNabb ending Jason Campbell's reign as they traded him to Oakland. McNabb breaks experience and a winning attitude and culture to Washington. He will look to prove that he still has a lot left and bring the Redskins back to prominence. The team loaded up on running backs as they return Clinton Portis and brought in Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. If all three are healthy, they might give the Redskins a 3-headed monster of former 1,000 yard backs. Unfortunately for McNabb, just as he was getting capable receivers in Philly; he enters Washington without much. Deja vu for him. WR Santana Moss is still a deep threat, but slowly losing a step or two. They feature a handful of unproven and under achieving receivers. However, TE Chris Cooley can be a better version of Brent Celek from a year ago. The offensive line in front of McNabb is fairly young and has shown weaknesses in recent years; something McNabb must keep in mind. Plus they will be going through some transition, but if they gel; he has a big line in front of him. The defense has shown flashes of being a tough unit. LB Brian Orakpo is a nice young player and LB London Fletcher is a veteran presence with a lot of heart. DT Albert Haynesworth has been nothing short of an annoyance for the team. One has to wonder how long he will be with the team, but if he can resolve the issues at hand; he gives a monster in the middle.

OUTLOOK: Redskins are rebuilding, Eagles take a step back, Giants improve, and Cowboys flirt with greatness at times. Cowboys look to be the early favorite, but aren't a runaway. Whomever finishes second has a good chance to nab a wildcard. It will take 11 wins again to claim this division.

AFC EAST:

Buffalo Bills: They finished last year at 6-10. This team is staring into a black hole that looks to be another tough year. QB Trent Edwards returns after an up and down; injury-ridden season. He will probably be running for his life a lot with a shell of an offensive line. If he is smart, he will utilize the three backs behind him. HBs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch are power backs who can pound the ball, while rookie C.J. Spiller gives them multiple dimensions in the backfield and he might make a case for Rookie of the Year. WR Lee Evans is almost invisible in Buffalo as he gets double teams because there is no other big threat. The defense has potential to slow down opposing offenses a bit so games aren't blow outs. S Jarius Byrd can be poised for a breakout second year.

Miami Dolphins: They finished 7-9 last season. They will enter a three team race again with the Jets and the Patriots. QB Chad Henne will be the starter from the beginning this year and showed he might be one the young quarterbacks to watch in 2010 and going forward. He got a really nice weapon in WR Brandon Marshall from Denver. Marshall has posted multiple 100 catch, 1,300 yard seasons. Expect similar numbers in year one in Miami. Young receivers like WR Devone Bess allow Henne to have multiple options on short routes. However, the backfield tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams present some questions. Brown has not be healthy and Williams is well over 30; when running backs "break down". But, if they used as they have been in the Wildcat; the team should get max production as they will need to be kept fresh. Jake Long and Vernon Carey give the Dolphins solid tackles to protect Henne. Miami's defense added LB Karlos Dansby from Arizona and drafted Koa Misi from Utah. Both will improve upon their defense.

New England Patriots: They went 10-6 last season winning the AFC East before falling in a lopsided loss to the Ravens in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs. QB Tom Brady is still at the helm and that is enough to warrant consideration for a return to the postseason. He should play a little more consistent in year two after a major injury. Plus, he looks to be getting WR Wes Welker back in time for game one; something many did not expect. Not to mention, WR Randy Moss is a big, fast target; who will probably be good for 10-15 touchdowns. The team drafted TEs Rob Gronkowski from Arizona and Aaron Hernandez from Florida. The two can provide for excellent targets for brady ala the two tight end sets. The backfield is not as good as it used to be with HB Laurence Maroney still trying to reclaim form and HBs Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk aging. G Logan Mankins has had some contract disputes this offseason and if he is not around; the offensive line loses a bit of punch. Speaking of lacking punch, the once proud defense in New England is a combo of old, young, and slow. Besides DT Vince Wilfork in the middle and LB Jerod Mayo behind him, the defense isn't spectacular and will need to outscore teams. CB Devin McCourty out of Rutgers and returning S Patrick Chung can be future stars, but aren't there yet.

New York Jets: They went 9-7 last year and lost in the AFC Championship Game to the Colts. Right out the gate, Rex Ryan had the Jets thinking championship and has not stopped talking since the season ended. He is building up a lot of hype for this team. Almost to the point of overconfidence. QB Mark Sanchez will enter his second year at the helm and will need to develop upon minor success last year late. The team released HB Thomas Jones after he ran for 1,400 yards and brought in LaDanian Tomlinson to replace him and back up Shonne Greene. Unpolished players at quarterback and running back might hurt the team at times. Problem children Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes will asked to do a lot to aid Sanchez along with TE Dustin Keller is an up and coming tight end. Edwards and Holmes are Pro Bowl caliber players as long as they are on the field and focused. However, the defense will need to set the tone if this team is make a serious playoff run. They added DE/LB Jason Taylor and DT Kris Jenkins should be healthy. LB Calvin Pace is a key piece in the front seven. But, the ongoing problems signing and getting CB Darrelle Revis might make or break the team's ceiling. CBs Antonio Cromartie and rookie Kyle Wilson from Boise State are both very good, but not on Revis' level. They might be AFC version of the Cowboys in terms of too much hype for their own good and will not be under the radar this year.

OUTLOOK: Bills will struggle to get anywhere close to .500, Dolphins are not getting enough attention and might steal the division, Jets will be good, but just how good, and Patriots should remain consistent as much as the leaves always fall during Autumn. This to me is a three team race. New England has the edge by default, but enter December the three teams will be close and it would not surprise me if the Dolphins win and the Patriots claim the wildcard with New York watching and still talking.