Which Teams Are Playoff-Worthy?<1>

Dallas Cowboys: This year's NFC has some of the best offensive teams in recent memory, and the Cowboys are one of them (along with Green Bay, New Orleans, and Minnesota). Tony Romo could easily have one of the best seasons of any NFL quarterback, with plenty of playmakers around him on offense. It also seems that he's rid himself of the "not clutch" label, as he has finally been able to win some playoff games. Roy Williams has looked like a pretty big disappointment since his acquisition from the Lions, but he's still not a bad option. Miles Austin seems to be a bit overrated, but he's the Cowboys' best option. Rookie Dez Bryant takes the field as well as a receiver, and while rookie receivers don't often make huge impacts, Dez Bryant could be one who does. Their excellent tight end Jason Witten, along with third receiver Patrick Crayton and promising tight end Martellus Bennett, round out the Cowboys' receiving corps, giving Romo plenty of options to throw to. The running game could be even better than the passing game, as three talented backs take the backfield for the Cowboys: explosive Felix Jones (the starter) bruising Marion Barber, and third option Tashard Choice. The offensive line is solid as well, as Romo should have enough time to throw and the backs will have enough holes to run through as well. Defensively, the Cowboys aren't quite as excellent, as their pass defense got torched on a few occasions last year, most notably for close to 600 yards in two games by Eli Manning. Their front seven, which led the cheap  Cowboys jersey to the 4^th-best run defense last year, holds a good group of players overall, led by pass-rushing terror DeMarcus Ware, along with solid linebackers Bradie James and veteran leader Keith Brooking. PREDICTION: 11-5, division champs- The 'Boys should have a solid season due to their top-tier offense, but their average defense will probably keep them from truly being one of the best teams in the league. They are a pretty sure bet for a playoff appearance though, and they could make a Super Bowl run if the pass defense can pull things together at the right time.

New York Giants: The Giants are a solid team offensively now, with cheap Eli Manning jerseyshowing good growth so far in his career. He should definitely be fine for the start of the season, with that nasty cut on his forehead healing by then (He will likely play in the Giants' next game against the Ravens). However, Brandon Jacobs isn't really the same back he was a couple of years ago, and he'll back up Ahmad Bradshaw. Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, and Ramses Barden provide Manning with an excellent group of young receivers, and if they can all develop nicely and produce, the Giants' passing offense could do some real damage. Kevin Boss provides Manning with an underrated option at tight end, also. The offensive line is still an above-average group as well, and the Giants' offense could be a top-10 unit again this year, especially with their passing game. The Giants' D is middle-of-the-pack in both pass and run defense, with a mediocre secondary and linebacking corps, but their defensive line is still one of the deepest units of its kind in all of football, with a great rotation going at both the tackle and end positions: Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck at end, and Barry Cofield, Chris Canty, Jay Alford, and Rocky Bernard at tackle. Jason Pierre-Paul could also turn out to be tremendous at defensive end, as he is raw but the Giants have a knack for developing linemen. However, the linebackers aren't great, as there isn't too much depth behind a decent starting group of Clint Sintim, Keith Bulluck, and Michael Boley. PREDICTION: 9-7, no playoffs- they have a solid offense, and a good enough defense to keep them in the playoff hunt, but the Giants are still in a very tough division and that will hold them back.

Philadelphia Eagles jersey : If Kevin Kolb can step up and replace Donovan McNabb, then the Eagles will be dangerous. Now it's quite a big "if" as to whether Kolb can be just as good as McNabb was, but he might be able to come close, as he's looked solid this preseason (going 11 for 17 with 126 yards in his last game). He has a solid amount of playmaking weaponry at his disposal, with Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin both providing threats to score on any given play, with Brent Celek being a solid pass-catcher as well (the Eagles always tend to use their tight ends a lot). Lesean McCoy has looked promising as well at running back. The offense as a whole is one of the better units in a conference full of excellent offensive groups. Defensively, the line is solid (even more so now with rookie end Brandon Graham thrown into the mix), as are corners Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs. However, there isn't a ton of depth in the secondary, and the linebackers aren't spectacular, with the exception of a solid player in Ernie Sims. A decent year defensively can be expected, with the run defense being most likely a top 10 group and the pass defense being a little weaker (maybe league average). PREDICTION: 10-6, wild card- Kolb should be decent, and there's plenty of help from their solid receiving corps, but McCoy might not be great this year as the only real option. There are also some questions defensively, with a lack of true impact players. There's enough young talent to make this team a threat in the future, though, and they could certainly be a wild card team this year as the NFC East is actually a bit weaker than usual.

Washington Redskins jersey : Perennially overrated with playoffs hopes aplenty each year, the Redskins do always have a talented bunch of players… however, they just can't seem to ever execute. Owner Dan Snyder loves to bring in big names, and the 'Skins consistently sign the top free agents, but they don't seem to produce. This year, they've brought in another experienced head coach in a LONG line of Washington head coaches, Mike Shanahan, who is clearly going to take no nonsense from the players (see Haynesworth, Albert), and may just whip them into shape. Donovan McNabb won't turn this 5-11 team around, but Shanahan could. Meanwhile, Snyder has brought in high profile players (as always) at the running back position, with Larry Johnson and Willie Parker being added in the offseason, replacing Ladell Betts and joining similarly aging Clinton Portis. Really, the talent is there at receiver as well, with former second round picks Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas sharing the position with Santana Moss and Joey Galloway, but they've both been busts to this point. They both could be solid receivers, but haven't shown much thus far. Tight end is filled by solid Chris Cooley, who could stand out this year with McNabb tending to throw to tight ends often, with another second round flop in Fred Davis backing him up. The offensive line was a total mess last year, but Trent Williams should help to shore it up. Defensively, if Haynesworth can actually show up to play this year, the aging defense may at least be able to stop the run, with plenty of talented players like Andre Carter, London Fletcher, and Brian Orakpo in the front seven. The pass defense likely won't be brilliant, but should be above average with players like Carlos Rogers, DeAngelo Hall, and LaRon Landry handling starting jobs in a pass defense that finished 8^th last year, and their secondary is a deep unit as well. PREDICTION: 7-9, no playoffs- The Redskins disappoint almost each year, and the first year of the Shanahan Era is no exception. The talent is there though, as they have loads of solid veteran players. The NFC East is just too strong, but the 'Skins could win a division like the NFC West if they were in it.