NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
Can Tony Romo shake his famous fumble?
It depends how he starts the season. If Romo starts hot, it will help the fans forget about his muffed snap against Seattle that cost the Cowboys a playoff win. However, if Romo struggles, forget it. He’ll be toast. His confidence will tumble and the fans will be calling for his head.

Can T.O behave himself?
So far, so good. Owens has done just that. But we know it won’t last. He can’t help himself. Owens will get himself in some sort of pickle just to get himself in the news again. It’s almost eerily that he has been quiet this long. Just wait, something will happen.

Is Wade Phillips the answer?
He just might be. Phillips' stints in Denver and Buffalo weren't stellar, but the guy has been a fine assistant who gets results as a defensive coordinator. In San Diego, he was supposed to be the replacement for Marty Schottenheimer, but Dallas grabbed him. Phillips will have to prove he can handle the job, but he has a chance. For the short term, this just might work.

Is this a Super Bowl contender?

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Tony Romo

In the NFC, any team that gets hot can be a contender. And expect Dallas’ defense to stay strong and maybe get better with Phillips. But the key is Romo. There is decent talent on this roster but if Romo can keep him head in the game, the team could make some noise.

Philadelphia Eagles
Is Donovan McNabb healthy?
It seems like it. He suffered a torn ACL in his knee last year, but he has gone through the rehabilitation process and looks ready. What the Eagles have going for them is that coach Andy Reid and McNabb are both smart and understand the big picture. McNabb won’t push it in the early going. He may lose some ability to scramble, but as the season progresses, so should McNabb’s ability to make plays.

Can Andy Reid and McNabb get along?
There was a lot made of the Eagles’ decision to draft Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb in the second round. McNabb admitted he was stunned about the pick and had no inkling it was coming. But here’s the deal: teams don’t have to tell their players — even their franchise players — what they are going to do. Many NFL scouts think Kolb can be special. Some teams had him rated higher on their draft boards than No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell. The Eagles thought they got a steal. In addition to his health issues, McNabb will be 31 in November. It was a smart move to get a quality quarterback. McNabb is a smart guy and he and Reid have always be on the same page. They’ll be fine.

Has the window closed on this team?

H. Rumph Jr / AP file Andy Reid

Yes. McNabb is aging and Kolb is a few years away. The running game is less than average, the offensive line has undergone some changes, the receivers are average. On defense, there is still some decent talent. But overall this is no longer the pride of the NFC. Things have changed and the Eagles' run at a Super Bowl may be over.

Is Reid in trouble?
No way. This team may start rebuilding, but Reid is one of the NFL's better coaches and should help the Eagles aim toward the future. And there is still enough on-field talent for a playoff run. Reid is in Philly as long as he wants.

New York Giants
Is this Eli Manning’s last stand?
It’s getting close. PeytonPeyton's’s little brother is in his fourth season and must become more consistent. That's the problem. Overall, this is a skilled, smart kid. He has all the tools to succeed somewhere. But if he continues to take a step back, it may be somewhere other than New York.

Is this Tom Coughlin’s last stand?
Like, Manning, the coach is on the hot seat. One of the reasons why these two are under pressure is because it’s New York. Patience, of course, is not at the forefront. Many fans are tired of Coughlin’s inability to win and the Tiki Barber and Michael Strahan situations make it easy for fans to side with their beloved players. If the Giants don’t make the playoffs, yes, the Coughlin era is over.

Will this team miss Tiki Barber?
At times. If Brandon Jacobs develops into a good runner, then not so much. Barber was a leader and he was versatile — great in the passing game and on the ground. But he was also a big mouth and some in New York thought he was a self promoter. If Jacobs thrives, the fans will warm to him quickly.

Can this team go to the Super Bowl?

Ray Stubblebine / Reuters Eli Manning

No. It’s a team in transition and there is a lot of drama in New York. The Giants have to just hope their quarterback progresses and there isn’t a mutiny of the coaching staff. The Super Bowl is too much to ask for.

Washington Redskins
Has the game passed by Joe Gibbs?
Hate to say it, but yes. Gibb is already in the Hall of Fame. He has won three Super Bowls, but since returning to the Redskins in 2004, things have gone downhill. The Redskins are three games under .500 in that span. Gibbs doesn’t seem to have any zing left. Watch for this to be his last season in Washington. 

Is Clinton Portis shot?
He just might be. Portis turns 26 next month, but is entering his sixth season. And Portis has been a workhouse during his career, but missed half of last season with shoulder injuries. He has 1,385 career carries. That kind of mileage combined with last year’s injuries, makes one wonder if the Redskins are thinking the same thing — they gave Ladell Betts a big contract.

Is Jason Campbell ready to be an NFL quarterback?

Nick Wass / AP Jason Campbell

There are a lot of people in Campbell’s corner and some think he'll be a special quarterback. I don’t know about special, but Campbell is the Redskins’ best bet for a quick turnaround. He had seven games' experience last season, but had ups and downs along the way. The Redskins were 2-5 in those games. But those seven games will count a long way toward Campbell’s maturation and at this point, he’s all the Redskins have.

Will this team finish .500?
It could be a long season in the nation’s capital. There are just too many question marks for Washington to be at least 8-8. The defense is OK, but Campbell’s growing pains could continue. Actually, this could get very ugly for Daniel Snyder’s team. It will be interesting to see how he handles Gibbs if the Redskins struggle, making it a team to watch, but for all the wrong reasons.

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