In predicted order of finish:
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Big questions: Will the Cowboys be the first team to play in a Super Bowl in their home stadium? Can Tony Romo keep progressing after a big season? How will Doug Free do at left tackle in place of longtime starter Flozell Adams? How will they divide the carries between Felix Jones and Marion Barber? Will Dez Bryant push Roy Williams out of the receiving picture?
Big moves: Expectations are lofty for Bryant, a first-round pick who looked outstanding right away in camp before suffering a high ankle sprain. The team signed free agent Alex Barron, who is a capable right tackle and can hold down that spot while Marc Colombo recovers from knee surgery. Gone is left tackle Adams, who held that job for 12 seasons.
Bottom line: The Cowboys are coming off their first playoff victory in 13 years, and Romo has rounded into a reliable, top-shelf quarterback. This could be their year.
New York Giants
Big questions: Can a switch to Perry Fewell as defensive coordinator help the Giants return to their familiar attacking style? Can Eli Manning assemble another strong season (one that was wasted last year)? Now that he's had knee surgery, will Brandon Jacobs be the power runner that he should be? Are these no-name linebackers ready to form what has always been a position of strength for the franchise? Has Tom Coughlin run his course as coach, or can he get the club back on the playoff track?
Big moves: Defensive leader Antonio Pierce is gone, but the Giants picked up a couple of respectable veterans — safeties Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant — who can help on and off the field. Punter Jeff Feagles retired after 22 seasons.
Bottom line: This Giants season hinges on defense. If the team can come around in that department, it can write off last season's collapse as a hiccup.
Washington Redskins
Big questions: For years, the Redskins have sold promise. Can Donovan McNabb make good on that? Will Mike Shanahan be able to turn around a team that has won two playoff games in Dan Snyder's 11 years of ownership? What kind of contribution will Albert Haynesworth make after a tumultuous camp of fighting with Shanahan? Will rookie tackle Trent Williams help provide McNabb with the protection seldom afforded to Jason Campbell?
Big moves: The McNabb trade was monumental, especially considering it was within the division Also noteworthy were the additions of cornerback Phillip Buchanon, and receivers Joey Galloway and Bobby Wade. The club parted ways with receiver Antwaan Randle El, tackle Chris Samuels and cornerback Fred Smoot.
Bottom line: The Redskins have not made a lot of great moves over the last decade, but at least they don't sit still. These could pay off.
Philadelphia Eagles
Big questions: Is Kevin Kolb better suited than six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb for the Eagles' version of the West Coast offense? Will this group of receivers emerge as the NFL's best? Can rookie Nate Allen round into the type of impact safety the Eagles need? How will the return of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley help pull together the defense? Will the team blitz less, considering it wasn't reliably effective last season?
Big moves: Trading McNabb is as big as any move in team history, and it shows that Coach Andy Reid simply thinks Kolb is better. The addition of linebacker Ernie Sims should help in coverage of tight ends. The team said goodbye to cornerback Sheldon Brown, among others.
Bottom line: It's sink or swim for Kolb, who has had the luxury of being able to sit back and absorb the offense for three seasons. The Eagles play six 2009 playoff teams, but five of them at home.
NFC North
Green Bay
Big questions: Is Aaron Rodgers headed for a career year? Clay Matthews had a terrific rookie season, but is there somebody else who will step up and bolster those sack numbers for the team? Charles Woodson was the NFL's defensive player of the year last season; can he continue that pace in his 13th year? How will cornerback Al Harris recover from reconstructive knee surgery at age 35? Have the Packers finally solidified their offensive line?
Big moves: The window of opportunity is wide open for the Packers, who didn't do a lot of shuffling in the off-season. They used their top draft pick on tackle Bryan Bulaga, slated to ultimately take over for Chad Clifton on the left side, and got an eventual Atari Bigby replacement in safety Morgan Burnett.
Bottom line: The Packers showed last season that they have as much offensive firepower as anyone else. One key will be generating a better pass rush.
Minnesota Vikings
