NFC capsules: A team-by-team look at the NFC divisions

2011 playoffs: Beat New England Patriots, 21-17, in Super Bowl XLVI.

They're going all the way: Go ahead, keep talking about the Jets' quarterback circus. The Giants will quietly thank their lucky stars for Eli Manning, who tied a league record last season by directing seven fourth-quarter comebacks. Losing Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham won't kill them.

They're doomed: Everybody remembers the Giants' out-of-nowhere Super Bowl run, as they should, but this was also a team that was swept by the 5-11 Washington Redskins last season, losing 28-14 and 23-10. Surviving this division is no breeze, and the Giants don't have the ground game as a fallback.

Now hear this: "It kind of got out of hand. There was a lot of rough-housing." — cornerback Prince Amukamara, on being dumped in a cold tub by defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, a scene captured on video and posted on the Internet. Was the incident a hint of a fissure in an ostensibly rock-solid team?

WASHINGTON

2011: 5-11, 4th in East.

Last year in the playoffs: 2007.

They're going all the way: Washington has flipped over quarterback Robert Griffin III, and for good reason. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is as charismatic as he is athletic, and that's saying something. The Redskins already have a stout defense, and if their offense can come close to matching that, this team can play with anyone.

They're doomed: A quick check, and ... yep, Dan Snyder still owns this team. That means the Redskins are the off-season Super Bowl champs-to-be, but they're heading for another disappointing year. That's a hard pattern to break, even for a guy as talented as RG3. This team needs a killer instinct; it lost six one-possession games last season.

Now hear this: "There's really no true face of the franchise, because if we all just had faces, we'd all be dead. There's got to be a heart, got to be some legs, some arms, some skin." — Griffin

PHILADELPHIA

2011: 8-8, 2nd in East.

Last year in the playoffs: 2010.

They're going all the way: With last season's foray into fantasy football an unmitigated flop, the Eagles have moved forward by adding a few standouts to their defense — linebacker DeMeco Ryans and draft picks Fletcher Cox (DL) and Mychal Kendricks (LB) — and the team's offensive line has matured, although the Eagles will miss All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters (Achilles' injury) dearly. The team already was loaded with offensive weapons, although Michael Vick is dealing with a rib injury.

They're doomed: The reins are securely in the hands of Vick, but is the football? He had 14 interceptions and 10 fumbles last season. Although Andy Reid insists Vick is his guy, the Eagles coach would have loved to have landed Peyton Manning in the off-season. That's telling.

Now hear this: "When I was growing up and the great San Francisco 49er teams, the great Green Bay Packer teams, and the great Dallas Cowboy teams … we have a chance to be that. I think we have a chance to develop a dynasty." — Vick

DALLAS

2011: 8-8, 3rd in East.

Last year in the playoffs: 2009.

They're going all the way: If the Cowboys can't get on track, it won't be for lack of trying. They were aggressive in free agency this off-season, and made the move of the day in the first round of the NFL draft by trading up to grab Louisiana State cornerback Morris Claiborne. Are they deranged in thinking they belong atop the NFC East?

They're doomed: The place might be named Cowboys Stadium, but it feels more like Giants Stadium. The Cowboys haven't notched a home victory over the Giants since 2008, and Dallas is 5-7 in the division over the last two seasons. Jerry Jones can talk about beating up on the rest of the East, but those are just words until the Cowboys actually do it.

Now hear this: "Jerry Jones owns this football team. He has owned it for 23 years, so he can do anything he wants." — Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett, on Jones' inviting fans to come watch the Cowboys "beat the Giants' " backside.

NORTH DIVISION

CHICAGO

2011: 8-8, 3rd in North.

Last year in the playoffs: 2010.

They're going all the way: The Bears were 7-3 last season when Jay Cutler was injured. They wound up losing five of their final six games without him. Now, they have the No. 1 receiver they've wanted in Brandon Marshall, and he's a player whose heyday came with Cutler in Denver. Toss in Matt Forte, and that's a potent offense.

They're doomed: Once again, Chicago's offensive line is exceedingly average. The line can't be blamed for every sack over the last two years, but Bears quarterbacks were dragged down 105 times over that span. Chicago's defense is talented but graying, with most of the standouts in their 30s. The team is expecting big things from rookie defensive end Shea McClellin.