Welcome football fans of all kinds. This season in the NFC East plans to be exciting with so many intriguing story lines such as how will Donovan McNabb fair playing within the same division but with a different team which should be very interesting.

Nevertheless, I just wanted to say hello to all of my readers and make sure you buckle your chin straps as I keep you updated on what is going on in agrugbably the most competitive division in football. I will provide breaking news, features on players, rankings every four weeks, and any other things pertaining to the NFC East.

To kick off the season, here are the dates for when teams open up for training camp:

Dallas Cowboys: Saturday, July 24

Philadelphia Eagles: Monday, July 26

New York Giants: Sunday, August 1

Washington Redskins: Thursday, July 29

Be on the look out for my previews on each team and predication’s on where they are going to finish within the division. Stay tuned because football season is FINALLY here.

In the only meeting between the two this season, the Cowboys went into Philly and beat the Eagles, 20-16, in a game where I was actually in attendance. Tony Romo threw for a game-high 307 yards and one touchdown, while Donovan McNabb threw for 227 yards and one touchdown to go along with two interceptions.

I am predicting the Cowboys will when in a close game, 27-24, in what should be one the most memorable games in these two rivals history.  So, here are my FIVE KEYS to a hopeful Cowboys victory:

1. Romo must continue to play “Turnover-free” football.

In the last five games, Romo has played arguably the best football out of any quarterback in NFL by throwing for seven touchdowns and one interception to go along with an average completion percentage of 67%.  Also, he  has had zero fumbles in the last five games and only four lost on the whole season.  With the Eagles coming in with their well-known aggressive style of defense, look for Romo to continue his great play by carefully managing the game and distributing the ball to his receivers and running backs.

2. Must execute in short-yardage situations.

In a convincing victory against the Washington Redskins this last Sunday night, the lone mishap for the Cowboys was their lack of production on fourth down short-yardage situations by going 0-for-3. What was the problem? Marion “The Barbarian” Barber, who was anything but when he got the ball in all three of those situations, did not look anything like the punishing and bruising runner he has been known to be.  Not to place all the blame on Barber, the offensive line must take upon themselves to do a better job and be better those situations.  Also, a little bit more dynamic play calling by offensive coordinator Jason Garrett wouldn’t be bad either. If these situations come about for the Cowboys, they must execute or they will its going to be tough to come away with a victory.

3. Keep Desean Jackson in check.

The Eagles are one of the most explosive teams in the NFL and a big reason for that is because of dynamic wide receiver and punt returner, Desean Jackson. In 16 games, Jackson has scored eight touchdowns on plays of 50-plus yards which leads the NFL.  But in the first game, the Cowboys limited Jackson’s big play ability by holding him to a measly two catches for only 22 yards and no touchdowns.  If the Cowboys can keep Jackson contained, the Eagles offense will struggle because they depend too much on big play’s to generate points.

4. Get off to a fast start.

The last two games (Saints & Redskins) marked the first time this season the Cowboys offense has scored a touchdown on their game-opening drive.  Because of this, they have gotten off to a good start and maintained the lead throughout both games.  Also, this has given this suddenly dominate defense the ability to play freely by pinning their ears back and put pressure on the quarterback.  It will be crucial for the Cowboys to get off to a good start in this game because it can really keep the momentum of the crowd on their side and make the Eagles one-dimensional.

5. Anthony Spencer must keep up the momentum.

Obviously, the Cowboys best pass rusher is Pro Bowl outside linebacker Demarcus Ware.  But lately, first-year starting outside linebacker Anthony Spencer has been reeking havoc on opposing teams by being a good run-stopper and affective pass-rusher.  If he continues his good play, the Eagles are going to concentrate more on him which means more opportunities for Ware and other players.

Another blow to an already horrific season for the Washington Redskins, running back Clinton Portis is officially done for the season after suffering a concussion on Nov. 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.

To add insult to injury, his concussion could lead to some serious side effects making his future unclear with the Redskins.

For the 28-year-old Portis, this season was his worst season totaling a career-low 494 rushing yards off 124 carries and one touchdown in eight games.  His replacement, Ladell Betts, season was abruptly ended with a knee-injury in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11.

1. Dallas Cowboys (8-4)

Tied for first place in the division with Eagles, the Cowboys might not be there at season’s end because of a brutal schedule that features Chargers (home), Saints (away), Redskins (away), and Eagles (home).  Not to mention, the Cowboys kicked off the month of December with a 31-23 loss on the road to the New York Giants.  Historically, they have struggled around this time year leading to extra pressure on them to succeed.  Look for them to settle for a wild card spot instead of winning the division because their remaining schedule is way to hard.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)

Unlike the Cowboys, December is usually when the Eagles begin to hit their stride and become one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs in recent year’s.  Unfortunately, injuries to key players Brian Westbrook (concussion) and wide receiver DeSean Jackson (concussion) could affect them as the season where’s on.  With games remaining against the Giants (away), 49ers (home), Broncos (home), and Cowboys (away), the Eagles have a good chance of winning the division and entering the playoffs with great momentum.

3. New York Giants (7-5)

After losing four straight games, the Giants have won two out of their last three including a crucial victory against divisional rival, Dallas Cowboys, to move within one game back of first place in the NFC East.  But, with their defense still struggling to stop opposing offenses, that could be their Achilles heal to why they don’t make the playoffs.

4. Washington Redskins (3-9)

Despite their record, the Redskins have been very competitive in the last  three games against Cowboys,  Eagles, and Saints.  Unfortunately for them, they all resulted in heart-breaking losses which could have easily been wins if not for some unfortunate breaks.  Hate to say, but it’s just been that kind of season for Redskins this year.  But, definitely look for them to play well against the their much hated rival, Dallas Cowboys, in Week 16.

Drafted in the fifth-round out of Cincinnati by the Eagles in 2007, Celek has turned into one of Donovan McNabb’s favorite targets and the leagues best young tight ends.  In 11 games this season, he has caught 54 balls for 601 yards and five touchdowns.

Along with Celek, the Eagles now have a great young core of players locked for a significant amount of time that includes wide-out’s DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, and running back LeSean McCoy.

Not to mention, the Cowboys have not won a playoff game since 1996 which is something that has not set will with owner Jerry Jones.

Last season, the Cowboys went  1-3 in their last four games including season-ending devastating loss to the Eagles, 44-6, for the final wild card playoff spot.

As a result, the Cowboys came into this season with a new attitude and mindset in order to perform better in the month of December and hopefully, in the playoffs.

Currently, they are 8-3 and have been playing well by winning five of their last six games.  But just like in year’s past, the Cowboys do have a tough road ahead of them.

Their last five games are against the New York Giants (away), San Diego Chargers (home), New Orleans Saints (away), Washington Redskins (away), and Philadelphia Eagles (home) in what should be all hard fought games.

Since becoming the starter in the middle of the 2007 season, Tony Romo has performed well in November with a 15-2 record.  Unfortunately in December, he has gone a disappointing 5-8.

But this year, things could pan out differently for him.  Not worrying about for teammate Terrell Owens barking for the ball constantly should eliminate any potential problems.

Also, having arguably the best trio of running backs at full strength and the emergence of wide receiver Miles Austin as his premier receiver, there’s a good chance things should bold well for him.

Defensively, the Cowboys have been playing great and are showing no signs of regressing. The recent play of former first-round pick, outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, has really bolstered the play of this defense and clicking on all cylinders.

In the last two games, Spencer has recorded four sacks and a game clinching interception against the Washington Redskins in a game where the Cowboys offense only scored seven points.

To kick off the month of December, the Cowboys will be on the road against the New York Giants who beat them in a shootout earlier this season, 33-31.

If the Cowboys win, it could knock the Giants out of playoff contention and somewhat begin the process of silencing those who criticize them for their December woes.

If they lose, things will not bold well for them especially for Tony Romo who has folded under pressure when things do not go well.

This is a huge loss for the Giants considering that the defense is already decimated by injuries on the defensive line and secondary.

Not to mention, they are looking more vulnerable as the season where’s on.  In the last four games, they have given up at least 21 points including 48 to the Saints and 40 to the Eagles.

Linebackers Chase Blackburn and Jonathan Goff will split time to replace Pierce until he returns from this unfortunate injury.

In thel17-7 loss to the Packers, the Cowboys  mustered up only 278 of total offense to go along with three turnovers and one touchdown scored by wide receiver Roy Williams.

Williams, despite having his best game in as a Cowboy with five catches and 105 yards to along with that one touchdown, made a crucial mistake in the second quarter by fumbling the after catch and run for 30 yards.

Along with the fumble, Williams dropped a crucial third down pass that have given the Cowboys first down late in the third quarter.

In the next game against the much hated Washington Redskins, the offense struggled again up until a late fourth quarter drive that ended in a touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton to make the score, 7-6.

Despite the struggles of the offense, the Cowboys defense played very well in these two games by giving up a combined 23 points and keeping both offenses in check.

Hopefully, Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense can get it together before December rolls around where they have struggled in past season’s.

Westbrook, who has had no where near the season he’s had in previous year’s due to injuries, may have seen his best playing days behind him.

With the emergence of rookie running back LeSean McCoy, the Eagles feel that they can win without Westbrook even though he has been their most consistent player for year’s.

With concussions becoming more of an issue in the NFL, it would probably be smart for Westbrook to shut it down for the season and come back next season with a healthy slate and see if has anything left in the tank.

Starting right tackle Marc Colombo, who suffered a high-ankle sprain on the first play of the second drive for the Cowboys offense, had surgery and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.  Fortunately for the Cowboys and Colombo, there is a chance that he could return if they make the playoffs.

He will be replaced by Doug Free, who is in third-year out of Northern Illinois and has no starts under his belt.

The other big blow to the Cowboys was to starting free safety Ken Hamlin who suffered, similar to Colombo, a high-ankle sprain but is only expected to miss 2-4 weeks.

Hamlin, who signed with the Cowboys in 2007 after being released by the Seattle Seahawks, has been arguably the most consistent and injury-free defensive back the Cowboys have had for the last couple of seasons.

To replace Hamlin, the Cowboys will have to choose between Pat Watkins or Alan Ball.  Watkins, who has started some games at the free and strong safety positions early in his career, will probably be the logical choice.

Ball, according to the coaching staff, has really played good the season and could get the nod over Watkins.

Hopefully Watkins or Ball and Doug Free, can replace Hamlin and Colombo while they are recovering from their injuries because these two players are a big part of the Cowboys success for the season.