The battle cry several weeks ago was that the Dallas Cowboys were the best team in the NFL and the Super Bowl was their destiny. That may very well be true, but the NFC East will be brutal. The Giants are 4-0, the Redskins 4-1 losing only a close game to the Giants, and the Eagles have lost only once outside the division at Chicago. I can easily see three teams from this division in the playoffs if they don't knock each other out. Now, after a home loss to the Washington Redskins and a lackluster performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas sits in third place in their own division.

The Giants are playing well and clearly their confidence is high. There has been no Super Bowl hangover with this team. They play balanced offense, run the ball well, rush the passer, and play excellent special teams. Until they are beaten -- they are the champions. Eli Manning has given them a chance to win weekly, but really, it's the defense with its pass rush that is most impressive to me. As a Dallas Cowboys fan, I would love that kind of pressure.

The Washington Redskins look much like the Giants. Solid in all areas and Jason Campbell has been the true difference-maker. His improvement has made their running game even better because now if a team stacks the line of scrimmage Campbell makes them pay.

The Eagles, too, have the quarterback, running game, and defensive pass rush that in any given week is the difference. Their aggressive blitzing defensive front gives Dallas fits normally and is yet another obstacle to a Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl run.

Looking at the NFC East, the Giants, Redskins, and Eagles all are similar and from early indications it appears every division game, home or away, is going to be an absolute battle. Like last year, it very well could be a NFC East Wild Card entry that ultimately wins the Super Bowl. In the case of Dallas that would be fine with me. Prove their salt in the toughest division in football, win a playoff game, and the rest will take care of itself. However, if Tony Romo and the defensive front does not match their division counterparts — Dallas may very well be watching a NFC Championship game between NFC East foes on television.