Here we go again, Last week, I went over the AFC's most competitive division, the rugged AFC West. Things don't get any easier this week, as we turn our focus to the NFC's most competitive division, the NFC Beast.

NFC East Standings:
Philadelphia 8-0
Dallas 6-1
Washington 4-3
New York 4-4

As usual, we'll start things off with a team by team breakdown:

Philadelphia: The Eagles are flying high at 8-0 thus far this year. Yes, that was a bad pun, live with it. Wins over the Cowboys and Redskins show that the Eagles are for real. The formula has been the same all year for the Eagles, ball control and unpredictability, which has led to the Eagles leading the NFC in points scored per game, and fewest points allowed per game. The playoffs look like a fairly sure thing in Philly, though they're remaining schedule is quite tough. The Eagles still have to play at Washington, at Atlanta, and then at Dallas in what should be a hell of a season finale. Couple that with games against the Giants, Jets, and Patriots, who have all proven they can win in the past, and games against the 49ers and Saints, whose franchises could go either way with their new coaches, and the remainder of the Eagles' season could still go either way.

Key Games: Week 14 against Washington, week 15 against Atlanta, and week 17 against Dallas.

Dallas: Anyone that thought that Snoop was a product of Jerome Bettis and the Steelers last year were quickly silenced this year. Snoop has taken an awful Dallas team and turned them into a serious Super Bowl contender. If I had to pick today, Snoop would be my pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course, he has to get out of the ruthless NFC East first. The only blemish on the Cowboys' record thus far is a week 1 loss to the undefeated Eagles. Since then, Snoop has taken the mini-van, and made him look like the bus, and is ready for the big season finale in week 17. The thing Snoop needs to remember however, is that he's not there yet, and he's still got Washington and Atlanta to get through before then.

Key games: Washington, Atlanta, and the season finale with philly.

Washington: One of the surprise stories of last year, m22j took the hapless Browns franchise deep into the playoffs, transforming their D into one of the most feared group of football players in the league.. This year his m22j is back, and he's got even more to work with on the defensive side of the ball. The problem however, comes with the offense. Sure, the Ravens won the super bowl with a good defense and a good running back, both of which the skins have, but I think even Trent Dilfer was superior to anyone the Redskins have throwing the football. Ramsey is young and inexperienced, Wuerffell has a national championship ring, 3 SEC championship rings, and a heisman trophy. He would probably trade all three of them in for a hint of arm strength, but unfortunately that's not an option. Matthews is probably the best of the bunch, but he seems to take a liking to both fumbling, and getting injured. However, if anybody's defense can make this sad group of QB's a non-factor, it's m22j's. Look for him to win some low-scoring battles, and barge deep into the playoffs once again.

Key Games: Big surprise: Eagles and Cowboys. Week 10 against the Bears should be interesting as well.

New York: Poor Poor New York. In almost any other division, the Giants would be a serious contender. But in the beast that is the NFC East, Bxbomber seems to be just barely out of his league. He's won some big games this year, including a week 3 shocker over Dajo's highly touted Falcons, but an 0-3 division record is pretty much enough to put you out of the race in the East. Granted, he still plays the Boys, Eagles, and Skins again, but none of the games against the three the first time around were even close.

Key Games: Week 13 against Tampa.

Overall: I can't wait to see what happens in the East. Not only because I'm in it, but also because, much like the AFC West, this should be one helluva stretch run. At 4-4, the Giants may already be in too big a hole to capture the division crown. Likewise, despite his talent, m22j may already be too far behind, and he MUST win his games against both the Cowboys and Eagles if he wants a shot at winning the East. Things could very well boil down to the week 17 Dallas/Philly game, which should be a blast. Again, I can't wait to see how things pan out.

Wildcard Implications: Similar to the AFC West, this division has the talent in it to produce 3, possibly even 4 playoff teams. Likewise however, is the "beat up on each other factor," which is multiplied further by a good 4th place team. Things look rough for the Giants, I think that in order for them to get into the playoffs, that all 3 wildcard teams would have to come from the NFC East. Philadelphia, Dallas, and Washington all will probably make the playoffs, since the rest of the NFC divisions generally have one team dominating the division, with the rest of the division lagging behind around or below .500. And all 3 of these teams should finish well above .500. The Giants could squeak in if the Bucs don't get their coaching issues resolved soon. Even if they do, I believe the Giants still have a fair shot at outrunning them for that last wildcard spot. Week 13 may tell that story though, when the Giants match up with the Bucs. Bottom line though, Philly, Dallas, and Washington will still be around in December ( or June rather).

V's pick for final division standings:
1. Indian Killers
2. Big Birds
3. Cowboy Killers
4. Bigguns

If you missed last weeks Playoff Picture covering the AFC West then clickhere