Today we continue our NFL preview, as we move on to the NFC, specifically the NFC East.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

To win in the NFL, two things are of vital importance: running the football and stopping the run.

Last year, the main Redskin ground weapon, Terry Allen, missed six games because of injury, and the porous defense allowed the most rushing yards in the league.

To alleviate this problem, the Redskins signed two mammoth defensive tackles, Dana Stubblefield and Dan Wilkinson.

This dynamic duo will team with LB Ken Harvey to make for what should be a much improved defense.

Gus Frerotte was a big disappointment last year, and coach Norv Turner will not hesitate to go to veteran Jeff Hostetler if Frerotte struggles.

DALLAS COWBOYS

The Cowboys will try to bounce back from their worst season since 1989 under first year coach Chan Gailey.

The core of the offense that has defined the Cowboys returns in QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith and WR Michael Irvin.

They have added some new weapons to the offense in WR Ernie Mills and RB Chris Warren, brought in to spell the veteran Smith.

The defense will return stud tackles Leon Lett and Chad Henning and will also have a new addition in first-round draft pick DE Greg Ellis. The secondary will be led by Deion Sanders and Darren Woodson.

NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants will try to build on their 10-win season from a year ago with mostly the same team. QB Danny Kanell won the job from Dave Brown a year ago, and he was a pleasant surprise.

FB Charles Way leads a loaded backfield that includes Tiki Barber and Tyrone Wheatley.

The defense will return a stingy unit that features S Tito Wooten and LB Jessie Armstead.

The Giants were dealt a big blow in the preseason when CB Jason Sehorn went down with a season ending knee injury but still should be a solid squad.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Arizona Cardinals have the chance to field a very competitive team.

That is largely due to the fact that they now have a legitimate QB in second-year man Jake Plummer.

They also acquired RB Adrian Murrell from the Jets and WR-KR Eric Metcalf from the Chargers.

Metcalf gives the Cards the most fearsome troika of receivers in the division, along with returning starters Rob Moore and Frank Sanders.

They are also in decent shape on the other side of the ball, with Simeon Rice, Eric Swann, and, if he can be signed, 1st round pick Andre Wadsworth.

He will join All-Pro CB Aeneas Williams to add to a very good and very young defense.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Philadelphia made no significant additions over the off-season to a team that only had 6 wins last year, and therefore can be expected to struggle.

Bobby Hoying will lead the offense, and the Eagles will count heavily on the un-proven Charlie Garner to carry the offense.

The defense will be lead by DE Mike Mamula and CB Bobby Taylor, who is coming off an injury.

The NFC East is a division that contains four possible champions, and five teams that could lose ten games.

This should lead to a wide open and exciting season.