It is barely June. Training camp has yet to begin. But that can’t stop me from putting together my predictions for the Top 3 Super Bowl Contenders from the NFC. Interestingly, all three teams hail from the NFC East, which should certainly earn its reputation as the Black and Blue division again this year.

#3 Dallas Cowboys – America’s Team has not materialized yet this decade. After decades of dominance in the NFC East, the Cowboys have faltered in the recent past. Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones has long taken the view that talent trumps character with disastrous effects to team chemistry. Now free of the likes of Pacman Jones and Terell Owens, Cowboys’ management seems to have reversed course. How QB Tony Romo will fare in his first season without T.O. as a target remains to be seen, but if the team can jell as a unit they do have the potential to compete for the Lombardi trophy.

#2 New York Giants – New York looked like the team to beat in the NFC last year, until Plaxico Burress’ off-field problems took away Eli Manning’s #1 target. New York’s once powerful offense melted away to an ineffectual mess late in the season. In the offseason, the Giants lost Derrick Ward but locked up running back Brandon Jacobs and several of their defensive stars. Maybe even more importantly, Osi Umenyiora is coming back from injury. In addition to keeping their returning stars happy, the Giants had a strong draft that included rookie wide receivers Hakeen Nicks and Burress-clone Ramses Barden.

#1 Philadelphia Eagles – It has been largely forgotten that the Eagles came within one defensive meltdown of the Super Bowl last season. Only Larry Fitzgerald’s larger than life performance against the Eagles stopped a team that seemed to be peaking at the right time. In the offseason, the Eagles upgraded their offensive line, shored up their aging secondary, and supplemented their skills positions with rookies Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, and Cornelius Ingram. While the loss of Brian Dawkins was a huge loss in leadership, replacing his 35-year old legs on the field will be an upgrade.

Come back in two weeks for my Top 3 AFC Super Bowl Contenders.

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