NFL: Foles has the Eagles favored in weak NFC East

Eli Manning has two Super Bowl rings. Tony Romo makes the most money. RG3 is arguably the most talented.

Nick Foles? Well, he just might be the best quarterback in the NFC East.

"I'm not trying to be someone else, I'm just taking it in stride," Foles said. "This year is a little different, and there's going to be a little more on my plate, but it's just been a gradual growth through the last couple years to get to this point."

Foles had one of the best statistical seasons in NFL history as he led the Philadelphia Eagles to a division title in his sophomore season and Chip Kelly's first as coach. Foles replaced Michael Vick in October, went 8-2 as the starter and finished with 29 touchdown passes and two interceptions in 11 starts, including a playoff loss to New Orleans. He set an NFL record for best TD/interception ratio and his passer rating of 119.2 was the third highest in NFL history.

Manning is coming off his worst season for the Giants, who went 7-9. He threw a league-high 27 interceptions and had a dismal 69.4 passer rating. Romo is coming back from surgery for a herniated disk that sidelined him for the Cowboys' winner-take-all season finale against the Eagles. Robert Griffin III struggled in his return from an ACL injury after a fantastic rookie season and Washington went 3-13, costing coach Mike Shanahan his job.

This division may only have one team finish with a winning record, and 9-7 might get the crown.

Some things to know about the NFC East:

Eight is enough

Jay Gruden is the eighth head coach employed by owner Dan Snyder in 16 years in Washington. A former Arena League quarterback who ran Cincinnati's offense for three seasons, Gruden brings a West Coast style along with a reputation for being a players' coach. Getting along with RG3 is one thing. Figuring out how to win games is a tougher task. Washington has plenty of playmakers on offense with Jackson joining Alfred Morris (2,888 yards rushing in 2012-13), Pierre Garcon (NFL-high 113 catches in 2013) and Jordan Reed (45 catches in nine games). Defense is another story.

New-look Giants

The Giants were big players in free agency for a change. They signed 19 veteran free agents, including 10 on offense. Running back Rashad Jennings moves into a starting role, and cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond bolstered the secondary. The Giants finished strong, going 7-3 after an 0-6 start. Their defense made a turnaround after Jon Beason was acquired from Carolina at midseason. On offense, the rushing attack suffered a blow when David Wilson had to retire because of a neck injury. The Giants will need a lot of Manning to Victor Cruz this season.

Doomed defense

Remember the Doomsday Defenses that led Dallas to a pair of Super Bowl titles in the 1960s and 70s? These Cowboys are far from it. The league's most porous defense in 2013 lost its best player for the season when linebacker Sean Lee had knee surgery in the offseason. DeMarcus Ware, the franchise's career sacks leader, was released in March. Last year's sacks leader, Jason Hatcher, left for Washington. There are issues in the secondary because of injuries, and cornerback Orlando Scandrick is out for the first four games for a drug suspension. A revamped defensive line is currently missing the two biggest offseason acquisitions: free agent tackle Henry Melton and rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, a second-round pick. —

Predicted order of finish

1. Eagles

2. Washington

3. Giants

4. Cowboys