If you think UFC 101 betting contestants have a hate-on for each other, you don’t know anything about the NFC East division. Arguably the toughest division in football today, the East features four above-average teams that share major rivalries with each other. How does the East shape up this season?

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (+180 to win)

BOOM: It’s understandable why so many NFL betting fans are high on the Eagles for 2009, as they can score and prevent points with the best of them. Head coach Andy Reid loves to throw the football and that won’t change a bit this season. Donovan McNabb’s weapons are certainly small, but there’s no denying the speed and athleticism of Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis. Rookie wideout Jeremy Maclin and rookie back LeSean McCoy could also make an immediate impact in the passing game.

The Eagles “D” was a powerhouse in 2008, ranking third against the pass and fourth against the run. The key to its success is blitzing, blitzing and more blitzing; the Eagles’ 48 sacks last season were third-best in the NFL.

BUST: Offensively, the Eagles are dangerous, but they’re an extremely injury-prone group, so they need luck on their side. Defensively, some intangibles could seriously hurt the Eagles – the departure of defensive leader Brian Dawkins and especially the death of defensive co-ordinator Jim Johnson, who was the driving force behind Philly’s pass rush.

OUTLOOK: The Eagles are a good team but may be a bust in 2009. Too much has to go perfectly for them to succeed in this tough division.

NEW YORK GIANTS (+190 to win)

BOOM: The NFL’s top rushing attack should batter opponents again with Brandon Jacobs in the mix and Ahmad Bradshaw perfectly capable of filling Derrick Ward’s role. The passing game isn’t flashy, but it shouldn’t be a liability either. Eli Manning’s 21 touchdowns versus 10 picks last year showed he can succeed without Plaxico Burress and first-round pick Hakeem Nicks could excel right away at receiver.

The Giants are tough to run on thanks to a linebacker group led by Antonio Pierce. The secondary is deep too and the Giants’ pass rush is respectable.

BUST: Everything went right for the running game last season. If Jacobs gets hurt – and that’s possible given his huge frame – the pressure will fall on the passing game to put up points, and there’s no guarantee it can do that.

OUTLOOK: Not much has changed from last year’s team, so there’s no reason to believe the Giants won’t contend again. They’re solid NFL predictions to win the division.

DALLAS COWBOYS (+210 to win)

BOOM: Even without Terrell Owens, the Cowboys still have one of the best collections of offensive playmakers in the league. Tony Romo is an athletic pocket passer capable of making everyone around him better, while Jason Witten is the standard for excellence among tight ends. The running game should be formidable with Marion Barber and Felix Jones sharing thunder/lightning duty. Thanks to DaMarcus Ware, the Cowboys’ pass rush is strong too.

BUST: If Roy Williams doesn’t seriously step up his game, Romo won’t have a reliable downfield target. Also, Romo is just 5-10 in December and January all-time. The Cowboys won’t go anywhere if he keeps flopping down the stretch. The pass defense took a hit with Anthony Henry and Pacman Jones’ departures.

OUTLOOK: The Cowboys will be fun to watch again this season but made no improvements over last year’s disappointing roster (aside from acquiring Keith Brooking on defense). They’ll struggle to make the playoffs and may fall on their faces again.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (+580 to win)

BOOM: The Redskins have a legit shot to be the NFC’s best defensive team this season. They already ranked fourth total NFL defense last season and signed defensive juggernaut Albert Haynesworth in the offseason. He’s a modern-day Warren Sapp, as he swallows runners but also has rare athleticism at defensive tackle that allows him to pressure the quarterback. His playmaking ability will seriously help a Redskins’ unit that played well but didn’t create a lot of pressure or turnovers.

Clinton Portis and the running game are underrated; for all the talk about Portis being nicked up, he’s topped 300 carries in four of five seasons with the Redskins. Handicapping software projects another good season for him.

BUST: The Redskins won’t go anywhere until their passing game develops more. Jason Campbell is an adequate passer but seems incapable of posting big numbers. A big problem is a serious lack of size among Washington’s top pass-catchers, as Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El are munchkins.

OUTLOOK: The Redskins offer great value at +580 and the defense should keep them in games. Don’t be afraid to take a flier on them.

NFC EAST PICK: New York Giants, but consider the Redskins a strong sleeper.