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As I mentioned earlier in the week, I will be attending two games this weekend. The first is the Washington Redskins' home game Sunday afternoon against the Cardinals. The second is the New York Giants' Monday Night home game against the Rams.

We've talked a few times about possibly getting together before games -- a tailgate "tweet-up" or something of that nature. So I thought I'd see if any of you, my dear blog readers, were interested in getting together to meet face-to-face at either of these games. I usually arrive about three hours before kickoff and have time to kill, so if anybody's got anything particularly tasty on the grill, I'm happy to come sample some of it.

So here's the deal. If you're going to be around before the Redskins' game Sunday morning, send me a message in the mailbag or via Twitter (@ESPN_NFCEast or @DanGrazianoESPN) and we can figure out where a bunch of us can meet up and chat. Same if you're going to be around before the Giants' game Monday night. It'd be fun to meet some of you in person, I think, and answer some of your questions or just goof off.

And of course, if you prefer to lurk in anonymity behind your screen name and hurl insults, I won't judge you for that either...

I don't know if it's something I said or what, but the NFC East isn't doing too well in the Power Rankings series. One guy on the best defensive players list last week, none on on the best offensive players (QBs excluded) Tuesday. Not exactly a representative showing for our lil' ol' division here.

So next week we're doing 'Toughest Places to Play," and I have to say...not thinking things are going to turn around for our four teams. I don't know how the other guys are voting, but I only have one NFC stadium in my top 10. I'll leave it to you to guess which one it is, and I'll be back later to chat about your thoughts on the matter in the comments.

What do you think? Should the four NFC East venues be talked about in the conversation for best places to play? Lincoln Financial Field in Philly for the fans? New Meadowlands Stadium for the distracting yummy tailgate smells? Cowboys Stadium for the massive, intimidating video board? FedEx Field for the woefully insufficient working conditions? If you convince me to change my mind, move up my one pick or move one of the others onto the list, it's not too late. I can still e-mail Sando with changes. I'm not seeing it right now, but I'm open to suggestion.

I was supposed to chat live at noon ET. We're doing it at 3 p.m. ET instead. I could get into a long, boring explanation, but trust that I take full responsibility for the delay and will do what I can to make it up to you. The chat will be extra-entertaining. Or maybe extra-long. Or maybe both. Regardless, you have my apology, and I do hope you stop by. It would be horribly dull without you.

The "Hot Button" question on our site right now is, "Which team that finished under .500 in 201o will make the playoffs in 2011?" Mike Sando picks the Rams, who only needed to win eight games last year to make it, but didn't. John Clayton picks the Cowboys.

Now, I know, I know... everybody's going to say that everybody always picks the Cowboys and they always disappoint. We've been over that ground and we'll be over it again. I side with John here, and you already knew that, but if your opinion is different you're going to think we're nuts. Fine. Way it goes.

I'm a little more interested in this piece of John's rationale, where he says the fact that the Cowboys and the rest of the NFC East teams are scheduled to play the NFC West in 2011 is a reason to expect them to win more games:

"Last season, the NFC West went 3-13 against the NFC South, helping three NFC South teams to have winning records. After going 1-3 against the NFC North last season, the Cowboys figure to go at least 3-1 against the quarterback- and defensive-challenged NFC West and have the potential to go 4-0."

John's right that the quarterback situations in Seattle, San Francisco and Arizona remain murky at best, and that's reason enough to expect the division to be down again in 2011. His point about the impact that bit of scheduling had on the 2010 NFC South, which had two playoff teams and a 10-6 Tampa Bay team that just missed, is a very good one. And it may mean good things for the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins in 2011. Not a sure thing, of course, because the other NFC South team last year finished with the worst record in the league. You still have to put a representative product on the field. But sure, if the NFC West turns in another year in which no one finishes .500, that's a good thing for the teams in the NFC East.

Of course, all of this assumes the whole 16-game schedule as currently written will be played. And of that, I have my doubts. But that's a topic for another post.

Folks, we're going to do another power rankings next week, and this time we're ranking the best defensive players in the league. I have sent in my top 10, but Mike Sando assures me I still have time to change it before it becomes a part of the internet forever. So without giving away my list, and in a likely futile effort to numb your inevitable outrage, I'll tell you that our little division here... isn't well represented on my list.

Now, as you know if you listen to and believe me, I have no bias for or against anyone. Just going on what I've seen covering the league for the past couple of years. But I want to hear from you, dear readers. I'd like to hear you make your case for your favorite defensive player and why he belongs in the league's top 10. If you convince me, I'll call Sando and yell "Stop the presses!" or whatever the internet equivalent of that is. And I'll make sure to give you credit.

So please, fire away, either here or in the mailbag. I have mentioned the mailbag, right? It's here. Use it. Live it. Love it.

Thanks. Back later with something on the Eagles. And probably something on the Giants, after Tom Coughlin talks to NFL Live at 4 p.m. ET. Maybe he can sell me on Justin Tuck, I don't know.

LANDOVER, Md. -- Just when you thought the Redskins could not embarrass themselves any more than they already had, special teams coach Danny Smith dialed up one of the most ill-conceived fake field goals in recent memory. Punter/holder Hunter Smith took a direct snap after kicker Graham Gano went in motion and then launched a pass to no one. Giants cornerback Bruce Johnson intercepted the pass and returned it 49 yards to end the half.

I guess it was an appropriate ending to a lackluster half of football from Washington. The Giants can call this final score. Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell is out with a shoulder injury and the fans at FedEx booed the team off the field.

John Clayton gives you the latest news from each team in the NFC East.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Let's face it: The Redskins have one of the most frustrated fan bases in the league right now, and a lot of that has to do with their past success.

Longtime Beast and Hashmarks enthusiast Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog looked at some numbers this morning that illustrate just how agonizing things have been over the past decade or so.

• Here's what other teams in the division have done since the Redskins last won an NFC East title. Eagles: five division titles, two wild cards, 10-7 in the playoffs, one NFC title. Giants: Three NFC East titles, three wild cards, 6-5 playoff record, two NFC titles, one Super Bowl title. Cowboys: One NFC title, two wild cards, 0-3 in the playoffs. Redskins: Two wild cards, 1-2 in the playoffs.
• It's been nine years since the Redskins hosted a playoff game, which is the fourth-longest drought in the league. The Redskins have also gone 18 years since winning a Super Bowl, which is the seventh-longest gap for a team owning a world title.
• I think there would be even more angst had the Cowboys won a playoff game in the past 13 years. Redskins fans dislike/hate the Cowboys more than any team in the division. I think fans have taken some solace in the fact that the Cowboys have gone through a similar drought. But it still feels like the Redskins are the most dysfunctional team in the division. Is that fair to say?

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley 

NEW YORK -- Welcome to Radio City Music Hall, where a Packers fan just asked former Ravens head coach Brian Billick to sign his throwback Bart Starr jersey. Makes total sense to me. In addition to my normal "expert" analysis on all things NFC East, I'll be your personal tour guide here in New York.

Moments ago, commissioner Roger Goodell and an eight-person entourage swept past me. In private moments, Goodell has admitted to reading my blog on a daily basis, but we've never actually made eye contact. I'm noticing that some reporters have been blessed with "T" stickers, which give them access to where team representatives are turning in picks. For the first time, I've been denied access to that area --- but we'll figure out a way to get down there at some point.

ESPN analyst and noted clothes horse Keyshawn Johnson stopped by my seat a few moments ago to share a few tidbits. He's been saying the Chiefs will take LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson for weeks -- and now everyone's jumping on that bandwagon. Johnson is sporting a Carolina blue sweater vest (in support of Hakeem Nicks?) and tie underneath a three-button suit with no pleats. And he suggested that thin men should no longer wear cuffed pants, which doesn't really apply to me.

OK, I'm going to try to peek in the green room. I received a text from Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith earlier saying he was headed that way. His entourage (Baylor coach Art Briles and Co.) headed out to Johnny's Pizza last night. Much, much more to come. And for my NFC Beast audience, I'll be hopping on that blog throughout the afternoon.

	Tom Szczerbowski/US Presswire
	Ray Lewis in Dallas? That transaction isn't likely to take place.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley and James Walker

Ray Lewis is a man who understands leverage.

That's why the free-agent linebacker spent part of the offseason trying to convince anyone who'd listen that he's always dreamed of playing for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys would love to grant Lewis' wish, but they're busy trying to make DeMarcus Ware one of the richest men in football.

But try to suspend reality for a moment and imagine that Lewis really could end up with the Cowboys.

AFC North blogger James Walker and NFC Beast blogger Matt Mosley discussed this topic via e-mail earlier this week. In December, Mosley and Walker participated in what was hailed as the most successful blogger debate of the '08 season. Now, we've actually given this feature a name. Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for the first installment of Double Coverage, which includes English subtitles.

Mosley: James, it's a pleasure to be visiting with you in such an informal setting. I'm always more comfortable when thousands (perhaps millions) of people are eavesdropping. Anyway, I don't think the Cowboys are one player away from "getting over the hump." Honestly, it sort of depends on what you think the "hump" is. If it's winning a playoff game for the first time in 12 years, then certainly Lewis would help in that process. I think the man has way too much pride to allow his team to play like dogs in a do-or-die game like the season-ender against the Eagles.

But if Jerry Jones has learned anything over the years (and that's debatable), it's that you don't pay age. Lewis may still have a couple good seasons left, but you never know how he might fit into another defense. He has so much history with the Ravens that he knows every nuance of the defense. Another veteran, Zach Thomas, had a really tough transition in Dallas. I don't think it's guaranteed that Lewis flourishes in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme.

Walker: I'm with you, Matt. It depends on the definition of "getting over the hump." For Dallas, it's winning -- or at least getting to -- the Super Bowl. The addition of Lewis alone won't do that for the Cowboys. Without Lewis, Dallas' defense was No. 8 in the NFL last year. With Lewis, who is 33, the unit might move up a notch or two, but I doubt it translates into a Lombardi Trophy.

The Cowboys are paper champions not because of their linebackers, but because their most important player doesn't show up in important games. I hate to put so much blame on one player, but if I had a nickel for every big game Tony Romo has won, I'd have ... no nickels. Lewis cannot help in that respect.

Mosley: You're being a little harsh with Romo, but I'll let it slide this time. I'm wondering what your take was on linebacker DeMarcus Ware's recent comments about Lewis. Sounds like Lewis was lobbying him pretty hard.

Walker: Ware had no reason to lie about this, so I do believe there is truth to it. But what Lewis allegedly said is what a lot of free agents say at some point: They want to play in Dallas. I've heard Cincinnati Bengals receivers Chris Henry and Chad Ocho Cinco say the same thing this past year in the AFC North. I'm sure there are several others who have repeated the same sentiment. If Lewis speaks, obviously it makes bigger headlines, but talk is cheaper than money. Unless Lewis is willing to take a pay cut to play in Dallas, then putting the star on Lewis' helmet isn't really his dream scenario. Much of this decision will come down to the highest bidder and that team should be Baltimore, because Lewis means more to the Ravens than any other team.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Of the eight writers from the Philadelphia Daily News who made predictions for Sunday's Eagles-Vikings game, seven predicted the Eagles to win. Imagine that. I'd love to go out on a limb, but I don't want to mislead anyone. The Eagles will win, 27-13.

Now, I'm curious to read your predictions. Please use the comments section to provide a prediction and one sentence to back it up. Seriously, I know how long-winded some of you guys are. The person with the closest score will be featured prominently in my next mailbag column. That's right, this is huge!

Best of luck to you. And thanks to all the Vikings fans who found their way to the blog this week. Glad to have you guys. By the way, plenty of good seats still available at the Metrodome.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant just echoed the sentiments of many NFC South fans, who've been saying the division gets slighted by the national media in favor of the NFC East.

"It's sickening because they look for any little thing," said Bryant, who previously played for the Dallas Cowboys. "For instance, they look for the Pacman [Jones] situation and everything with that. They try to find positives with things and negatives with things and look for anything and nitpick about it when you've got Tampa Bay over here second in the NFC and nobody's really acknowledging that."

But Bryant said that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"It's cool," Bryant said. "As the season goes along, more and more teams begin to be eliminated and their opportunity to further along their season dwindles, then we're going to have to deal with some type of attention, so all we can do is play hard, play football and continue to find ways to win games."

Note from Mosley: If Bryant hadn't thrown a sweaty jersey onto Bill Parcells' head a few years ago, he could've remained part of the Cowboys circus. And don't you just feel awful for guys like Bryant who have to play in divisions that don't receive a great deal of national attention? If not for Yasinskas, we wouldn't even realize that the Bucs were 9-3 and fighting for a division crown.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

For all of you who've commented on my "ridiculous" voting in the ESPN.com power rankings Tuesday, I actually have an excuse. According to our technical folks, a "glitch in the system" prevented my personal rankings from being tabulated. This apparently didn't have much effect on the overall rankings, but it made me look like a Cowboys apologist and a Redskins hater. So to set the record straight, here's how I really voted:

1. Titans
2. Giants
3. Steelers
4. Bills
5. Redskins
6. Falcons
7. Bucs
8. Panthers
9. Cardinals
10. Patriots
11. Eagles
12. Jaguars
13. Packers
14. Bears
15. Cowboys
16. Broncos
17. Colts
18. Chargers
19. Saints
20. Ravens
21. Jets
22. Vikings
23. Rams
24. Texans
25. Browns
26. Dolphins
27. Raiders
28. 49ers
29. Seahawks
30. Chiefs
31. Bengals
32. Lions

I'm sorry for all the stress and anger that this may have caused my readers. Thanks for your constant devotion. And keep the encouraging e-mails coming.