New York Giants fans are gearing up for another NFL season. While the preseason doesn't begin until Aug. 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Giants still have a lot of decisions to make pertaining to their roster.

The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East last season with a 12-4 record. This division has been anything but consistent lately. The last four years have featured four different winners, meaning every single team in the NFC East has won this division over the last four seasons.

Unfortunately for the Giants, their win total has been decreasing. Over the last four years, the Giants win total has included (in order) nine wins, nine wins, seven wins, and just six wins last season. The Giants have now missed the playoffs five of the last six seasons, although it should be mentioned that the one year they did make it in that time period, they won the Super Bowl.

The biggest issue for the Giants last season was the offensive line. Eli Manning had little time to throw, and the running backs never stood a chance at the line of scrimmage. To make matters worse, offensive tackle Will Beatty tore a muscle this offseason in workouts, and he is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season.

Last season the Giants ranked 23rd in rushing yards because of poor run blocking. Not a single back on the Giants even had 750 rushing yards for the season. Odell Beckham Jr. had one of the greatest wide receiver rookie seasons ever, but there's only so much of a difference a wide receiver can make. Even tight end Larry Donnell had a great season last year.

But the blame of last year and the hope of this year lies within the defense. The Giants franchise has always prided themselves in having elite defenses. Notable players such as Lawrence Taylor, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck are prime examples. The Giants will always go as their defense goes. Last season was one of Manning's best statistical seasons (30 TDs, 14 INTs) ever, but the Giants finished 6-10 overall. In 2007 Manning, threw 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, but the Giants won the Super Bowl.

Last season the Giants defense ranked 29th overall and 30th against the run. On top of that, star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was recently involved in a fireworks accident that caused him to fracture a finger and have another one amputated. His status for Week 1 on Sept. 13 against the Cowboys is still uncertain.

Perhaps the biggest problem for the Giants is the division. The Giants have lost their last four consecutive games to the Cowboys, and they were swept by the Philadelphia Eagles last season. The only team that the Giants beat last season who finished with a winning record was the Houston Texans, in Week 3.

Prediction

The Giants have to improve their divisional play dramatically this upcoming season to even have a chance at a winning record. The Cowboys and Eagles are the two best teams in the NFC East, and will more than likely finish with about nine to 12 wins. The Washington Redskins are still the worst team, and will most likely finish with a losing record. The Giants, however, are the big wildcard team. They have youth, but they also have Super Bowl experience and the best coach in the division. The Giants could win anywhere between five to 10 games this year. Unfortunately, they are currently the third best team in the division, and injuries leave a lot of doubt.

Prediction: Giants finish 8-8 because of a terrible offensive line, a below average defense and poor division matchups.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter