Friday, September 3, 2010

2010 NFL Preview

The 2010 NFL season is upon us, and there are a ton of subplots to catch our interest.. Favre is back in Minnesota, McNabb (along with Shannahan and Haynesworth) in Washington, the Saints defending their championship, Tebow in Denver.. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.  Let's get the predictions out of the way, and then I'll talk a little about each team..

NFC North                                                                              

1. Green Bay Packers                                                             
2. Minnesota Vikings                                                                 
3. Detroit Lions
4. Chicago Bears

NFC East

1. New York Giants
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Washington Redskins
4. Philadelphia Eagles

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. St. Louis Rams

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Cincinatti Bengals
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Cleveland Browns

AFC East

1. New England Patriots
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins
4. Buffalo Bills

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts
2. Houston Texans
3. Tennessee Titans
4. Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Oakland Raiders

Wildcard teams - Vikings, Cowboys (NFC)  Jets, Texans (AFC)

Super Bowl - Packers vs Colts (Packers win)


God, I hate predicting the Packers to win anything.. Anywayssss, I'll talk about the teams from worst to first!  Ready?

32. Buffalo Bills

The Bills are just not good.. There's no other way to put it.  Crappy QB's, bad offensive line, no receivers.. Even if the defense is half-way decent, there's no way this team is anything other than last place.  Maybe if Spiller gives them something at RB they'll at least have potential for the future!

31. Tampa Bay Bucs

No game-breakers on offense whatsoever, and an in-experienced head coach and QB.. This team has 2-14 written all over them.

30. Jacksonville Jags

Garrard doesn't have any experienced options at receiver, and he's not all that good at hitting his targets even if he did.  The entire offense hinges on Maurice Jones-Drew, and he can't be expected to run for 100 yards and a couple scores every game.  They're lucky if they get more than 4 wins..

29. St. Louis Rams

They were the worst team in the NFL a season ago, and they haven't really improved anywhere except at QB.  Top pick Sam Bradford will suffer thru the usual growing pains of a 1st NFL season, but he should give them much more than what they got from the QB position last year!  Stephen Jackson is a Pro Bowl-caliber back when healthy, so expect the Rams to overcome their lack of receivers (can you name a single receiver they have?) to win at least a couple more games than they managed last season.

28. Cleveland Browns

What's the answer for a team with years of QB issues?  Washed up former Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, of course!  Yes, the same Jake Delhomme that tossed only 8 TD's and 18 picks last year and, at 35, doesn't look like he has anything left in the tank.  What in the hell is the Browns front office thinking?  I mean, come on.. They have potential at running back and offensive line, but they aren't strong enough anywhere else to get out of last place.

27. Oakland Raiders

They're the Raiders, and Al Davis is still alive (probably).  Do I need to say anything else?

26. Carolina Panthers

Matt Moore doesn't have the experience to lead this team back to the playoffs, even with their strong RB tandem of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

25. Arizona Cardinals

The Leinart/Derek Anderson combo at QB isn't going to work (Leinart is being shopped as I write this, and Anderson doesn't have starting QB talent), and the loss of Anquan Boldin will hurt more than they realize.  Larry Fitzgerald can expect to see double and triple teams without the threat of Boldin out there, and Beanie Wells won't find as many open running lanes without Kurt Warner and the formerly feared passing game.

24. San Francisco 49ers

Alex Smith is in a make-or-break season; he's had more than enough time to prove himself to be a competent NFL starter and hasn't performed at a level consistent with his top draft pick status.  If he can be even a middle-of-the-pack kind of starter, the Niners could win 8 or 9 games.. If he isn't (as I suspect he won't be), then they'll be lucky to get to 6 wins (great defense or not).

23. Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler is an INT-machine, and Mike Martz's complicated offensive schemes won't do anything to change that.  Sure, maybe he was unlucky with the picks last year and might throw a few less, but Cutler always manages to make the wrong decisions under pressure.  With their aging defense and another no-show performance from Matt Forte, the Bears could easily slide to last place in the talented NFC North.

22. Kansas City Chiefs

With talented RB Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel in his second year with the Chiefs coaching staff, KC is set for a surprising season.. If everything breaks right with their shaky defense, they could manage seven or more victories in the weak AFC West.

21. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have talent on offense and defense, but QB Chad Henne might not be ready to lead a playoff run in his second season as the starter.  With the loaded Pats and Jets in their division, it looks like the Fins have 3rd place in their future..

20. Tennessee Titans

They have arguably the best player in the game in Chris Johnson, and Vince Young has the ability to make plays with his arm and legs from the QB position.  Is it enough in a division with Peyton Manning and the ever-improving Texans?  Probably not.

19. Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll brings in a winning attitude from his years at USC, and this isn't much of a change for him (considering the players in the NFL get paid about as much as his players on the Trojans probably did).. Can he win in the NFL, tho?  He didn't prove much in his last NFL job with the Pats.. But he's running a team in the weakest division in the NFL, so it won't take much for the Seahawks to make a playoff appearance in his first year at the helm.. Assuming Hasselbeck stays healthy!!

18. Detroit Lions

It's EXTREMELY hard for me to resist the urge to rank them higher.. As a lifelong Lions fan, they seem to have more potential than any other year that I've followed them!  Stafford is coming into his own as an NFL starter, they have one of the top wideouts in the league (Calvin Johnson), they have an electrifying rookie RB in Jahvid Best.. Even the defense has markedly improved, with the exception of the cornerbacks.. I want to say they'll win 9 or 10 games, but 7 or 8 is probably a little more realistic in the tough NFC North.

17. Philadelphia Eagles

They're in the toughest division in football (possibly in all of sports), and they're without longtime starting QB Donovan McNabb (who they traded to one of their divisional rivals, the Redskins!).. Kevin Kolb hasn't proven himself as an NFL starter yet, and I'm betting they'll miss McNabb's experience in certain key moments.  As good and consistent as the Eagles have been over the years, they don't seem like a good playoff bet this season.

16. San Diego Chargers

They're reign atop the AFC West seems like it's coming to an end, especially without hold-out WR Vincent Jackson to catch Phillip Rivers deep passes.. They have an untested (although promising) rookie starting at RB and replacing a San Diego legend in LaDainian Tomlinson, and Norv Turner has proven that he's a great offensive coordinator.. But not a great coach.  If there was ever a time for a Chargers drop-off, this is it!

15. Cincinnati Bengals

Carson Palmer is getting a lot of credit as a top QB, but I haven't seen him put up top-QB numbers in years!  Just because he has an aging T.O. and the ever-flamboyant OchoCinco, there is no reason to think he'll have a pro-bowl caliber season.  Personally, I think he's washed up.  If the Bengals challenge for a playoff spot, it'll have a lot more to do with Cedric Benson and the defense than Carson Palmer and the WR's.

14. Denver Broncos

Tebow-mania is sweeping the NFL!  His jersey is already the top selling jersey in the ENTIRE league, and he has yet to take a regular season snap!  Still, Kyle Orton is the clear-cut starter in Denver (as over-looked as he may be by the rest of the NFL).  With a rash of injuries and the loss of pro-bowl wideout Brandon Marshall, a run to the playoffs might seem far-fetched for this Broncos team.  But with a weakened division and another strong season from Orton, I believe they can topple the Bolts and take 1st in the AFC West!

13. Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan took a step back in his second NFL season, as did the entire Atlanta Falcons team.. But with a few less injuries and a strong performance from their defense, the Falcons should be right on the cusp of a playoff berth in the NFC.  WR Roddy White is poised for a break-out season..

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

Without Big Ben for at least four weeks, the Steelers have their work cut out for them early in the season.. Still, they should expect to be contending by the end of the season as long as Troy Polamalu and the defense have a strong year.  The loss of Santonio Holmes might hurt more than they realize, tho..

11. Washington Redskins

Mike Shannahan and Donovan McNabb should make a huge difference on a Redskins team that stumbled to a 4th place finish in the NFC East last season.. Their veteran leadership, along with a strong performance from Albert pay-me-my-money-and then-I'll-see-you-in-week-1 Haynesworth and the defense, should lead to at least 9 wins even in a tough division.

10. Houston Texans

Every year, the Texans are a sleeper playoff pick.. And every year they don't make it.  That still hasn't dissuaded me from picking them to go this year!  Matt Schaub is a fantasy stud, and he has arguably the best wideout in football (Andre Johnson) to throw to.. Not to mention that RB Arian Foster is a beast and seems like a lock to be a 1000-yard rusher.  Add in Steve Slaton as a shifty, change of pace back and a decent defense, and the Texans have all the makings of a 10-win team!

09. Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo will throw for a ton of yards and TD's, Miles Austin and the receivers should all play well, and even Felix Jones and Marion Barber are pretty dependable at RB.. The defense is strong on the line and in the secondary.. So why don't I feel comfortable in them being good?  I don't know why, but I just don't think they'll be as good as many observers expect.

08. New York Jets

The Jets have a loaded defense; one that could potentially be the best in the NFL.  If their offense was explosive enough to be top-10 in the league, they'd be odds-on Super Bowl favorites!  But the fact is, the offense simply isn't that good.  A good offense is only as good as their QB, and second year quarterback Mark Sanchez isn't very good at all.  In fact, I think he's one of the worst starting QB's in the NFL and won't be a starter at this time next year!  He's just expected to be a 'game-manager' in New York, similar to Trent Dilfer when the Ravens won the Super Bowl.. I just don't think he's going to be good enough to lead the Jets to a championship.

07. Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre.  Brett Favre.  Brett Favre.  BRETT #%$-ing FAVRE!!!!!!  What else needs to be said??  Well, a couple things.. Favre can't reasonably expect to have a season statistically like the one he enjoyed last year.. He's a year older and playing on a balky ankle, and he's without his top WR (Sidney Rice) for at least the first half of the season.  If Adrian Peterson can't put some velcro on his butterfingers and the defense isn't strong against the pass, the Vikings can't expect a return to the NFC title game.

06. New York Giants

Eli Manning might be the OTHER Manning, but he has lead the Giants to a championship and has proven that he has the leadership ability to succeed in the NFL.. Assuming that the defense is strong (as it customarily is), the Giants have the firepower on offense to win the NFC East.  The offensive line is key; former pro-bowler Shawn Andrews (also a former Eagle) is looking to regain his form and help lead the Giants back into the postseason.

05. New England Patriots

Tom Brady and his new Justin Bieber haircut are ready to take the AFC by storm this season.. This will be his second year back since his knee surgery, and typically a player won't regain their form until the second season after such a serious knee surgery and recovery.  A complete lack of a running game and a questionable defense aren't enough to concern Pats fans; Brady alone is worth 7 or 8 wins.  All they need to do is have the defense steal a few games and they're 11-5!

04. Baltimore Ravens

QB Joe Flacco is on the spot this season; he has an extremely talented running game to work with, headlined by Ray Rice and Willis McGahee.. He has WR Anquan Boldin as a shiny new target to throw to.. And he has that patented Ravens D behind him to bring the toughness and force turnovers.  Sure, the secondary is questionable, but anything less than 12 wins would be a letdown for this talented Baltimore squad.

03. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees took away Peyton Manning's title as the best QB in football when he beat him in the Super Bowl this past February.. Many would argue (as would I) that Manning is still the superior QB, but Brees has talent all around him on offense and one of the best offensive minds in the game in Sean Payton as the head coach.  As long as the defense can be solid and keep the score manageable, Brees can keep the Saints in any game.  Most teams have a let-down after winning a championship, but the Saints have too much talent to fall out of the playoff picture.

02. Indianapolis Colts

These guys are absolute robots; you can just pencil them in right now for 13 wins and the AFC title game.. Why not?  Peyton Manning is the best of the best, and he has weapons offensively (Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Anthony Gonzalez, Joseph Addai, etc.).. Even with a mediocre defensive season, Manning can just plain outscore teams.  This Colts team will always be near the top of the NFL as long as Peyton is playing! 

01. Green Bay Packers

As a Lions fan, I HATE to put the Packers in this top spot.  Hate it.  Vehemently.  But it can't be helped.. Aaron Rodgers had a breakout year last season, and put everyone on notice that he is one of the best in the NFL.  Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley are reliable targets for him to throw to.. And although they've suffered some injuries in the secondary, the defense is one of the best in the NFL.  The Pack are stacked from top to bottom, and I think this is the year Rodgers leads them to their first post-Favre championship.

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Sooo, that's my thoughts on the upcoming NFL season!  I can't wait to see how everything pans out by the end of the year.. In closing, GO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I hope that you prove me wrong and sneak into the playoffs!!!!!!!!!  No, I don't think it's asking too much that a team that's lost 37 of 40 will be in the playoffs!  So THERE! 

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