2010 NFL Predictions

As usual, I am putting my "reputation" on the line and predicting the NFL. I never tend to do well in this department. I haven't picked a Super Bowl champion since the Patriots won their second of three titles last decade. And beyond that, I've just done pretty poor picking the right playoff teams. But that's the fun of the NFL. You never know what teams are going to surprise you and make a run (Jets last year). So with all that in mind, laugh as you will and enjoy my predictions for the 2010 NFL season.

AFC EAST
1. NY Jets 11-5
2. New England 10-6
3. Miami 8-8
4. Buffalo 4-12

THOUGHTS: The Jets defense is the reason they win the division. Their secondary will keep passing attacks at bay, including the Pats who really lack a run game. The Jets offense should also improve with guys like Santonio Holmes around...New England is going to be good, we know that. Tom Brady hasn't lost a step and Wes Welker returns. The defense is what will determine who far this team goes...Miami is a playoff team in any other division but having to face the Pats and Jets is tough. Chad Henne looks like a quality NFL QB and that running game is one of the best in the NFL...Buffalo will be a boring team to watch, except for C.J. Spiller. Case closed.

AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore 12-4
2. Cincinnati 10-6
3. Pittsburgh 9-7
4. Cleveland 4-12

THOUGHTS: Baltimore is the clear favorite in this division. They've added some great players to go along with a team that already looked like a team that would contend in 2010...Cincinnati also added some nice pieces. T.O. and Ocho may be the ones we hear about but Jordan Shipley is the guy to watch in the slot. Their defense has to be as good if not better than last year though...Pittsburgh will miss Roethlisberger in those first 4 weeks. Once he gets back, there's no guarantee this team wins. They struggled last season against inferior teams. Expect some of that inconsistency this year too...Cleveland did get better, just not as much as they need to be competitive in this division.

AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis 13-3
2. Houston 9-7
3. Tennessee 7-9
4. Jacksonville 5-11

THOUGHTS: The Colts will go as Peyton goes, and that's far as usual. The defense should have Bob Sanders healthy which only makes them more scary...The Texans have the talent to make the playoffs this season on offense. The defense is what may keep them back...Tennessee will be able to run that ball but will they be able to pass the ball? Vince Young is still a wild card in that department. Their defense also needs to improve to compete with offenses likes Indy and Houston...Jacksonville has too many holes to compete. Their O-Line is in shambles, their receiving corps lacks real weapons, and the defense is young and inexperienced.

AFC WEST
1. San Diego 10-6
2. Oakland 7-9
3. Denver 6-10
4. Kansas City 5-11

THOUGHTS: San Diego is slowly declining I think. Their run game may take a slight step back as rookie Ryan Mathews gets used to a 16-game season. Their pass game should be okay without Vincent Jackson. Their defense is a bit of a question mark...Oakland really has an opportunity to be a contender. Jason Campbell gives them a serviceable QB to go along with a run game that wasn't bad. They are starting to believe they can win...Denver looked like they were gonna win the AFC for awhile last year and then fell off the map. The defense is gonna have to carry this team cause the offense on paper isn't that impressive...Kansas City is just looking to improve. Matt Cassel is a good QB but didn't get much time to throw. The defense also needs to improve mightily.

NFC EAST
1. Dallas 11-5
2. Washington 9-7
3. NY Giants 8-8
4. Philadelphia 7-9

THOUGHTS: Dallas has the most talent by far in this division so anything short of a division title would be a major disappointment...I've always though the Redskins were just a good QB away from winning. They have that now with McNabb, who just wins and gets no respect...NY Giants are going to be competitive but aren't strong enough on either side of the ball to win this division. The defense is aging and the offense is too sporadic...Philly is now in the hands of Kevin Kolb. I see him playing well like Matt Schaub in his first year with the Texans. He'll get better but this will be a struggle to reach .500.

NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay 12-4
2. Minnesota 11-5
3. Chicago 5-11
4. Detroit 5-11

THOUGHTS: Green Bay is talented on both sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers is a Pro-Bowl caliber QB with weapons like Greg Jennings and JerMichael Finley to throw too. The defense is led by Charles Woodson, A.J. Hawk and others who should take this team far...The Vikes got Brett Favre back, which was huge considering how bad Tarvaris Jackson is. If Favre's ankle holds up, they have a chance to compete with the Packers for the division crown. The defense is what makes them so good though...The Bears defense is not as scary as it was 3 years ago. The Bears offense will need to make up for that. Mike Martz takes over as offensive coordinator which is a good move. Jay Cutler has to cut down on the INTs though...The Lions are poised to make some strides this season. Matthew Stafford is proving he has the arm, awareness, and brains to be an NFL QB. The addition of Jahvid Best to that offense should make it fun to watch each week too.

NFC SOUTH
1. New Orleans 11-5
2. Atlanta 10-6
3. Carolina 7-9
4. Tampa Bay 2-14

THOUGHTS: The Saints have to be the favorite, after their run last year. Nearly everyone returned on an offense that can pick apart any secondary and a defense that doesn't let up on the pressure...The Falcons were bitten by the injury bug last year. If not, they would have been in the playoffs. Michael Turner should be better than ever and the defense should be much improved as well...The Panthers are now Matt Moore's team and that is a good thing. Moore is a playmaker at QB with a good arm and some mobility, which is good with a suspect O-Line. The run game will play a huge role in how good this team is...Tampa Bay is still rebuilding. Josh Freeman needs to really take some steps forward or the Bucs may be thinking about Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett instead of the playoffs.

NFC WEST
1. San Francisco 10-6
2. Arizona 7-9
3. Seattle 7-9
4. St. Louis 4-12

THOUGHTS: The Niners should have no problem winning this division. Their defense is one of the best in the NFL and the offense is progressing nicely. Alex Smith having the same offensive coordinator for a second straight season finally should help...Arizona's future hinged on Kurt Warner's decision and well, that didn't go well for the Cards. Derek Anderson is not the answer at QB and with the offense unable to score tons of points, expect the defense to really have to improve...Seattle has the potential to be a sleeper in this division. Matt Hasselbeck isn't a bad QB as long as he just manages the game. Justin Forsett is a quality RB too. The defense has some bright spots too. They could surprise some people...St. Louis did the right thing in drafting Sam Bradford who looked great in preseason. They are still at least a season away from competing but pieces are being put in place.

AFC PLAYOFFS
NY Jets over Cincinnati
New England over San Diego

Baltimore over NY Jets
Indianapolis over New England

Indianapolis over Baltimore

NFC PLAYOFFS
Atlanta over Dallas
Minnesota over San Francisco

Green Bay over Atlanta
New Orleans over Minnesota

Green Bay over New Orleans

SUPER BOWL
Indianapolis over Green Bay

OTHER FEARLESS PREDICTIONS
- NFL MVP: Aaron Rodgers, GB
- Offensive Player: Peyton Manning, IND
- Defensive Player: DeMarcus Ware, DAL
- Offensive Rookie: Jermaine Gresham, CIN
- Defensive Rookie: Ndamukong Suh, DET
- Coach of the Year: Mike Singletary, SF
- Coaches fired after the season: Eric Mangini (CLE), Jack del Rio (JAX), Lovie Smith (CHI), John Fox (CAR), Raheem Morris (TB)
- First pick of 2011 NFL Draft: Jake Locker, QB, Washington (to Tampa Bay)