2010 NFL Previews - AFC South

In 2009, the Indianapolis Colts returned to their throne in the AFC South. The Colts return largely the same team that made the Super Bowl last season and anything less than a Super Bowl this year will make the Peyton Manning doubters grow louder. The Titans rebounded from a horrific 0-6 start last season on the shoulders of surprise redeemed hero QB Vince Young. Young has to prove that he can be just as good when the expectations are high. The Texans finally had their first winning season and now must make the playoffs if head coach Greg Kubiak wants to keep his job. The Jacksonville Jaguars suck and no one cares about them.

1. Indianapolis Colts

2009 Record: 14-2, 1st place AFC South, Super Bowl Runner-up
Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (2nd season Indianapolis, 16-3 career)
Key Additions: DE Jerry Hughes
Key Losses: QB Jim Sorgi, G Ryan Lilja, FS Marlin Jackson

2010 Outlook: The Colts were having a dream season, sitting at 14-0 and just two games away from a perfect season. Then management decided a perfect season didn't matter, winning a Super Bowl was the goal. The Colts ended up coming a game short, falling apart in the second half and losing to the New Orleans Saints. Peyton Manning went from being anointed perhaps the greatest QB to ever play the game, to people once again wondering about his ability to win on the biggest stage. The Colts are largely the same team that played so well last year and has been so consistent for the last decade. Their passing game has gotten even better with the emergence of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie to complement Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark. WR Anthony Gonzalez will also be back this year. They will need to improve their ground game, where they ranked last in the NFL in 2009. In order to do this the Colts attempted to bolster their offensive line, signing Adam Terry and Andy Alleman. Defensively, the Colts have improved by leaps and bounds over where they were a few years ago. The key is for defensive end Dwight Freeney to stay healthy as without him the defense is not nearly as effective. The Colts won't flirt with a perfect season this year but will once again run away with the AFC South.

Prediction: 13-3

2. Tennessee Titans

2009 Record: 8-8, 3rd place AFC South
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher (17th season Tennessee, 141-116 career)
Key Additions: DE Derrick Morgan, DE Jason Babin, LB Will Witherspoon
Key Losses: TE Alge Crumpler, P Craig Hentrich, C Kevin Mawae, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch

2010 Outlook: It was a tale of two seasons for the Titans. Under old QB Kerry Collins they looked listless and lifeless, starting the season 0-6 and losing to the New England Patriots 59-0. Jeff Fisher finally inserted Vince Young as the starter and the Titans took off, winning 8 of their last 10 games. Young will now have expectations again, much like he did a few years ago when he had a melt down and caved under the pressure. The big question on offense will be, has he matured to the point where he can now handle those expectations? The Titans have arguably the best running back in football in Chris Johnson, who rushed for 2,006 yards last season. Johnson has been doing a lot of talking and says he will break the all-time single season rushing record this year. The receiving game continues to be average at best, although Kenny Britt showed some potential last year. The Titans spent the majority of their off-season trying to improve their defense. For as much of a headache as he has been for the Redskins, there is no denying that the Titans missed Albert Haynesworth last season. The Titans will look to replace Kyle Vanden Bosch with Derrick Morgan, whom they drafted out of Georgia Tech. The Titans pass defense was atrocious last year and must improve for them to return to the playoffs. The Titans seem like an every other year type of team, and year should get them back to playoff contention.

Prediction: 10-6

3. Houston Texans

2009 Record: 9-7, 2nd place AFC South
Head Coach: Greg Kubiak (5th season Houston, 31-33 career)
Key Additions: CB Kareem Jackson, FB Justin Griffith, K Neil Rackers
Key Losses: QB Rex Grossman, RB Ryan Moats, CB Dunta Robinson

2010 Outlook: The Texans continue to be just good enough for Gary Kubiak to keep his job but not good enough to make the playoffs. If that doesn't change this year, I will be shocked if Kubiak keeps his job. The Texans have seemingly found their man at QB, with Matt Schaub having a fantastic season last year. He developed quite the rapport with one of the best WRs in football, Andre Johnson, and also has a great weapon in TE Owen Daniels, who will be returning from injury. The running game remains a concern, with Steve Slaton regressing badly last year after a stellar rookie campaign. Defensive backs is the Texans weakest area as a team and because of that, they have been unable to get their past their nemesis, the Colts. They lost CB Dunta Robinson to Atlanta, making the secondary even younger than it already was. I think the Texans will have another winning season, but it will be another of the just barely variety.

Prediction: 9-7

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

2009 Record: 7-9, last place AFC South
Head Coach: Jack Del Rio (8th season Jacksonville, 58-57 career)
Key Additions: DT Tyson Alualu, DE Aaron Kampman
Key Losses: WR Torry Holt, DT John Henderson, DE Quentin Groves

2010 Outlook: What a boring team. Their own fans don't care about them, their owner would rather get his money worth out of mediocre coach Jack Del Rio, then fire him and admit he made a mistake. They could have drafted QB Tim Tebow and actually become somewhat relevant but instead drafted DT Tyson Alualu out of Cal, who almost everyone agreed was a huge reach. Their QB, David Gerrard is average. He completes his passes but mostly of the dink and dunk variety. Their wide receiving corps remains underwhelming, although Mike Sims-Walker looks like he could be the real deal. By far their most exciting player is RB Maurice Jones-Drew. I didn't think he could handle the load as the every down back but he definitely proved me wrong last season. Where the Jaguars will struggle is their weaknesses on the offensive and defensive line. Gerrard was hit a ton last year and the defense was unable to replicate that on opposing teams quarterbacks. Aaron Kampman should improve the defensive line a bit, but he is a question mark coming off of an injury. The Jaguars brought in a ton of new, young players this off-season. While that might provide hope for the future, it won't do much for this year and will mean the end of the road for Del Rio.

Prediction: 4-12

2010 NFL Previews - NFC North

The NFC North is going to end up looking a lot like it did last year. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are clearly the class of the division, while the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions are the poo poo platter.

1. Minnesota Vikings

2009 Record: 12-4, 1st place NFC North
Head Coach: Brad Childress (5th season Minnesota, 37-30 career)
Key Additions: RB Ryan Moats, RB Toby Gerhart, WR Greg Camarillo, CB Lito Sheppard
Key Losses: OL Artis Hicks, RB Chester Taylor

2010 Outlook: Everything was looking up for the Vikings last week, when Brett Favre officially announced he would return for his 20th NFL season. However, things have gone horribly wrong since then. WR Percy Harvin continues having problems with migraines and is very questionable. WR Sidney Rice was an idiot and didn't get surgery in the off-season as recommended and now will miss at least half the season. The Vikings will be very thin at wide receiver, and have had to sign the awful Javon Walker, and trade for the mediocre Greg Camarillo. The other big question mark is can the Vikings handle what is unquestionably a brutal schedule? Will Favre hold up or will the law of averages finally catch up to him and force him to miss some time? The Vikings still have the best running back in the game in Adrian Peterson. Hopefully, Peterson has spent his off-season curing his horrible case of fumblitis. Chester Taylor signed with the rival Bears, but the Vikings should have a good player in the drafted Toby Gerhart. The defense should be about the same, amazing up front with the Wiliams wall and Jared Allen, and slightly leaky in the secondary. Despite all these question marks, I still think the Vikings have the talent to win this divisioin and even improve on last season's record.

Prediction: 13-3

2. Green Bay

2009 Record: 11-5, 2nd place NFC North
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (5th season Green Bay, 39-27 career)
Key Additions: OT Bryan Bulaga
Key Losses: DE Johnny Jolly (Suspension), OLB Aaron Kampman

2010 Outlook: I pegged the Packers as a team on the rise in 2009 and was proven right. They have one of the best QB's in the game in Aaron Rodgers. They have a serviceable RB in Ryan Grant, and incredibly dangerous wideouts in Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and TE Jeremichael Finley. The Packers can score with the best of them. However, what proved to be their downfall was that they could also give up points with the best of them. Despite scoring 45 points in their Wild Card game at Arizona, the Packers fell in overtime, 51-45. The Packers are counting on the defense improving with another season under Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers, as they didn't really do much personnel wise to upgrade the unit. Like the Vikings, because of being matched up with the NFC and AFC East this year, the scheulde is much harder for the Pack than it was last season. The offense can push this team to the playoffs, but I'm not sure the defense can carry them to Super Bowl glory.

Prediction: 10-6

3. Chicago Bears

2009 Record: 7-9, 3rd place NFC North
Head Coach: Lovie Smith (7th season, 54-46)
Key Additions: TE Brandon Manumaleuna, RB Chester Taylor, DE Julius Peppers
Key Losses: OT Orlando Pace, DE Alex Brown, DE Adawale Ogunleye, CB Nathan Vasher

2010 Outlook: The Bears came into last year with high expectations after trading for QB Jay Cutler. After starting off the season 3-1, the Bears collapsed, going 4-8 in their last 12 games. Cutler led the league in INTs and single handedly cost the Bears many games. They also saw RB Matt Forte go through a sophomore slump as he struggled running behind a leaky offensive line. The Bears have re-vamped their line for this season and are hoping Forte and Cutler can both recapture their past form. The Bears also brough in the much traveled Mike Martz as their Offensive Coordinator. There are still questions for the Bears at wide receiver, as Devin Hester has been unable to prove that he can handle being the number 1 guy. However, Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu showed glimpses of being big play wide receivers. The Bears have steadily detoriated over the years on defense and let stalwarts Alex Brown, Nathan Vasher, and Adawale Ogunleye leave the team. The Bears made a splash by signing Julius Peppers. Peppers sometimes looks like the best athlete in football and other times seems disintered. Hopefully for the Bears sake, him getting paid doesn't have an Albert Haynesworth like effect. I think the defense will be better but the offense will continue to struggle and it will be another tough season for Chicago.

Prediction: 6-10

4. Detroit

2009 Record: 2-14, last place NFC North
Coach: Jim Schwartz (2nd season Detroit, 2-14 career)
Key Additions: DT Ndamukong Suh, RB Jahvid Best, CB Dre Bly, WR Nate Burleson, QB Shaun Hill, TE Tony Scheffler, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch
Key Losses: CB Philip Buchannon, S Daniel Bullocks, LB Larry Foote, LB Ernie Sims

2010 Outlook: The Lions won 2 games last year. For most teams that would be embarrasing but considering Detroit didn't win a single game in 2008 at least they showed improvement. However, for the second straight off-season the Lions made a ton of personnel changes. QB Matthew Stafford showed glimpses of greatness last season and the Lions are hoping he can continue to improve. WR Calvin Johnson had a down season and will be looking to bounce back and show why he was given the nickname "Megatron". The Lions drafted RB Jahvid Best from Cal and he could quickly take over the starting RB spot from Kevin Smith. The Lions were atrocious on defense last season but definitely upgraded the defensive line in the off-season, bringing in former Cornhuskers Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch. The Lions will be starting fresh at cornerback yet again and are hoping they can finally find a mix that will prevent teams from killing them with the long ball and big plays. When you take over a team that went 0-16 you should be given plenty of leeway. Coach Jim Schwartz is going to need it because it is going to be another awful season in Detroit.

Prediction: 3-13

2010 NFL Previews - AFC North

The Cincinnati Bengals came out of nowhere last season to win the AFC North. This year, with the signings of WR Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens, to complement WR Chad Ochocino they are considered by many to be the favorites in the AFC North. The usual AFC North favorite, the Pittsburgh Steelers, come into the season with major questions. Will QB Ben Roethlisberger be suspended for six games or four? How effective will he be when he returns from his layoff? What if Byron Leftwhich leads the team to wins while Roethlisberger is out, does he just give up the job? The Baltimore Ravens think that the addition of WR Anquan Boldin should be enough to get them to the playoffs for the third straight season. While others might be sold on him I still have my doubts about QB Joe Flacco. The Cleveland Browns welcomed Mike Holmgren to try to right the ship. Unfortunately, they brought him on to run football operations, where his success is almost non-existent. Handling the AFC North preview is my cousin Josh, who I must give full disclosure is a huge Steelers fan. You can see my predictions for the AFC North at the bottom of the post.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

2009 Record: 10-6, 1st place AFC North
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (8th year Cincinnati, 56-55-1 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=CIN&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: WR Terrell Owens, CB Adam “Pacman” Jones, TE Jermaine Gresham
Key Losses: WR Chris Henry (Death), WR Laveranues Coles, RB Larry Johnson

2010 Outlook: Many people think the Bengals are a real contender as long as they can keep the long list of criminals, outcasts, and egomaniacs under control. That alone might be enough to make people question their legitimacy but they also need to prove Cedric Benson wasn’t a one year fluke and that Carson Palmer is the elite passer he once was.That being said they have a slew of solid cornerbacks, a premier pass rusher in Antwaan Odom and a young, talented group of linebackers. Don’t look now but the Bengals might have surpassed the Ravens as the second best defense in the division.

Prediction: 11-5

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

2009 Record: 9-7, 3rd place AFC North
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (4th year Steelers, 31-17 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=PIT&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: CB Bryant McFadden, WR Antwaan Randle El, C Markice Pouncey
Key Losses: WR Santonio Holmes, RT Willie Colon (Injury), RB Willie Parker

2010 Outlook: The Steelers might be one of the hardest teams to figure out this season. The roster is largely the same as 2008 when they won the Super Bowl, and yet they had so many weaknesses in 2009 that its hard to see them going all the way again. If Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith stay healthy, Pittsburgh might have the leagues top defense again. Offensively, the only real question is another patchwork offensive line. Despite Ben Roethlisberger’s six game suspension the team has a distinct chance of a playoff run.

Prediction: 10-6

3. Baltimore Ravens

2009 Record: 9-7, 2nd place AFC North
Head Coach: John Harbaugh (3rd year Ravens, 20-12 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=BAL&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: WR Anquan Boldin, WR Donte Stallworth WR, NT Terrance Cody
Key Losses: CB Dominique Foxworth (Injury), CB Samari Rolle (Retired)

2010 Outlook: The Ravens are certainly paper giants. They’ve added a top receiver to a great run game, a solid quarterback and an always formidable defense. That being said they are losing players to injury as easily as the Browns lose games. If Ed Reed is as hurt as he says he is and if Ladarius Webb and Fabian Washington can’t recover quickly the Raves defense might be their worst in years. Offensively, they have great weapons but almost all of their offensive linemen have missed time due to injury in training camp. Still a dangerous team but the injury bug might have stolen some of their bite.

Prediction: 10-6

4. Cleveland Browns

2009 Record: Awful…again, 5-11, last place in AFC North
Head Coach: Eric Mangini (2nd year Browns, 28-36 career)
Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/teams/scheduleteam=CLE&season=2010&seasonType=REG
Key Additions: GM Mike Holgram, QB Jake Delhomme, CB Joe Haden
Key Losses: QB Brady Quinn, QB Derek Anderson, a few other below average players

2010 Outlook: With Holmgram at the helm the future might be brighter for the Browns but it won’t be a fast improvement. Outside of Haden and Joe Thomas, Eric Mangini is Old Mother Hubbard and there’s not much talent in the cupboard. Delhomme has shown he is no longer a dangerous Quarterback and he doesn’t have many weapons to work with. They also had the second worst defense in the NFL in 2009. Perhaps the Browns win an extra game, maybe two but they should be pleased with a .500 season.

Prediction: 5-11

Chris' AFC North Predictions:

1. Baltimore, 11-5
2. Pittsburgh, 10-6
3. Cincinnati, 9-7
4. Cleveland, 5-11

2010 NFL Previews - NFC East

The NFC East is a division that is in a state of flux. The Philadelphia Eagles ended the Donovan McNabb era, shocking everyone by sending him to division rival Washington. The Redskins not only added McNabb but overhauled their coaching staff, bringing in 2-time Super Bowl winner Mike Shanahan as coach. The New York Giants had a very quiet off-season and expectations for them range from Super Bowl contender to last place in the NFC Beast. Last season's division champions, the Dallas Cowboys drafted WR Dez Bryant and after finally winning a playoff game for the first time since 1996 have Super Bowl aspirations.

1. Dallas Cowboys

2009 Record: 11-5, 1st place in NFC East
Coach: Wade Phillips (4th season Dallas, 82-59 career)
Schedule: http://www.cowboysportstours.com/dallas-cowboys-schedule.htm
Key Additions: WR Dez Bryant, OT Alex Barron
Key Losses: OT Flozell Adams, LB Bobby Carpenter, S Ken Hamlin

2010 Outlook: The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a similar position to how they entered the 2008 season. Expectations are high and anything less than a home game for the Super Bowl will be considered a failure. When dealing with those expectations two years ago, the Cowboys crumbled, missing the playoffs. Last season, with expectations much lower, the Cowboys thrived, winning a division title, and getting their first playoff win in 14 years. It was a relatively quiet off-season for Dallas, as they mostly kept intact the team that reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs last season. One major addition that should make an instant impact was their drafting of WR Dez Bryant. Many teams passed on Bryant due to some questions about his upbringing, and this has led to comparisons to the Randy Moss situation in the 1998 draft. Bryant joins WR Miles Austin, last season's breakout star, and the awful WR Roy Williams. The Cowboys biggest concern is their offensive line. They are getting pretty old at that position and depth is a concern. Dallas is loaded at quarterback and running back. Tony Romo had a very good season last year, and the Cowboys have three number one running backs in Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, and Felix Jones. Defensively, the Cowboys remain very strong at linebacker, but come into the season with questions at safety as they try to replace the departed Ken Hamlin. As much as I hate to say it the Cowboys have enough firepower on offense to make them back-to-back division champions.

Prediction: 10-6

2. Washington Redskins

2009 Record: 4-12, last place in NFC East
Coach: Mike Shanahan (1st season Washington, 154-103 career, 2-time Super Bowl winner)
Schedule: http://blog.redskins.com/2010/04/20/redskins-schedule-released/
Key Additions: OT Trent Williams, QB Donovan McNabb, WR Joey Galloway, RB Larry Johnson, P Josh Bidwell, CB Phillip Buchannon, DT Adam Carriker
Key Losses: QB Jason Campbell, RB Ladell Betts, WR Antwaan Randle El, LT Chris Samuels, G Randy Thomas, P Hunter Smith, CB Fred Smoot

2010 Outlook: Optimisim reigns supreme in Washington, DC. After two years of the bumbling Jim Zorn/Vinny Cerrato combo, the Redskins finally have a legitimate Coach and General Manager. The Redskins hired Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen to try to reshape the franchise and make the Skins consistent playoff contenders for the first time since the early 90's. Shanahan quickly disposed of long-time QB Jason Campbell and traded for Donovan McNabb. Shanahan also made sure it was clear to RB Clinton Portis that his job was no longer safe, bringing in RB Larry Johnson, RB Ryan Torain, and RB Willie Parker to compete with him. The Redskins definitely upgraded at quarterback but the question is, who will McNabb throw to? That never seemed to be a problem for him in Philadelphia and I don't think it will be a problem this season. TEs Chris Cooley and Fred Davis are likely to see a lot of passes, and WR Santana Moss is still dangerous. WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly face make or break seasons, and Kelly isn't even a lock to make the team. The defense will also see a makeover as new Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett brings the 3-4 defense to Washington, much to the consternation of Albert Haynesworth. It remains to be seen how successful the new defense is, as over the years defense has always been the Redskins strength. Trying to guess how the Redskins will play this year with so much turnover is almost a lost cause. However, with a legit coach and quarterback I think the Skins will double last season's win total and set themselves up for huge expectations in 2011.

Prediction: 8-8

3. New York Giants

2009 Record: 8-8, 3rd place in NFC East
Coach: Tom Coughlin (7th season New York Giants, 131-108 career, Super Bowl winner)
Schedule: http://www.docsports.com/schedules/nfl/Ny_Giants.html
Key Additions: DE Jason Pierre-Paul, S Deon Grant, S Antrel Rolle
Key Losses: P Jeff Feagles, S C.C. Brown, CB Kevin Dockery, LB Antonio Pierce, DT Fred Robbins

2010 Outlook: No one really knows what to expect from the Giants this season. Are they the team that stormed off to a 5-0 start last year? Or the team that limped to a 3-8 finish and saw their once proud defense become a laughingstock? Injuries certainly played a factor, but every team has to deal with injuries so that isn't an excuse. Offensively, the Giants seem to be set. QB Eli Manning may never be as good as brother Peyton, but he is definitely an upper-echelon QB. RB Brandon Jacobs had a very disappointing season last year, and will be looking to bounce back and show that 2009 was just an aberration. WRs Steve Smith and Mario Manningham both had tremendous seasons last year and with both being so young should only continue to get better. The Giants success or lack thereof in 2010 will hinge on their defense. Bill Sheridan was a disaster as Defensive Coordinator as his schemes didn't work and he alienated one of his better players, Osi Umenyiora. The Giants hired former Buffalo Bills interim coach Perry Fewell and hope he can recapture the magic that Steve Spagnuolo had. The Giants hope the drafting of Jason-Pierre Paul will bolster the defensive line, and that Justin Tuck and Umenyiora can remain healthy this season. The Giants were also a mess at safety last year, and hope that Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant can fortify that position. I think the defense will be improved but the schedule is pretty brutal for New York, resulting in another non-playoff season.

Prediction: 7-9

4. Philadelphia Eagles

2009 Record: 11-5, 2nd place in NFC East
Coach: Andy Reid (12th season Philadelphia, 118-75-1 career)
Schedule: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gameday/schedule.html
Key Additions: DE Brandon Graham, RB Mike Bell, S Marlin Jackson, LB Ernie Sims
Key Losses: QB Donovan McNabb, RB Brian Westbrook, G Shawn Andrews, WR Reggie Brown, WR Kevin Curtis, TE Alex Smith, DE Jason Babin, CB Sheldon Brown, DE Chris Clemons, LB Chris Gocong, S Sean Jones, LB Will Witherspoon

2010 Outlook: What so many Philadelphia Eagles fans clamored for finally happened. The Eagles ended the Donovan McNabb era, and in 2010 begin the Kevin Kolb era. No one is really sure what to expect out of Kolb, who looked decent in a few starts last season. However, the Eagles have some great young talent at wide receiver in DaSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, running back with LeSean McCoy, and tight end Brent Celek. However, it is the defensive side of the ball that might cause the 2010 season to implode for Philadelphia. The passing of Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson was felt in 2009 as the Eagles defense struggled with injury and inconsistency. The Eagles hope they have bolstered their defensive line play with the drafting of Brandon Graham. They revamped their entire line backing corps and will be happy to have Stewart Bradley back after he missed all of 2009. Huge questions remain in their secondary, as they traded Sheldon Brown to Cleveland, and will hope that Ellis Hobbs and Asante Samuel can recapture the magic they had in New England. My prediction for the Eagles will shock many of you, but looking at that schedule it is tough to find a lot of wins. The Eagles will have to suffer through a rebuilding season this year, and maybe Eagles fans will finally appreciate what they had in McNabb.

Prediction: 5-11