Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
2010 NFL Predictions
Giants vs Chargers in Super Bowl
Photo - Aaron Rodgers - Packers
NFC
EAST
NEW YORK GIANTS 11-5 – The Giants need their front four to perform well for this defense to perform at playoff levels. Eli is underrated.
DALLAS COWBOYS 10-6 – This club will make a strong run at the title, but they don’t know how to win especially key late games. QB Tony Romo holds the key here. The Boys have a championship caliber defense that can be the difference..
WASHINGTON REDSKINS 9-7 – Skins are improved, but maybe not enough to make the playoffs. Skins may again struggle to be better than 500 in the best division in the conference.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 6-10 - Eagles have turned the page and look to young QB Kevin Kolb to direct this club. They will probably struggle to make the .500 mark this fall.
NORTH
GREEN BAY PACKERS 11-5 - Aaron Rodgers can direct the Packers deep into the playoffs and possibly win this improving division.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 10-5 - Vikings look to returning star veteran Brett Favre to be the difference maker again. He is capable of huge wins in probably his final appearance.
CHICAGO BEARS 8-8 - Bears can make a run at the playoffs but need QB Jay Cutler to perform at a high level. The defense is among the best in this conference that could spell the difference for the plaoff run.
DETROIT LIONS 5- 11 – This team is definitely improving, but probably not challenging the .500 mark just yet.
SOUTH
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 11-5 – The Saints should be the first NFC South club to repeat. QB Drew Brees will have to have another strong performance and the defense needs to show improvement to defend their title.
ATLANTA FALCONS 9-7 - Falcons rely on QB Matt Ryan to carry this club and he can be a difference maker here behind a fine line. Whether their defense is at playoff levels remains to be seen.
CAROLINA PANTHERS 7-9 - Panthers face a very tough task to get back to .500 after key losses on both sides of the ball.
TAMPA BAY BUCS 4-12 - Bucs are an ongoing disaster with only marginal changes expected despite a quality rookie class that can become a core group moving forward.
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WEST
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers 9-7 – HC Mike Singletary has this club playing hungry. They have the talent to win this average division with the young core to be an annual playoff contender.
ARIZONA CARDINALS 8-8 - Cards face the post Kurt Warner era with many questions on both sides of the ball after several key losses. They may not be better than a .500 club.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 7-9 – Seahawks made wholesale changes under first year HC Pete Carroll. Young defense has the makings of a top unit, but needs time in their new system.
ST. LOUIS RAMS 4-12 - Rams will look to top pick, QB Sam Bradford to give this club direction. Their struggling defense is still not up to playoff levels at this point.
Divisional Champs
N.Y. Giants, Packers, Saints and 49ers
Wild Card Clubs
Cowboys & Vikings
NFC Championship
N.Y. Giants over Packers – G Men go to the Big Show.
For AFC Predictions Click on Next Page
AFC
EAST
NEW YORK JETS 11-5 – HC Rex Ryan is talking trash and the Jets have the talent to back it up. Young QB Mark Sanchez, a good ground game and tough defense spell AFC East title.
MIAMI DOLPHINS 10-6 - Dolphins hope to rebound this season after a disappointing ’09 performance. Their defense must prove up to playoff levels.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 9-7 - Pats ride the strong arm of veteran QB Tom Brady. But to return to the playoffs and Super Bowl, their young changing defense must take a huge step up after a poor ’09 performance.
BUFFALO BILLS 4-12 – Bills are not showing signs of challenging for the playoffs or even the .500 level at this point. .
NORTH
BALTIMORE RAVENS 11-5 - The Ravens are loading the canon and expect to make a strong run for the AFC title behind young QB Joe Flacco and a new group of playmakers. The defense is capable of ranking with the better units in the game, though vulnerable at cornerback.
CINCINNATI BENGALS 10-6 – QB Carson Palmer has a new big play weapon in Terrell Owens that should help this offense to rank with the best in the AFC. Their defense must improve under HC Marvin Lewis to make the playoffs.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 8-8 - Big Ben sits out the first month which puts them in a hole to start the season. The Steel defense is starting to show signs are real age and eroding talent.
CLEVELAND BROWNS 4-12 - Browns are rebuilding again and are right on schedule for a 100 year program. Only one winning season in past six seasons will continue this fall.
SOUTH
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 12-4 – Peyton Manning will again carry this explosive club to the playoffs. Whether their defense plays up to recent playoff levels remains to be seen.
HOUSTON TEXANS 10-6 – Texans can be the biggest surprise in the AFC this season and capable of making the playoffs for the first time. Veteran passer Matt Schaub must stay healthy.
TENNESSEE TITANS 7-9 - Titans need playmakers QB Vince Young and runner Chris Johnson to have huge seasons for this club to challenge for the playoffs. Their defense has many questions before up to the return to playoffs.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 4-12 – Jaguars have fallen to among the worst in the league and another sub .500 record appears highly likely unless many questions are answered positively.
WEST
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 11-5 – The Chargers have a veteran club that can win the AFC West again and make a run at the NFL title. Veteran defense is improving quickly, but this club must prove it can win the big games in January.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 8-8 - Chiefs are definitely improved and capable of surprising especially in this mediocre division. QB Matt Cassel gets this offense moving, but the defense will determine if this club moves in the right direction. They are still a few seasons away from competing for a playoff berth.
OAKLAND RAIDERS 6-10 - Raiders are taking playoff trash this summer, but have not been better than 5-11 the past seven seasons. Looks like another offseason watching playoff games.
DENVER BRONCOS 6-10 - Broncos continued to make huge changes this offseason, but should face more difficult growing pains that will push them to the bottom of the AFC.
Divisional Champs
Jets, Ravens, Colts & Chargers
Wild Card Clubs
Dolphins & Bengals
AFC Championship
San Diego over Baltimore – Chargers show their defense can stop a potent offense in big
games.
Super Bowl Matchup
N.Y. Giants over San Diego Chargers
Giants win a wild Super Bowl showdown with Chargers.