2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

We’re just days away from the 2010 NFL season opener, which means there’s no better time to make playoff and Super Bowl predictions when no team has even taken a snap yet.

Who doesn’t love being illogical?

Click the links above if you want to read detailed previews for all 32 teams. In this article, you’ll get more prediction and less gab, although seriously, don’t shortchange me here – go check out the individual previews.

All right, I’ve already wasted enough time – let’s get nasty.

AFC East:

1. Patriots
2. Dolphins
3. Jets
4. Bills

Now that Darrelle Revis is back at practice for the Jets, I admit that a small part of me wants to flip the Dolphins and Jets. But I’m going to trust my gut and say that everybody’s chic pick in the NFL this year will take a step back because of Mark Sanchez. And while I have the Pats finishing first, their lack of a pass rush is a massive concern and I wouldn’t be shocked if they fizzled in the postseason again like last year (or miss the postseason altogether, for that matter). The Dolphins are my sleeper to make the postseason thanks to the additions of Brandon Marshall and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, while the Bills are rebuilding from the top down and it’s going to take awhile.

AFC North:

1. Ravens
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Browns

Although they have some major issues in their secondary, the Ravens are largely the same team that went into Foxboro last year and destroyed the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs. With Joe Flacco heading into his third year (plus the addition of Anqaun Boldin), I love Baltimore’s potenital. The Bengals are going to challenge for first place again after winning the division last year and while I don’t think the Steelers are going to make much noise, I wouldn’t count them out either. The Browns are rebuilding the right way and will surprise people with their defensive play, but they don’t have nearly enough playmakers on offense to be competitive on a weekly basis.

AFC South:

1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Titans
4. Jaguars

The Colts are once again the class of the division, but the Texans and Titans will give them four tough games this season. Tennessee is closer to Houston than people think in terms of competing for a Wild Card spot, although both teams have major question marks on defense. The Jags aren’t pitiful like most projected fourth-place finishers are, but they lack an identity.

AFC West:

1. Chargers
2. Broncos
3. Chiefs
4. Raiders

If the Broncos had Elivs Dumervil (torn pec/out for the year) and more playmakers on offense, I would have seriously considered moving them to the top of the division. But they’re going to struggle generating a pass-rush and they have little to no explosion on offense. I think best case scenario they finish no better then 8-8. That means San Diego returns to the top of the heap and while they’re clearly the best in the division, they have a ton of question marks thanks to some decisions made by GM A.J. Smith this offseason. The Chiefs and Raiders could be improved and I wouldn’t doubt either of them could finishing second, but they’re a little further away from competing then people think.

AFC Playoff Teams:

1. Ravens
2. Colts
3. Patriots
4. Chargers
5. Bengals
6. Dolphins

I’m taking a big risk assuming Baltimore’s secondary is going to hold up, although I’m enticed by this team’s Super Bowl chances this season. The Bengals aren’t flashy, but between them and the Jets I think New York is the team to disappoint after making the playoffs last season. As I wrote above in the AFC East prediction paragraph, Miami is my sleeper in the AFC.

NFC East:

1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Redskins

The Cowboys have the most talent in the division, which is why they should come out on top once again. However, this team loves to get in its own way, so fans shouldn’t be making Super Bowl plans quite yet. Obviously, the biggest question in Philadelphia is whether or not Kevin Kolb can replace Donovan McNabb. If he can, the Eagles have one of the deepest teams in football and could easily make a return trip to the postseason. The Giants thankfully booted defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and replaced him with Perry Fewell, but to assume all of their problems will just disappear is naïve. The Redskins will be more competitive with Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan leading the way, but offensive line, running back and wide receiver trouble will hold them back again this year.

NFC North:

1. Packers
2. Vikings
3. Bears
4. Lions

This may turn out to be the most competitive division in football, with three of the four teams competing for playoff berths down the stretch. The Packers are the most complete team in the division, although now that Lord Favre is back in Minnesota, the Vikings are going to be powerful once again. But because of their secondary, Green Bay has the edge as long as their O-line can hold up. The Bears seem to be a lot of people’s sleeper team, but their offensive line and secondary scares me, as does the prospect of Jay Cutler throwing 60 interceptions in Mike Martz’s offense. The Lions are improving, but the lack of overall talent keeps them down again.

NFC South:

1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Buccaneers

Consistency leads me to choose the Saints over the Falcons again this year, but there’s no doubt Atlanta can match up with their biggest division rival. The key is whether or not the Falcons’ secondary has improved with the addition of Dunta Robinson and if their ever-improving pass rush can build off of an impressive showing this preseason. The battle between the Saints and Falcons for first place in the South could be one the most exciting aspects of the 2010 season. At the bottom of the division, the Panthers and Buccaneers are relying on inexperienced starters on both sides of the ball and while they’ll give teams some trouble, they won’t be able to compete for 16 games.

NFC West:

1. 49ers
2. Cardinals
3. Seahawks
4. Rams

Ugh. This is the worst division in football and if the 49ers can’t take advantage of it now, then they probably never will. (Okay, so that’s an exaggeration, but you get my drift.) Mike Singletary’s squad is the team to beat in the West, even though they have questions at quarterback and along the offensive line. I think the Cardinals could surprise if Derek Anderson can revert back to 2008 when he almost led the Browns to the playoffs, although they still have problems on the line and D.A. was atrocious in his final year in Cleveland. The Seahawks are a mystery team and could very well compete in Pete Carroll’s first year, but they have issues at receiver, along the offensive line and in the secondary. The Rams are awful, but an improving offense (save for the receiver position) led by rookie Sam Bradford offers hope for the future.

NFC Playoff Teams:

1. Saints
2. Packers
3. Cowboys
4. 49ers
5. Falcons
6. Eagles

It’s going to be interesting to see how the Saints play with a target on their back, especially when they have a couple of big questions left to be answered on defense (i.e. run defense, outside linebacker, free safety). But with Drew Brees and Sean Payton in charge of the offense, New Orleans will once again be lethal offensively. The Packers are more complete from top to bottom (albeit, their two tackles have to stay healthy for that statement to carry any validity) as of right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they own the top spot come playoff time. The obvious omission here is the Vikings, whom like the Jets in the AFC, I see disappointing in 2010.

Wild Card Playoff Predictions:

Patriots OVER Dolphins
Bengals OVER Chargers

Eagles OVER 49ers
Falcons OVER Cowboys

Divisional Playoff Predictions:

Colts OVER Patriots
Ravens OVER Bengals

Falcons OVER Saints
Packers OVER Eagles

Championship Predictions:

Ravens OVER Colts
Packers OVER Falcons

Super Bowl Prediction:

Packers OVER Ravens

(My cohort here at The Scores Report and huge Green Bay fan John Paulsen just spit his White Russian all over his computer screen reading that projection or wet himself…or both.)

Again, I’m taking a big leap of faith that the Ravens’ secondary can overachieve and that the Packers’ offensive line won’t be held together by duct tape by Week 8, but these are my predictions and I’m sticking with them.

What are yours?

2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

The AFC East is arguably the most difficult division to predict because the Patriots, Jets and Dolphins all have enough talent to claim the top spot but all three also have huge question marks that could hold them back.

The Bills, on the other hand…not so hard to predict. (Sorry Buffalo fans.)

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the AFC East this season. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes in 2010.

1. Patriots

What to Like: Wes Welker is apparently healthy, which is a great sign for Tom Brady and the rest of the Pats’ offense. Although they failed to recapture the magic they had in 2007, the offense ranked third in the NFL in yards per game, sixth in total points and eighth in third down percentage. Along with Welker and Randy Moss, Brady will also have talented rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez to throw to in the passing game and Julian Edelman proved when filling in for Welker last season that he can be productive as well.
What Not to Like: It appears that the pass rush, or lack thereof, will be a massive concern all season. It was a concern heading into the offseason, it’s been a concern thus far in preseason and it’s going to remain a concern unless guys step up. Granted, Tully Banta-Cain is coming off a career year and rookie Jermaine Cunningham has potential, but Derrick Burgess needs to stay motivated and be productive. If he doesn’t and Banta-Cain can’t put up the numbers he did last year then Bill Belichick’s defense could suffer at every level. There’s also the very real concern that starting left guard Logan Mankins will skip the entire season because of a contract despite, meaning promising but inexperienced tackle Sebastian Vollmer will be inserted into the starting lineup.
Keep an Eye On: Darius Butler
In five starts last season, Butler had three inceptions and although he was inconsistent in coverage and needs to cut down on penalties, he could blossom into a star this season. He has already become a leader in the locker room.
The Final Word: Even though the offense stalled in the second half of some games last season, it will still be tough to stop this team a weekly basis. Plus, after struggling to a 2-6 record on the road last season, the Pats will face only two 2009 playoff teams away from Foxboro this year. In fact, six of the 2009 playoff teams they face this year will have to come to New England, which is obviously a major advantage. I think given the problems that the rest of the teams have in the division, the Pats will once again come out on top, although this is far from a Super Bowl team in my eyes.

New England Patriots 2010 Question Mark: Pass Rush

2. Dolphins

What to Like: After finishing 22nd in the league in total defense last season, the Fish completely revamped that side of the ball this offseason. I love the hire of new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who transformed the Broncos into a top 10 defense last year, as well as the signing of free agent Karlos Dansby, who is the most well rounded linebacker in the league. Assuming Vontae Davis can keep his head on straight, I also love the cornerback tandem of him and Sean Smith – Miami’s top two draft picks from a year ago. Of course, we can’t talk about Miami’s offseason without mentioning Brandon Marshall, who finally gives this team the offensive playmaker that they have coveted for years. As long as he stays out of trouble, he will make Chad Henne better and the running game (which will be the focal point of the offense once again) will benefit from his presence as well.
What Not to Like: The offensive line has looked rough this preseason and while it’s only preseason, their play is still a concern. This offense can’t survive without its running game and the interior of Miami’s O-line looks weak. Rookie John Jerry has a future in this league, but he better make strides if he wants to hold down the starting right guard spot. Richie Incognito and Joe Berger won’t be long for starting spots either if they can’t pick up their play. Outside of that, Marshall has been plagued by drops and I wonder if he’s starting to feel the pressure of living up to his new contract and the expectations that have been thrust upon him in Miami. Defensively, Chris Clemons has looked great this offseason but he’s inexperienced at the free safety position and there’s growing concern that the undisclosed injury that has kept linebacker Channing Crowder out could be more serious than originally believed.
Keep an Eye On: Karlos Dansby
Keep an eye on the Dolphins’ best defender? Wow, thanks. No, I mean really watch him. Dansby is one of the most underrated linebackers in the game; he can cover, he can be a force against the run and he can be an effective pass-rusher. You just don’t find all three of those traits in linebackers.
The Final Word: I think Miami’s problems will get ironed out early during the season, which is why I have them finishing second in the division. The offensive line should be fine once it gels and Marshall will shine once the season starts. The bigger concern is that the Dolphins will play eight straight games against teams that were .500 or better in 2009 after they travel to Buffalo in the opener. So while I like this team, I think they’ll miss the postseason by a game or two.

Miami Dolphins 2010 Question Mark: Offensive Line

3. Jets

What to Like: Even without Darrelle Revis (contract holdout), the Jets’ defense could resemble an impenetrable force again this season. They led the NFL in total defense last year, gave up the fewest amount of points and for as good as the Cowboys were, no team came close to matching the Jets’ defensive effort in 2009. Rex Ryan puts together some of the best defensive game plans in the league and nobody outside of Bill Belichick makes adjustments on the fly better than he can. Players also love playing for him, which means more than you think. The Jets aren’t going to lay down in any game and that’s a testament to Ryan and his coaching staff’s ability to lead. The offseason acquisitions of Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes also shore up potential weaknesses and now quarterback Mark Sanchez has plenty of weapons to throw to in the passing game. Running back Shonn Greene is also a budding star.
What Not to Like: To say that Revis played at an elite level last year wouldn’t be enough. He was so good that had he won the MVP award, it would have been hard to argue that he didn’t deserve it. With that in mind, what if he doesn’t play this season? What kind of an effect would his absence have on Ryan’s defense? We’re talking about stripping the most vital piece off the best defense in the league last year. Cromartie and first round pick Kyle Wilson have enough talent to hold down the starting cornerback positions, but quarterbacks aren’t going to be afraid to attack a rookie early and often. Offensively, I still have a ton of questions about Sanchez and his ability to win a game on his own. I know he has more weapons this year and Greene should be very good, but the Jets didn’t open things up at all last year with Sanchez under center. They basically asked him not to lose games and when he did have to step up and make a play or two (outside of the AFC title game), he was largely a disaster. He’s also going into his second year when a lot of quarterbacks tend to struggle because defensive coordinators have an entire library of film to pick apart their weaknesses. If he can’t adjust and make strides in his development, this team’s in trouble.
Keep an Eye On: Shonn Greene
As previously mentioned, Greene is a budding star and should become the focal point of the Jets’ offense in due time. LaDainian Tomlinson will eat into his carries a little, but Greene will still have plenty of opportunities to display his talents.
The Final Word: I think it’s poor practice to back a team that emerges as a chic pick in the offseason. That’s not a very analytical way of trying to predict a team’s success, I know, but chic picks rarely pan out (see the Chargers last season and even Ole’ Miss at the college level). And when you factor in the Revis holdout and the questions surrounding Sanchez, I see plenty of reason to think that the Jets will take a major step back in 2010. Let’s not forget that this team needed major luck (the Colts deciding to rest their starters; the Bengals laying down in the finale) down the stretch just to make the playoffs last year. Ryan even thought they were done after an ugly home loss to Atlanta late in the season. Granted, the Jets took those opportunities and ran with them all the way into the AFC title game, but I doubt they’ll catch those breaks two years in a row. This team obviously has more than enough talent to prove me wrong and hey, if Revis winds up playing then all the better. But something tells me the J.E.T.S. are in store for a major letdown.

New York Jets 2010 Question Mark: Quarterback

4. Bills

What to Like: There’s no doubt that the Bills are moving in the right direction now that Buddy Nix is their new general manager. Whether or not Chan Gailey was the best choice as the team’s new head coach remains to be seen, but at least he has experience and has won on some level (he went 44-32 as head coach of Georgia Tech from 2002-2007). The team also found a potential star in running back C.J. Spiller in the first round of April’s draft. The former Clemson Tiger is an explosive weapon and if he stays healthy, he will contribute both as a runner and a pass-catcher. Defensively, the Bills have a great tandem at safety in Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd, as well as a solid Terrence McGee at corner and Paul Posluszny (when healthy) at inside linebacker.
What Not to Like: This team has major weaknesses on both sides of the ball, starting with quarterback and offensive line. Trent Edwards has the physical tools to be a starter in this league, but he hasn’t played with any confidence in over a year and a half. He looks to check down way too often in his progressions and is gun shy behind an inexperienced offensive line. The Bills have a deep stable of running backs, but they’re thin at receiver and Spiller has a history of injuries. Defensively, the secondary is the strength of the unit but pass-rush could be a major concern and there’s going to be an adjustment period under new defensive coordinator George Edwards, who is installing the 3-4.
Keep an Eye On: C.J. Spiller
When healthy, Spiller is a dynamic playmaker. Buffalo fans are going to enjoy watching him in the offense and he’s a threat to take it to the end zone every time he gets his hands on the ball.
The Final Word: Oh, boy. Although this team is heading in the right direction, it’s going to be a couple of years before they start competing. They just don’t have the talent to match up with opponents on a weekly basis and I highly doubt even the Buffalo contingent believes that Edwards is the answer at quarterback. Spiller will be exciting to watch, but unless the offensive line matures in a hurry, the offense will have a tough time moving the chains. It’s good to see that the Bills are fixing things from the top down, but again, it’s going to take some time.

Buffalo Bills 2010 Question Marks: Quarterback, Offensive Line

Here’s what the three teams have left on their schedule:

Jets: at Seahawks, vs. Dolphins
Dolphins: at Chiefs, at Jets
Patriots: vs. Cardinals, at Bills

If you’re a Jets fan you can’t be feeling to good about things. Not only have the J.E.T.S dropped two of their last three games, but they’re also 0-3 on the West Coast this year and heading to Seattle on Sunday.

The Dolphins are in pretty good shape this week as they face a Chiefs team that is trying to run out the clock on the rest of the season, but their finale in New York is a doozy – especially if the Jets lose this weekend in Seattle. Miami has won just once in its last six trips to the Meadowlands. And while the Dolphin defense has been outstanding of late, the offense has struggled to put up points on against weaker opponents the past three weeks.

Which leads us to the Patriots. A little over a week ago I predicted New England to win the AFC East and I won’t back down now – especially not after they just gorilla-smacked the hapless Raiders in a rainstorm on Sunday. There’s no way Arizona goes into Foxboro this weekend and beats the Patriots. Zero chance. Will not happen. The Cardinals haven’t beaten a quality opponent on the road this year and their defense just allowed Tarvaris Jackson to throw four touchdowns on them at home last week. Believe it or not, Buffalo might turn out to be a tougher game than ‘Zona, only because of the elements. And considering the Pats will likely be playing for the division (and the Bills will still be starting J.P. Losman), I wouldn’t bet against them.

So here is my official prediction: Jets lose in Seattle, Dolphins beat the Chiefs, Patriots beat the Cardinals. Jets beat Miami, but Patriots beat the Bills and claim the AFC East.

Comment fodder: Who do you have winning the AFC East?