AFC EAST
Patriots – Tom Brady has a newly signed contract and looks back to form. Moss is playing for a big contract, which means a career year for him (yes, even with all his HOF years) and the Pats defense will undoubtedly improve under Belichick who was not happy about the performance of their uncharacteristic 09’ performance. McCourty, a very talented CB, was picked in the 1st
round. Look for him to become one of the leagues next elite CB’s. Same ol’ Pats.
Jets – Revis, not surprisingly, ended his holdout and is back manning “Revis island.” #1 WR’s beware; you are going to be taken out of every game when playing the Jets. Yes, that means you Moss. This defense is stacked, and the offense will be good enough to push them to the playoffs. Mark Sanchez will be carried through the season with veteran receivers Cotchery and Edwards while Shonn Greene and LT provide the balance necessary to deceive opposing defenses. This team is full of Hard Knocks.
AFC WEST
Chargers – Even with Vincent Jackson missing the first few games, Philip Rivers will be targeting the likes of Floyd and Company, who are more than capable of putting up big numbers (even more scary when/if Jackson returns). The LT era is over and I see that as a benefit. Out with the old and in with Ryan Matthews (my pick for Rookie of the Year). They may be the healthiest team in football and based off of ESPN’s strength of schedule, they have the 3rd easiest schedule in the NFL.
AFC NORTH
Bengals - A COMPLETELY healthy Carson Palmer is one of the best QB’s in football. His options are all over the place, and Palmer is more than willing to please the Diva’s, Ocho Cinco and Ocho Uno (I think T.O. should change his name, it would be hilarious). With those two guys on the field, the newly acquired Antonio Bryant has an opportunity to shine as well. Benson won’t be as productive, but that is a good thing for the Bengals. He covered for a poor pass offense last year, but with a more balanced offense there will come a more efficient run game where the pass threat will give the Bengals better 3rd down options, in which they struggled last year. Defense should be in the middle of the pack. For some reason I think they’ll build a surprising rapport.
Ravens – These guys seem to be the popular pick lately for the Super Bowl, which I don’t see. That being said I think they take the wild card here. Their defense is getting old and I’m not sure if Ray Lewis and Suggs can carry this team too much longer on the defensive side. On the offensive side, Flacco has some options. They have 3 WR’s that were all at one point, and might still be able to be, #1’s on the depth chart. They acquired Anquan Boldin, who is easy to ignore because of his history of injury, but is a stud that will give Mason more opportunity and vice versa. They stole Houshmanzada from a desperate and stupid franchise in the Seattle Seahawks which gives them 3 WR’s that cover all aspects of the game. The deep threat, the red zone touches, the up the middle toughness - they got it all. On top of that, they have one of the best RB’s in the game in Ray Rice, who may also be the best receiving RB in the NFL. Watch out.
AFC SOUTH
Colts – Peyton Manning and his disciples (Wayne, Garcon, Collie, Gonzalez, Clark, Addai). No need for a complete sentence, I think that’s enough said about the offense. The defense, if healthy, could be a top 3 defense in the NFL. Enough Said.
NFC EAST
Cowboys – The Super Bowl is being played at “Jerry World” which gives them more incentive to push for the big dance. This is the year Romo comes into his own and makes use of his ENTIRE offense. Now that Miles Austin is no longer a surprise, teams will double up on him and open up the opportunities for Roy Williams, who has disappeared the last couple seasons. Dez Bryant will give them a boost as well, and their running game is well balanced with both speed and power. Watch out for this defense. If healthy I think they finish top 3 defenses in the league and DeMarcus Ware will lead the league in sacks and perhaps win defensive player of the year honors.
Giants – I really hate New York teams, but I am picking both of them as my wild card picks. The Giants, like in 07’, are flying under the radar. I am not suggesting they are going to win the Super Bowl but with no real big names or off-season acquisitions, no one is talking about them. Remember when Peyton was inconsistent, kind of like Eli? Remember that Eli actually started his career slightly better than the start of his superstar brother? Well this year he has returning starters that he slowly built a great connection with last year. Steve Smith is no longer a surprise and will become a pretty steady #1 option for Eli. Then he has Hakeem Nicks and Manningham to provide the deep threat. Who do you cover? He also has one of the best O-lines in the game and although shaky at RB, there are many different roads for the Giants to take on the ground. Defensively, I expect them to be middle of the pack. Eli will channel his brother this year and take it another step up.
NFL WEST
49ers – This one is easy. Worst division in the NFL, so this pick is by default. I love the identity that Chicago Bears great, Mike Singletary, has instilled in this team and his heir apparent, Patrick Willis, is one nasty dude. The defense will take on Singletary’s persona, which means 22 crazy eyes staring down the QB. Michael, neither Crab nor Tree, has a full training camp under his belt and if healthy will have his first full season to prove he is an elite receiver. After all, he is pretty much their only receiver if you don’t count Vernon Davis. Davis will lead the league in TD’s for a Tight End and will make you run in the opposite direction if you saw him in a dark alley (I don’t know if you would actually be able to see him… even scarier). If Gore can keep himself off the sidelines with injury he is one of the league’s elite RB’s. He alone can win this weak division.
NFC NORTH
Packers – Best offense in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers will contend for league MVP and will lead the league in passing yards as well as rushing TD’s for a QB. Ryan Grant is one of the best kept secrets in the NFL and this will be the year Jermichael Finley becomes an elite Tight End. Their defense hurt them down the stretch last year, but with a year of the 3-4 under their belts they may have mastered it by now. If they truly are going to switch up the defense instead of solely sticking with the 3-4, they may improve on that side of the ball, giving the offense enough room to go as far as they can dream.
Bears – Ok, so I am biased here but I legitimately believe they are going to have a big year in a tough division. No one seems to agree on what to expect from a new look Bears, some picking them to finish last and others picking them as a surprise in the NFC. I am going with the latter with much hope. Who was Kurt Warner before Mike Martz? How about Marshall Faulk? Fast receivers running downfield with a rocket arm throwing it to them in an offense that is structured for that EXACT formula should be fun to watch. Forte is one of the best pass catching RB’s in the league and Martz will make the most of that. The question mark is the O-Line which will no doubt be one of the worst in the NFL, but for some reason I think Cutler can overcome that and move up in the QB rankings. Peppers will be in contention for Defensive Player of the year, and if the ‘D’ stays healthy I think they become the top defense in the NFC. DA BEARS.
NFC SOUTH
Saints – How is this team flying under the radar in the year they will be defending their championship? I don’t get it. Ok, so there is that thing called a Super Bowl hangover, but I don’t think that will be the issue for the ‘Who Dat’ nation. The defending champs have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL this year and have kept their prolific offense intact. The starting O-line, WR’s and TE are all returning, which means an even more comfortable Drew Brees. Their defense is even healthier and that New Orleans crowd is going to be all-in, which is one of the biggest home field advantages in sports. No need to elaborate, their stacked.
NFC Champion - PACKERS
AFC Champion - COLTS
SUPERBOWL WINNER - COLTS
