NFL Preview

The National Football League has kicked off last night. I'm so excited. Finally a sport where I don't get lumped in with stereotypes about Philly fans. Let's make some more predictions that will go horribly wrong, shall we?


NFC EAST

1. Cowboys - They obviously feel like Miles Austin's year last year was not a fluke, as they paid him $50 million. If they can get that same productivity, as well as production from Felix Jones and Marion Barber, the offense will be easy for Tony Romo to manage. Record: 11-5

2. Redskins - I really don't like the rest of the NFC East at all this year. Like, if I hear that this is the best division in football when the second best team finishes 8-8 I'm going to flip. Anyway, the Skins shouldn't be too bad, as McNabb is still one of the 10 best QBs in the league. Switching to a 3-4 might be tough to get used to, and there will be games that their alone defense loses. Record: 8-8

3. Giants - I don't really think their offense will be that good this year, while their run defense is still suspect. That being said their passing defense is still one of the best in the league, and if they get early leads they will feast on opportunistic QBs. Record: 8-8

4. Eagles - I'm not sold on Kevin Kolb. They won't say it back home, but from an outside perspective I can't see how it's not a rebuilding year for the E-A-G-L-E-S eagles. Record: 7-9


AFC EAST

1. Jets - They took their time, but finally got their man signed. They also signed numerous big named free agents such as Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor, and Santonio Holmes. Their D is top notch, but their season will go as far as Mark Sanchez can take them. Record: 11-5

2. Patriots - New England has a young secondary which is their biggest weakness, but their biggest strength (#12) should probably make up for it most of the time. Record: 10-6

3. Dolphins - The wild cat is the wild card in this division. Bringing in F My Blog favorite/headache Brandon Marshall will make it easier on up-and-coming QB Chad Henne. Record: 8-8

4. Bills - please. Record 4-12


NFC SOUTH

1. Saints - A lot of experts are picking the Falcons to take the division and put the defending champs in the wild card. Not me. Record: 11-5

2. Falcons - So much of their season will live and die on the performance of QB Matt Ryan and his key receivers Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez. Even though they didn't make the playoffs, last season, the Falcons could boast producing consecutive winnings seasons for the first time in franchise history. Record: 10-6

3. Panthers - Thankfully for the Panthers they can pound the ball on the ground led by DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Defensively they shed Julius Peppers so the D-line could be problematic. Same goes for their season. Record: 6-10

4. Buccaneers - Offensively the Bucs are challenged as they don't have much of a running game -- and who knows how quickly young quarterback Josh Freeman will grow or if he even will? Last season they averaged just 15 points a game. Record: 4-12


AFC SOUTH

1. Colts - Peyton Manning is still the best QB in the game. Record: 10-6

2. Titans - Vince Young had a rebirth last year and hopes to find the same kind of success for the full 2010 season. Record: 10-6

3. Texans - Really, shouldn't the Texans have had that breakout season that everyone seems to predict by now? Record: 9-7

4. Jaguars - It should be a painful year to watch for the hundreds of Jaguars fans. Record: 5-11


NFC North

1. Packers - Rodgers has matured into a fine talent and with receivers such as Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and third-year tight end Jermichael Finley, he has plenty of surehanded receivers. Record: 12-4

2. Vikings - He's back. Is anyone surprised? Record: 9-7

3. Bears - Record: 8-8

4. Lions - The Lions will once again be lousy in 2010 even though they reached rock bottom two years ago and are making a slow climb back to mediocrity. On the plus side they have a young talent in QB Matthew Stafford and a terrific wide receiver in Calvin Johnson. Record: 3-13


AFC North

1. Ravens - My now-hometown team looks better than ever. Maybe even better than 2000. Record: 12-4

2. Bengals - Maybe it's because I'm a sucker, but I'm buying the hype. Record: 11-5

3. Steelers - BigBen might not even start? yikes. Record: 6-10

4. Browns - Sigh. Record: 3-13


NFC West

1. 49ers - Alex Smith is showing signs that he's a legitimate starting quarterback and they sport a terrific running back in Frank Gore. The passing game has got to succeed to lessen Gore's load. Record: 8-8

2. Cardinals - This one's easy -- no Kurt Warner, no Anquan Boldin, no playoffs. Record: 7-9

3. Seahawks - Pete Carroll's back in the NFL. Enuff said. Record: 6-10

4. Rams - Sam Bradford should bring some excitement back to the franchise which not so long ago was billed as the Greatest Show on Turf. They may not be the greatest this season but they will be improved. Record: 6-10


AFC West

1. Chargers - The division you've been waiting for. I think SD won't dominate the regular season like they normally do, but they should easily coast to another division title. Record: 10-6

2. Broncos - TIM TEBOW IZ THE FUTURE!! Honestly, I think we should be good on offense and if we get any prodcution from our defense we could finally have that elusive winning record. Record: 9-7

3. Chiefs - They have young talent but I think they are just one year away from being relavent... and as their luck would have it, there may not be a next year. Record: 7-9

4. Raiders - Many predicting them to finish 2nd, but these people are forgetting that they are the Raiders.