2010 NFL Season Preview
With the NFL season kicking off Thursday, I figured what better time than now to do a quick preview of what might be to come. For all you fantasy football geeks (myself included), the season brings w/ it more than just the games themselves – it’s your time to shine & dominate your league.
Saints vs. Vikings Highlights New Season
On Thursday night, we get a great game right from the get-go, as the two teams from the NFC Championship game re-unite to see who might be the dominant team for the 2010-11 season. I haven’t seen the New Orleans Saints play in the preseason, but I have no doubt that Drew Brees & Sean Payton will have the team ready to go in the rematch. On the other side of the ball, we have Brett Favre who tries to lead a banged up Minnesota Vikings squad into a new season with high hopes. After nearly retiring (again), Favre comes back to a team missing several key targets on offense, but that shouldn’t be an excuse – although I expect Brett to come up w/ something mid-way thru the season as to why he’s not 100%.
Easy pick here… Saints.
Those That Have It
There are a slew of good teams this year and all will be expected to perform up to their high expectations. Anything less than a playoff win for any of these teams would be considered a disappointment. Here are the NFL teams most likely to advance deep into the playoffs this season (barring catastrophe) – in no particular order:
- New York Jets – Fresh off re-signing Darrelle Revis to a new 4-yr deal, the Jets offseason moves are intended for one thing and one thing onlly… Super Bowl victory or bust.
- New England Patriots – Any time you have Tom Brady behind center, good things are expected.
- Dallas Cowboys – Could this be the year in Big ‘D? Super Bowl on-site, high expectations… Colossal failure to ensue.
- Indianapolis Colts – See Patriots above, replace Brady w/ Peyton Manning.
- New Orleans Saints – Fresh off a Super Bowl victory last season, anything less will be an under-achievement.
- Green Bay Packers – Offense is spectacular w/ Aaron Rodgers at QB, but unless the defense picks it up, this team won’t reach it’s full potential.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Surprising run last year, including a sweep of their division – tougher road ahead this year, but Carson Palmer will have plenty of help w/ the likes of Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Chris Benson.
- Baltimore Ravens – Joe Flacco is another year older and the receiving core has been drastically upgraded to compliment the strong running attack.
- San Diego Chargers – Even without Vincent Jackson, Phillip Rivers and the defense should be able to lead this team into the playoffs and god help them, to a playoff victory.
Pick to win it… New York Jets.
Those That Don’t
Sure, there are a few teams on the cusp of what it takes to reach and/or advance in the NFL playoffs, but until they show up and actually do it, it doesn’t mean shit.
Here is the laundry list of teams that are basically playing for a high NFL Draft pick and/or next season already:
- NFC West: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
- NFC South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- NFC North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
- NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants
- AFC South: Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars
- AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns
- AFC East: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills
- AFC West: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs
Breakout team…. Houston Texans.
For more in-depth division analysis, please visit our friends at AllSportsTalk.net.
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