2010 NFL Predictions

Like last year, I had to get these down somewhere -

NFC
1. Packers 12-4
2. Saints 11-5
3. 49ers 11-5
4. Redskins 10-6
5. Cowboys 10-6
6. Vikings 9-7

Just missed: Falcons (9-7), Panthers (8-8), Eagles (8-8).

I know, the Packers are a trendy pick, but that's for good reason. That offense is going to be insane. They're just going to score and score and score. It's also their second year in the 3-4, and that extra year of familiarity with the system should be enough to prevent any more 50-point performances like last season in the playoffs. The Saints will take a small step back but will still win enough to get that first round bye. Brees is good enough to get them to that level regardless of any Super Bowl hangover stuff. The Niners will play great D and acceptable O in a stinky division to get themselves to 11-5. McNabb and Shanahan's (and Grossman's!) arrivals in DC should be enough to take that team to another level. But the Cowboys should be right there with them. And the Vikings have good enough line play on both sides of the ball to take them to the playoffs no matter how banged up Favre and crew are. The East will be the deepest division, but the Giants will stink. No more than 6 wins for that group. I think they're just tired of Coughlin.

AFC
1. Colts 13-3
2. Ravens 12-4
3. Patriots 10-5
4. Chargers 9-7
5. Steelers 11-5
6. Titans 10-6

Just missed: Texans (9-7), Dolphins (9-7)

No huge regular season surprises in the AFC. I think the good teams are really good and will take care of business during the regular season. Manning's still a machine, Brady's still Brady, and the Ravens will play good defense with Harbaugh at the helm despite a questionable secondary. I would have picked the Steelers to win that division, but missing Roethlisberger for 4 games will cost them at least one win, but the 2008 champs - with full seasons from critical defensive players like Polamalu and Aaron Smith - will make their way into the playoffs anyway. And I'm officially jumping on the Jellicoe-Klosterman Titan's bandwagon. They've got playmakers on offense with Young and Johnson and a tough defense. They'll edge out Gary Kubiak's perpetual losers in Houston for that last playoff spot. Sure, the Texans have a ton of talent, but they always find a way to lose the close ones. And I hate to break it to them, but it wasn't all Kris Brown's fault. As for the West, somebody has to win it, and the Chargers stink the least.

NFC Championship: Packers over Saints 38-27
AFC Championship: Steelers over Patriots 24-21

Super Bowl: Steelers over Packers 27-24

I don't know if people remember how good that Steeler defense was just two years ago. They have almost all those guys back. Their running game is better. They still have great coaching. And Roethlisberger can make plays outside the pocket as well as anyone. Great defense and enough offense should be good enough for them to earn their third Super Bowl in the past six years.

But judging by my predictions last year, they probably won't even make the playoffs. I don't know why I even bother.