2010 NFL predictions

Just to get on the record with my annual predictions, not that my record is any good. 

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore Ravens, 11-5. Too much good stuff.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8-8. I like their coach, but Big Ben is breaking them.

3. Cleveland Browns. 6-10. Should get better. Too bad there's not a QB on the roster. 

4. Cincinnati Bengals, 5-11. Go ahead, throw things. I'm a hater.

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots, 11-5. A decent team with a great coach & QB.

2. New York Jets, 10-6. Great defense, but second-year QBs often struggle. And where's Revis?

3. Miami Dolphins, 8-8. Everybody thinks they're better, but the Wildcat isn't so wild anymore.

4. Buffalo Bills, 4-12. O dear.

AFC SOUTH

1. Indianapolis Colts, 11-5. Two words: Peyton. Manning.

2. Tennessee Titans, 9-7. They should win more, but I don't trust Vince Young.

3. Houston Texans, 8-8. A mediocre team with some elite talents.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-11. Being so-so for too long always catches up with you in nasty ways.

AFC WEST

1. San Diego Chargers, 10-6. Not a great team. Just better than the others.

2. Denver Broncos, 8-8. I still don't think they're that great, but Orton looks sharp.

2. Oakland Raiders, 8-8. I know, it's hard to imagine. 

3. Kansas City Chiefs, 8-8. Ho-hum.

4. Denver Broncos, 6-10. Because they're really just not that good.

4. Oakland Raiders, 6-10. Any amount of damage to Jason Campbell is a sign from Gawd that these are still the Raiders.

NFC NORTH

1. Green Bay Packers, 9-7. Good quarterback, good defense.

2. Chicago Bears, 9-7. Improved quarterback, slumping defense.

2. Minnesota Vikings, 9-7. Ancient quarterback, aging defense.

3. Detroit Lions, 7-9. Rising quarterback and lots of young talent. But still no defense.

4. Chicago Bears, 5-11. They really should be better. There's no logical reason why they're not. But they just don't seem to have improved.

NFC EAST

1.  Dallas Cowboys, 10-6. They're due.

2. New York Giants, 9-7. They're good enough to be annoying.

3. Washington Redskins, 8-8. I don't believe. Not until I see something. 

4. Philadelphia Eagles, 7-9. Not because of McNabb, but because they're overdue for a slouch year.

NFC SOUTH

1. New Orleans Saints, 13-3. Man, the 21st century sure is weird.

2. Atlanta Falcons, 10-6. Not enough to challenge for this division title.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6-10. They're reviving the Tampa Two. Wake me when it's over.

4. Carolina Panthers, 5-10. They should have re-signed Julius Peppers. As their quarterback. 

NFC WEST

1. San Francisco 49ers, 9-7. Somebody has to win this division.

2. Arizona Cardinals, 7-9. They still play defense. 

3. Seattle Seahawks, 7-9. That home field advantage really helps.

4. St. Louis Rams, 3-13. UNESCO should intervene on Sam Bradford's behalf.

AFC WILDCARDS: New York, Tennessee.

NFC WILDCARDS: Atlanta, Minnesota.

AFC Championship: Ravens 31, Colts 30.

NFC Championship: Saints 35, Cowboys 31. 

Super Bowl: Saints 26, Ravens 17. 

NFL MVP: Drew Brees.