2010 NFL PICKS...

THE PICKS ARE IN…

Tonight begins the crazy and unpredictable NFL season. I am extremely excited to see this match up tonight as the Vikings are heading back to New Orleans. I do like the Vikings in this game, I don’t think they will get as much pressure on Favre and that defense will not create the turnovers from a year ago. That being said let me give you my predictions for the upcoming season…

NFC South: ATLANTA FALCONS
Since I do not trust the Saints defense to produce like it did last year, there is no way I can trust them to be as good as they were last year. Darren Sharper will be missed for the 1st 6 games of the season and that leaves a big void on and off the field. I like the addidtion of Sean Weatherspoon for the Falcons. If Ryan, Turner, and co stay healthy, there is no reason to think they will not win the division. Order of Finish: Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Bucs

NFC North: Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers became the quarterback the Packers thought he would be when they finally decided to tell Favre he had to stop stringing them along. They decided it was time to figure out what they had and they have the best young quarterback in the game. Hopefully the offensive line will do a better job keeping him standing up. Ryan Grant needs to provide some security running the ball, but this team will go as far as Aaron Rodgers can throw them. They have a good but underrated and this may be the year they find themselves back in the Super Bowl. Order of Finish: Packers, Vikings, Lions, Bears

NFC West: San Fransico 49ers
In the worst division in football, the niners have the most talent and they may be dangerous in the playoffs. They are exactly the type of team who can win in the playoffs, a good running team, a top 5 defense and a qb who seems to be comfortable in his offense and will not turn the ball over a lot. Plus, the other 3 teams are being led by Sam Bradford (a rookie), Matt Hasselbeck (won’t play all season), and Derek Anderson (should never play again). Order of Finish: 49ers, Seahawks, Cardinals, Rams

NFC East: New York Giants
This may be the best division in the NFC. It could also be one of the worst divisions in the NFC. The Giants must run the ball and I think Ahmad Bradshaw will do that. They also must stay healthy they were injured more than any team in the NFC last season and that cost them a chance to make the playoffs. They did a nice job addressing the holes at safety with the additions of Antrelle Rolle and Deon Grant. Order of Finish: Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins

NFC Wild Card Teams: Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys
The Vikings have one of the best defenses in the league and Brett Favre will play well. Adrian Peterson is a beast at running back and they get the Bears and Lions (who will be much better this year but are still a year away). The stories will be great as we look to see if Favre can lead his team to the Super Bowl in his last season. The Cowboys will try to be the 1st team in History to play in the Super Bowl when it is played at their home field. It will not happen, but it will be a fun story line.
AFC South: Houston Texans
This is the 1st real shocker of my playoff picks, the COLTS WILL NOT WIN THE DIVISION. If the Texans are able to get past the Colts (they find a way to lose to them every year it seems). The Texans look to finally have the total package with Arain Foster, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, & Matt Schaub. The defense is outstanding with Mario Williams, and Brian Cushing leading a young aggressive defense. They find a way to overcome the Colts this year and they are a legit Super Bowl team. Order of Finish: Texans, Colts, Titans, Jaguars

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals
This team has a ton of talent and even more egos. If they do not kill each other, they will win the division. I feel terrible for Carson Palmer having to listen to all of the talking between Ochocinco, T.O., and Cedric Benson. They did add some very nice pieces in the draft in Jordan Shipley (think Wes Welker in New England) and Jermaine Gresham. The defense has been getting better for years and should be good again this year. This will be a great 3 way battle between the Ravens and Steelers as well. Order of Finish: Bengals, Ravens, Steelers, Browns

AFC West: San Diego Chargers
Again, the West is just a bad division. The Raiders had a GREAT off season, better than any team in football. I almost picked them because I do not know how much I trust Ryan Matthews running the ball and Philip Rivers has no help at receiver. Unfortunately, I am not brave enough to pick them. Order of finish: Chargers, Raider, Broncos, Chiefs

AFC East: New England Patriots
I know the Jets have become America’s team, but I am not getting it. They brought in a bunch of older guys who skills have diminished (LaDanian Tomlinson & Jason Taylor) and released all of the leadership from last year (Thomas Jones & Alan Faneca). Yes, they have some good players and yes they made the AFC Title game last year, but there are several reasons to believe the Pats will be better and the Jets will be the same. Last year the Jets only got in the playoffs because the Colts sat their players in week 16. Brady is a year healthier, he has threats at tight end. There is no team in football who utilizes the tight end better than the Pats. That is the running game. Aaron Hernandez may challenge for rookie of the year. The young defense is a year more expierenced. This is the most dangerous that the Pats have been in the last 5 or 6 years. Order of Finish: Patriots, Dolphins, Jets, Bills

AFC Wild Card Teams: Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins.

PLAYOFFS:
Vikings (6) @ Giants (3) = Vikings
Cowboys (5) @ 49ers (4) = Cowboys
Dolphins (6) @ Texans (3) = Texans
Ravens (5) @ Chargers (4) = Ravens

Vikings (6) @ Packers (1)= Packers
Cowboys (5) @ Falcons (2)= Falcons
Ravens (5) @ Bengals (1)= Ravens
Texans (3) @ Patriots (2)= Patriots

Championship Games:
Falcons (2) @ Packers (1)= Packers
Ravens (5) @ Patriots (2)= Patriots

Super Bowl:
Packers v. Patriots

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS:
New England Patriots