The Eagles seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as they eye a trip to the Super Bowl.
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AFC East
1. New England Patriots: The Patriots, after going through losing Tom Brady two seasons ago, then a rebuilding year defensively last year, are poised to make a run in their division this year. I believe that Brady, a season removed from knee surgery, will bounce back close to 2007 form.
With the same weapons (Julian Edelman is Wes Welker?s clone, so I?m not worried about Welker?s injury if he doesn?t hold up) at wide receiver, and an upgraded depth chart at tight end (Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez along with probable Week 1 starter Alge Crumpler). Head Coach Bill Belicheck?s emphasis on a tough, physical running game has Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris as his poster boys.
The defensive line, even with the loss of DE Ty Warren, still looks strong enough to slow opposing running backs down. The rebuilt secondary with second year players S Patrick Chung and DB Darius Butler, along with this year?s 1st round draft pick Devin McCourty, the Patriots have one of the most athletic defensive backfields in the league.
I expect the Patriots to do very well in their division, which is one of the stronger ones.
2, New York Jets: The hype and expectations on the Jets is pretty much nothing more than vapid hype and expectations. Don?t get me wrong, they?re a good football team and did a great job of upgrading in the offseason, but they are nowhere close to being a Super Bowl caliber club.
Now that CB Darrelle Revis is no longer a holdout, the Jets have the best defensive backfield in football with Revis, newly acquired corners Antonio Cromartie and rookie Kyle Wilson. The Jets expect their defense to keep them in close games throughout the year and they look like they can accomplish that now that Revis is back.
However, the biggest difference maker for the Jets this season is QB Mark Sanchez. To his credit, he?s worked his tail off this offseason, but his work hasn?t translated to the preseason games. The passing game still looks out of rhythm and Sanchez continues to make questionable decisions with the football.
RB?s Shonne Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson will both have huge years as this offense?s focus will still be the running game. The loss of G Alan Faneca (Arizona) will hurt but they still have veteran FB Tony Richardson who is the best at his position ? especially when it comes to run blocking. Once newly acquired WR Santonio Holmes returns from suspension (give two games for Sanchez and him to get in synch), the Jets will win one or two of the tough matchups they have in the middle of their schedule.
The Jets will squeak into the playoffs at the end of the year due to winning a must-win Week 14 matchup versus the Miami Dolphins as well as benefiting from an easy schedule their last two games of the year (Week 16 at Chicago, Week 17 vs. Bills). That being said, they won?t be the hot team in the playoffs and will face an early exit.
3. Miami Dolphins: Miami landed a gamebreaker in WR Brandon Marshall this offseason and he has meshed well with QB Chad Henne this preseason. Along with the powerful running game Miami deploys with RB?s Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, this offense is no longer one dimensional.
With new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, LB Karlos Dansby, and one of the better CB tandems in Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, the Miami defense will be dangerous. Think Denver last year, but packed with talent. Thus, the defense will keep them in games and that means that the entire success of this offense falls on QB Chad Henne. Henne had a decent season in 2009 with a below average receiving group that, with the exception of Marshall, has not been upgraded. I fear that Miami, historically a strong running team, will struggle doing so early on leading to an ill-advised identity switch. They?ll be in multiple close games but they?re one draft away from being a contender. That being said, no team can feel safe with a victory playing Miami. Their record in 2010 will not demonstrate the strength of this club.
4. Buffalo Bills: The Bills have problems everywhere. WR Lee Evans is not a legitimate primary receiver on any offense except for this one. The defense lost their best player in DE Aaron Schobel due to retirement, but to be honest, I don?t blame him for not wanting to come back. The quarterback position is the biggest problem on this team. Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick have no weapons to throw the ball to and stand behind a weak offensive line ? all recipes for disaster. There are some talented players on this team in rookie RB CJ Spiller along with CB Jarius Byrd but that?s it. Unfortunately, a tough schedule along with a lack of talent has this team drafting the first overall pick next year.
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys: Dallas has big dreams to be the ?first? NFL team to host a Super Bowl in their own home stadium (49ers played at nearby Stanford Stadium in 1985). Their offense will go as far as rookie WR Dez Bryant is immediately good. If he isn?t as good as Dallas expects him to be, then ?America?s Team? will be watching the Super Bowl with the rest of America. All these excuses of running vanilla offensive plays in the preseason is nonsense. Super Bowl teams can run vanilla plays and still execute, but Dallas couldn?t execute anything offensively this preseason even if all they had to do was flip a switch.
The Cowboys defense is one of the best in the NFL, but will be tested with a very tough second half schedule. The defense has top talent everywhere starting with LB DeMarcus Ware, LB Keith Brooking, DE Marcus Spears, DT Jay Ratliff, and CB Mike Jenkins.
If the offense struggles, this team can still win games with their defense alone which is why they win their division. If the offense can get hot at the start of the postseason, they very well could end up in the NFC Championship game.
2. New York Giants The Giants strength for the past few seasons has been their offensive line. Now banged up and in transition, this team will not be the same. Furthermore, Brandon Jacobs is no longer a threat at running back and Ahmad Bradshaw will become the main option out of the backfield. Unfortunately, that won?t solve their problems running the football and the running game will suffer this season.
The Giants defense has questions as well, especially at linebacker with the retiring of their defensive leader, Antonio Pierce. The Giants brought in veteran LB Keith Bulluck to replace him, but his supporting cast at linebacker is too weak for this move to make an impact. The defense line is a question mark but not due to talent. The Giants didn?t pass rush as well in 2009 and won?t again this year, mainly because each defensive end is too specialized in what their strengths are.
They have offensive weapons in WR?s Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks, but all the stress will be on Eli Manning to produce under constant pressure from the opposing team?s pass rush. That being said, this team is in trouble and I don?t think Manning comes through for them this year in a very balanced, tough division along with just as tough a schedule (Division, AFC South and NFC North).
3. Washington Redskins: The addition of Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan has automatically upgraded this offense into one that can at least score more than two touchdowns a game. My only question is his health, which has already left Week 1 in question and I could see McNabb missing more games this season ? especially behind this offensive line.
The Redskins have talented players on defense and could be one of the better squads this season behind LB Brian Orakpo. The Albert Haynseworth distraction will draw annoyances, but could perhaps rally the team as a whole.
My concern is the depth at receiver and if another receiver can emerge along side Santana Moss. I don?t believe Joey Galloway is the answer, so I?d look at Anthony Armstrong if he?s given the opportunity.
After bringing in multiple veteran running backs, Shanahan settled for Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. Both backs are looking to recreate their glory years, but their durability and effectiveness are both huge question marks.
TE Chris Cooley looked healthy and played very well this preseason. He looked to have built a strong chemistry with McNabb so it?s possible he has a big year. This team will finally be competitive and a couple games could swing differently but I don?t see them making the playoffs.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Gone are the stars that made the Eagles competitive every year this decade. QB Kevin Kolb has looked good in the games he?s played this preseason and certainly has weapons around him. DeSean Jackson is one of the most explosive receivers in the game and LeSean McCoy is an amazing talent both running and receiving. TE Brent Celek will have a breakout year, because he is Kolb?s favorite target as demonstrated this preseason.
With all this praise, one would think that I have them going deep into the playoffs, but I don?t. I see them as a .500 ball club give or take a game only because I don?t believe that QB Kevin Kolb is a winner. He will run the offense and manage the game, but from what I?ve seen, he?s not the quarterback who can win his team ballgames. Not to mention, I see them losing their first two games (Packers, Lions) causing outright panic in Philadelphia and stress on the team. They?ll bounce back for a few games but everything unravels after their bye week with a very tough second half schedule.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans: Now that Houston has found a running back that can hang onto the ball in Arian Foster, this offense is set to accomplish big things. Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and the entire Texans offense will give the team the same phenomenal production we?re accustomed to seeing. However, the main difference this year compared to years prior is that they will win the close games - especially against their rival the Colts where they will win BOTH meetings this year.
Although they lost a good corner in Dunta Robinson this offseason and are losing Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing for the first four games, this defense will get it done when it counts. DE Mario Williams has yet to have his ?breakout? season, but he is still very consistent (averaging almost 10 sacks/year since 2006). LB Demaco Ryans is the most underrated defensive player in the NFL, as one of the game?s best linebackers. The pieces are certainly in place and this is finally the year that Houston puts it all together for a playoff birth.
2. Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Mannnig and the Colts offense will always be among the league?s best, that is a given. However, in 2010 the Colts defense will be the thorn in their hide. The Colts simply lack depth on their team - especially on defense- as demonstrated this preseason where their reserves were destroyed. That being said, their starters on defense also gave up chunk of yards and points in the preseason. The Colts will reach the playoffs, but their defense, along with the new position of the Umpire, will cost them wins they would have secured in past seasons. If the league does keep the Umpire on the offensive side behind Manning, the delay in when he is allowed to snap the ball will continue to disrupt the timing of the Colts hurry-up offense.
3. Tennessee Titans: Tennessee is intriguing because they have such amazing talent at key positions. RB Chris Johnson is by far the best back in the NFL right now and having QB Vince Young as the starter only makes their running attack stronger (Young?s ability to move outside the pocket keeps opposing lineman honest and in their zones because they have to respect Young?s speed as well as Johnson?s ). However, Young doesn?t have a true primary receiver on the team. Second year receiver Kenny Britt showed promise last season but he would need to take a quantum leap to become a legitimate number one. The remainder of the receiving group, including the tight ends, is average at best.
Last season, Tennessee's defensive backs were exposed due to the absence of a legitimate pass rush. Compounding that problem this season is that the Titans have done little to address that flaw. They drafted DE Derrick Morgan (who had a mediocre preseason- mostly due to a nagging calf injury), but lost veterans DE Kyle Vandenbosch and MLB Keith Bulluck to free agency. Demonstrated this preseason, the Titans will struggle to score sans Chris Johnson and lack enough talent on defense to keep games close.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars are in trouble this season. They have two offensive powers along with a scrappy Titans team in their division. Although their schedule makes an 8-8 year appear possible, looks can be deceiving. Head Coach Jack Del Rio?s mantra is to possess a team with strong defense, strong offensive lineman, and toughness. Unfortunately, you won?t find any of these things on the 2010 squad. The defense lacks any legitimate playmakers (DE Aaron Kampman has the potential to be one but requires talent around him to be one), the offensive line looks atrocious, and the only tough thing about this team is trying to pronounce their 2010 first round pick?s name (DT Tyson Alualu).
Obviously RB Maurice Jones-Drew is the playmaker for this offense, followed by breakout star WR Mike Sims-Walker but top talent ends there. WR Mike Thomas is a speedster and veteran TE Mercedes Lewis has the tools to be a decent option in the passing game. So, if there?s all these positives then why no love? Plain and simple: the offensive line. In every preseason game this season, the offensive line failed to open holes for 5?8 Jones-Drew and QB David Garrard was rushed on most plays against mediocre pass rushers. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this is Del Rio?s last year in Jacksonville after disappointing losses. They won?t get blown out by very many teams, but they lack the toughness to win many either.
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints: With an unusually weak schedule for a defending Super Bowl champ, New Orleans is returning so many starters from 2009 that not reaching the NFC championship game is unlikely. Can the city of voodoo break the Madden Curse? If any city could, it?s this one and thus far in the preseason, New Orleans looks as powerful as ever on offense. That will spell doom for the rest of the NFC vying for a playoff spot.
The only negative is the loss of Darren Sharper, their biggest playmaker on defense. Sharper created so many turnovers into scores for this team last season that his absence for the majority of the season will hurt. However, this offense is too potent and is so confident that it will overwhelm their opponents this season leading them back to the playoffs.
2. Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta has a solid team with most starters returning from last season. That being said, this is not the same team from a year ago. RB Michael Turner, now healthy, is ready to explode and looked amazing this preseason. TE Tony Gonzalez still looks like one of the NFL's best tight ends.
The addition of Pro Bowl CB Dunta Robinson will give Atlanta a shut down corner on defense to go along with a very strong defensive line. The Falcons defense is poised to take a big step and will be among the leagues best by year?s end.
With all that said, this team will go as far as QB Matt Ryan takes them. They have the potential to be on of the NFL?s best teams if Ryan has a great season, but I don?t see that happening, at least not during the regular season. Ryan will play at the same level as last season but the Falcons have enough pieces to win without him being an All-Pro quarterback.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay continues to rebuild, but at least are moving in the right direction. With two decent drafts in back-to-back years, they are accumulating talent. Rookie DT Gerald Mccoy is definitely the real deal and 2nd year QB Josh Freeman looks to be improved. The name that has all the experts buzzing is rookie WR Mike Williams who amazed the Buccaneer coaching staff in training camp and continued that momentum with a great preseason. Those that haven?t heard of him will certainly know of him by at least Week 3 of the regular season.
Although the Bucs have some good talent at key positions, overall they are still lacking. No talent at linebacker, no talent at tight end (yes, I?m talking about Kellen Winslow), no talent at safety, and a lack of depth at wide receiver. Tampa Bay will compete in some games but still has a ways to go before they will be competitive again. Not to mention, they have two very good teams in their own division that accounts for ? of their schedule.
4. Carolina Panthers: The Carolina Panthers have issues everywhere, a bad match to go with a deceptively tough schedule. The Panthers offensive success last season was based on their running game with two good RB?s in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. With a young QB in Matt Moore, run support, protection, and weapons will be the key to not only his success, but the offense?s as well. Therein lays the problem with Carolina - their offensive line looked atrocious this preseason and couldn?t open holes for their vaunted running attack. Their only playmaker in the passing game, WR Steve Smith, is still recovering from a broken arm and that could effect his production for the first few games this season. After Smith, the Panthers have no talent whatsoever in WR?s Dwayne Jarrett and Brandon Lafell. So if they can?t run and literally have NO receiving weapons for Moore, how are they to succeed offensively? Easy, they won?t.
Compounding the problem is a defense that lost their best player this offseason in DE Julius Peppers to free agency (Chicago). Everette Brown is meant to replace Peppers? production, but although the second-year end has had a nice preseason, he can?t be expected to produce eleven sacks this season - especially considering the lack of talent around him. The Panthers will take another giant step backwards from a team that went to the playoffs only two seasons ago. So big a step that they will be drafting in the top four in 2011.
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens: Key additions to an already good playoff team sets up Baltimore for an optimistic outlook heading into 2010. The biggest additions to this team are the trade for WR Anquan Boldin and the drafting of DT Terrence Cody. Boldin provides yet another target for emerging star QB Joe Flacco. As smooth as Flacco and the Ravens offense looked this preseason, I?d be hard pressed not to put them finishing in the top 5 offensively. Baltimore can certainly run the ball behind a strong offensive line and a dynamic running back in Ray Rice. The big difference now is that with weapons such as Boldin, WR Derrick Mason, and TE Todd Heap they can beat you downfield as well.
Cody provides even more girth on a defensive line that was already strong. So strong now that preseason opponents simply could not run between the tackles against this front. The obvious glaring weakness is their depleted secondary. All-Pro S Ed Reed is out for at least half of the season due to injury and CB Dominique Foxworth is out for the season on injured reserve. The secondary will end up costing the team some games but overall, the Ravens are very strong and can be counted on to make the postseason once again this season.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals will be a victim to the toughest division and a very difficult schedule in 2010. The defense is returning all of their starters and was ranked fourth in the NFL in 2009. The Bengals have the potential to make the postseason, but only if their defense repeats AND the offense builds on their success from last season. The arrival of WR Terrell Owens could be the best bargain buy of the season. Owens looked great this preseason and has an obvious chemistry with QB Carson Palmer ? something WR Chad Ochocinco has always lacked. RB Cedric Benson must stay healthy and recreate his success from the first half of last season for the entire year in order for the Bengals to win. That being said, QB Carson Palmer is the Bengals season. He has weapons at every skill position and a solid running game behind him. Palmer MUST reproduce his 2005 form just for the Bengals to be in contention. This team will be very good but unfortunately their schedule will be too tough to overcome. The Bengals will have to overcome my predicted 0-2 hole and have to win two tough games against either the Falcons (Week 7), Dolphins (Week 8), or San Diego (Week 16) beat the Jets (Week 12) just to have a chance to make the postseason. There are just too many variables to count on Cincinnati making the postseason this year, despite being legitimately a very good team.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cincinnati and Pittsburgh reversing these predicted rankings is very possible, but due to the four game suspension of QB Ben Rothlisberger, I believe the Steelers get off to a 1-3 start. That?s a big hole to climb out from in the toughest division in football. Pittsburgh?s defense will once again be among the best in football with the returned health of S Troy Polomalu. WR Mike Wallace could be this year?s breakout star as the Steelers? deep threat and primary target. WR Hines Ward, nearing end of his career, can still produce as well. Besides Rothlisberger?s suspension, the biggest question for this team is the offensive line and it?s ability to open holes in the running game. Last season, the Steelers were unable to run the ball with consistency and it cost them games. Pittsburgh signed veteran RT Flozell Adams and drafted C Maurkice Pouncey to help but this group has yet to gel together and the former has been consistently burned by speed rushers on the outside this preseason. RB Rashard Mendenhall is a special, bruising talent but could continue to struggle to find holes behind the rebuilt line.
The Steelers? schedule isn?t as tough as the Bengals?, but their season will still come down to the outcomes against the aforementioned divisional foe in Week 9 and 14. If they win BOTH of these games, then they could potentially leapfrog the Bengals to finish second in the AFC North. It?s an uphill climb for the Steelers this season so in order for this team to be in contention, they MUST play Super Bowl championship caliber football ALL YEAR.
4. Cleveland Browns: The Cleveland Browns are still a rebuilding franchise, but they have made strong moves to move in the right direction. The addition of Jake Delhomme is an immediate upgrade at quarterback and the difference was noticeably positive this preseason. Granted there were times the offense struggled but overall, a drastic improvement from last season. RB Jerome Harrison is a decent talent and should be the focal point of this offense. There are questions at the wide receiver position however. Young WR?s Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie need to emerge as legitimate pass catchers this season in order for the Browns to succeed.
The additions of LB?s Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong have automatically upgraded a linebacking group that was the worst in football last season. DT Shaun Rogers is among the games? best if he can stay healthy.
Although the team is headed in the right direction, they?re one or two good drafts away from contending in the AFC North. The Browns will be more competitive but the division is just too strong to give any serious thoughts about Cleveland seriously winning any games against their divisional foes.
NFC North
1. Green Packers: Green Bay looks to be unstoppable this season. QB Aaron Rodgers and the offense are at the peak of their game entering the regular season. With the best receiving group in football in Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and TE Jermichael Finley, there isn?t a team in the NFL that can slow them down. From what he showed in the preseason, Finley will be the top tight end in football this year and is a lock for 13+ TD?s. The Achilles heel for the Packers offense early last year was the offensive line. With the group now healthy and the addition of OT Bryan Bulaga - who can play almost anywhere on the line- adds the depth that they didn?t have.
Once considered a strength, the biggest question is the Packers secondary. Former Pro Bowl CB Al Harris is already injured and CB Charles Woodson, last year?s Defensive Player of the Year, is 33 years old. Nevertheless, the defense should be improved overall now having a full season under Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers? 3-4 scheme. Combine the best offense in football with a relatively easy schedule, 14 wins is certainly not a stretch for this club. In my opinion, this team is the safest bet to reach the Super Bowl this year and the only thing that can stop the Packers is themselves.
2. Minnesota Vikings: With Brett Favre returning, the Vikings look poised for another playoff run. However, looks can be very deceiving as the first half of their schedule is very difficult. This tough schedule early in the season also coincides with the missed time of primary target WR Sidney Rice, who is out with a hip injury for at least eight games. Certainly the Vikings have other weapons at their disposal in WR Percy Harvin, TE Visanthae Shiancoe, and gamebreaker RB Adrian Peterson. However, the loss of Rice is larger than the team and people realize. He was Favre?s favorite target last year and that camaraderie has yet to develop with any of the other wide receivers on the team (minus Harvin). WR Bernard Berrian is coming off a terrible preseason and newly acquired WR Greg Camarillo may take time to develop the rhythm necessary for the Vikings to compete with the top teams they face in the opening half of the season. Peterson must learn to let his blocks develop in order for him to carry the load of the offense.
The Vikings defense is definitely a good one, but showed cracks against high-powered offenses last season, which has carried over to this preseason. Favre will not have the same year statistically that he had last season and there are questions as to whether or not his ankle will hold up the whole year. There?s enough talent on this team for them to win games and make the playoffs but they will not be as much a threat in the postseason as they were last year.
3. Detroit Lions: Due to good drafts over the past two years, Detroit's defense has the capability to return to respectability. It?s not clear if the defense will be good enough to keep them in games, but with second-year S Louis Delmas, rookie DT Ndamkong Suh, and newly acquired DE Kyle Vandenbosch and CB Dre Bly, they?re no longer a ?circle win?. QB Matthew Stafford will take the next step to becoming an elite NFL quarterback and has plenty of weapons to help him. As a rookie, RB Jahvid Best is better than most seasoned backs in the league and is definitely a breakout star who will demonstrate that this season. WR Calvin Johnson will be motivated to bounce back off an injury plagued 2009 campaign. This team will be very competitive, which is saying a lot considering where they?ve come from two seasons ago. Do NOT sleep on this team this year.
4. Chicago Bears: The Bears have made the biggest moves the past two off-seasons in acquiring QB Jay Cutler after the 2008 season and DE Julius Peppers this year. From a talent perspective, those are two of the games? best at their positions respectively. However, talent and execution are two very different things. Cutler continued to force passes into coverage this preseason and Peppers? commitment to the game has been in question since even before his arrival to Chicago. The Bears also brought in offensive guru Mike Martz to run their offense with his version of ?Air Coryell? and mentor Cutler. RB Matt Forte is arguably the best receiving back in the game, which reminds me of another receiving back in a Martz system in Marshall Faulk.
With all these positive additions then why won?t they win games in 2010? The answer is the same answer to their failure in 2009: The offensive line. Last season, opposing defenses were able to pressure Cutler consistently leading the young QB to make poor decisions. The same offensive line was unable to open running lanes for Forte leaving them with one of the worst rushing offenses in the league.
Even with high-profile names on defense with Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, there are too many high-powered offenses within their own division for the Bears to stay competitive. This will be Lovie Smith?s last season in Chicago and the Bears will be drafting in the top 10 next season.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers: In a division with such a large disparity between the quality of teams, it really isn?t a question that the Chargers will win a very weak AFC West. Rookie phenom RB Ryan Matthews has looked amazing this preseason and will not only contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but perhaps for the AFC rushing title as well. His bruising style complements the finesse passing game of the Chargers well. QB Philip Rivers has looked fabulous this preseason connecting with new starters WR?s Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee and perennial Pro-Bowl TE Antonio Gates. What?s to be noted is that Rivers has looked just as good moving the offense without two of San Diego?s best players in WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus Mcneill. Obviously, losing these two players to contract holdouts does hurt the Chargers but if the preseason is any indication, it won?t hurt them nearly as much as originally thought.
What will hurt the Chargers more is the loss of CB Antonio Cromartie who they traded away to the Jets this offseason. In what was once a strong, tough defense, the Chargers must apply more pressure to the opposing quarterback in order for their 2010 postseason to move past the Divisional round. The key to this pressure is the health of controversial LB Shawne Merriman. If he can match or come close to matching his 2006 form when he had 17 sacks, the Chargers will dominate their competition on both sides of the ball. Nevertheless, the Chargers are the only team in the NFL that can actually afford to not play their best football this season and still make the postseason. This is due to their soft schedule that accounts for the majority of their season; two Divisional matchups against Kansas City, Oakland and Denver added to inter-divisional matchups against the equally weak NFC West as well.
2. Oakland Raiders: The Raiders have quietly put together a strong football team as they attempt to pull themselves out of a horrible string of seasons since reaching the Super Bowl in 2003. There is definitely talent on this club and this team will surprise a lot of people this season. Running back is definitely a position where the Raiders are blessed with talent. RB?s Darren McFadden and Michael Bush are arguably the most talented duo in the league. Unfortunately, neither back has put together a full season to demonstrate these talents. Young WR?s Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy are also very talented, but like their running counterparts, they have been unable to demonstrate these talents at little fault of their own.
The most publicized move the Raiders made this offseason was acquiring QB Jason Campbell from the Redskins. Although this is a huge step above draft bust QB JaMarcus Russell, Campbell is not the answer, just a replacement. The Raiders now at least have a signal-caller that can actually get the ball to the talent they?ve collected which makes this team more dangerous than they?ve been in eight seasons.
However, the most important move the Raiders made was to acquire LB Kamerion Wimbley to shore up their pass rush but who is also good in space. Adding Wimbley with rookie LB Rolando McClain gives the Raiders a linebacking group they can count on for years. DE Richard Seymour is definitely out to prove that he has something left and is in a contract year. Overall, the Raiders are definitely headed in the right direction. A soft schedule will help a growing team build some much needed confidence but don?t be surprised if the Raiders keep it close every game this season.
3. Denver Broncos: The Denver Broncos, in an effort to get better as a team, got rid of the two most important reasons they won games last season in WR Brandon Marshall and Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan (coincidentally they both are in Miami now). With two people that won them ballgames last year now departed, I don?t see how they?ll be any better this season. Nevertheless, the Broncos have faith in QB Kyle Orton to get the job done. Plain and simple, Orton is a winner and has done so on very mediocre teams (Chicago and Denver). Denver lacks a big play receiver and needs WR?s Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal to step up in order for the Broncos offense to be effective. RB Knowshown Moreno is extremely talented, but has lacked the durability necessary to be a feature back.
The defense lost their biggest playmaker in LB Elvis Dumervil for the entire season. Nolan was able to find ways to apply pressure with very little talent last season. The talent on this defense has certainly not improved, creating doubts as to how they will pressure the opposing quarterback. The Broncos are relying on a veteran backfield to anchor this defense with former Pro Bowlers S Brian Dawkins and CB Champ Bailey. Without pressure, however, any backfield can look ordinary.
The aforementioned weak schedule will mask the fact that the Broncos just aren?t very good. Also masked in the ?weak? schedule are some tough games against Houston, Indianapolis, Baltimore, and the New York Jets. The Broncos are in for a tough, long season as they watch the teams in their division get better, while they go in reverse.
4. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are still rebuilding and attempting to recreate ?The Patriot Way? in Kansas City. Head Coach Todd Haley has brought in former offensive and defensive coordinators from New England?s quasi-dynasty in Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel. But Kansas City does not have the same talent the Patriots had earlier this decade.
The most glaring hole is on the defensive line and the Chiefs have used multiple high draft choices over the past few years to accumulate talent here - most notably former first round picks DE Tyson Jackson, DE Glenn Dorsey and DE Tamba Hali (who?s now moved to LB). Unfortunately, that talent has yet to produce much of anything for the Chiefs thus, their defense isn?t very good. The addition of rookie S Eric Berry brings talent to a secondary that desperately needs it.
QB Matt Cassel, another former member of the Patriots, leads an offense that will more than likely struggle again this season. The addition of RB Thomas Jones brings more depth at running back and will be a nice tandem with RB Jamaal Charles. WR Dwayne Bowe, another former first round pick, is looking to bounce back after an off-year in 2009. Bowe certainly has the talent, but like the rest of the Chiefs recent 1st round picks, he has yet to fully demonstrate that talent. WR Chris Chambers doesn?t look like he has anything left. The Chiefs must establish a running game, perhaps more than any other team, in order to succeed.
Although the foundation is in place, the Chiefs are in need of too many pieces to be considered anything close to a contender. Expect the Chiefs to be drafting in the top 5 once again in 2011.
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers are the strong favorite to win a very weak NFC West in 2010. For the first time in eight seasons, the 49ers have a QB in Alex Smith that they believe can win games. Given his production as a starter during the second half of last season, that belief is well justified. RB Frank Gore is one of the best backs and gives them a home run threat. The offensive line, although upgraded with two first round picks in RT Anthony Davis and G Mike Iupati, is still a question mark. San Francisco had trouble opening running lanes for Gore on a consistent basis last season and will be paramount to their success in 2010. WR Michael Crabtree demonstrated how talented he can be in a short season (holdout) last year, but didn?t play a single preseason game in 2010 for injury reasons this time. His partnership with Alex Smith will be vital to this offense and if it fails, so will this offense. TE Vernon Davis emerged as one of the best tight ends in football last season and should continue that newfound success.
The defense, anchored by the best linebacker in football in LB Patrick Willis, is a stout one. They are extremely tough to run the football against but there is a huge hole in the defensive backfield. The 49ers lack talent and depth at this position and it could cost them this season. This team benefits from an easy schedule, playing against weak divisional opponents and the AFC West. If they win the games they ?should? win, the 49ers could potentially win 11 games. Those that disagree should merely look at the two plays that cost them close games last season which, had they won, would have put the 49ers at 10-6 last season against a much tougher schedule.
2. Seattle Seahawks: This offseason, Seattle and new Head Coach Pete Carroll have made more trades than the entire league combined. Quietly, they have accumulated more talent than they have possessed since their Super Bowl year in 2005. Unfortunately, this team is still rebuilding, yet will definitely be more competitive than last season. The Seahawks have added more depth at the running back position with RB Leon Washington, but the most talented back they have is RB Justin Forsett. Forsett is a gamebreaker and has the potential to be a breakout star if only the offensive line could provide the holes. First round pick LT Russell Okung was meant to upgrade a weak line and will?but not before they lose their important opening game versus the 49ers as he sits out with an injured ankle. QB Matt Hasselbeck will start the season, but I believe that backup QB Charlie Whitehurst, after a good preseason, will emerge as the starter by mid-season. The Seahawks MUST find a legitimate wideout in their group of retreads. The recent release of TJ Houshmandzadeh demonstrates their confidence in WR Mike Williams who looked the part of a big game receiver this preseason and I believe he will become the receiving threat they have so desperately sought.
The defense has a lot of talent with LB?s Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu, and rookie S Earl Thomas. Unfortunately the Seahawks defensive line is mediocre at best and will continue to give up rushing yards just as they did last season. Ultimately, Seattle has improved very quickly, even if they?re still figuring things out and that will show.
3. Arizona Cardinals: After losing almost all of the playmakers that got Arizona to the Super Bowl two seasons ago, this is still a team that can win games ? just not that many. QB Derek Anderson will lead an offense that requires WR Steve Breaston to play bigger than he ever has in his career. WR Larry Fitzgerald may not put up the same statistics we?re accustomed to seeing from him until Breaston can prove he belongs and this may take a few games. Pro Bowl G Alan Faneca is a huge addition to the running game and the RB tandem of Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells will certainly benefit from Faneca?s arrival.
The defense, although they lost LB Karlos Dansby (Miami) and S Antrell Rolle (NY Giants), replaced these players with veteran LB Joey Porter and S Kerry Rhodes. They still have their best player in unsung hero DT Darnell Dockett so it?s very possible that this defense is equal to what they?ve had the past few seasons. However, what they?ve had the past few seasons was a pretty good ? not great - defense.
Plain and simple, Anderson is the key to this team?s success in 2010. However, because they won the NFC West last season, they face tough matchups against division winners from last season (New Orleans and Dallas) that their divisional foes will not be forced to contend against. In a balanced division, that tips the balance of power away from Arizona this year.
4. St. Louis Rams: St. Louis is virtually an expansion team, with a rebuilding process that remains in its infancy. Rookie QB Sam Bradford will start the season to begin accumulating experience for 2011. Bradford looked pretty good for a rookie QB this preseason, but he will naturally struggle as he learns the speed of the game. That and the fact there just isn?t any talent around him to speak of excluding RB Steven Jackson. With primary target WR Donnie Avery out for the season, the Rams have the weakest receiving group in football.
St. Louis has used multiple high draft picks to upgrade their defense but it?s far away from where it needs to be to win games. The Rams will sneak a handful of wins this season ? all upsets ? perhaps against Carolina, Oakland, or Kansas City. There?s still too many pieces needed for this team to be taken seriously but they?ll be improved now that they have a talented quarterback.
