Predicting the 2009-2010 NFL Playoff Teams

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Santonio Holmes #10 of of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy as team owner Dan Rooney and head coach Mike Tomlin looks on after the Steelers won 27-23 against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl

Wondering what the 2009-2010 NFL Playoffs are going to look like? Get the answers right here. In this slideshow, you'll find the top six NFC and top six AFC teams to combine for the top 12 NFL Playoff teams. There are some surprises!

You won't even need to watch the NFL this upcoming season. Go on vacation, spend time outside, because I've got all your answers right here!

Just sit back, relax, and watch the 2009-2010 NFL season play out right in front of your eyes in just a matter of minutes!

12. San Francisco 49ers (9-7)

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 30: Mike Singletary, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers watches from the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills on November 30, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The 49ers won 10-3. (Photo by Rick Stewar

The San Francisco 49ers will be the sixth best team in the NFC.

New head coach Mike Singletary will lead with a different style and motivate his team to win. Behind their new physical style and taking advantage of a very weak 2009 NFC West, the Niners will squeeze into the party at 9-7.

11. Houston Texans (10-6)

HOUSTON - DECEMBER 14: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans scrambles with the ball against the Tennessee Titans on December 14, 2008 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Texans won 13-12. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Houston Texans will win the second wild card in the AFC.

As long as Matt Schaub stays healthy, the Houston offense will be one of the best in the conference. With a surprising defense and strong special teams unit, the Texans will shock the NFL and make their first ever playoff appearance.

10. Carolina Panthers (10-6)

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 08: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers gets ready to move at the snap during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 8, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Ge

The Carolina Panthers will rebound from their deflating loss to the eventual NFC Champion Cardinals in last year's divisional round and win a wild card spot in '09.

The Panthers defense will be one of the best, and the Panthers offense will show they can be explosive.

9. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers greets the Minnesota Vikings mascot Ragnar the Viking following the game on November 12, 2006 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-1

The Vikings will welcome Brett Favre to town and thank him with a division title.

With Favre once again out of retirement, this time wearing Viking purple, Minnesota will win the North. However, Favre's shoulder will wear down again, and the Vikes will fall short of any Super Bowl visions.

8. Tennessee Titans (11-5)

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 07: Running back Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the game on December 7, 2008 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Titans will top the AFC South for the second season in a row.

Behind the AFC's best running game and one of the top defensive units, the Titans will fight to an 11-5 record.

7. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints pumps his fist during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2008 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

With a suddenly solid defense, a great running game led by Pierre Thomas, and a top QB in Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints will take the top spot in the NFC South.

6. New York Jets (11-5)

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: Rex Ryan addresses the media during a press conference after being named the new Head Coach of the New York Jets at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on January 21, 2009 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Ma

New head coach Rex Ryan will change the mentality and style of play in New York. The Jets will have a dominant defense, strong running game, and be a very physical football team.

Rookie QB Mark Sanchez will get a lot of help from the running game behind Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and third-round pick Shonn Greene.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Steelers won 27-23 against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadiu

The Super Bowl XLIII champions will make a run at defending their title. The Steelers will again win the AFC North and go deep into the playoffs. Their defense will be dominant, and their offense will be very good.

4. New York Giants (12-4)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 21: Running back Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants runs against the Carolina Panthers on December 21, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The New York Giants' running game was one of the best in '08, and it'll have to come up big again in 2009. With the loss of top wide receiver Plaxico Burress, the Giants' pass offense could struggle.

Brandon Jacobs and the run game will have to be as good as ever. I think they will get it done. Along with the running game, the defense will be very dominant and help the Giants win the wild card.

3. San Diego Chargers (13-3)

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after defeating the Denver Broncos in the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 28, 2008 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 52--21. (P

Philip Rivers will lead one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2009.

With the dominant San Diego offense, and the defense returning to its old form, the Chargers will easily win the weak AFC West.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 11: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off of the field after defeating the New York Giants during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo

Donovan McNabb got what he wanted this offseason: He got his weapons, as the Eagles added WR Jeremy Maclin in April's draft, and he got his new contract. McNabb will have more to celebrate in '09 when the Eagles make a return trip to the Super Bowl.

1. New England Patriots (13-3)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 23: Randy Moss #81 and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stand on the sideline against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 23, 2007 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Patriots won 28-7. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Gett

Tom Brady and Randy Moss are itching to get back onto the field together. Brady is coming off major knee surgery, which kept him out most of 2008. In 2007, Brady and Moss hooked up 23 times, a record for Moss, and Brady tossed another 27 TDs to total 50, also a record.

In 2009, the Pats will reach the top of the mountain for the fourth time this decade and be crowned champions!

Recap

SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field during the AFC Wild Card Game against the San Diego Chargers on January 3, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty

I'm sure this list shocked you in different ways. You're probably thinking I'm crazy putting the Niners, Texans, and even Saints into the playoffs. You probably think I'm even crazier leaving out strong teams from '08 like Atlanta, Arizona, Baltimore, or Miami.

But I bet the biggest problem you have with this list is the fact Peyton Manning and the Colts will miss the playoffs. I think the many changes in Indy will really hurt them. Mainly, I think injuries will plague the Colts.

I'm not saying they're going to go 4-12. They'll be in the playoff hunt; they'll just fall short.

Maybe I am crazy—who knows?

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