NFL Predictions: What a Football Writer Does Post-Super Bowl

It’s only been a week since the New Orleans Saints held up the Lombardi Trophy, but already questions have been looming.

Can they repeat their success? Can Peyton Manning lead the Colts back to the big game next year, or will another AFC upstart steal their thunder? Can Manning actually cement his claim as greatest quarterback of all time? It’s impossible to know now, but judging on where the NFL is at the beginning of 2010 we can make a guess as to who will be in the playoffs next season, and who will be sitting on the sidelines.

Here’s my list of the 12 playoff-ready teams as I see them right now in February 2010:

NFC EAST: DALLAS COWBOYS

This has always been one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. It’s always a race to the finish seeing who will win it out. This year, the Cowboys squeaked by their rivals to clinch the title, and I think they will pull a repeat next year. Tony Romo has proven that he can play with the big boys and doesn’t always choke in big games. The Giants, though they are my second choice in this division, haven’t seemed to recover their swagger after their amazing 2007 season. The Eagles are a giant question mark until they figure out their quarterback situation, and, despite the changes in Washington, the Redskins are still miles away from where they need to be to adequately compete.

NFC NORTH: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

I hesitate to choose the Vikings until the Brett Favre situation plays out. With him, they are easily on track to blow away everyone else in this division again; without him, their only hope is a trade for Donovan McNabb, which is not a guarantee. I am assuming at this point that Favre will not be ready to retire (still). Green Bay is a very close second. Aaron Rodgers is really growing up in his role as a starting quarterback. Unfortunately for Chicago and Detriot fans I don’t see your teams anywhere near the playoffs; they are far too dysfunctional at this point.

NFC SOUTH: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

It’s cliché to choose the reigning champs as the division winners, but New Orleans will be up there again. They are a young team with a brilliant quarterback—who will hopefully gain the recognition he deserves after the Super Bowl—and an explosive offense. Their defense is not too shabby either—pick six in the fourth on Peyton Manning anyone? The Falcons and the Panthers will be in hot pursuit of second place.

NFC WEST: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Yes, I said San Francisco. It would clearly be Arizona again except for one thing—no more Kurt Warner. Matt Leinart has been hot and cold and there’s no way to predict how he will fare next season. This division is so sub-par otherwise that it’s completely reasonable to believe the 49ers can make it all the way to the playoffs. Sadly, I don’t see them going much further than that.

AFC EAST: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

I know, I know: after the Patriots lost the wildcard game to the Ravens, their dominance was declared to be over. Goodbye decade on top, hello fight to lead the division. I don’t buy it. Bill Belichick is still one of the most brilliant coaches in the league, and they still have a little guy named Tom Brady, who will be back to full health next year. Wes Welker had a successful knee surgery, so he should be back. If they work to plug the holes on the defensive and the offensive line, they will be back to dominance. The Jets will test them, but the Patriots will come out on top. Again.

AFC NORTH: BALTIMORE RAVENS

This was the toughest call for me. I think the Steelers will be back on track next season after a disastrous 2009. However, the Ravens have become dominant in so many ways that it would be a crime for them to not win this division. The Bengals will be up there too; this will be the most interesting division to watch in 2010.

AFC SOUTH: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Don’t need to explain it. Peyton Manning is still Peyton. Nobody will come close.

AFC WEST: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

The Chargers quietly made a fantastic run in 2009, and there’s no reason to think they won’t again. Philip Rivers always delivers, and they have a very strong attack. Denver will beat out their .500 mark from this year and test the Chargers, but nobody else in the division can come close.

WILDCARDS:

The NFC wildcard teams will be Green Bay and Atlanta. Philadelphia will lose their position due to quarterback controversy, and these two teems are just too good to leave out. The AFC wildcards will be the New York Jets and Pittsburgh. I want to say Houston, but they have to play Indy twice, and I don’t think they will end up doing as well in the long-run as the Jets and Steelers.

Those are my playoff predictions for 2010.

Now let’s see who can surprise me.