Paradigm Shift: The Balance Of Power in the NFL Part 2

So on to part 2. In part 1 of this article, I listed the five teams I see rising to perennial playoff power over the next decade. If you didn't read it, go back and do so now.

In part 2, I will be listing five teams who have been successful for most of the past decade, that I feel will start slipping into the ranks of the irrelevant within the next decade.

There will also be a third part dealing with the teams that I see staying right where they are, whether that be a bad or good thing.

I promise this part will be as controversial, if not more so, than the first one.

Team No. 5 Set To Fall: The Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have been the very picture of consistency for over a decade now, dating back to the days of Neil O'Donnell.

They keep coaches longer than any team, and they always have a stalwart defense. But something started to happen last year.

Last year, this team completely lost its identity on offense. A once-brutal running attack gave way to the Ben Roethlisberger aerial show.

They had success putting points on the board, but something was different. Less time of possession led to more time on the field for the defense.

The defense started to show its age. Yearly injuries to super-stud Troy Polamalu have started to take their toll on an otherwise suspect secondary.

Other key defensive players Aaron Smith, James Harrison, Larry Foote, James Farrior, Nick Eason, Ryan Clark, and Brett Keisel are all between the ages of 30-35.

Polamalu himself will turn 30 this year.

The Steelers also have serious issues on the offensive line, and a lack of depth at running back (sorry, Mewelde Moore just doesn't scare anyone).

But maybe the single biggest issue for the Steelers is their leader, Ben Roethlisberger's inability to stay sober, not get pushy with the ladies, or wear a helmet.

Roethlisberger will be facing what will probably end up being a four-game suspension at the beginning of this season. This will make it awfully hard for them to make the playoffs this year.

I wouldn't say it's all over for the Steelers just yet. They probably have another couple solid seasons left in them, but they are just gonna have too many key players to replace going forward.

I see them falling to fourth place in the AFC North within the next four seasons and staying irrelevant for the remainder of the decade.

Team No. 4 Set To Fall: The Philadelphia Eagles

This is a risky choice in my mind, but I just can't get over the fact that they have put all their eggs in one risky, unproven basket.

They handed over the reins to the very inexperienced Kevin Kolb by trading one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Donovan McNabb. I understand why they did it, but it doesn't mean it won't backfire.

The Eagles have set themselves up to rebuild quickly, but McNabb has been responsible for at least 75 percent of their success. If Kolb is anything less than magical, this team will have a hard time makin' it to .500.

On paper, the Eagles seem to have some nice weapons, but if you look closer, I'm not convinced. Desean Jackson had a breakout season with 9 touchdowns of 40+ yards, but his style is such that its feast or famine.

I think NFL defenses are gonna figure out how to marginalize his gamebreaking ability.

They also replaced Brian Westbrook with LeSean McCoy. To put it bluntly, I'm not impressed. I don't see him becoming half the player Westbrook was in his prime.

I think the Eagles start losing this year, and I think Andy Reid will be run out of town within three years. This will be the weak link of the NFC East for the next decade.

Team No. 3 Set To Fall: The New England Patriots

The crux of my argument here, is that Tom Brady is 33 years old. Now recently, Brett Favre has shown that a quarterback can play well into his golden years, but that's an extreme exception to the rule.

Brady has already suffered one season-ending injury, and I don't see him playing past 35 or 36.

Add to that, this will be Randy Moss' last year with the Patriots. He's already lost a step anyhow, himself also being 33.

Wes Welker is coming back from a crazy injury, and is gonna turn 30 this year as well. This team has never really had much of a running game.

The defense really started to decline last season. Key departures from the golden days, including Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour, have really taken a toll.

Belichick seems to always find a way to plug somebody in, but it seems that this train is starting to run out of steam.

Some would point to the year Matt Cassel had in place of the injured Brady and say that it's the system that makes this team.

They would be at least partially correct, but even the best system has to be built on a cornerstone of key players. Most of theirs are gone, and will be very difficult to replace fully.

Because of the strength of the system and coaching, I don't think this team will fall all the way. They will probably only drop to somewhere between average and mediocre.

But the glory days are over now, and this team will only barely hang around another two or three seasons, if that.

Team No. 2 Set To Fall: The Minnesota Vikings

So much has been made about how good this team is without Brett Favre. It's true, this team would probably make the playoffs without him. The problem is that the strength of their defense is aging too.

The Williams wall are collectively 30 and 37 years old. Jared Allen is 28, which isn't old, but he'll be winding down in the next five years as well.

Last year was pure magic for Favre. I couldn't believe it, and I don't believe it now. I don't think it can happen again. I think Favre's presence may finally start to bring this team down this year.

Adrian Peterson is a stud, but he puts the ball on the ground more than a golfer.

Add to that the health concerns for Percy Harvin. I have doubts that he'll be able to keep playing without putting himself in peril. I sincerely hope he considers stopping before something tragic happens.

Add to all of this, I really don't like the way Brad Childress runs this team. I don't think he's a good coach and his team will have chemistry issues because of it.

They SHOULD make the playoffs this year, but won't win the division. After this year, I see them being mediocre for most of the remainder of the decade.

Team No. 1 Set To Fall: The Indianapolis Colts

This may turn some heads, but the crux of my argument here is the same as my argument with the Patriots, times 10.

Peyton Manning is 34. What's worse? They'll probably lock him into a deal that will hurt their ability to rebuild when he starts to decline.

Manning is the best regular season quarterback of all-time, but he probably has two or three years of stellar performances left. Maybe less.

To make matters worse, all of their major playmakers have age issues as well. Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne are both 31. Key offensive linemen Jeff Saturday and Ryan Diem are both in their 30s.

It doesn't get much better on defense, where Gary Brackett and Dwight Freeney are both 30. Freeney has had some injury issues as well as their other major defensive stud, Bob Sanders. Sanders will turn 30 this year, and hasn't played a full season, well, ever.

Don't get me wrong.  I can see this team being dominant for another two or three years tops. But then what? I can't see a way that they don't revert to what they were before Peyton Manning got there.

Conclusion

So you've heard me right. Teams like the Colts and the Patriots will be replaced by teams like the 49er' and the Texans, maybe even the Browns and the Lions. All I can say is that times change.

This is what makes the NFL great. No one sucks forever. No one's great forever. That's the ebb and flow of it.

Now stay tuned for part 3, where I will list the teams that will either continue going in the same direction they've been going in.