Road to Indy: A Way Too Early Look at Super Bowl XLVI

Although the 2010 NFL season just ended, and the 2011 season isn't even guaranteed, who doesn't love a good Super Bowl prediction?

This year we saw the six-seeded Green Bay Packers slip into the playoffs, and then wreak havoc on the first, second, and third seeds on the way to a championship.

This year's Super Bowl was a rare one, in that the two teams who played were actually predicted by some in the preseason. Most years a team comes out of nowhere to capture the Lombardi Trophy.

But a Steelers-Packers Super Bowl was a common preseason prediction. The draft and free-agency haven't occurred yet, but lets go ahead and give a preseason top-five list.

5. Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17

Peyton Manning.

As long as this guy is healthy, the Colts are a contender. Manning will have the ability to carry a team through the playoffs for a few more years.

His work ethic and intelligence keep him at the top of his game, even when he is throwing to Blair White and Jacob Tamme.

Colts management has done a solid job of putting studs at the other key positions for the Colts. As long as Manning is still in Indy, the Colts are a lock for the playoffs.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/

The Eagles are a young team that will be a contender for years. Their explosive offense led by Michael Vick is well rounded and highly potent. Jeremy Maclin and Desean Jackson are going into their third and fourth seasons, respectively, and LeSean McCoy is a legitimate workhorse running back.

The defense has holes that need to be addressed, and the Eagles should be able to do so with the picks they will acquire by dealing Kevin Kolb.

The main concern for the Eagles should be Vick and his ability to return to the Vick that destroyed the Redskins defense.  Not the Vick that struggled in the playoff loss to the Packers.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Steelers were perhaps a Mendenhall fumble away from being declared a dynasty.

The way the Steelers come back from a Super Bowl loss will speak to their character and resolve. It's hard to currently rank Pittsburgh, because teams haven't had a great record coming back from a Super Bowl loss. In fact, many Super Bowl losers don't make it back to the playoffs much less the Super Bowl.

However, the Steelers are too good of a team to collapse after a loss like this. Seeing the pictures of Ben Roethlisberger sitting in his locker crying after the loss make me believe he really has changed.

Their disappointment could result in Roethlisberger recommitting himself to his craft. Perhaps the Steelers will be a top-five team for not only this year, but for years to come.

2. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty

The Patriots were everyone's Super Bowl pick when the playoffs started. A botched fake punt and a few errant Tom Brady passes later, they were being picked apart by fans and media alike.

Brady was apparently playing injured in the loss, and it showed. The Pat's regular season performance was just as impressive as the loss to the Jets was disappointing.

The Patriots beat the eventual Super Bowl champions and runner ups. They also beat Chicago and the Jets who lost in their conference championship games.

The Patriots' past performances as well as the plethora of draft picks Bill Belichick is sitting on, should help them return to the year-in year-out contenders they have been for a decade.

1. Green Bay Packers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Until proven otherwise, I don't see why the Packers can't repeat.

Their 2010 season was magical, but the 2011 team will likely be more talented with the return of Jermichael Finley, Ryan Grant, and Nick Barnett.

Aaron Rodgers reached elite status by out-dueling some of the league's best signal callers (Caleb Hanie excluded). With a talented aggressive defense and a deadly efficient passing offense, the Packers are built to be contenders.

Conclusion

Jets, Ravens, Falcons, and Saints fans probably won't agree with this list, but that's life. Super Bowl XLVI is less than a year away, and who makes it there will be affected by the labor negotiations between the league and the Player's Association.

Maybe the Jets will be able to pay all of their free agents, if so they could be considered contenders. Perhaps a high caliber quarterback will be traded (Kolb, Donovan McNabb). However, for now, these are my top five Super Bowl contenders.