NFL 2009-2010: Way Too Early Disappointment Team Predictions

Mark Jones' NFL 2009-2010 Disappointment Team Predictions

Yes, I know the Super Bowl was just six days ago. Still, I'm going to take a wild shot at predicting the biggest disappointments of next year. So, let's not waste any time. Starting with the most unexpected disappointments, here we go...

1. Chicago Bears

The Bears just relied on luck, defense that looked like their Super Bowl defense, and some unexpected talent from Kyle Orton in '08-'09. And they still missed the playoffs. If they lose their luck and their level of play falls back down to their level of talent, this isn't a good team at all. They're going to have to have an extremely impressive offseason just to maintain a record at or above .500!

Past Season's Record: 9-7

Predicted '09-'10 Record: 6-10

2. New York Giants

Eli Manning has been a top-10 QB for the past two seasons, and he's just not quite that good. Plus, the running game is going to fall this upcoming season, too. This is likely not going to be a playoff team next season.

Past Season's Record: 12-4

Predicted '09-'10 Record: 9-7 or maybe 10-6

3. Miami Dolphins

I doubt they'll ever get close to being as bad as they were the season before last, but this is not the best team in the [all-of-a-sudden] very tough AFC East. In fact, they're not even close to being playoff-caliber. We saw that in their home loss to Baltimore. There is a big drop coming up for the Dolphins!

Past Season's Record: 11-5

Predicted '09-'10 Record: 8-8 or 7-9

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

They deserve to be the Super Bowl Champions. Definitely. But I think their work ethic will fall dramatically in '09-'10. Still, a good playoff team.

Past Season's Record: 12-4 (Super Bowl Champions)

Predicted '09-'10 Record: 10-6

5. Baltimore Ravens

Like their division rival Steelers, this team's work ethic (and luck) will fall in the upcoming season. And different from the Steelers, they won't be a playoff team. Flacco is actually somewhat overrated, and the supposedly-stellar defense has showed some weaknesses recently.

Past Season's Record: 11-5

Predicted '09-'10 Record:8-8

6. Tennessee Titans

They weren't supposed to make the playoffs last year because the AFC South was supposed to be so tough. The reason they did make the playoffs was because it actually wasn't. However, it may be that so tough AFC South that they're going to face this season. Probably not a playoff team, folks.

Past Season's Record: 13-3

Predicted '09-'10 Record: 9-7 or possibly even 8-8

7. New Orleans Saints

I think that everyone will think this will be a great team next season, just like last year, but they won't (again). One main reason: Brees is the center of this team, and he is beginning to age. However, they may prove me wrong if they focus really hard on fixing up the disaster of a defense that they currently have during the offseason.

Past Season's Record: 8-8

Predicted '09-'10 Record: 9-7

The Carolina Panthers would also be included, but I think that nearly everyone kind of assumes that they are not going to be nearly as good this upcoming season that they were in the past season. Still, if they can find a place for Jonathan Stewart and Julius Peppers, they might be able to get a good QB in return...

If you haven't already read it, you can check out the my biggest surprise team predictions at:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/120838-nfl-2009-2010-way-too-early-surprise-team-predictions