Why Seattle Will Be Picking In The Top 5 For The 2010 Draft

Seattle will be picking in the top five again in 2010, and it's not because they will have a losing record. It's because Denver will, and Seattle hold's Denver's first round draft pick. Of course many people will jump out and say Denver won't and their delusional fan base will flame me in the comments. That's okay, I'll be laughing on draft day come 2010.

It's not that the Denver Broncos are really going to be that bad of a team, it's just that their schedule will do them in. Of course many of you will say they don't have the toughest schedule, and they probably don't because of a weak AFC West, but the rest of their schedule is grueling. I'm going to break down their schedule week by week and show you why I think Seattle will be picking in the top five via Denver. (Warning: I get a little sarcastic every now and then, so bear with me.)

Week 1: @ Cincinnati Bengals (2008 Record: 4-11-1)

At first glance this looks like a sure win for Denver (As I've seen many of their fans claim in the message boards) but a deeper look as to both why they were 4-11-1 and what they did in the off-season makes this game look like they'd be lucky to escape with a win. I'll go a little more in-depth with Cincinnati than most teams.

Why 4-11-1: Well, much like Seattle, they were injury plagued. Now I'm not saying they won't be plagued again in 2009, but since this is the first game of the season, all the key players look to be back 100%. Injuries include Starting QB Carson Palmer (2× Pro Bowler), first round draft pick LB Keith Rivers, Starting CB Jonathan Joseph. Safety Dexter Jackson was also injured but has since been cut by the team.

Off-season: While they lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh (to Seattle) in Free Agency they had nothing short of a stellar draft. Round 1 - Andre Smith, T, Alabama (6-4, 325); Round 2 - Rey Maualuga, LB, USC (6-2, 249); Round 3 - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech (6-7, 266); Round 3 - Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri (6-6, 244) All of those player could have a positive impact on the Bengals.

I've seen more than one analyst say that Cincinnati could have a breakout year. Of course this is the first regular season game, in Cincinnati. Denver is breaking in a new system under a new coach, a new QB, the defense is switching over to a 3-4 from a 4-3. I just don't think Denver can pull out a win in this game. Maybe later in the season, but not the first game.

Prediction: Loss 0-1

Week 2: Cleveland Browns (2008 Record: 4-12)

Okay, so I'll chalk this one up in the win column.

Prediction: Win 1-1

Week 3: @ Oakland Raiders (2008 Record: 5-11)

I say they split either their series with Oakland or Kansas City. Between the two series they end up 3-1. I'm not saying which team they split with or what game it will be, just that they are bound to screw one of these two games up.

I'll give them a win in week 3 and in week 15 I'll give them a loss.

Prediction: Win 2-1

Week 4: Dallas Cowboys (2008 Record: 9-7)

Ya, they missed the playoffs, but they are in one of the toughest divisions. Nobody in their division finished below .500, and since Denver plays everybody from the NFC East... This is the start of a very grueling period in their schedule that pretty much ends their season.

Prediction: Loss 2-2

Week 5: New England Patriots (2008 Record: 11-5)

Again, didn't make the payoffs and unless Tom Brady gets injured again (knock on wood) the Patriots make it this year. They are a playoff team, they were just a little unlucky.

Prediction: Loss 2-3

Week 6: @ San Diego Chargers (2008 Regular Season Record: 8-8)

Lets face it, the San Diego Chargers owns the AFC West until proven otherwise. And unless there is another really badly blown call, I chalk this up as a loss.

Prediction: Loss 2-4

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: @ Baltimore Ravens (2008 Regular Season Record: 11-5)

The Ravens went to the AFC Championship game in their QB's rookie season, I'd say the sky is the limit for this team. After all, isn't Flacco just going to get better.

Prediction: Loss 2-5

Week 9: Pittsburgh Steelers (2008 Regular Season Record: 12-4)

So the Steelers won the Super Bowl, big deal. Oh, wait, it is a big deal. Although I think this one will be a little closer than many people expect, I still think the Steelers "D" helps pull them out of an almost embarrassing loss.

Prediction: Loss 2-6

Week 10: @ Washington Redskins (2008 Regular Season Record: 8-8)

This could be a close game. But I still think the Redskins pull this one out since they have home field advantage.

Prediction: Loss 2-7

Week 11: San Diego Chargers (2008 Regular Season Record: 8-8)

I just don't think that Denver can compete with the Chargers. They might get lucky, but they probably won't.

Prediction: Loss 2-8

Week 12: NY Giants (2008 Regular Season Record: 12-4)

Um, loss.

Prediction: Loss 2-9

Week 13: @ Kansas City Chiefs (2008 Record: 2-14)

"A win. Gee, I almost thought this season we were going to be as bad as Detroit was last year. Oh, wait, we also won two games earlier in the season. Almost forgot about those it's been so long since we had a win." At least I'm sure that's what Denver fans will be thinking anyway.

Prediction: Win 3-9

Week 14: @ Indianapolis Colts (2008 Regular Season Record: 12-4)

Denver will pull this one out in the win column... Then again maybe not with Manning at QB for the Colts. Sorry Denver, sometimes you just gotta wait until the draft to get your next great QB... Oh, ya, you traded that pick to Seattle (thanks again by the way).

Prediction: Loss 3-10

Week 15: Oakland Raiders (2008 Record: 5-11)

Since I said I would give Oakland or KC a win against Denver, I'm going to make it this game. After all, the Raider Nation would be flaming me if I didn't give it to them. (Not that I really care about Raider Nation)

Prediction: Loss 3-11

Week 16: @ Philadelphia Eagles (2008 Regular Season Record: 9-6)

The Eagles only got to the NFC Championship game last year. They are one of my picks to make it to the Super Bowl this year. This is a loss, period.

Prediction: Loss 3-12

Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs (2008 Record: 2-14)

Hey, at least you might get to end the season on a high note. That is if you win. After all Matt Cassel is the reason you no longer have Jay Cutler. Your coach thought he was a better QB. I'm guessing you'll find out if he was worth all the trouble. After all, he had all season long to learn the new system before playing Denver in weeks 13 and 17. I'll give you both wins anyway.

Prediction: Win 4-12

A 4-12 season for Denver almost guarantees a top five pick in the draft for Seattle. If Denver unexpectedly wins a game they shouldn't, they are just as likely to lose one they shouldn't. If Denver ends up 5-11, Seattle is still in a great position to grab the player they want even if they have to trade up a little.