A 2010 NFL Season Preview: The Cowboys Will Host the Colts

Last year, for my 2009 NFL Season Preview, I had a picture of the Philadelphia Eagles franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Things can really change in a year. There were rumblings that Philly wanted to move McNabb but in a QB driven league, did they really want to unload McNabb for the unproven Kevin Kolb?

They sure did. Philly was so sure that McNabb is no longer a franchise QB that they traded within their own division to the Washington Redskins.

There is a precedent of replacing a franchise quarterback with another one. The San Francisco 49ers went seamlessly from Joe Montana to Steve Young and the Green Bay Packers replaced Brett Favre with Aaron Rodgers.

So time will tell if the Eagles have butchered this one.

As for the uncapped 2010 NFL season with the storm of a lock-out on the horizon, let's get to my shoddy pickings.

The way I see it there are ten teams that are already in the playoffs. The regular season does mean a lot obviously but if these ten teams play up to their potential then they will playing in January.

AFC

The Indianapolis Colts, led by Peyton Manning, will win the AFC North and be the one seed in the playoffs. The Tennessee Titans, with their backfield of Vince Young and Chris Johnson, will finish second and secure one of the Wild Card spots as the five seed.

The San Diego Chargers, despite their holdouts, will win the AFC West again and thanks to that weak division, they will secure the two seed.

The three seed will be the Baltimore Ravens who will win the AFC North. Ray Lewis is the leader of the defense and Joe Flacco has the most weapons he has had in his short career.

The Miami Dolphins will win the AFC East for two reasons:

1) Right now they are better than the New England Patriots

2) Whenever the New York Jets have been a favorite, they have melted down and self-destructed. I realize that is old history as the Jets have not been favored in a long time for anything but they are still the Jets.

NFC

The Dallas Cowboys win the rugged NFC East and secure the one seed. This team is so loaded that I think Wade Phillips will find a way to guide them through the two home playoff games as they become the first team to host the Super Bowl.

The Green Bay Packers win the NFC North and secure the two seed. They are a trip to Mexico away from hosting another NFC Title Game but they will end up going to Dallas. The Minnesota Vikings will secure one Wild Card and the five seed in what is supposed to be Brett Favre's last season but we all have to see that to believe that.

The New Orleans Saints will ride the wave from last year and be the first NFC South team to repeat. Drew Brees leads a team that is basically returning everyone so the Saints will be a tough out as the three seed.

The NFC West has to have a playoff team and that is just sad. This division has so many issues at quarterback for all four teams that the team that has the best play from that position will rise to the top. Look for Alex Smith to lead the 49ers to an 8-8 season, the NFC West crown and the four seed. 

The Six Seeds:

AFC

The Pittsburgh Steelers won't get the sixth seed because of the suspension of Ben Roethlisberger.

The New England Patriots won't get the sixth seed because of their defense.

The New York Jets won't get the sixth seed because people expect things from them but wait until 2011 (if there is a season) as the Jets will be underdogs again.

No one from the AFC West will get the sixth seed because they are all terrible.

The Cleveland Browns might surprise this year and that would translate into seven wins and not getting the six seed.

Nope, the AFC South is going to get three playoff teams as the Houston Texans finally figure out how to win those close games that have been killing them and secure the six seed.

NFC

I am going to go with the Washington Redskins as the sixth seed in the NFC. That is how much I think of Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb.

It is also how little I think of the Eagles, Giants, Bears, Falcons and the NFC West.

The Playoffs:

AFC

The third seeded Ravens beat-up on the Texans while the Titans go into Miami and beat the Dolphins.

The third seeded Ravens do what most teams do to San Diego in the playoffs and that is beat them. The Colts beat the Titans, probably for the third time.

The Ravens bully the Colts like the Jets did last year and take a lead into halftime. Then the Colts dominate the second half and go back to the Super Bowl.

NFC

The sixth seeded Redskins get demolished by the third seeded Saints while Favre's career lasts another week as the Vikings beat the 49ers.

The Cowboys get revenge on the Vikings and possibly end Brett Favre's career.  The Saints and Packers play in an epic game and the Packers find a way to beat the defending champs.

The Cowboys made a habit of beating the Packers in the playoffs of the 1990's and history repeats itself as the Cowboys have the greatest home game ever for an NFL team.

The Super Bowl:

I am still upset that the Colts did not win last year. They were beat straight up so you have to respect the Saints.

The Colts shock the Cowboys in their home in what should be a great Super Bowl.