Predicting the NFL Franchises That Will Win the Most Games the Next 10 Seasons

There have been teams of the decade, but seldom have they crossed decades. The Bears of the 1940s, Browns and Lions of the 1950s, Packers of the 1960s, Steelers of the 1970s, 49ers of the 1980s, Cowboys of the 1990s and the New England Patriots of the 2000s show no repeat from the previous decade.

It is with that in mind that I present to you the 10 teams I believe will be the biggest winners of this current decade, beginning with this season.

Sure, teams like the Patriots may have a few more runs left in them, but as star players age and begin to decline, unless they draft wisely and get lucky most teams eventually fall off.

The challenge in picking which teams will be the next big thing is that dominant NFL teams often have a habit of coming out of nowhere. The 1960s Packers didn't win anything in the 1950s, while the 1970s Steelers had not even won a division title. The 1980s 49ers were awful in the last two years of the 1970s, and so on.

As Sports Illustrated points out, Hub Arkush, editor and publisher of Pro Football Weekly, notices a common theme with all these franchises.

"These teams had either the dominant general manager or coach of that era and they all had Hall of Fame quarterbacks and started with relatively young talent," he said.

They also need some luck—or perhaps they just need some Luck, as in Andrew Luck.

10. Chicago Bears

I know the Bears aren't considered the powerhouse of the NFL.

In fact, despite appearing in the 2006 Super Bowl and last year's NFC Championship Game, this is a franchise that hasn't won a Super Bowl since January of 1986.

But they do win and have won under head coach Lovie Smith, and they have a QB in Jay Cutler who can lead the team to consistent victory if he can stay healthy and if they put some weapons around him.

This offseason will be critical as the Bears core defensive players are aging. Their best corner, middle linebacker, pass-rusher and star linebacker are all 30 years or older.

But this is a big-market club with a rabid fanbase, and I think that when you add up the wins over the next 10 years you will find Chicago just at the edge of this list.

9. Buffalo Bills

First of all, let me say I believe in Ryan Fitzpatrick as a QB. He is 29 and should have five or six more good years.

Even though they are disappointing this season at 5-6 and RB Fred Jackson is 30, I really like C.J. Spiller, who is only 24.

The Bills' leading receiver, Steve Johnson is just 25, as is the 6'5" David Nelson. TE Scott Chandler (6'7") is 26.

On defense, the Bills have 22-year-old DT Marcell Dareus. They also have a good young safety in Jairus Byrd.

8. San Francisco 49ers

Count me among the believers in the Niners, who are 9-2 on the season. I really like head coach Jim Harbaugh, a very young coach on the rise.

I am even starting to like Alex Smith, and although it may be difficult to see him as a franchise QB, he is limiting his mistakes and getting the job done.

Plus, who's to say they won't still obtain their QB of the future?

Meanwhile, their defense stops the run better than any team in the NFL. CB Carlos Rogers has five interceptions, though he is 30.

Twenty-three-year-old NaVorro Bowman leads the team with 84 tackles, while 26-year-old Patrick Willis is solid and second in tackles.

RB Frank Gore is just 28, so he has several good years left. Michael Crabtree is San Francisco's leading receiver, and he is only 24 years old.

The only reason I can't rank them higher is the QB situation.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have been winning for a while, but I like the way they approach football. I happen to believe their way still works.

QB Ben Roethlisberger seems like he's been around forever, but he is only 29. Plus, they have one of the brighter young coaches in Mike Tomlin.

Add Kevin Colbert, an outstanding GM, to the mix and you have a winning formula.

6. New England Patriots

I would rank the Pats higher on this list except we don't know who the replacement for QB Tom Brady will be. Likewise, their genius of a head coach may decide to retire once Brady does too.

Still, this is a resilient team that always finds a way to stay competitive. As former QB and current analyst Phil Simms states, "How do you not pick the Patriots?"

I am just not ready to give up on New England, especially if Brady plays another four or five seasons.

5. Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones is too much of an egomaniac to settle for a decade of losing, and for that reason alone, the Cowboys make this list.

Tony Romo is inconsistent, but he is certainly good enough to lead a team to the Super Bowl. And running back DeMarco Murray is only 23 and averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

TE Jason Witten seems older, but he is 29 and capable of a few more productive seasons. And even if Witten doesn't, I like 25-year-old John Phillips, another big tight end.

WR Dez Bryant just turned 23, and Laurent Robinson's talents have become more obvious since Miles Austin went down—and Robinson is 26.

Plus, Austin is only 27, so the Cowboys have a lot of good, young talent on their roster.

On defense, LB Sean Lee leads the team in tackles, and he is only 25. DeMarcus Ware is 29, but he's in his prime, leading the NFL in sacks; he should be good for two or three more years at least.

Their offensive line has some good young talent as well. They have three centers, and each is 24 years old or less, while tackle Tyron Smith is only 20 and has star potential.

4. Detroit Lions

Yes, the team that as recently as 2010 was a loser will become one of the top winners of the next decade, thanks in large part to a strong front four and a young QB in Matthew Stafford.

Arkush believes the Lions will have, "the dominant defensive line of the decade," but need quarterback Matt Stafford to stay healthy. "Until Stafford can play 14 to 15 games each season, people are going to ask questions," Arkush said.

And now that Stafford is relatively healthy, we see what the Lions can do. Although they are currently heading in the wrong direction, they are certainly a team on the rise.  

Their coach, however, needs to reign in young players like Suh, who continue to act too aggressively at times. Suh cannot help the Lions if he isn't on the field.

3. Houston Texans

The Texans have a good, young offensive and defensive line, and a QB in Matt Schaub who, when healthy, is good enough to lead a team to the Big Dance (in my opinion).

And if not, or if he can't get healthy, T.J. Yates is only 24.

The Texans have a great young running back in Arian Foster, who is 25, and a terrific TE in Owen Daniels, who just turned 29. 

And Foster's backup, Ben Tate, is just 23 and averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

Andre Johnson is 30, but he should have a couple more seasons left if he can get and stay healthy.  

And those Texans have a terrific defense. They rank fourth against the pass and second versus the run. Twenty-four-year-old LB Brian Cushing leads the team in tackles and is now supposedly clean—although, about that hair...

Connor Barwin at 25 years old has 8.5 sacks.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta has a young QB who is solid in "Matty Ice," AKA Matt Ryan.

The Falcons have a GM who is highly respected and wants to win now. They have a great track record at home and are one of the tougher teams to beat at their home stadium.

Running back Michael Turner is 29, but he should provide several more good seasons. Plus, they have Jacquizz Rodgers, who—although very short—is just 21.

As for wideouts, Roddy White is 30, and Tony Gonzalez is also long in the tooth, but Julio Jones looks to be a true No. 1 WR of the future, and he is just 22.

Their defense faces some good run-stuffers, as Atlanta currently ranks second in the NFL against the run.

1. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay appears to be a lock to win more than one championship this decade. Although Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers notes, "It's a little early," to forecast a decade of dominance, he likes his team's chances.

"Teams seem to have a four- to five-year window [for winning championships]," he said. "We have enough guys coming back from injured reserved and have a good enough young team that I think we can make a run for the next four or five seasons."

Rodgers is the best QB in the NFL, in my opinion, and unless he gets hurt, he should continue to be for a long time.

Green Bay is the obvious favorite to win this year, so they will have a leg up on the competition.