1. New Orleans Saints (0-0) – After winning the Super Bowl during the 2009 season, the New Orleans Saints come into 2010 as the team to beat. Drew Brees led an offense to 31.9 points per game, which was best in the NFL. They averaged over 400 yards per game. Sean Payton is entering his fifth season as the Saints head coach, and holds a 38-26 career record. New Orleans appears to be the class of the NFC South, but the Falcons could sneak a way to be ultra competitive at or near the top. The Saints will face a tough 2010 schedule, including a season opening game with the Minnesota Vikings. The Saints non-conference slate also sees games at San Francisco, Arizona, Dallas, Cincinnati and Baltimore, with home games with Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Seattle, St. Louis
2. Indianapolis Colts (0-0) – The class of the AFC one again appears to be the Indianapolis Colts. With Peyton Manning back, and apparently healthy, the Colts have their eyes set on a return trip to the Super Bowl. In Jim Caldwell’s second season, after finishing 14-2 last year, the Colts will once again turn to their passing offense, which threw for 282.2 yards per game, which was second in all of the NFL. The Colts offense scored 27 points per game to run away with the AFC South. The rest of the division appears to be down a bit, so the Colts should have no problem winning the division over Houston, Tennessee and Jacksonville. The Colts start the season with a divisional game at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Week two the Colts will host the New York Giants. Other non conference games for the Colts are at Denver, with Kansas City, at Washington, at Philadelphia, with Cincinnati, at New England, with San Diego, with Dallas and at Oakland.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) – With the addition of Terrell Owens, the talk of football resides in Cincinnati. Owens joins Chad OchoCinco and Antonio Bryant for the receiving core for quarterback Carson Palmer. Marvin Lewis starts his eight year as the head coach, and holds a 56-55 record, but has yet to win a postseason game. The Bengals will have a battle for the divisional crown, after winning it in 2009. The Ravens will be in the mix, and despite their problems, the Steelers can never be counted out. Cleveland always poses a problem for the Bengals as well. The season will get started with a trip to Foxboro to take on the Patriots. The Bengals see one of the toughest schedules in all of the NFL, with not only two games against Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cleveland, but also games at Carolina, with Tampa Bay, at Atlanta, with Miami, at Indianapolis, with Buffalo, at NY Jets, with New Orleans and with San Diego.
4. Dallas Cowboys (0-0) – The Dallas Cowboys would love nothing more than to be playing in this year Super Bowl in their own stadium. Before that can happen, quarterback Tony Romo and the Cowboys have some work to do. Head coach Wade Phillips holds an 81-54 career record, but still just 1-5 in postseason play. The Cowboys showed the ability to score last season, scoring 22 points per game, and now have added dynamic wide receiver Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State. He will go well with Miles Austin, Jason Whitten and a back core crew of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Dallas seems to be the favorite in the NFC East ahead of New York, Philadelphia and Washington. The Cowboys will start the season at Washington, and then play their home opener on September 19th with the Bears. Other non conference games include: at Houston, with Tampa Bay, with Tennessee, at Minnesota, with Jacksonville, at Green Bay, with Detroit, with New Orleans at Indianapolis and at Arizona.
5. Baltimore Ravens (0-0) – In John Harbaugh’s third season in Baltimore, the Ravens look to be in a long season battle with Cincinnati for the crown of the AFC North. High powered running back Ray Rice returns, with a resurgent right arm of Joe Flacco. Baltimore’s offense improved last year, scoring 24.4 points per game, ranking them 9th. The defense is not as stiffening as it was when Brian Billick was at the helm, but Baltimore still knows how to shut teams down. The Ravens will kick off the 2010 season on September 13th at the Meadowlands against the Jets. Week two is also on the road for Baltimore, as they travel to Cincinnati. Finally on September 26th the Ravens will host Cleveland. Non conference games for Baltimore this season include with Denver, at New England, with Buffalo, with Miami, at Atlanta, at Carolina, with Tampa Bay, at Houston and with New Orleans.
6. New York Jets (0-0) - Rex Ryan and the Jets came within one game of a trip to the Super Bowl last year. Now the Jets have added veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson to bolster the offense. The Jets also added veteran receiver Santonio Holmes, but he will have to sit the first four games of the season. The Jets had arguably the best defense in football last season, and look for more of the same this season. New York only allowed 14.8 points per game and 252 total yards per game in 2009. The Jets will see stiff competition from their AFC East rivals New England, with Miami being improved as well. Buffalo appears to be at the bottom of the division in 2010. The Jets will start the 2010 season hosting the both Baltimore and New England in the first two weeks. Following those games, New York will play week three at Miami. The Jets will see the following teams in non conference play: w/Minnesota, @ Denver, w/Green Bay, @ Detroit, @ Cleveland, w/Houston, w/ Cincinnati, @ Pittsburgh, @ Chicago.
7. San Diego Chargers (0-0) – In one of the easiest predictions in the NFL, the San Diego Chargers will run away from the AFC West once again. The Chargers will be without wide receiver Vincent Jackson for the first four games of the season, but that may not matter to the high powered offense. Led by quarterback Phillip Rivers, the 2009 version of the Chargers scored 28.4 points per game; 4th in the NFL. In the off-season the Chargers signed tight end Antonio Gates to a five year extension. San Diego will face Kansas City, Oakland and Denver twice, and other than that they will host Jacksonville, Arizona, New England, Tennessee, and San Francisco, while playing at Seattle, St. Louis, Houston, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
8. New England Patriots (0-0) – The Patriots have started training camp with the Tom Brady 2011 drama in full force. Brady would like to put what may happen next year behind him and concentrate on football this season. With Brady back last season, the Patriots won the AFC East division. Bill Belichick starts his 16th season, with 148 career wins. New England will see some stiff opposition from the Jets and Dolphins within the division, with the Bills looking like the bottom feeder. New England sees a tough schedule, starting with a visit from Cincinnati to open the season. The first road game for the Patriots will be at the Jets. Following that the Patriots schedule looks like this: w/ Buffalo, @ Miami, w/ Baltimore, @ San Diego, w/ Minnesota, @ Cleveland, @ Pittsburgh, w/ Indianapolis, @ Detroit, w/ Jets, @ Chicago, w/ Green Bay, @ Buffalo, w/ Miami.
9. Atlanta Falcons (0-0) – Mike Smith has won 20 of his first 32 games as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons but his 2010 goal includes getting his team back to the postseason, and winning his first postseason game. Atlanta failed to make the playoffs last season, after busting through in 2008. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White look to anchor an offense that scored 22 points per game last season, which ranked them 13th. The defense for Atlanta allowed 20.3 points per game, which ranked them 14th. Atlanta opens the season at Pittsburgh on September 12th.
10. Minnesota Vikings (0-0) – Rounding out the top ten are the Minnesota Vikings. As of publication the Vikings still did not know who their starting quarterback was going to be. Brad Childress the head coach for Minnesota hopes its veteran Brett Favre, but as always he has yet to decide. Minnesota won the NFC North last season scoring 29.2 points per game. Only New Orleans scored more points than the Vikings. Minnesota looks to be the class of the division again this season, but expect a heavy challenge from Green Bay and big improvements from both Chicago and Detroit. The Vikings open the season on Thursday September 1st at defending NFL Champion New Orleans Saints.
11. Green Bay Packers (0-0) – In what appears to be an excellent fight for the NFC North crown, the Green Bay Packers will be fighting to steal the title away from Minnesota this season. The Packers will look to quarterback Aaron Rodgers to continue his solid start to a career, after having a sensational 2009 season. Rodgers threw for four touchdowns in the playoff loss to Arizona last winter. Green Bay scored 28.8 points per game, which was only behind New Orleans and Indianapolis. The Packers look to improve upon an already stellar defense that ranked 2nd in total yards allowed; just 284. Green Bay will start their season on September 12th when they head to the city of brotherly love to take on the Eagles.
12. San Francisco 49ers (0-0) – San Francisco looks to take advantage of a weakened Arizona team to grab a playoff spot by winning the NFC West. Outside of Arizona having a talented offense, the 49ers seem to be the clear cut favorite in the division. The 49ers return their intense defense that allowed just 17.6 points per game last season, including just 97 rushing yards per game. Head coach Mike Singletary got his issues figured out with tight end Vernon Davis, and it has paid dividends. Davis caught 78 passes for 965 yards and 13 last season. The 49ers will play a divisional game in week one when they head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Week two will see San Francisco play on Monday night, when they host the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
13. New York Giants (0-0) – In one of the biggest question marks of 2009, the New York Giants look to bounce back after their total collapse. The Giants feel they can regain their swagger from the Super Bowl season and win the NFC East, despite Dallas being loaded and Philadelphia and Washington having something to prove. The Giants want to eliminate the bad taste from their mouth of the 2009 season, when in the final game the Minnesota Vikings put up 44 points on their defense. The Giants will have to improve defensively, as they allowed nearly 27 points per game, the third worst statistic in all of football. The Giants will open the season on September 12th when they host the Carolina Panthers. In week two, New York will head to Indianapolis to play at the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (0-0) – The Eagles, despite losing their quarterback Donovan McNabb to Washington will still be able to compete at, or near the top of the NFC East. Philadelphia will send Kevin Kolb in at quarterback, with dynamic receiver DeSean Jackson back as well. The Eagles finished fifth in points scored last year, with 26.8. The Eagles will start the season on September 12th, at home, with the Green Bay Packers. The first road game of the season will be in week two, when they head to Detroit, to take on the Lions.
15. Chicago Bears (0-0) – The Chicago Bears are expected to be improved from their disappointing 2009 season. Jay Cutler had a disaster season in 2009, throwing way too many interceptions. Cutler now will play under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who has been known to be a solid coordinator for quarterbacks. Last year, the Bears scored 20.4 points per game, and allowed 23.4 The defense, which is typically a strong suit for Chicago faltered, allowing over 200 passing yards per game. The Bears may have a tough time competing with Minnesota and Green Bay at the top, but have an outside chance at sneaking into a NFC postseason spot. The Bears start the season September 12th with Detroit.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0) – The Steelers will have to start the 2010 season without the face of their franchise; Ben Roethlisberger. After a rocky off-season, Roethlisberger helped the Steelers to 259 passing yards per game during the 2009 season. Pittsburgh plays in the tough AFC North division, and will have battles with both Baltimore and Cincinnati all season. The Steelers also lost veteran receiver Santonio Holmes and running back Willie Parker. Pittsburgh will turn to former Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall. The Steelers open up the 2010 season at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
17. Houston Texans (0-0) – The Texans look to get another great year out of quarterback Matt Schuab. They would also like to see tight end Owen Daniels play the entire year, after going down early last season. Houston, in 2009 was one of the top offensive teams in the league, scoring almost 24.5 points per game. The offense was led by their passing, which reached 290 yards per game. The run game was one of the worst in the league, averaging 90 per game. Wide receiver Andre Johnson looks poised to be signing a new contract, so he will be ready to roll once week one arrives. Speaking of week one, the Texans will have a chance to dethrone the AFC Champion right away as the Indianapolis Colts come into town. Week two, the Texans will travel east and take on the Washington Redskins, on the road.
18. Miami Dolphins (0-0) – In what may be a bad placement, the Miami Dolphins come in at # 18. The Dolphins have potential to be a very solid football team in 2010. In saying that, they are still projected as the third best team in the tough AFC East. Miami added veteran receiver Brandon Marshall to the mix, to go along with the special wildcat formation, they have been known to run in the past. The Dolphins rushed for just shy of 140 yards per game last season, which ranked them fourth in the NFL. Miami struggled defensively, allowing 24.4 points per game, and almost 350 yards of total offense. If they want to compete at the top of the division in 2010, they will have to lower that number considerably. The Dolphins play their first two games of the season on the road; at Buffalo and at Minnesota. They will finally play at home on September 26th against the Jets.
19. Arizona Cardinals (0-0) – A year after winning a playoff game, the Cardinals have fallen to the 19th position in the pre-season power rankings. Losing quarterback Kurt Warner and receiver Anquan Boldin will be tough losses for Arizona. The Cardinals scored 23.4 points per game with help from those two players, along with Larry Fitzgerald and a crew of running backs. This year, quarterback Matt Leinart will take the stage. Leinart is a former quarterback at University of Southern California. The Cardinals will open the 2010 season on September 12th when they head to St. Louis in an inner divisional battle.
20. Tennessee Titans (0-0) – The Titans would love to see a repeat season for running back Chris Johnson. Who many felt should have been the 2009 MVP; the young running back rushed for over 2000 yards and scampered into the end zone at will. The Titans had the second best rushing offense, compiling 162 yards per game. Tennessee plays in the AFC South, so competing with the Colts may be a tough task, but look for the Titans to mix it up with Houston and Jacksonville. The Titans open the season on September 12th, when they host the Oakland Raiders.
21. Carolina Panthers (0-0) – The Panthers will see a new quarterback for head coach John Fox’s team. Matt Moore will replace Jake Delhomme, and Carolina hopes that will improve upon their dreadful turnover ratio of 2010. Playing out of the NFC South, the Panthers will need quality production from the two heading running back monster of DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart. A question mark coming into the season is receiver Steve Smith. Smith hurt himself during the summer playing a flag football game. It is unknown whether Smith will be ready for week one or not. The Panthers start the season on September 12th, at New York, against the Giants. Week two on September 19th will be at home, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
22. Denver Broncos (0-0) – After the hot start to the 2009 season Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos fell on major hard times. The Broncos finished the season 8-8 in McDaniels first season. The question coming into the season is whether rookie quarterback Tim Tebow will be the starter, or they will turn to veteran Kyle Orton. Orton threw for an average of 226 yards last season, but for most of the season had receiver Brandon Marshall, while this season he does not. Denver scored 20.4 points per game during the 2009 season. The Broncos will start the 2010 season at Jacksonville, on September 12th. The first home game for Denver will come on September 19th with Seattle.
23. Washington Redskins (0-0) – The new looked Washington Redskins hope to be a player in the ubber competitive NFC East race. With some luck, the Redskins, under new head coach Mike Shanahan could be. Shanahan is entering for 17th season as a head football coach. In pre-season the talk of the Redskins has been the absence of Albert Haynesworth from the practice field. Haynesworth is forced to pass a conditioning test before he is allowed to participate. Washington, with Donovan McNabb as quarterback look to improve upon their 16.6 points per game during the 2009 season. The Redskins will start the 2010 season on September 12th with the Dallas Cowboys.
24. Detroit Lions (0-0) – Detroit will once again be better this year then they were last year. The Lions will see the benefits of starting Matthew Stafford for a full season. That will not be enough for Detroit, who will battle it out in the tough NFC North. The division features the Vikings and Packers, who both made the playoffs last year, and also a Bears team that looks to have a few things to prove. The Lions allowed just under 31 points per game last season, which was the most of any NFL team. Detroit’s defense allowed just under 400 yards per game, with 265 of them via the passing game. Those are both NFL worst, for 2009. The Lions will start the season against a divisional opponent, when they head to Solider Field in Chicago, to take on the Bears. The Lions first home game is on September 19th, with Philadelphia.
25. Seattle Seahawks (0-0) – Seattle, as part of the NFC West will look to find a way to sneak up near the top of the division. The Seahawks will be under first year head coach Pete Carroll, coming off his tenure as the head coach at USC. Golden Tate, the receiver from Notre Dame may be an instant impact for a Seattle offense that scored just 17.5 points per game. Seattle’s defense was porous, allowing nearly 25 points per game, including 245 passing yards per game. The Seahawks will start the season against a fellow NFC West opponent, when they host the San Francisco 49ers. Week two will see the Seahawks play in Denver, against the Broncos.
26. Oakland Raiders (0-0) – The Oakland Raiders have finally rid themselves of former quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Oakland will be improved during the 2010 season, but yet to see how much. The Raiders were offensively challenged last season, scoring just 12.3 points per game, the second worst in all of football. The Raiders garnered just 266 yards per game, which was also second to last. Jason Campbell will take over as the quarterback, which will make the Raiders much more athletic. The Raiders will look to get off to a good start in 2010 when they play at Tennessee to start the season. In week two, the Raiders will host the St. Louis Rams.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0) – Out of the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars come into 2010 under head coach Jack Del Rio. This will be the 8th season as a NFL coach for Del Rio, as he holds a 57-55 career record. 2009 was a struggle for the Jaguars, as they finished at the bottom of the AFC South. The Jaguars offense scored just 18 points per game last season, while the defense allowed just under 24. The Jaguars will enter the 2010 season on September 12th, against the Denver Broncos. Week two, on September 19th, the Jaguars will play at San Diego, against the Chargers.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) – The Kansas City Chiefs signed their first round draft pick Eric Berry earlier in the week. Berry signed for a $60 million contract, good for the next six seasons. Kansas City, during the off-season almost signed fiery receiver Terrell Owens, but passed, and later saw him sign in Cincinnati. Owens may have helped an offense that scored just 18.4 points per game. The Chiefs compete in the AFC West against San Diego, Denver and Oakland. The Chiefs start 2010 on Monday Night Football, at home, against the San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs then head to Cleveland in week two, to take on the Browns.
29. Cleveland Browns (0-0) – With the other team in Ohio full of news, the Cleveland Browns come into 2010 a little under the radar. Hopefully for the Browns that means they will exceed the low expectations placed on them. Cleveland finished last year at the bottom of the AFC North, and this year they are projected to be there again. The Browns scored just 15.3 points per game, which ranked them 29th in points scored. Head coach Eric Mangini begins his second year as head coach in Cleveland, now with former head coach Mike Holmgren as the team owner. The Browns will start the season on the road, in Tampa Bay, against the Buccaneers. The first home game for Tampa Bay will happen in week two, with Kansas City.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) – Tampa Bay, under quarterbacks Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson had a very tough 2009 season that saw them win just three games and finish at the bottom of the NFC South. While things may not be much better in 2010, the Buccaneers hope to improve. Freeman will get the nod this season as the starting quarterback, the big question will be, and how much will he learn in his first full season. The Buccaneers, playing in the NFC South may struggle to stay out of the basement playing New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina twice a season. The Buccaneers will open up the season with a home game against the Cleveland Browns. Week two will see Tampa Bay at Carolina.
31. St. Louis Rams (0-0) – The Rams made big news as training camp started, signing rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford looks to be the man right away behind center for St. Louis. He will look to improve a Rams team that won just one game during the 2009 season, including losing their first seven, and final eight of the season. Steven Jackson will be turned to heavily once again this season, after rushing for just shy of 1500 yards, but only four touchdowns last year. The Rams, in the NFC West could be a player, if Bradford has an out of this world season. St. Louis will start the season at home, against the Arizona Cardinals. Week two will see the Rams play at Oakland.
32. Buffalo Bills (0-0) – The Buffalo Bills seem to be in for a very long 2010 season. Out of the AFC East, the Bills will have a tough time competing with the Jets, Patriots and Dolphins. Buffalo ranked 30th last year in passing yards, with just 157 yards per game. The defense was a bright spot, ranking second in opposing passing yards, with just 184 per game. The Bills did rid themselves of the loud mouth receiver Terrell Owens, who finished with just 5 touchdowns last season. Buffalo will start the season on September 12th, against divisional rival Miami. Following that game, the Bills will head to Green Bay and New England in the next two weeks.
