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2010 Super Bowl Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 9/3/2009
Now is the time when anyone who writes about the NFL has to make their playoff and Super Bowl predictions. The biggest purpose of this, of course, is so that we can be mocked at the end of the season when teams we pick to go far end up with five wins. You have to be fearless, so here we go:
AFC
AFC East
Last year this was as street fight, but I don't think it will be close this year - New England should win with ease. New York has a rookie quarterback, and one who came out as a junior at that. Miami captured lightning in a bottle last year, but they face a tougher schedule this season, and they won't be able to sneak up on anyone. Buffalo should be improved, but Terrell Owens isn't enough to put hem over the top.
AFC West
If San Diego doesn't win this one by daylight then they should just fold the franchise. This is a division of one very good team and three hopeless ones. My guess is that Denver will finish second, but not in a way that will make them proud. San Diego has no excuses, and this is probably their last chance to be this good before the salary cap forces them to restructure. I'll feel better if anyone other than Norv Turner was coaching, but even he can't screw this up.
AFC North
With apologies to the state of Ohio I am very comfortable writing both of their teams off. Eric Mangini is running a circus in Cleveland, and Marvin Lewis is the worst coach in football at any level. That leaves a smash mouth showdown between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Steelers have an edge because of depth and experience, but Baltimore isn't going to go down without a fight. I'll give Pittsburgh the division, but both teams are playoff bound.
AFC South
I am not at all comfortable with Indianapolis, so I would like to find a way to pick against them here. I'm just not sure how. Tennessee is due for a step back this year, especially because of quarterback performance. Jacksonville is solid, but after picking them to win the conference last year I am shy to go there again. Houston has a lot to like, but I can't trust the incredibly fragile Matt Schaub, and Dan Orlovsky is not a good option as a backup. I guess that leaves Indy to win it all again.
Wild Card
Baltimore gets one of the spots for sure, and the second one will come out of the AFC South. I'll go with Jacksonville.
NFC
NFC East
The Eagles are a wildly popular choice this year, but I'm not buying it. I don't trust Donovan McNabb, I think Andy Reid has been better in the past, and I don't trust the defense. Dallas is too flaky and Washington is a mess. That leaves the Giants. I am far from an Eli Manning fan, but the team is the most consistent on both sides of the ball, and they should be able to win this one almost by default.
NFC West
The Rams are out - they will be brutal. Seattle has owned this division for years, except for last year, but I don't like them this year. Despite the coaching change this team feels like an aging, stale squad, and I think Matt Hasselbeck has seen better days. I think that Arizona is going to rebound fine from last year, and they will factor into the race until the end. I'm going to take a bit of a flyer here, though, and pick San Francisco. There is a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, a good vibe coming from the team, and Shaun Hill has had another year to mature.
NFC North
After a few down years this is the toughest division in football again. The Lions are the odd team out - they'll be better, but not good yet. Minnesota has a lot to like - especially how they will outrun their opponents badly each week. I can't trust Favre, though, nor the team's chemistry with him aboard. Chicago will be more interesting offensively, but I'm not sure Cutler has enough tools to get it done this year. That leaves the Packers - a well rounded, talented team that will be tough to beat.
NFC South
Carolina is in for a rough year. Tampa Bay fired their offensive coordinator a week before the season - not a good sign at all. They are both out. Atlanta is going to be solid, but Matt Ryan could take a step back, and that will make it hard for the team to take a step forward. The class of the division is New Orleans in my eyes. The offense is firing on all cylinders, and the defense is improved.
Wild Card
I think that there will be one from the East and one from the North. I'll go with Philadelphia and Minnesota.
Playoffs
Wild Card Round
AFC
Pittsburgh over Jacksonville
Baltimore over Indianapolis
NFC
San Francisco over Philadelphia
New Orleans over Minnesota
Divisional Playoffs
AFC
San Diego over Baltimore
New England over Pittsburgh
NFC
Green Bay over New Orleans
San Francisco over New York
Conference Championships
AFC
After you finish this feature be sure to view Doc's NFL Division Winners page. If you plan on betting NFL you'll also want to read our Eliminator Pool page. When it comes to betting NFL our NFL Season Win Total Predictions feature is a must for any NFL fan. For 35+ years the team at Doc's Sports Service has provided and insight on NFL handicapping.
San Diego over New England
NFC
Green Bay over San Francisco
Super Bowl
Green Bay over San Diego
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