2010-2011 NFL Football Season Predictions| NFL Power Rankings | Team Predictions

The 2010-2011 NFL Football season will be a year of change for several teams. Can the New Orleans Saints repeat as Super Bowl Champions or will the NFC South curse of a fall after winning the division continue? Who will be the NFL surprise team this year? Will the Dallas Cowboys become the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl game in their home stadium?

The NFL off-season saw a lot of changes this past year. Brett Favre continues with his soap opera drama of whether he will play or he may not play as the NFL Football season nears. Terrell Owens finally got a team with the Cincinnati Bengals and will line up opposite his pal Ocho Cinco (Chad Johnson) and this should be worth the price of a NFL ticket for the Bengals fan.

NFL Football predictions are difficult to make for every NFL team because of possible injuries to key players and how team players and coaching changes can meld together as a single unit. In this article I have studied all the team reports I could find and listened to all the NFL Experts analysis and have made my predictions for the NFL AFC and NFC Conference, the NFL Playoffs, the Super Bowl as well as the NFL Preseason Power Rankings.

Tim Tebow mania has hit the Denver Broncos. Can Tebow live up to the hype that has followed hin from the Florida Gators? Or will he fall flat as many have predicted he will in the NFL? The game is won or lost on the field, so time will tell how quickly Tebow can adjust to the pace of the NFL game.  How will the Broncos utilize Tebow’s skill during his rookie season as Kyle Orton remains as the starting QB?

Dez Bryant is the wide receiver in the NFL Draft that Jerry Jones did not want to let slip by him. This young man has awesome skills and will add another explosive receiver for Tony Romo to go with Austin Miles, Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton. Bryant has been fantastic in training camp until he left the field with a high ankle sprain. He is expected to be out until the regular season begins. When Bryant returns, expect big things from him with the Cowboys.

Other NFL rookies to keep an eye on are Ndamukong Suh (Detroit), Sam Bradford (St. Louis), Gerald McCoy (T.B.), and Jimmy Clausen (Carolina).

AFC East-The Indianapolis Colts, led by 4-time MVP Peyton Manning, won the AFC Championship last year over the Rex Ryan inspired NY Jets. The Colts then were upset in Super Bowl XLIV by the New Orleans Saints. The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2010-2011 NFL Football Season as the preseason favorite to again win the AFC Championship and capture a win in Super Bowl XLV.

The NY Jets are a hot pick to win the AFC East and challenge the Colts for the AFC Championship. The Jets have the best defense entering the 2010 NFL season. The loss of Thomas Jones could be a huge hit to the best running game if LaDainian Tomlinson cannot fill the void.

Tom Brady has a year behind him after his surgery and should be able to lead the New England Patriots to another AFC East Championship. Waiting for a slip will be the Miami Dolphins. Brandon Marshall (Den.) finally got the trade he wanted and now will add a deep threat for QB Chad Henne.

AFC North- The Pittsburgh Steelers collapse defensively last season, becoming a passing team more than a running team and another Ben Roethlisberger scandal in the off-season after winning Super Bowl XLIII was stunning to the Steeler Nation. The “terrible towel” was more for wiping tears away from fans than intimidating opponents. Roethlisberger starts the 2010 Football season on a 6-game suspension for his off-the-field behavior. Can the Steelers salvage the season when he returns? I think they will not.

The Baltimore Ravens should be able to shore up their defense and the addition of wide receivers Anquan Bolden and Donte Stallworth gives Joe Flacco needed weapons to open up their passing game. The Ravens could challenge the Colts for the AFC Championship.

The Cincinnati Bengals defense carried them in a lot of games last season. Cedric Benson led the rushing game and the passing game did not live up to expectations. The big question will be; can Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens share enough catches? Will T.O. be a team player or cause division?

AFC South- Indianapolis Colts will coast through this division once again. The Houston Texans will push for a playoff spot, but the running game and the defense will not be enough to get them over the hump.

AFC West- The San Diego Chargers enter the NFL 2010-2011 season will a couple of key players holding out. The biggest hold-out is star wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Phillip Rivers has enough to lead this team to another AFC West division title, but if Jackson sits out the season as he has threatened to, look for another exit from the playoffs without a Championship.

NFC East- The Dallas Cowboys are highly motivated for a Super Bowl berth and Championship with the NFL Championship Game being played in their home stadium this year. Jerry Jones (owner) has kept the team intact and after the Cowboys finally won a playoff game last season, seems prepared for a run for the title. The Addition of rookie receiver Dez Bryant and if they can fill the void of Flozell Adams will make the Cowboys the early season favorite from the NFC.

The NY Giants defense fell apart last season and the running game struggled with injuries to Jacobs and Bradshaw. Eli Manning has a good set of wide receivers, but the running game has to improve and the defense has to return to the form that carried them to Super Bowl XLII.

The biggest story of the NFC East this past season was the Philadelphia Eagles trade of Donnovan McNabb (QB) to the divisional rival Washington Redskins. Kevin Kolb now will get his chance to lead an Eagles team that had hopes of a Super bowl run. Mike Shannahan came out of retirement to take over the Head Coaching job for the Redskins. Starting QB Jason Campbell was traded and a new defensive scheme will be implemented. Albert Haynesworth has held out and when training camp began, he failed his physical. Will he be able to work with head coach Shannahan or will Haynesworth be a bust in Washington?

NFC South- The New Orleans Saints will try to defend their Championship title as well as the “curse” of the NFC South. The division winner will usually collapse, according to history of this division, but the Saints have enough offense and an improving defense to break the curse this year. Their biggest challenge will be not letting the Super Bowl let-down hurt them.

The Atlanta Falcons were hurt by injuries on offense and a secondary that allowed too many big plays, Look for a rebound by the Falcons and Matt Ryan and to push the Saints for the NFC South title.

NFC North- The endless saga of “As The World Turns” of Brett Favre once again rules the NFC North. Will he or will he not return for his 20th NFL Football year? One bad throw and an interception by Brett Favre caused the Minnesota Vikings a possible trip to the Super Bowl. The return of Brett Favre will have a major impact on the NFC north division. If Favre returns (as expected when the season begins) the Minnesota Vikings will win the NFL North Division, but this time with a tougher challenge.

• Brett Favre has off-season surgery on his ankle.
• August 3rd, 2010 reports were made that Brett Favre was retiring from NFL Football again.
  
• August 4th, 2010 the news reports were that Brett would play if he was healthy enough.
• So any predictions of the NFL Season for the Minnesota Vikings will hinge on whether Brett plays this year or not. If Brett Favre does indeed retire, The Green Bay Packers will win the NFC North and the Minnesota Vikings will miss the NFL playoffs, giving way to the New York Giants as a NFL Wildcard team.
  

The Green Bay Packers will push the Vikings for the NFC North Division title. Aaron Rodgers has made the Packers his team and the defense came on strong last season. Look for a very strong push for the NFC North Division title and the NFC Championship.

NFC West- The Arizona Cardinals begin life after Kurt Warner, who retired after last season. The Cardinals and the Packers played what was probably the greatest shoot-out in NFL Playoff history in the Divisional round last year. The Cardinals won 51-45 in OT. With the retirement of Warner, Matt Leinart now gets his chance to lead the Cardinals. This could be a make or break chance for his NFL QB career. Look for the Cardinals to work more on the running game, especially after the trade of Anquan Bolding, but Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston will still play key roles in the offense. I see the Arizona Cardinals taking fall this season.

The San Francisco 49’ers will win the NFC West if QB Alex Smith can carry them. The defense is good and a strong running game can only take you so far. Can Smith finally take this team to the next level?

AFC Playoffs:

In the AFC Playoff picture the Indianapolis Colts will win the AFC South and once again be the top seed entering the NFL playoffs. The Baltimore Colts win the AFC North, the San Diego Chargers to win the AFC West and the New England Patriots to win the AFC East in a very close race over the NY Jets. The NY Jets and Cincinnati Bengals will take the AFC Wildcard positions.

NFC Playoffs:

In the NFC Playoffs, look for the New Orleans Saints to repeat as the NFC South Champions with the Atlanta Falcons pushing them for the title. The Dallas Cowboys will win the NFC East. The NFC North will be a battle between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.

***The return and play of Brett Favre will be the difference in who wins the division. Favre returns and the Vikings win the NFC North and the Packers enter the playoffs as a wildcard team. Brett Favre retires and the Minnesota Vikings miss the playoffs and the NY Giants make the NFC Playoffs as a wildcard team with Green Bay winning the NFC North.

The San Francisco 49’ers return to the NFC Playoffs as the NFC West Champions. The NFC Wildcard teams will be the Atlanta Falcons and the Green bay Packers.

1. Indianapolis Colts---Manning and the Colts return to the big game. Can they win it all this year?

2. Dallas Cowboys---Are the 'Boys really back? Super Bowl on home field. Jerry Jones won't settle for less than playing in the S.B.

3. New Orleans Saints---Repeat as Champs is very hard. Saints have all their weapons back.

4. Minnesota Vikings---It's all about Brett Favre. Can or will Favre go a 20th season? Favre will be the difference in a Division Title and the Playoffs. I still believe he will play.

5. Green Bay Packers---Cheeseheads are ready, Rodgers is ready to lead this team to a title. May just need one more year for the big game.

6. Baltimore Ravens---Defense to rebound, offense now has weapons for Flacco.

7. New England Patriots---Could this be the Pats last S.B run? Should squeak out an AFC East title.

8. NY Jets---Defense! Rex Ryan! Can the Jets live up to their hype? Have to win the close ones.

9. San Diego Chargers---Winning AFC West is easy. Player hold-outs could hurt team.

10. Cincinnati Bengals---Defense and running game intact. Ocho, Antonio and now T.O. on offense.

11. Atlanta Falcons---Avoid injuries to players and improve secondary could make them a challenger in NFC.

12. San Francisco 49’ers---Singletary has the team on the rise. Can Alex Smith deliver?

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13. Miami Dolphins---If any above AFC team falters, the 'Fins could be in playoffs.

14. NY Giants---Eli keeps Giants in all games, but defense and running game must return to normal.

15. Houston Texans--So close to playoffs...again, but just short...again.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers---Oh, Ben! Can't you stay out of trouble. Could be a middle of the pack team if back-up QB can't win early.

17. Philadelphia Eagles---Defense still strong, untested QB. Should be interesting year.

18. Tennessee Titans---Defense needs to return to 2009 form and Vince Young must prove he can win with his arm.

19. Denver Broncos---Last year, lose QB, this year lose star WR, bring in Tebow...McDaniels better have a good plan!

20. Washington Redskins---Trade young QB, bring in Old QB, Haynesworth still not on field. Can Shannahan work a miracle in D.C.?

21. Arizona Cardinals---Warner retired, now the reigns are with Matt Leinart. Will find out early if he is a bust or has a future.

22. Carolina Panthers---Running game is elite, but what else? Will Clausen get a shot?

23. Oakland Raiders---Finally, Russell bust is over. Defense needs to keep improving. Will the runnung game evolve or will McFadden/Bush tandem be a bust also?

24. Chicago Bears---Defense should be better with Urlacher healthy. Get the running game going and less interception throws from Cutler a must.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars---Look for a change after this season. Jones-Drew the best player on this team.

26. Kansas City Chiefs---Can Cassel get it together? Will Jamaal Charles finally be the lead running back.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers---Rebuilding mode for the Bucs. Defense should be the bright spot on this team.

28. Cleveland Browns---The Holmgren era begins. So many questions to be answered on this team.

29. Detroit Lions---Long ways still to go, but still a long climb up.

30. Seattle Seahawks---How this team has fallen in the past few years. It could be worse, this year.

31. Buffalo Bills---Biggest weakness=QB. NFL Draft....no QB. Are the owners hoping to turn the fans of Buffalo against them?

32. St. Louis Rams---A long, long rebuilding process with all parts of this team. Just think how good Steven Jackson could be on a winning team!

Super Bowl XLV (45) will be a spectacular event. Cowboys Stadium is an amazing stadium and owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys will make sure Texas puts on a Super Bowl party that will rival all Super Bowls in the past.

The Indianapolis Colts will return for another shot at a NFL Championship ring from the AFC Conference. The Dallas Cowboys will find a way to win the NFC Conference and host the National Football League Championship Game on home field.

The Championship Football Game should be a hard fought defensive battle in the first half of game play, but look for Peyton Manning not to be denied as the Colts pull out a Super Bowl victory in the 4^th quarter. Manning and Co. will prove too much for the Cowboy defense.

Super Bowl XLV Champions Prediction: Indianapolis Colts