Time to get rowdy, insane, rude, crude and unglued. The 2010-2011 season is upon us. The best time of the year is here and I'll be singing fa la la lala all the way until February. No more talking. Time to get our overall predictions in before all teams enter camp then it's anything goes after that!
YoungJRNY's overall predictions:
AFC EAST:
: This may be one of the best divisions in football in 2010. Finally, New England has a tough ways in a division they dominated the whole decade, but the gap has finally closed. N.Y has a fabulous and unbeatable team on paper. If Rex Ryan can instill that defense to get even more intense with the best overall team in the EAST, then the Jets will overlap the Patriots to be the team to beat in the division. Mark Sanchez is in his sophomore year, which is arguably the biggest and most frustration time for any young NFL QB to convert, but showing his tremendous poise from last season and the accusation of Santonio Holmes, things should be smooth on offense with one of the best running games in football. Prediction: 11-5.
: As long as Tom Brady is at the helm, New England has an legitimate shot at contention for a Lombardi, but the window of the dynasty of the '00's is rapidly closing. Brady isn't getting any younger and he is coming off of a so-so season getting knocked around and playing poorly at times, something N.E hasn't seen for quite some time. There is concern with leadership within the organization as well as veteran pull, esp on the defensive side of the ball. Their defense has more holes than rotten swiss cheese and is a major concern coming into the season and can no longer rely on 50 points a game coming from the offense. Even though they are on the down slope, they remain a playoff team even though they got smashed at home against Baltimore last season in Foxboro. Prediction: 9-7.
: Miami is a team on the uprise. Chad Henne is being compared to Dan Marino by the owner and he showed glimpses of shredding NFL defense's last season with pin point accuracy and a sharp arm. He has a new toy to play with, one of the best rising stars in the league at the WR position in Brandon Marshall. They are turning into a fun and gun type of offense with Henne's ability so the Henne/Marshall connection could take advantage of defense's, esp that of N.E's since they struggled against the pass last season. Unfortunately, they are still years away from being a contender on defense and that will slow them into a so-so Wildcard contender. Prediction: 8-8.
: I see no hope in this team whatsoever other than hiring Chan Gaily as their head coach this off season. Gaily is oldschool but can he work with these players on the roster? They have no identity at the Quarterback position and even a name like Terrell Owens couldn't stop this downward spiral the Bills have been in for a long, long time. They have no face of the franchise to speak of and the only thing worth mentioning is the running core having Marshawn Lynch and drafting C.J Spiller as their feature backs, but the offensive line mixed in with no QB and a horrendous defense, it won't matter much. Buffalo will rebuild for the next years to come. Prediction: 5-11.
AFC NORTH
: Baltimore showed they can hang in there and battle through a regular season. With help from other teams in the division, Baltimore had an impressive route against New England on the road but stalled in the Divisional Round. They are a hardcore, smash you in the mouth football team and their tough as nails RB Ray Rice is an indicator of how Baltimore plays football, with a nice little touch of Willis MaGahee on the side and a bulldozing LeRon McClain crushing people at the line of scrimmage. Baltimore's Achilles's heal was at Wide receiver last season, but they plugged that hole in a BIG way acquiring Anquin Bolden from the Cardinals. Baltimore should be able to put up points, but the defense isn't getting any younger and Ed Reed is said to miss a good months into the season. Still, it's Baltimore's division to lose. Prediction: 11-5.
: Everybody knows the off-season puke that Steelers Nation had to deal with this year and it wasn't pretty. Pittsburgh comes into the 2010 season without 2 time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and have many, many, many unanswered questions througout the team. They lost RB Willie Parker and SB MVP Santonio Holmes through FA and trade and if there wasn't many questions on the O-line, they lost their BEST o-lineman before the season even started in Willie Colon. Byron Leftwhich is said to take the reigns and I don't think he'll be a concern, but what concerns me is when Ben comes back. He will have to get football ready after missing a whole month and that is NOT easy to do. I expect the Steelers to start good, but tail off some for Ben to get his legs and then slowly rise from there. The defense needs to get back to their smothering ways of 2008, or it could get ugly. Thankfully, Troy is back as well as All Pro DE Aaron Smith and we return SB mentality with the likes of Randle El, Larry Foote, and Bryant McFadden at the corner. If we didn't bring those guys back, I wouldn't label this Steelers team no better than an 8 win team, but this team could surprise with the same players returning and being only a couple years away from being in the Super Bowl and missing the post season by ONE game in a bad season in 2009. Prediction: 9-7.
: I really want to be as open as possible for this Cincy team but I just can't see this team as an overall threat within the division. They played well during the first half of the season last year and won some TIGHT-TIGHT games but their play at the end of the season was the transition of a bad Cincy team who fell apart at the end simply because they weren't that good. I don't expect Cedric Benson to have another big year but their young defense is on the uprise and will put them in contention for a Wild Card. Carson Palmer and Chad Ochowhatever his name is could be on their last legs. Prediction: 9-7.
: Cleveland is taking a step in a positive direction but that's where it ends, atleast for 2010. Mike Holgrem I'm sure can instill the mentality that a Cleveland team needs and drafted a future could-be star in Colt McCoy. Still, they bring in china doll/statue Jake Delhomme who threw 3,000 INT's last season and entering a division to where defense's come after the quarterback with fiery. Who knows what Mangini's status is if Cleveland starts slow, but atleast they can hang their hats on Josh Cribbs, who will more than likely burn out since he's the only player to build around. Prediction- 6-10.
AFC SOUTH:
: How can you go against a team that wins 13 games during a season like it's all they know how to do? Manning is going to get a huge deal soon and just like Brady, as long as Manning is at the helm, the Colts will forever be a legitimate contender to representing the AFC in the Super Bowl. This division, on paper, looks like it wants to make strides, but always falls short as a group year in and year out. They got to the SB with virtually NO running game last season and were comeback kings, riding the arm of Manning. I don't expect that to change anytime soon as long as the defense plays consistent enough. Prediction: 12-4.
: Every year, I really, really, really, really pull for the Texans to finally step up and enter the caliber a team they are destined some day to be. They have pieces in place with gunslinger Matt Shaub and Andre Johnson but inconstistent play and a mediocre defense just won't get it done against a Manning led Colts team, esp playing them TWICE a year. I'm going to give them another shot and go out on a limb and say the Texans make the post-season and finally arrive. Prediction: 10-6.
: Tennessee was embarrassing as embarrassing gets at the start of last season, coming out of the gates at 0-6 and losing to N.E 130-0 at a snowy Foxboro. They have a new, but familiar leader in Vince Young, but even though he wins, I question his phyce and the ability of being a leader if times get tough and the pressure amounts. Last season, he took the gears when Tennessee was an after though and had no pressure so I'm eager to see how this team could respond. Last season was a fluke so I expect Tennessee to be in contention early and ride Chris Johnson to the moon and they ALWAYS have a tough defense regardless under Jeff Fischer. Prediction: 9-7.
: Jacksonville is always a team that is so predictable, kind of like the Denver Bronco's of the AFC West. Start okay, win early, and fall apart down the stretch. Jones-Drew should have a good season since he's one of the AFC's best backs, but David Garrard is not the answer, esp to the future. Even though he limited his mistakes last season, don't expect him to win many games on a team that sometimes plays with no heart. Prediction: 7-9.
AFC WEST
: Could this FINALLY be San Diego's year?! The team they have is ridiculous and Phillip Rivers is seriously becoming into a quarterback not to mess with. They started off slow last year, but quickly become hot and had a big time winning streak entering the playoffs. Their division might be the weakest in football, so if San Diego can't make it to ATLEAST the Title Game this year, then what has to change? Prediction: 13-3.
: Just like the Titans, this team was a fluke last season, but the other way around. They started off hot and shocked the NFL by beating teams they were never supposed to beat. But of course, they showed their true colors and broke down in the middle of the season, squandering the division lead to S.D and missing the playoffs. Kyle Orton will be harassed and the Tim Tebow experience could start off like walking on lava. Their defense was one of the best units last season, so they can hang their hats on SOMETHING if they find themselves in a nice spot. Prediction: 8-8.
: I'm going to give Oakland the benefit of the doubt and put them out of the cellar competing with Kansas City, but that's not saying much. Bruce Gradkowski stepped in and produced wins against the Bengals, Steelers, Bronocs & Eagles last season so there is hope in Oakland to be on the upset alert, but as long as Al Davis is livin, then Oakland will be a laughing stock given their approach and how they handle their off-season NFL Draft that projects herds of laughter. Since Oakland did trade for an underrated (in my eyes) Jason Campbell in the off-season, I think he could win them some more games on top of things during any stretch. Prediction: 8-8.
: The Matt Cassell experience had to be the worst leap of Faith any owner put into their team. What a terrible signing that resulted with big money and 4 wins. They will be a work in progress for years to come once they can find stability that works for the team and that starts with a man who knows how to win with Scott Pioli and an offensive minded head coach in Tod Haley. The defense isn't worth any mention and neither does the rest of the team. Prediction- 4-12.
AFC PROJECTED PLAYOFF PICTURE:
1. San Diego Chargers
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. N.Y Jets
4. Baltimore Ravens
------------------------
5. Houston Texans
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (winning tiebreaker head to head with N.E & having a better division record against Tenn and Cincy.)
AFC Representative in Super Bowl 45 in Dallas, Texas:
San Diego Chargers
*Predictions could vary week to week due to the uncontrollable unpredictability that happens within the umbrella of an NFL season.
NFC predictions coming soon.
: Another tough division to put your finger on and a lot of inside changes. Dallas finally won their 1 playoff game since 1996 and showed, atleast for one season, they could win in December. Miles Austin had some great numbers and statistically led most recievers in the NFL throughout the season. Austin is a threat and has major play making ability and Jason Witten will always be ontop of the NFL in TE receptions. Dallas has a killer offense with the accusation of Dez Bryant to hopefully push Roy Williams to catch the ball once in awhile and their backs are groomed for greatness (Barber, Choice.) Even though Romo is a good scrambler out of the pocket and makes plays happens, he is inconsistent and chokes in big game situation. I think Dallas can go far this season and make a legitimate run at the Super Bowl. Too bad the pressure at getting there and hosting SB 45 as a home game won't be too fun of a cloud hanging over the heads of the Cowboys. Romo is due to choke big at getting there. 
: Washington finally has jumped the shark and hired some people who can contend in the division. Mike Shanahan is a coach that brings major upside to winning football and with going out and snagging McNabb from the Eagles, one could hope in Washington that he brings a way in beating the Eagles as well as being familiar with every team within the Division. The defense should be better under a Shanahan led team and I could see a wild card birth if they play their cards right within the division. They also have a killer RB corps (Clinton Portis, Willie Parker, and Larry Johnston.) 
: The Giants are a hard team to figure out going into this season. They have a franchise QB in Eli Manning and a running core in Brandon Jacobs that could give defense nightmares as well as breakouts on the outside like Steve Smith. Recievers are still a concern and the defense completely melted down last season after a 6-0 start and missing the playoffs. If they don't find their niche early, then they will lag behind Dallas and Washington. How much does Coughlin have left? 
: The Eagles took a major hit from going from a proven to an unproven. McNabb took the Eagles to 5 Conference titles and one Super Bowl but they decided the franchise needed a fresh direction, but shipping him to Washington? Bad mistake. Cobb will learn and be scrutnized under a harsh reality that is Eagles fans and it could get bumpy early. The defense is the key to success and Brian Westbrooke certainly doesn't have that much to offer since he's injury prone and that puts pressure on a young QB, as well as a young RB in LeShaun McCoy. for Philly but I don't see them contending with Dallas OR Washington. 
: We all know Favre will be back and how can't you NOT like this Vikings team with Favre having the best season of his career and being one win away from the Super Bowl? That defense is a complete nightmare with Jared Allen coming off of that edge. Aaron Rodgers is STILL scared to death that they might not have an answer for Allen. If Favre plays well and if Adrian Peterson can keep the football in his hands and not on the ground, then I can see Minny representing the NFC. 
: I was close to anointing Green Bay the division champs, but then I thought: Can they protect Rodgers all season? Can their defense give the offense some wiggle room instead of scoring over 50 points to be in the game? That playoff game against ARI was a disaster defensively but I expect them to get better since Charles Woodson was hurt during the playoffs and the D being in their second year in the 3-4. Rodgers is amazing and if the D can help him out, then GB will make a run at the playoffs as well as the Super Bowl. Prediction: 
: Cutler is a punk who thinks his rocket of an arm can win him football games. Of course, sometimes it will help, but you can't rely on a strong arm, ask Michael Vick or Kordell Stewart about that. Cutler must grow into the role in Chicago or the ship will sink fast. Devin Hester can't do it all and Chicago got nobody to throw to so how does that help a struggling QB with decision issues? The defense can't cut it without Urlacher so hopefully for them he can stay healthy but I don't expect much from Chicago but at the same time, won't be surprised if they are one of those teams that have a breakout year. 
: To be continued for some years down the road. They got their franchise QB, they got a new coach and they got a stellar defensive lineman who will shape the entire defensive landscape alone in Ndamukong Suh. Too young yet and too much room to build just to roll off consecutive wins, but with Calvin Johnson being a backbone to a young QB, I don't see why they can't get 2 or maybe 3 in a row. 
: One of the hardest things to do in all of professional sports is to repeat as NFL Champions. This is now what the Saints face as they are the target of every team's temperament. With Drew Brees and Sean Peyton forming a Brady-Bellicheat like bond/relationship then the Saints should easily pave way through the division and be hard to beat, esp at home in that Dome. They will get their shot of defending their Title since they shouldn't get that much competition within the division, but can they live up to the hype? 
: I expect Matt Ryan and Michael Turner to get back into form and offensivley and give their team a shot at surprising and make a trip back to the post-season. They don't have the fire power to keep up with N.O, but they have a good enough team to have some confidence in a franchise QB who has a couple of big games under his belt, but would need help on the defensive side of the ball for this team to click. 
: Carolina got rid of an old aged QB and will go into the season with an inexperienced, just like Philadelphia in Matt Moore or POSSIBLY Jimmy Clausen late in the season if things go bad. This is a step back, but it could turn into two steps forward within the organization for the future. 
: Tampa Bay is where Carolina will be next season. They plugged in their young and future QB in Josh Freeman and will continue to build their team around him. Cadillac Williams or Derick Ward will get a big bulk of what's going on, but could they need to remain healthy, esp that of Cadillac who once had a bigger than promising career. Tampa Bay USED to pride themselves off of defense. They MUST go back to that somehow. 
: This is a division that could be fun. Out of ALL the divisions in the NFL, this is the one that a team must step up. I loved the kind of attitude Singletary brings to the 9'ers. He had that players mentality who get relate and get in the heads of what a player is actually thinking and I like that, esp that of a defensive nut. Can Alex Smith now live up to the #1 draft pick he was after showing glimspes that he could last season? Can a uprising defense help out a still learning on the job Smith and help out the offense by being stout? Frank Gore needs to have a big year and also stay healthy. Vernon Davis should have a BREAKOUT season. 
: I'll give Pete Carrol's recent success at USC the benefit of the doubt in finishing second in this division since it's a division that is for the taking. They are riding on an EXTREME unknown with a guy named Charlie Whitehurst if Matt Hasselbeck's old body can no longer take a hit. Their whole team is in suspect since the arrival with Carrol and I'm sure it will be in transition, but maybe success of Carrol can make these guys excited.
: With losing Anquan Boldin to FA and now relying on Larry Fitzgerald more than ANYTHING, I'm not sold on QB Matt Leinart. His mechanics are lazy and he seems to be a guy that's just not focused given his position of quarterbacking (like Vince Young.) Losing Kurt Warner completley changes their whole look and dynamic on offense and with the playing time Leinart got last season, he looked pathetic and uninspiring. This is a team that could shove it back in my face though, so we'll see what happens. Also, that defense needs to wake up or else team ARI could be out of games early now that they don't have Warner to pick them back up. 
: Just like Tampa Bay and Carolina, the Rams have a face of the franchise like Stephen Jackson, but lacks close to NOTHING overall. They finally drafted a promising franchise QB in Stafford, but could he even take a hit at the PRO level, let alone the college level, without injuring his throwing shoulder? We'll see. He will probably play right away given the kind of money and lucrative deal he's going to be recieving in guaranteed money, but expect him to hand the ball off. A lot. Hope Jackson is ready to carry the ball 700 times this season. Defense is in progress. It will be a couple years before they will be taken serious and maybe be "the greatest show on turf" again. Rams fans hold out hope. 
so what's the point.
I always hold out hope and want to believe in them, but they must prove me wrong.
I dunno, it doesn't seem what problems the Steelers have, they always find a way to get it done. Perhaps I give credit just to the fact that Big Ben always found a way to scramble, stay upright (well, most of the time) and still make a play....Maybe their O-line isn't as good as I give credit for...but likewise, They say you can't win with a bad O-line, but they still beat the Cardinals in the Super Bowl without one. Last year, they were one win away from being the team nobody wanted to play in the playoffs. I think they'll be ok.