Loading ...Around the office, in bars, and all around the country, NFL fans are debating about which teams will be the powerhouses of the 2010 NFL season, which teams will surprise, and which teams will disappoint. Meanwhile, at training camps all over the country, NFL coaches and players of all 32 teams are giving out reasons to expect improvement over last season, or in the case of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, why they will be every bit as good as last season.
Every team feels like it has a shot to have a successful season in August, but the question is – which teams really have the talent and leadership to be real contenders in 2010? Which teams look headed for a top 10 spot in next year’s draft?
POWERHOUSES
1. Colts
Peyton Manning is still the most dominant player in the game, and has plenty of weapons at his disposal. The defense is talented, and this team is as even-keeled and ready for the big spots as any in football.
2. Chargers
Led by Phillip Rivers and a big, physical set of receivers, the Chargers can score with anyone, including the Colts. A weak division gives the Chargers a real shot at home-field advantage in the AFC, and this team has been knocking at the door of a Super Bowl appearance for the last four seasons.
3. Saints
The defending Super Bowl champs go into the 2010 season with everyone gunning for them, but they are well-equipped for the task. The offense is a well-oiled machine that can put seven’s on the board in the blink of an eye. If the defense can have a repeat performance, the Saints should once again contend in the postseason.
VERY CAPABLE OF A SUPER BOWL RUN
4. Packers
Aaron Rodgers is quickly becoming one of the best players in the NFL, and an improved offensive line should make the Packers offense even more difficult to defend than it was last year – which is a scary thought. Expect the Packers to come out of the gates blazing, with the sting of their heartbreaking 2009 postseason loss to the Cardinals still on their minds.
5. Cowboys
The addition of Dez Bryant at wide receiver was huge for this football team. One of the top ten talents in the draft, the Cowboys got a steal in Bryant, who should make the Cowboys passing game a nightmare for the NFC. The defense is very talented and very well-coached. The question is – will the fact that the Super Bowl is in Dallas this season drive this team, or put a lot of pressure on them late in the season?
6. Patriots
Is Tom Brady still the quarterback? Belichick still the coach? Randy Moss still an elite wide receiver? Check, check, and check. Everybody wants to talk about the potential of the Rex Ryan-led Jets, but you can bet your bottom dollar that this team will be ready to go week in and week out.
7. Vikings
When you mention the Vikings, the two words you’ll usually hear next are Brett and Favre. And with good reason. This ranking is all based on the assumption that Brett Favre will lead this football team in 2010.
DANGEROUS PLAYOFF-CALIBER TEAMS
8. Ravens
Anquan Boldin, Ray Rice and Dante Stallworth give the Ravens something they haven’t had in, well, ever. An explosive offense. Couple that with a vicious front seven on defense, and you have a dangerous football team in the AFC North. The Ravens do have a glaring weakspot at cornerback however, and will need a consistently strong effort from their front line on defense. Then again, haven’t they gotten that almost every year of their existence?
9. GIANTS
Before you start crying homer at the top of your lungs – let’s take a close look at this football team. 8-8 a year ago, the Giants were decimated by injuries in 2009 all across the defense – with Kenny Phillips, Chris Canty, Aaron Ross, and Michael Boley all missing significant time. Justin Tuck played through a torn labrum, and New York played in a division featuring two playoff teams. For a team built on running the football, defense, and an efficient passing game – the Giants were forced to air it out week after week in 2009, and still were in the playoff race up until the final couple of weeks of the season thanks in large part to Eli Manning and his young receivers. With a healthy defense, an elite quarterback at the prime of his career, and Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw a year removed from troublesome leg injuries – would anyone argue that this team can’t add 2-3 wins to its total in 2010? If the Giants can stay healthy, expect them to be a dangerous, under the radar team this season.
10. Jets
The defense is absolutely stacked, and the Jets have brought in a couple of weapons to improve their production on the offensive side of the ball. This group is led by a confident, hard-working head coach that really has this team believing in themselves, and that alone makes them a tough matchup every week. Their success will come down to the development of quarterback Mark Sanchez, who will have to take a significant step forward for this team to be a true Super Bowl contender.
11. Bengals
With a strong defense, physical running game, and now several weapons for Carson Palmer in the passing game – the Bengals are in prime position to make real noise in the AFC this season. If Terrell Owens can stay focused on winning, and Carson Palmer can stay healthy – the Bengals will win double-digit games this year, and be a tough out come the postseason. It goes without saying that those are big if’s.
12. 49ers
You have to love what the 49ers did this off-season. The offensive line is stacked with talent, and the defense is stout and disciplined. The 49ers are the favorites in the NFC west going into the season, and if Alex Smith can just manage games and play efficient football behind a strong running game, the 49ers will have the best season they’ve had in quite some time.
ON THE BRINK OF SERIOUS CONTENTION
13. Texans
It all comes down to their ability to stop teams from passing for 300 yards every week in Houston. If the defense can just be serviceable, the Texans have more than enough offensive ability to win nine or ten games and steal a wild card spot in the AFC.
14. Dolphins
Tough, physical, well-coached, and hard-working – the Dolphins won’t lay down for the Jets and Pats in the AFC East. Brandon Marshall makes them more threatening on offense, and Tony Sparano will make sure his team doesn’t make costly mistakes on Sundays.
15. Falcons
Injuries really hurt Atlanta in 2009, and they go into this season with a chip on their shoulder. They’re playing in a division with the defending Super Bowl champs, but with a healthy Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, the Falcons will do some scoring of their own this season. Don’t write them off as a non-playoff team.
MIDDLE OF THE PACK
16. Steelers
What the Steelers are able to do with Roethlisberger out early in the season will go a long way in determining their fate this season.
17. Eagles
The defense is very solid in Philadelphia, but there are a lot of changes on the offensive side of the ball, and this may be the year Eagles fans start to appreciate what they had in Donovan McNabb. Hard to see them keeping up with Dallas and New York this season.
18. Redskins
Shanahan and McNabb will do all they can to drive this team into a playoff berth this season, but they play in a very tough division and are a few steps behind.
19. Bears
Jay Cutler should have a much better season in 2010, and the defense is improved, and the addition of Julius Peppers should make them formidable again in the front seven. Dangerous football team, but one short on the talent and direction necessary to be able to contend with the NFC’s top teams all season.
20. Cardinals
Beanie Wells is a talented, powerful young back to get excited about, but there are a lot of questions about the ability of this team to keep up with the 49ers in the NFC West with the losses of Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin on offense, and Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle on defense.
STILL A YEAR OR TWO AWAY
21. Panthers
The Panthers played very well when Matt Moore started in 2009, but this is an extremely young football team that will have a lot of ups and downs over the next couple of seasons.
22. Raiders
Jason Campbell gives them a little more legitimacy on offense, and the defensive side of the ball actually looks quite impressive. It’ll be a little tougher for opponents to just laugh them off this season.
23. Titans
Issues on defense, a shaky quarterback situation, and a very tough division will make it hard for Jeff Fisher to keep this team in contention this season.
THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE
24. Seahawks
Contrary to popular belief, Charlie Whitehurst isn’t actually the world’s best kept secret. Seattle had a solid off-season, but the 49ers are a considerably better football team, and there are plenty of question marks on both sides of the ball here.
25. Broncos
Josh McDaniels has essentially traded Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall for Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas. An average defense got a lot less formidable when Elvis Dumervil went down for the season.
26. Lions
This is a roster that has really been improved dramatically over the past two seasons. The fact that they are unlikely to win more than six games tells you how far down the NFL food chain the Lions were before that improvement.
27. Jaguars
David Garrard isn’t a franchise quarterback, and they don’t have the talent to contend with Indianapolis and Houston in their division.
28. Chiefs
They had a decent off-season, but even with the addition of Eric Berry, there are a ton of issues on defense that will keep this team from being able to keep up week in and week out.
OH MY GOD, SOMEONE CHANGE THE CHANNEL
29. Browns
The preseason camp battle for the quarterback job features Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. Yep.
30. Bills
Even with the addition of one of the best young running back prospects to come along over the past few years, this offense will be very painful to watch in 2010.
31. Buccaneers
Very young team on both sides of the football. They are overmatched in terms of talent by just about every team in the NFC.
32. Rams
Six wins in the last three seasons. That’s right I said six. In the last three. Sam Bradford has a ton of pressure on his shoulders. The talent is there with the rookie signal-caller, but what about the toughness, physically and mentally? He’ll get a shot to prove himself quite early in the 2010 season.
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Short URL: http://www.giants101.com/3rdand1/v
Redskins backups looked better than the Bills backups…
CJ Spiller?
Meh
Didn’t do too well? I didn’t see, but I’d give it more time to rate him. He showed up late too.
Haz!
Ralph V opens himself up to litigation on Twitter methinks:
# SeaEych I played TE for 1/2 a season in Division III football. I was stoned most of that time. Let #NYG know I’m free. 6’3″ 187lbs!!!
# Blue Screen Hey, Jeremy Shockey used to play hungover, so stoned probably won’t be a problem.
# SeaEych 10 years ago…I’m not high now, just for the record.
# Blue Screen Wish I could say the same … Just kidding. I’m only drunk. about 10 hours ago via Seesmic Web in reply to SeaEych
I’ll say this about our placement on your Power Ranking list, Haz–it’s bold. Most would have the Jets in the top 5, yet you’ve got them ranked at #11, behind the Giants. I think the reasoning is probably that they have a young quarterback who, statistically, was amongst the worst in the league last year, a big-name receiving corps that hasn’t really done much individually, and a huge defensive hole in the absence of Revis. They still have a top defense and should have a good running game with Shonn Greene. But their success last year was based on 1/3 of the field–and your #1 receiver–being removed from consideration by the presence of Revis. Thus, QBs were forced to hold the ball longer in order to find an available receiver, allowing the pass-rush friendly attack to get to the quarterback. Will they be able to replicate those successes without Revis, with Cromartie and rookie Kyle Wilson? I don’t think so.
So yeah, I think they’re going to be good. But they might not live up to the gigantic expectations of their fans.
Meanwhile, I think we will overachieve based on a strong defense that will get better as the year goes by and an offense that could be one of the best in the league. We’ll still have to knock out teams like the Saints, the Vikings, the Cowboys, the Packers and, yes, the 49ers (who I think you have under-ranked, IMO). But I think we’ll end up nose-to-nose with the Jets anyway.
Overall, though, I think your rankings are good.
I simply don’t understand the hatred of the Jets. Its like some sort of anti-G101 thing going on. Commonly here, all of our rivals are better coached, better managed and have our number. However, the Jets have the exact opposite take here, despite their trip to the final four last year and significant additions. And don’t give me the whole backing in argument. They got in the dance and did damage on other teams home fields (which kinda blows up the entire paragraph for the #2 Chargers), kinda like another team I know.
So yeah, you don’t have to like them, but you sound like a silly homer when you state that the Jets will suck this year.
(Note this isn’t directed at any particular person, nor Haz, whose piece here I particularly like. I’m just getting tired of the moaning about the Jets. When you take a step back, it looks like its us with the inferiority complex at times.)
(Another note, I still think the Giants finish better.)
(Last note, I think both are fairly ranked, and I think both will go up the list as the season progresses.)
Kujo , you said
. But their success last year was based on 1/3 of the field–and your #1 receiver–being removed from consideration by the presence of Revis.
My thought was , If the Qb steps back in the pocket , and he doesnt look to the side Revis is on for obvious reasons and now his options are cut down and he doesnt have to check them , shouldnt he get the ball out quicker ?I will say not necessarily more accurately or with a better completion percentage or anything
Kujo , Im in work , Im bored so Im not picking on you , its this or find some work to do
Also you wrote
Meanwhile, I think we will overachieve based on a strong defense that will get better as the year goes by and an offense that could be one of the best in the league
I dont see that as overachieving , I see that as playing up to your potential , but hey Im nitpicking
Great Piece Haz! Glad to see you back regularly contributing…I agree with pretty much everything except I may drop the Saints down a little bit..I see a 10-6 or 9-7 season for them this year..As I posted last month, I am huge on the 49ers this year and see them in the NFC Championship game..Their division is the weakest by far in the NFC and while all the teams in the NFC East are beating up on each other and the Packers- Vikings are as well, the 49ers will be piling up wins ..If they can get a bye and a Home game it will be tough for any teams to fly cross country and beat them..In the NFC I have it
1-Vikings – If Farve Retires flip them with GB
2-Giants
3-4-9ers
4-Saints
5-Packers
6-Cowboys
X2.
In other news, I’m scheduling a doctors appointment – I’ve been agreeing with you way too much lately!
It is scary man..I agree with your post about the Jets hate too…They are a very talented Team and as long as Sanchize doesnt suffer a significant sophomore slump will be playing late in January..
I wonder if the last couple years of us battling so much has caused us to …Nah, there must be some odd planetary alignment or something:-)
Hahahah
“Oh my god someone please change the channel.”
the Jets are an enigma. a 9-7 team that won strictly with defense. Ravens-lite. they could easily be 5-11 this year; 10-6 on the upside. no better because they just don’t have an offense and their defense isnt great, good but not great
Just dont have an offense?
Top 5 Oline in NFL
Showne Green and LdT
Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Jericho Cotchery
Dustin Keller
They have POTENTIAL to be an explosive offense IF Sanchize doesnt fall prey to Sophmore slump syndrome..
Completely agree.
If bluster were as big a factor in deciding the outcome of football games as offense, defense, and special teams, the 2010 Jets would be a team for the ages.
But when judged solely from the standpoint of the usual metrics used for evaluating football teams, the Jets (especially sans Revis) look pretty middle of the pack to me; just another one of the 9-7 teams that litter the NFL landscape each year. If they’re blessed with some extraordinarily lucky breaks, they might soar to 11-5; the same number of unlucky breaks could doom them to a 7-9 season.
They just don’t have the kind of eye-popping, across the board talent that screams Super Bowl contender to me. And I continue to maintain that their head coach is an overrated “gimmick” coach; a latter-day Jerry Glanville. Those type of coaches tend to start off strong and then taper off as their schtick wears thin.
RB D.J. Ware and CB Aaron Ross will get the first shots at replacing the injured Domenik Hixon as the kickoff and punt returners, respectively, on Monday night.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2010/08/14/2010-08-14_brown_gets_big_blue_doover.html#ixzz0wbdPIUlk