It also probably warrants mentioning that the two major lingering, hotbed NFL offseason storylines – Ben Roethlisberger and Darrelle Revis – have been resolved before 2010’s season has officially kicked off. Star cornerback Revis earlier this week signed a 4-year, $32 million contract with the NY Jets after a several-week holdout as a result of him having outperformed his contract, and Roethlisberger’s six-game suspension, handed down by the NFL due to a young woman’s sexual assault allegations against ‘Big Ben,’ was reduced to four games. Is there anyone who’s even mildly surprised about this?
Here’s a quick peek at the divisions.
NFC East – This division is always a meat-grinder, perhaps more so than any of the rest. Donovan McNabb is now with Washington, and the Eagles have Kevin Kolb taking over as a first-year starter. The Dallas Cowboys shouldn’t have any major dropoff in quality, but watch out for the N.Y. Giants. They’ll quietly go about their business and save their energy for when they need it most. I’d like to believe the Eagles can win this division, but they’re a little young this year, and Kolb will probably need at least one full season to develop into a confident leader and dependable winner.
NFC West – What can anyone say? The NFC West is sort of a joke. In fact, I find it regretful that I’ve already written three sentences about it. People are buzzing about San Fran again, like they do every year. Why not, I say. Nobody else looks better. Arizona is done (Kurt Warner has retired, Anquan Boldin is gone); Seattle has question marks, like always (Pete Carroll is unproven as a head NFL coach); and St. Louis, despite the promise and potential of Sam Bradford at QB, is still going to stumble worse than Snooki after 3 Irish car bombs.
NFC North – Green Bay seems like they’re on a mission. Aaron Rodgers is an awesome QB, point blank. People think this team could be the NFC’s Super Bowl rep. Favre is back for the Vikings after his annual ‘Will I or won’t I’ soap opera B.S., but top receiver Sidney Rice is done for half the year, and Percy Harvin might not be able to get a-‘head’ if his migraines don’t clear up. That offensive line looks somewhat questionable too. Don’t expect the Minnesota of 2010 to be the Minnesota of 2009. The Bears and Lions will finish third and fourth, not necessarily in that order (but probably).
NFC South – Saints or Falcons? Conventional wisdom suggests it will be one of them winning this division. I can’t imagine New Orleans being any less effective than last year, except that this time they’ll have the old bulls-eye on their backs as the defending Super Bowl champs. Atlanta was surprisingly mediocre last year, but a lot of the ‘experts’ are looking for a rebound from them now. Carolina and Tampa Bay should be where we think they will (sitting at home during the playoffs).
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AFC East – Holy crap is there going to be some knock-down, drag-out fights to win this division. Expectations for the Jets have never been so high. The Patriots are still the Patriots (in other words, you’d be stupid to count them out), and the 2009 Dolphins were perhaps the best team ever to lose more than 6 games in a season. It’s really anyone’s guess, but it feels like the Jets or Pats will likely take the crown. Sorry Bills. You’re still inept (not really a newsflash, am I right?)
AFC West – Much like the NFC West, not a strong field here. But San Diego is probably the best team, even if not by a long shot. There’s some optimism amongst Raiders fans, what with a new quarterback and all (it’s Jason Campbell folks, not Peyton Manning). Plus you have Al Davis manning the ship, which is basically a kiss of death to every season that passes by with him at the helm. Denver will be feisty, but they don’t feel like championship material. And some say watch out for KC this year, but I’m not buying that either. Chargers are still the team to beat here. In fact, I’m thinking that losing LaDainian Tomlinson will actually make them better.
AFC North – Everyone loves the Baltimore Ravens here. In fact, don’t sleep on that Ravens-Jets 7 p.m. Monday night game. Should be a doozy (perhaps a preview of the AFC title game?) The Steelers will still need work to be put away, but if they start weak without Big Ben through the first 4 games they may not recover. Don’t think Cincinnati will do this year what they did in ’09. As usual, the Cleveland Browns are the division doormat.
AFC South – This is a quietly tough, competitive division. This current regime of the Indy Colts will always be the favorite, but don’t forget how much momentum the Tennessee Titans had to finish out ’09. Wouldn’t be shocking to see them return to their 2008 form (in other words, a playoff team). Jacksonville gives good fight, but they won’t actually threaten for a division crown or playoff spot. Houston is another annual ‘bandwagon’ team, except that it always seems to turn out that the wagon is made of straw and not steel.
Happy pigskin in 2010. I’ll be keeping up on it just like you will, fo’ sure.
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