Steelers/NFL Preview 2010
Last weekend, the college football season kicked off and none too soon for many people, including me. High school football got its traditional start the Friday evening before, and now the NFL will complete the trifecta by getting its season started this weekend. Football will now be in full swing. The NFL season officially kicked off Thursday evening with the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints hosting the Minnesota Vikings in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game. The full tilt continues Sunday and concludes with a double header Monday Night.
Here, then, is Sports Beat predictions for each division in the NFL, as well as a preview of the Steelers Atlanta Falcons opener Sunday at Heinz Field.
Beginning in the AFC East, it is coming down to the New York Jets and the New England Patriots for division supremacy. The Jets have the young quarterback in Mark Sanchez and arguably the best corner in the league in Darrelle Revis. The Jets also went out and got LaDainian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor and traded for Santonio Holmes. Stocking your roster is one thing – getting the team to build chemistry and teamwork is another (see Dallas). Offering up a full array of bravado is head coach Rex Ryan. Many pundits believe the AFC is ripe for the Jets taking. This is why they play the games.
In New England, the Patriots will be trying to prove they have something left in the tank after the spanking they took from the Baltimore Ravens in last year’s playoffs. Tom Brady is now a grizzled veteran on the other side of 30 with a rebuilt knee. The Patriots haven’t won a Super Bowl since they won number 39 six years ago. Is this the beginning of the end? Miami and Buffalo will be pulling up the rear, but Miami stands a better chance of playing spoiler and perhaps creating a surprise or two.
In the AFC North, it is a mixed bag. Any of three teams could pull this division off. Everyone’s preseason favorite are the Baltimore Ravens. After acquiring Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals, and now T.J. Houshmanzadeh, quarterback Joe Flacco has two more marquee targets to throw to. In Cincinnati, the Bengals took a chance on Terrell Owens and pairing him up with Chad Ochocinco. Again, this will be a chemistry issue. The temperamental Owens does more to hurt his cause than help it. There is a reason why so many teams have passed on him.
Of course, everyone know about the plight of the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger has had his suspension reduced from six to four games, meaning his return will be against the Cleveland Browns in October. Dennis Dixon gets the start at quarterback with Charlie Batch backing him up and Byron Leftwich looking to return by week three. Perhaps the most interesting season in Steelers history is about to unfold. Cleveland is still a mess and it will take some time to get that franchise turned around.
In the AFC South, it will still be Indianapolis and Tennessee battling it out for division supremacy, but don’t count out Houston making some noise before the season is over. Peyton Manning gives the Colts the edge, but the Titans will be threatening to turn the division into a two horse race. Should either team slip up, the Texans will be there to take advantage of the opportunity. Jacksonville is a team in transition and head coach Jack Del Rio’s job could be on the line.
In the AFC West, it is really San Diego’s division to lose. Denver is trying to figure out if their quarterback is going to be Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, or Tim Tebow. Kansas City will be trying to get off the schneid after Todd Haley hired Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to be his respective coordinators. Oakland remains a mess, much like Cleveland, until Al Davis realizes these are not the glory years of the 1970s and early 1980s.
In the NFC East, everyone is head over heels in love with the Dallas Cowboys. Again, all that talent does not equate to chemistry and success. All I can remember is how they were dismantled by the Vikings in the divisional playoffs last season. They may be the best in the division, which isn’t saying much, but I am not counting out the likes of Washington or Philadelphia. Mike Shanahan and Andy Reid are good coaches, respectively. Do not be surprised if Dallas stumbles in its quest to play in the Super Bowl on its home field and one of those two teams sneaks past them.
In the AFC North, it looks to be a two team battle between Minnesota and the Green Bay Packers. The difference in Minnesota is, of course, Brett Favre. His successor in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers, is the darling of fantasy football and the Packers are being given an excellent chance of getting to Dallas for the Super Bowl. Chicago has work to do to get back where they were during their Super Bowl year of 2006 and Detroit is still learning how to win.
In the AFC South, it will come down to the Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Both are strong teams; one is the Super Bowl champion and the other is led by a stud young quarterback in Matt Ryan. Both have equal shots of winning the division and make deep playoff runs. Carolina may not be able to get past these two teams and it may cost coach John Fox his job. Tampa Bay is also a team in transition and a ways away from being competitive.
In the NFC West, it looks like the door is open for San Francisco to take over the mantle from the Arizona Cardinals, now that Kurt Warner has retired and the organization has released Matt Leinart. A wasted draft pick? San Francisco is a far cry from its glory years, but it could be the best of a mediocre division. Seattle is going to have a new look with Pete Carroll back in the NFL after a stop over in Los Angeles with USC. St. Louis is a big mess and the only glimmer of hope is Sam Bradford, the franchise and quarterback and overall number one pick.
The key for the Steelers on Sunday is for the quarterback, whomever the starter may be, to manage the game and keep mistakes to a minimum. Atlanta is a dangerous team and a playoff contender. If this game was being played in Atlanta, I would say it would be a Falcons win. However, opening in Pittsburgh gives the Steelers a chance in this game, given the circumstances surrounding the franchise. The running game had better be ready to shoulder a large part of the load. Rashard Mendenhall will be front and center. Behind him are Mewelde Moore, Isaac Redman, and Jonathan Dwyer. The young studs had better be ready to see some action.
It will be imperative for the defense to stay healthy and hold the team together while Roethlisberger is out. For a team with many starters 30 and over on the defense, it might be a tall order. When one gets older, injuries take longer to heal. Matt Ryan is going to be testing this defense early and often due to the age factor. Make no mistake, this will be a close game. The more the Steelers keep the ball on the ground, the better off they’ll be. This isn’t to say not to take chances in the passing game. It means keeping the ball out of Ryan’s hands and keeping their offense off the field as much as it can. Close, tight, and low scoring. Steelers 20, Atlanta 17.
2010 NFL Season Predictions
AFC East W L AFC North W L AFC South W L AFC West W L
NY Jets 12 4 Baltimore 11 5 Indianapolis 11 5 San Diego 12 4
New England 10 6 *Pittsburgh 10 6 *Tennessee 11 5 Denver 8 8
Miami 8 8 Cincinnati 7 9 Houston 8 8 Kansas City 6 10
Buffalo 4 12 Cleveland 3 13 Jacksonville 5 11 Oakland 5 11
NFC East W L AFC North W L NFC South W L NFC West W L
Dallas 11 5 Minnesota 12 4 New Orleans 13 3 San Francisco 10 6
Washington 11 5 *Green Bay 11 5 *Atlanta 11 5 Arizona 8 8
Philadelphia 8 8 Chicago 7 9 Carolina 6 10 Seattle 7 9
NY Giants 7 9 Detroit 5 11 Tampa Bay 4 12 St. Louis 5 11
*Wild Cards
Week 1
Pick of the Week, Green Bay over Philadelphia (0 – 0)
Upset Special, Washington over Dallas (0 – 0)
Here, then, is Sports Beat predictions for each division in the NFL, as well as a preview of the Steelers Atlanta Falcons opener Sunday at Heinz Field.
Beginning in the AFC East, it is coming down to the New York Jets and the New England Patriots for division supremacy. The Jets have the young quarterback in Mark Sanchez and arguably the best corner in the league in Darrelle Revis. The Jets also went out and got LaDainian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor and traded for Santonio Holmes. Stocking your roster is one thing – getting the team to build chemistry and teamwork is another (see Dallas). Offering up a full array of bravado is head coach Rex Ryan. Many pundits believe the AFC is ripe for the Jets taking. This is why they play the games.
In New England, the Patriots will be trying to prove they have something left in the tank after the spanking they took from the Baltimore Ravens in last year’s playoffs. Tom Brady is now a grizzled veteran on the other side of 30 with a rebuilt knee. The Patriots haven’t won a Super Bowl since they won number 39 six years ago. Is this the beginning of the end? Miami and Buffalo will be pulling up the rear, but Miami stands a better chance of playing spoiler and perhaps creating a surprise or two.
In the AFC North, it is a mixed bag. Any of three teams could pull this division off. Everyone’s preseason favorite are the Baltimore Ravens. After acquiring Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals, and now T.J. Houshmanzadeh, quarterback Joe Flacco has two more marquee targets to throw to. In Cincinnati, the Bengals took a chance on Terrell Owens and pairing him up with Chad Ochocinco. Again, this will be a chemistry issue. The temperamental Owens does more to hurt his cause than help it. There is a reason why so many teams have passed on him.
Of course, everyone know about the plight of the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger has had his suspension reduced from six to four games, meaning his return will be against the Cleveland Browns in October. Dennis Dixon gets the start at quarterback with Charlie Batch backing him up and Byron Leftwich looking to return by week three. Perhaps the most interesting season in Steelers history is about to unfold. Cleveland is still a mess and it will take some time to get that franchise turned around.
In the AFC South, it will still be Indianapolis and Tennessee battling it out for division supremacy, but don’t count out Houston making some noise before the season is over. Peyton Manning gives the Colts the edge, but the Titans will be threatening to turn the division into a two horse race. Should either team slip up, the Texans will be there to take advantage of the opportunity. Jacksonville is a team in transition and head coach Jack Del Rio’s job could be on the line.
In the AFC West, it is really San Diego’s division to lose. Denver is trying to figure out if their quarterback is going to be Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, or Tim Tebow. Kansas City will be trying to get off the schneid after Todd Haley hired Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to be his respective coordinators. Oakland remains a mess, much like Cleveland, until Al Davis realizes these are not the glory years of the 1970s and early 1980s.
In the NFC East, everyone is head over heels in love with the Dallas Cowboys. Again, all that talent does not equate to chemistry and success. All I can remember is how they were dismantled by the Vikings in the divisional playoffs last season. They may be the best in the division, which isn’t saying much, but I am not counting out the likes of Washington or Philadelphia. Mike Shanahan and Andy Reid are good coaches, respectively. Do not be surprised if Dallas stumbles in its quest to play in the Super Bowl on its home field and one of those two teams sneaks past them.
In the AFC North, it looks to be a two team battle between Minnesota and the Green Bay Packers. The difference in Minnesota is, of course, Brett Favre. His successor in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers, is the darling of fantasy football and the Packers are being given an excellent chance of getting to Dallas for the Super Bowl. Chicago has work to do to get back where they were during their Super Bowl year of 2006 and Detroit is still learning how to win.
In the AFC South, it will come down to the Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Both are strong teams; one is the Super Bowl champion and the other is led by a stud young quarterback in Matt Ryan. Both have equal shots of winning the division and make deep playoff runs. Carolina may not be able to get past these two teams and it may cost coach John Fox his job. Tampa Bay is also a team in transition and a ways away from being competitive.
In the NFC West, it looks like the door is open for San Francisco to take over the mantle from the Arizona Cardinals, now that Kurt Warner has retired and the organization has released Matt Leinart. A wasted draft pick? San Francisco is a far cry from its glory years, but it could be the best of a mediocre division. Seattle is going to have a new look with Pete Carroll back in the NFL after a stop over in Los Angeles with USC. St. Louis is a big mess and the only glimmer of hope is Sam Bradford, the franchise and quarterback and overall number one pick.
The key for the Steelers on Sunday is for the quarterback, whomever the starter may be, to manage the game and keep mistakes to a minimum. Atlanta is a dangerous team and a playoff contender. If this game was being played in Atlanta, I would say it would be a Falcons win. However, opening in Pittsburgh gives the Steelers a chance in this game, given the circumstances surrounding the franchise. The running game had better be ready to shoulder a large part of the load. Rashard Mendenhall will be front and center. Behind him are Mewelde Moore, Isaac Redman, and Jonathan Dwyer. The young studs had better be ready to see some action.
It will be imperative for the defense to stay healthy and hold the team together while Roethlisberger is out. For a team with many starters 30 and over on the defense, it might be a tall order. When one gets older, injuries take longer to heal. Matt Ryan is going to be testing this defense early and often due to the age factor. Make no mistake, this will be a close game. The more the Steelers keep the ball on the ground, the better off they’ll be. This isn’t to say not to take chances in the passing game. It means keeping the ball out of Ryan’s hands and keeping their offense off the field as much as it can. Close, tight, and low scoring. Steelers 20, Atlanta 17.
2010 NFL Season Predictions
AFC East W L AFC North W L AFC South W L AFC West W L
NY Jets 12 4 Baltimore 11 5 Indianapolis 11 5 San Diego 12 4
New England 10 6 *Pittsburgh 10 6 *Tennessee 11 5 Denver 8 8
Miami 8 8 Cincinnati 7 9 Houston 8 8 Kansas City 6 10
Buffalo 4 12 Cleveland 3 13 Jacksonville 5 11 Oakland 5 11
NFC East W L AFC North W L NFC South W L NFC West W L
Dallas 11 5 Minnesota 12 4 New Orleans 13 3 San Francisco 10 6
Washington 11 5 *Green Bay 11 5 *Atlanta 11 5 Arizona 8 8
Philadelphia 8 8 Chicago 7 9 Carolina 6 10 Seattle 7 9
NY Giants 7 9 Detroit 5 11 Tampa Bay 4 12 St. Louis 5 11
*Wild Cards
Week 1
Pick of the Week, Green Bay over Philadelphia (0 – 0)
Upset Special, Washington over Dallas (0 – 0)
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