AFC East


New England Patriots (12-4)

If they all stay healthy this could be one heck of a team. That's a big IF! They are certainly loaded with talent from top to bottom.

Miami Dolphins (8-8)

Many experts are predicting big things from the Fish this year. I am not one of them. Teams and defensive coordinators will be better prepared for the Wildcat offense. Don't forget this team won a lot of close games last season that could have easily gone the other way.

Buffalo Bills (7-9)

The reality of Marshawn Lynch missing 4 games to start the season combined with a brutal schedule makes it tough on this team. Will Terrell Owens be good or bad for team morale? His track record does not bode well!

NY Jets (6-10)

If Mark Sanchez plays a full season that would be a good thing but the Jets expect to win now. Joe Flacco had a Top 5 defense last season and Matt Ryan had the leading rusher. Mark has neither of those. I'll put the over/under on games started by Sanchez at 10. I will take the Under. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFC North


Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

The defending Super Bowl Champs are well-coached under Tomlin and will be right in the thick of things once again this season. It won't be easy as the Steelers are going to receive everyone's top effort against them.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

This is my top ATS Sleeper team in the AFC. Read that article right here.

Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

Took some hits on the stop unit but still in the upper echelon of defenses. Does QB Joe Flacco take a step forward or a step back in year two of his career. He's not asked to a lot so he should be fine.

Cleveland Browns (6-10)

They are still undecided at QB and have major issues on both sides of the ball. The Browns are lacking in talent and six wins could be generous on my part. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AFC South

Tennessee Titans (12-4)

One of the most physical football teams I have ever seen. They will keep rolling this season behind one of the sharpest head coaches at any level. Jeff Fisher is a master at bringing out the best in even the average player. He has a career record of 133-108 as a head coach.

Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

Still a very capable team despite the coaching change. Payton Manning is too good at the QB position and the Colts have a big home-field advantage. They should make the playoffs as a Wild Card.

Houston Texans (9-7)

The Texans have never had a winning season and in fact they have gone 8-8 the last two seasons. If they get some breaks they might sneak into the playoffs. Matt Schwab needs to stay healthy for all 16 games and he is already "nicked up" a bit. Cross your fingers Houston fans!

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)

Pivotal season for head coach Jack Del Rio. I just don't have a good vibe about this team. It starts up front and the Jags are lacking proven talent on both lines. Who knows-- maybe these guys will be good. Time will tell. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFC West


San Diego Chargers (11-5)

I have never been a fan of head coach Norv Turner but there is no denying the plethora of talent on this team. Two-headed running tandem with a great defense now that Merriman is healthy. When Merriman starts a game the defense allows 18.4 ppg and when he doesn't the defense allows 21.5 ppg.

Oakland Raiders (7-9)

They have a greater chance to finish below .500 than finish above. 500. The Raiders won a league-worst 24 games during the six full seasons from 2003-2008 (two fewer wins than the 26 posted by the next worst team, the Detroit Lions. I do like Darren McFadden to have a breakout season!

Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)

The big question is weather QB Matt Cassel can put up the type of numbers he did playing for the Pats last season. With less talent I would have to say no. Losing future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez will not help.

Denver Broncos (6-10)

Talk about your dysfunctional teams and Denver has to be high on the list. Brandon Marshall had surgery on March 31st 2009, to repair an aggravated hip that bothered him during the 2008 season. He returned in time for training camp in late-July; however, he didn't always fully commit to practicing. This led the Broncos to suspend him for the last two games of the preseason (he didn't play in the first two preseason contests) for conduct detrimental to the team. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NFC East


Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

The schedule is in their favor and no T.O. means better chemistry. Not a fan of head coach Wade Phillips, and after this team gets elimanated there will be changes in 2010-11. Can you hear me Mike Shanahan ???

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

A very well-coached team and has budding stars on both sides of the ball. Health is always a concern especially at QB, but a playoff birth is very likely. Donovan McNabb started all 16 games for the first time sine 2004.

NY Giants (9-7)

The loss of Plaxico Burres and Derrick Ward will hamper the offense. The Defense is as good as ever. Eli Manning has a career completion percentage of 55.9%. He needs to show me more!

Washington Redskins (8-8)

I give them 8 wins due to their very favorable schedule. And that may be pushing the envelope. Pivatol season for QB Jason Campbell. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NFC North


Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

A pysical team that will punish you from start to finish. The best running back and a future Hall of Fame QB is a pretty good combo to have. Not to mention a lightning fast defense with some bulk as well. Brett Favre has won four of his past five games at the Metrodome. The indoor curse is over!

Green Bay Packers (10-6)

This is my NFC ATS Sleeper team for 2009-10. Read that article right here.

Chicago Bears (9-7)

They now have their franchise QB in Jay Cuttler. How he handles the pressure this season will determine how far they can go. This defense is not the same defense of years past. Still a formidable defense but not dominating.

Detroit Lions (3-13)

That's 3 more wins than last season. Not bad. The Lions scored 268 points and gave up 517 points in 2008. They would need to turn those numbers way around just to reach eight wins. The long road to rebuilding will continue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NFC South


Atlanta Falcons (11-5)

This team plays a relatively easy schedule and has a great home field advatage. The talent and coaching are pretty good too. RB Michael Turner must stay healthy after carring the ball 376 times in 2008. The Falcons finished dead last among defenses in 2007, so a move to 19th last season was a step in the right direction. The defesne was ranked #11 in points allowed though. Bend but don't break.

New Orleans Saints (9-7)

They have loooked great this Preseason but let's not jump on the band wagon just yet. The Saints can score points in their sleep but can also give up points in their sleep. They should win games by out-scoring their opponent. Expect big Over/Under totals in all Saints' games this season.

Carolina Panthers (8-8)

Jake Delhomme has been on a steady decline since his 2004 breakout season. This team went 12-4 last season with smoke and mirrors. They were 8-0 at home and 4-4 on the road. Jake was solid in 2008 but did make crucial errors in the playoffs. This could be his last season at QB for the Carolina Panthers.

Tampa Bay Bucs (5-11)

The Bucs will play hard for new head coach Raheem Morris but the talent is just not there. Will take some time learning the new system from all the first-year coordinators . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NFC WEST


Arizona Cardinals (10-6)

Teams are going to have a hard time tryting to stop this run and gun offense. Larry Fitzgerald is the best WR in the game. If the defense plays like it did last year the sky is the limit for the Red Birds. The defense created a lot of turnovers and will need a repeat of that performance in 2009-10.

Seattle Seahawks (9-7)

Now that QB Matt Hasselbeck is healthy this team will be very competitive. They have a very easy schedule this season and a new attitude.

San Francisco 49's (7-9)

Unproven at QB makes this team under .500. Stud RB Frank Gore needs to stay healthy. If they get great play from whoever starts at QB this team could win eight or nine. I will stick with a 7-9 record in Mike Singletary's first full year as head coach.

St. Louis Rams (3-13)

Besides Marc Bulger and Stephen Jackson this team is lacking in proven talent. Those guys never stay healthy so it will be a long season in St. Louis. One of the worst defenses will be on display in 2009-10. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next week: Opening Week Preview

Jeff H http://twitter.com/jhsportsline
 

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