This 2010 season has been anything but dry, is it ever? As always there are many things no one sees coming, the 5-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Kansas City Chiefs leading rolling along with a 5-2 record, and the rookie QB led 4-4 St Louis Rams, how about the Oakland Raiders going 4-4 and in 2nd place in the AFC West? Not many people would have put any of these teams in the positions they are in now, all have much to be proud of in 2010 (so far.) We do all remember the 6-0 start from the Broncos last year, right? I sadly admit I was sold they were a legit team, 5 weeks later, not so much. They are still trying to figure out what went wrong in Colorado.

Then there are the disappointments, the crash and burns of the favored teams, people expected a lot from. This is what we are looking at today. We will start with

Minnesota Vikings (3-5) When Jared Allen and his crew went to Mississippi to recruit Brett Favre to come back to Minnesota; I don’t think this start was what they had in mind. I felt from the beginning, Brett was seriously done. Now how he was handling all of this was horrible. But, it was Brett; you know what you get with Mr. Favre. The Vikes went 12-4 last season, lost a heartbreaker in the NFC championship game vs the eventual Super Bowl champions, and many felt they were just that close to making it to the bowl, since 1976. This year, Favre has been awful, the O-line has been sub par and the magic seems to be gone. Scoring only 18 pts on Sundays isn’t going to cut it. The Vikes will likely end up under .500, but with a few winnable games coming up against Arizona, Washington and Buffalo they might be able to salvage some pride.

San Francisco 49ers (2-6) The Niners came into the season with a lot of promise, after ending last season with a 8-8 record, and winning 3 of their last 4 games in 2009. Singletary was the shining star leading his cavalry into battle. They would have talented WR Michael Crabtree for the season, Frank Gore pounding it on the ground and some revamped O-line to help them get the weakened division title, and make a push for playoff glory. So far this season, they are only scoring 17/gm, have dreadful QB issues and appear to be on the brink of 5 wins, which would mean likely concern for the once revered Singletary.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-6) When the Bengals no longer were the Bungles, last season, posting a 10-6 record and battling for the AFC North title, fans were impressed. They had a solid defense, ran the ball exceptionally well, still had talented WR in Chad Ochocinco and somewhat declining veteran QB Carson Palmer. In 2010, they added future hall of famer Terrell Owens to the mix, and many thought this was what was going to rejuvenate Palmer, who would teams be forced to double cover? It was going to be mayhem on the field for opposing defenses. Losing 4 in a row, it’s been anything but. 3 games they have had less than 200 yards passing and 4 games with fewer than 100 yards rushing, has kept the Bengals into the cellar again. 5 of the next 6 games are against power teams, this can end up a 4 win season when all is said and done.

Dallas Cowboys (1-7) Jerry Jones and all the Cowboys fans across the world were hoping this was the year. They could host their own Super bowl in Dallas. Coming into the season, much was expected of the ‘Boys. They went 11-5 last year, even though bowing out in a slamming by the Vikes, they made the playoffs, won a game, which was a huge relief to Romo and company, many thought this was the year; the next step would be taken. Instead, giving up 27 pts/gm, an awful running game and now Romo is done for likely the season. Dallas is looking down the barrel of 4 wins with Kitna behind center.