2010 NFL Regular Season Predictions

The one thing that every NFL fan will have when the 2010 NFL season begins is hope. Hope that their players will step up this season and have career years. Hope that the ball will bounce their way and calls will be made in their favor.

Here is a look at the 2010 NFL predictions for each of the divisions and who will come out on top when the regular season is completed.

AFC East

This division boasts three potential playoff teams and a cellar dweller than could prove troublesome if they are able to find offensive stability during the regular season. The New England Patriots will find new life in their defense and use that to help with a more balanced offense to help turn into another division winning performance. Though the New York Jets have made strides in the right direction, they are relying upon relatively inexperienced quarterbacks and have some questions marks at other key positions.

The Miami Dolphins can make a run at the top of the division if inexperienced quarterback Chad Henne can form a productive relationship with the newly acquired Brandon Marshall. The Buffalo Bills have the potential to be an exciting team this year on offense, especially if Trent Edwards is able to remain healthy for the regular season.

Division Champions - New England Patriots

AFC North

Every team in the North has major questions that if gone unanswered will send them to the bottom rung during the 2010 NFL season. The Baltimore Ravens are in the best position to reach the NFL playoffs if they can make sure they avoid an identity crisis on the offensive side. The Cincinnati Bengals may have improved their chances to return to the playoffs but it depends if the newly acquired Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco can co-exist.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will lose some ground in 2010 with the suspension of Ben Roethlisberger and find it hard to bounce back in the second half of the season. The Cleveland Browns are running in circles and will need another year or three before they can rebound from a roster in shambles.

Division Champions - Baltimore Ravens

Wildcard - Cincinnati Bengals

AFC South

Since the Indianapolis Colts squandered away a chance to win a second Super Bowl in the past ten years, do not expect them to make the same mistakes this year. Quarterback Peyton Manning will be ready and able to take the Colts deep into the playoffs. The Houston Teans are capable tp standing in their way with their high powered offense and underrated defense.

The Tennessee Titans are not going to be able to ride on the back of running back Chris Johnson and are going to need quarterback Vince Young to find a way to become a more reliable passer. Though the Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the best running back in the league, in Maurice Jones-Drew, they have too many holes on both sides to protect head coach Jack Del Rio or to earn a winning season.

Division Champions - Indianapolis Colts

Wildcard - Houston Texans

AFC West

When it comes to this division, the San Diego Chargers are the cream of the crop even though they will be missing the services of their stud wide receiver Vincent Jackson for part or all of the 2010 NFL season. The Oakland Raiders are going to gain some ground this year thanks to the change they made at the quarterback position. If Jason Campbell can manage the game, they maybe able to sneak in if the Chargers falter.

The Denver Broncos are a team in flux and will spend most of the season shuffling around players on the offensive side of the ball. You will be able to tell how there season is going if they force Tim Tebow into the starting role. The Kansas City Chiefs should make some improvement on the offensive side but it will not be enough to overcome their porous defense.

Division Champions - San Diego Chargers

NFC East

The stars are aligned for the Dallas Cowboys for the upcoming 2010 NFL season. Quarterback Tony Romo is primed to lead one of the top offenses in the league while the defense has appeared to be one of the best in the NFC. The Philadelphia Eagles took a big chance by parting ways with Donovan McNabb. Despite the gutsy move by coach Andy Reid, the Eagles are going to experience growing pains and miss out on the playoff hunt.

The New York Giants will bounce back some in 2010 thanks to their offense but will experienced some liability on the defensive side where they have some holes. The Washington Redskins are going to gain some ground on the NFC East, but will find Donovan McNabb can only produce if he has capable wide receivers. Owner Daniel Snyder will continue to learn that money does not buy championships in the NFL.

Division Champions - Dallas Cowboys

NFC North

Instead of referring to the NFC North as the Black and Blue division, NFL fans should refer to it as a gunslinger's paradise. The Green Bay Packers lead the way with one of the top quarterbacks in the league, Aaron Rodgers. If Rodgers is able to remain healthy during the duration of the 2010 NFL season, he will lead the Packers to a deep run in the NFL playoffs while having a legitimate chance at his first MVP award.

The Minnesota Vikings' season again will hinge upon Brett Favre, whose indecision and age will be the reason why they barely advance to the playoffs. The Chicago Bears' success will be determine by how well quarterback Jay Cutler is able to hold his own in the pass happy Mike Martz's offense. The Detroit Lions will make some progress this season on the offensive side and should be a sight to see in 2011.

Division Champions - Green Bay Packers

Wildcard - Minnesota Vikings

NFC South

The New Orleans Saints are going to have a target on their back during the 2010 NFL season as they try to repeat as world champions. While quarterback Drew Brees is still one of the best in the game, the Saints will find it hard for their defense to maintain the same level of production this year. The Atlanta Falcons are going to rebound nicely in 2010 and put some pressure on the Saints thanks to several players, like quarterback Matt Ryan, who will rebound from poor performances.

The Carolina Panthers have the chance to be the surprise of the NFC if they can find stability at the quarterback position to go along with a dominant running back tandem. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to struggle this year with inexperience on both sides of the ball and should make a serious run at the top selection in the 2011 NFL draft.

Division Champions - New Orleans Saints

Wildcard - Atlanta Falcons

NFC West

Though this division boasts the least amount of potential to be home for the 2011 Super Bowl Champion, things are not completely bleak. The San Francisco 49ers are poised to take over at the top of the NFC West this year with a dominant defense. The one thing standing in their way could be failure at the quarterback position by Alex Smith. The Arizona Cardinals are entrusting their offense to Matt Leinart with the hope he learned at the hand of Kurt Warner.

The Seattle Seahawks could have a bounce back year if their 2010 NFL rookie class can find a way to make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball. The St. Louis Rams are in for another long year as they experience growing pains with rookie quarterback Sam Bradford at the helm.

Division Champions - San Francisco 49ers