The 2009 NFL Playoff Team Guaranteed Not to Return to the Post Season in 2010

When the 2010 NFL season begins in September, every team will be fighting for a playoff spot at the end of the season. While we know success in the NFL usually breeds success, it does not always hold true.

This leads us to the question, which 2009 playoff team will falter in 2010 and not return to the post season?

There are two obvious teams that come to mind. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals.

While the New York Jets made a deep run in the playoffs, you have to remember how they squeaked into the playoffs is because their opponents decided not to play their starters in the last two games of the season.

Their running game took a step back when they replaced Thomas Jones with LaDainian Tomlinson. Even so, the Jets' defense is still going to be formidable this year and with more experience under their belt.

The Arizona Cardinals are entering the 2010 NFL season without their leader Kurt Warner and one of the toughest wide receivers in the game, Anquan Boldin.

Even with these losses, the Cardinals do have a solid offense that should help support Matt Leinart as he grows into his role in a weak NFC West conference.

While we need to give the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals some consideration, the team with the best chance of not returning to the playoff picture in 2010 will be the

The Philadelphia Eagles.

The biggest reason why the Eagles will fail to return to the NFL playoffs is the change at the quarterback position. Not only did the Eagles trade away the better quarterback, Donovan McNabb, they are ready to hand over the reins to the inexperience Kevin Kolb.

The Eagles are stuck if Kolb falters because Michael Vick is currently listed as his backup.

Not only will the Eagles be affected by losing one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league, they lost a leader in the locker room who many players respected and wanted to play for.

Eagles' fans should not expect to see their team sweep the Redskins like they did in 2009. Instead McNabb will be ready to show his old team how much he has left in the tank and how he can help a team win.

Another reason for the Eagles fall from grace will be on the defensive side. The team took a step back in 2009, allowing 21.1 points per game while having a mediocre pass defense.

The Eagles did address some needs with the front seven of their defense, but will need to see improvements from their secondary if they are going to take advantage of the pressure they can generate on the opposing quarterback.

The last thing going against the Eagles and their hopes of a playoff position in 2010 is the division they call home, the NFC East. Last year, the Eagles were able to ride a 4-2 record in the division that helped secure a wildcard spot.

The Eagles will need to contend with the Giants and Redskins have improved upon their deficiencies and the Cowboys who are ready to repeat as division champions.

NFL fans should expect to the Eagles to be in contention throughout the year, but will end up with a record just above .500 and out of the 2010 NFL playoff picture.

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