The NFL 2010-2011 season is set to kick off Thursday night with the reigning SuperBowl champs, the New Orleans Saints, facing off with Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. Before the ball is kicked for the first official time of this season, I thought this would be a perfect time to toss out some predictions from the sports savvy mind of moi.
With that in mind, here are 10 predictions that you can expect to be rock solid this year.
1. The New Orleans Saints will not repeat as SuperBowl Champs.
Nothing against them but they are a flawed, one dimensional team that got hot at the right time last season. Props for them getting their ring but it's not going to happen again this season.
2. The Detroit Lions will win at least 8 games.
There is just something about these Lions that are screaming surprise team this season. They are loaded offensively and if they can get something out of their defense, than an 8-8 season is attainable.
3.A major quarterback name will not make it through the whole season.
I know, kinda vague, but I can guarantee you that one of the following five names will not be quarterbacking their teams at the end of the season. The names are Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, Tony Romo. The injury bug will hit hard on one of these guys.
4. The New England Patriots will not make the playoffs.
The AFC is as loaded as it has ever been and if you're going to get an invite to the dance, then you are going to have to put up at least 10 wins this season. Simply put, the Pats aren't up to it this year. They have no running game and their defense just isn't solid enough to win enough games.
5, Aaron Rodgers will win the league MVP award.
Quarterbacks usually have an edge in this race and with the season I expect Rodgers to have, you can bet he will finish top of the pack (pun intended).
6. I will win at least one of my two fantasy football leagues.
The why for this one is simple, I'm stacked on both my teams and deep. Barring a major run of injuries and underperforming players, I'm set to take the trophy in both my leagues.
7. It will be Baltimore and Indianapolis in the AFC Championship game.
These are two of the most stacked teams in the NFL. Baltimore greatly improved their offense in the offseason and is only needing some time for it to gel together while Indy is perhaps more dangerous than it has ever been offensively with the return of Anthony Gonzalez.
8. It will be Green Bay and Dallas in the NFC Championship game.
I look at these two teams and the potential each one holds and I can't help but put them as the last two NFC teams remaining. They will both light it up on the offensive end while holding steady on the defensive side.
9. The two teams in the SuperBowl will be the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers.
Both Indy and Dallas are known to choke in big games and this year will be no different as they will be pounded in their respective Championship games, leaving the Ravens and the Packers to duke it out for the ultimate prize.
10. And the SuperBowl winner will be....... the Green Bay Packers!
The Pack is back baby, and in a big way. Aaron Rodgers will have yowling cheeseheads forgetting number 4 by the end of the season as he wins SuperBowl MVP in a tight contest against the Ravens.
