2009 NFL Preview | Stack Attack's Blog

Hello everyone, I already gave you my prediction for the game tonight between the Titans and the Steelers. Now it is time to take larger view of the what to expect from all of the NFL teams this year. I don't need to tell you the storylines from the offseason: T.O. to Buffalo, Cutler to the Bears, the Broncos and their problems, Brett Favre waffling, the Minnesota Vikings without Favre, Favre stays retired, Favre is a Viking, etc. No, I'm not going to go that route. Let's take a look at how each team will fare this NFL season and who will be making that trip to Miami to play in the Super Bowl and hope to raise the Lombardi Trophy on February 7, 2010.

AFC East

1.New England (Predicted Record:12-4)

While Tom Brady's injury has some people skeptical, don't underestimate what he will do once again with Randy Moss and Wes Welker. The defense is a question mark, but they are too good to lose that many games.

2. New York Jets (Predicted Record: 8-8)

A rookie QB (Mark Sanchez), and a new coach (Rex Ryan) will contribute to a season full of growing pains for the Jets.

3. Miami (Predicted Record: 7-9)

I am not high on the Dolphins this year. They have a murderous schedule and I just don't like the amount of talent on both sides of the ball.

4. Buffalo (Predicted Record: 7-9)

If the preseason is any indicator, the Bills will struggle on offense, which won't make one Terrell Owens very happy. The o-line has some questions surrounding them. If the defense can avoid the injury bug unlike last year though, this team will be the surprise of the division and will be vying for a playoff spot. Until I see it though, I have too many concerns with them.

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh (Predicted Record: 11-5)

Until someone knocks them down, you have to pencil the Super Bowl champions in as the favorites. They have some tough games, but they had the league's toughest schedule last year, and look what happened.

2. Cincinnati (Predicted Record: 10-6)

I know what you are all thinking: What the hell does he know? Listen, a healthy Carson Palmer gives the Bengals another two victories at least. Add that with an improving defense, and a motivated Chad Ochocinco (if anyone watched First Take on Tuesday, you know what I mean) and I think the Bengals can fight for a playoff spot this year.

3. Baltimore (Predicted Record: 9-7)

I'm not trying to hate on the Ravens. But when you lose your defensive coordinator, one of your star linebackers (Bart Scott) and your starting safety (Leonard), there is cause for concern with this team. Add that to their depleted wide receiver depth and I think the Ravens will struggle at times this year.

4. Cleveland Browns (Predicted Record: 5-11)

Not naming their starting QB till yesterday won't help the Browns at all this season. Eric Mangini is putting his stamp on this team and they will have more downs than ups this season.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis (Predicted Record: 10-6)

It will be interesting to see how the Colts look without head coach Tony Dungy. Their defense has looked a little shaky this preseason, but with Peyton Manning at the peak of his career, I see no reason in not taking the Colts.

2. Houston (Predicted Record: 10-6)

This is one of my surprise teams of the season. Provided that Matt Schaub can stay healthy, and that is a big IF, this team has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and is ready to take that next step towards their first postseason birth in franchise history.

3. Tennessee (Predicted Record: 9-7)

Like I said before, I don't really like the Titans this season. The loss of Albert Haynesworth cannot be underestimated, and can anyone expect Kerry Collins to have another year like he did last year? I don't think so. Tennessee comes back down to Earth this year.

4. Jacksonville (Predicted Record: 7-9)

Home blackouts aren't the only problem in Jacksonville. Jack Del Rio's job may be on the line. Garrard needs to come back and have a year like he did two years ago. The o-line should be better and the defense can play better as well. Still though, they just don't have enough talent, excluding MJD.

AFC West

1. San Diego (Predicted Record: 12-4)

They win the division by default, but they are a solid team. L.T. will play with a chip on his shoulder, Philip Rivers is one of the best QBs in the league, and Shaun Merriman is back, making the defense that much better. Look for this team to be a Super Bowl contender.

2. Denver (Predicted Record: 6-10)

I was going to put Oakland here, but that shows you how much the Raiders have fallen. With all of the drama going on in Denver last year, losing Cutler, an unhappy Brandon Marshall, and a terrible defense, and I see no reason that the Broncos won't be better than this.

3. Oakland (Predicted Record: 6-10)

If Richard Seymour plays, they will have a great defense and can bump their win total up. But they have looked awful this preseason, and teams will load the box to stop their running backs. Al Davis and fans: here's to you for another long year in Oakland.

4. Kansas City (Predicted Record: 3-13)

This is a team completely in rebuilding mode. Matt Cassel's injury makes me hesitant in picking them to win more games. However, if you are looking for anything positive to come out of KC this year: Bowe will have a monster fantasy year. Book it.

NFC East 1. Philadelphia (Predicted Record: 11-5)

The East is a beast and it will be no different this year. The Eagles though have a lot of weapons on offense this year with Jackson, Westbrook, Maclin, and McNabb. The addition of Vick will help them out as well with some new wrinkles for defenses to gameplan for. The defense though, losing both Brian Dawkins and Jim Johnson (R.I.P.) is a little shaky and skeptical.

2. New York Giants (Predicted Record: 9-7)

They may have the best defense in the NFC and the entire NFL, but until the WRs come up with some big plays, I think the Giants will struggle a little bit this year before returning big next year.

3. Dallas (Predicted Record: 8-8)

While things are quiet in Cowboys country (for once), this team is in too tough of a division. The loss of T.O. will hurt them offensively, and I have to see more from Roy E. Williams before I can say that the offense will be great this year. DeMarcus Ware is an animal and will be vying for the single-season sack record, but the rest of the defense has some questions to answer.

4. Washington (Predicted Record: 7-9)

They just don't have the offensive firepower to keep up with the rest of the teams in the East.

NFC North

1. Minnesota (Predicted Record: 12-4)

Brad Childress has improved his record by 2 games each year so the record should be 12-4. Speaking of 4, a certain #4 is on the team. He will be asked to be a game-manager which will suit him and the Vikings just fine. This team is now a legit Super Bowl contender.

2. Green Bay (Predicted Record: 10-6)

Aaron Rodgers has been playing lights out this preseason and he should have a major-breakout year this year. The question is though, how will the defense respond from going to a 4-3 to a 3-4? Time will tell and I have a feeling there will be some growing pains during the season, but they should make the playoffs.

3. Chicago (Predicted Record: 9-7)

The Bears finally have a franchise QB, but who is Cutler going to throw to? Defenses will game plan for Matt Forte more this year and Greg Olsen meaning that the Bears WRs will have to come up big. The defense is getting older too, and could slow them down slightly this season.

4. Detroit (Predicted Record: 4-12)

There is a new culture in Detroit with a rookie QB and a rookie head coach. It worked in Atlanta and Baltimore last year, but it won't happen in Detroit this year. But hey Lions fans: at least you will have four more wins then last year!

NFC South

1. New Orleans (Predicted Record: 11-5)

This team is so explosive on offense that they will be in every game they play this year. Will Greg Williams get the defense to play any better though? If he can, the Saints could find their way to the Super Bowl.

2. Atlanta (Predicted Record: 10-6)

Expect no sophomore slump from Matt Ryan this year. He has one year under his belt, and another weapon at his disposal in Tony Gonzalez. If the defense can play better this year, the Falcons are a Super Bowl contender. But they still don't have the offense that the Saints do.

3. Carolina (Predicted Record: 9-7)

Jake Delhomme needs to show people that last year in the playoffs was just a really bad game. His weapons on offense are good, and the defense is not bad, but they play in too tough of a division.

4. Tampa Bay (Predicted Record: 4-12)

The Bucs got rid of a lot of franchise players this offseason and they have a new head coach. But the talent is just not going to help them get many Ws this season.

NFC West

1. Arizona (Predicted Record: 9-7)

Arizona's offense is still great, but it will be interested in seeing how they react to being the hunted rather than the hunters. Still they have the most talent in the division and will win the NFC West for a second straight year.

2. Seattle (Predicted Record: 8-8)

They will double their win total from last year thank in large put to Matt Hasselbeck and TJ Houzmanzadeh. Their offensive line though is in shambles and their defense still has a little work to do.

3. San Francisco (Predicted Record: 6-10)

This team just does not have that many offensive weapons to compete with Arizona and Seattle.

4. St. Louis (Predicted Record: 5-11)

New coach Steve Spagnoulu has this team excited. But when their only real weapon on offense is Steven Jackson, it may be a rough year. This team will be more competitive and better though.

AFC Playoffs

1. San Diego

2. New England

3. Pittsburgh

4. Indianapolis

5. Houston

6. Cincinnati

NFC Playoffs

1. Minnesota

2. New Orleans

3. Philadelphia

4. Arizona

5. Green Bay

6. Atlanta

AFC Champion: San Diego

NFC Champion: Minnesota

Super Bowl: San Diego 24 Minnesota 31

Super Bowl Champions: Minnesota Vikings

I know dream on right. Well that is my prediction even though it probably won't happen. Here is my backup: New England vs. New Orleans Tom Brady will be holding the trophy and his new baby at the same time. Until next time, c ya. Enjoy the start to a great NFL season. It is so good for football to be back on.