AFC and NFC East division preview

The wonderful, beautiful game of football is back! And, of course that means prediction time, which will more than likely be wrong. Just look at some of my predictions from last year. As noticed by my quote of "Brett Favre will not play all 16 games and they will not make the playoffs." Just a bit off there. But, we make these predictions just to talk about them and have fun with them.
The division races will be incredibly tight in both the AFC and NFC's eastern divisions, as at least three of the four teams in each division are loaded with talent. Granted, they are loaded with talent on paper. It will be a much different story come the actual games and to see if any of these players miss even one game, as even one game is a significant amount of time on the NFL schedule. But, instead of generalizing and such, here is your team previews for both divisions.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have not been to the playoffs since 2000, when the current Cowboys coach, Wade Phillips was their coach. This year will be no different, even with their fifth coach in the last decade. This time, it's Chan Gailey, who last coached Georgia Tech to a loss in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl. Not exactly the best bowl game to go to. The Bills hopes rest on first round pick C.J. Spiller to be as amazing as he was in college and for the defense to be somewhat productive. The problem is that Spiller will probably have some trouble adjusting to the soeed of the game at the professional level. Also, the defense lost one of their more recognizable players in Aaron Schoebel due to retirement.

Prediction: 6-10

New England Patriots

Yes, I am picking the vaunted Patriots to finish third. There are several reasons for this. The first being that I think the Dolphins and Jets are a whole lot better than the Patriots are. The second is that the Patriots are a little bit older, and a little bit slower. Finally, I just think that their window of opportunity has passed them by. I still think the Patriots will be productive though, as they still have one of the best quarterbacks in the game, Tom Brady, one of the best coaches still in Bill Belichick and a very good defense. I just think they'll falter a little bit from last year when they went 10-6 and won this division.

Prediction: 8-8

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are cruising a little bit under the radar according to most so called "experts", they're picking them to finish right about here, but not to make the playoffs. Well, I am picking the Dolphins to make the playoffs as the second wild card team. So, Dolphins fans, hold your breath throughout the month of December. The offense should be amazing, as Chad Henne has another year of experience under his belt, and they got him a true number one receiver in Brandon Marshall. Ronnie Brown is also coming back from a foot injury to help Ricky Williams produce even more of a running game. The defense also should be solid again, and allow approximately the same amount of points it did last year with 16 points a game. With the offense on paper seemingly very good, that should be plenty.

Prediction: 10-6, number 6 seed.

New York Jets

Yes, I am buying into the talk of the Jets. Looking at their roster, it's a virtual all-star team. Rex Ryan will again have his defense playing near the top of the league, and allow fewer than 14 points a game. Darrelle Revis will eventually come back and play, as I'm sure he doesn't want to lose the money he would make this year. Then, after the solid season Mark Sanchez had last year, I expect him to get a little bit better. I also expect second year running back Shonn Greene to be able to carry the load, as LaDainian Tomlinson is not a lead back anymore. Tomlinson should fair well as the backup though. Plus, they should try and live up to the expectation and actually be the AFC Champs this year.

Prediction: 12-4, number 2 seed.

NFC East


Washington Redskins

With a new coach in Mike Shanahan, comes a new attitude, and for the Redskins, they hope a winning one. They also bring in a new quarterback in Donovan McNabb, which they must be happy to do, as McNabb is 12-7 lifetime against the Redskins. But, the big problem with Washington is that the majority of their starters are around the age of 30, which by NFL standards is very old. That translates to being very slow by NFL standards and they probably will finish a little better than last year's pitiful 4-12 mark.

Prediction: 7-9

New York Giants

New York is definitely flying under the radar this season, as you go and watch any of the multitude of NFL shows or pick up any of the ubiquitous NFL preview magazines and you will not hear or read a lot about the Giants. I think this year's Giants will be a lot like last year's Jets, where you'll notice them right at the end of the season and say, "hey where did you guys come from?" New York still has a bunch of very talented players, starting with Eli Manning, who should put in another pro bowl type season. Then, there is the two headed monster of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs at running back. Finally, the defense should be solid as usual, with defensive minded Tom Coughlin at the helm. Problem is, I just don't see them quite breaking through to the wild card, they'll be on the outside looking in.

Prediction: 9-7

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles come into 2010 off of two horriffic losses in back to back games against their most hated rival, the Dallas Cowboys. Fans in Philly were clamoring to get rid of the best quarterback in their history from day one, and management finally listened to them. So, this season's theme is out with the old, in with the new. Out with Donovan McNabb, in with Kevin Kolb. Out with Brian Westbrook, in with LeSean McCoy and Mike Bell. Come end of the season, out with Andy Reid, in with a new head coach. That is my very bold prediction for this team at the end of the year when it fails to produce a championship. Granted, it will continue to be consistent and make the playoffs, but it won't go far in them. The Eagles will barely make the playoffs at 9-7, just ahead of the Giants, but lose in the first round.

Prediction: 9-7, number 6 seed.

Dallas Cowboys

As much as I personally hate putting the Cowboys here, it's only logical to do so. Dallas is loaded on defense and offense. Dallas finally won a first round playoff game for the first time since the end of the millenium lsat year. Dallas has motivation to become the first team to host a Super Bowl in their own stadium and be one of the participants in it. I truly believe that Tony Romo is going to lead this team to the NFC Championship game. I truly believe that this defense, led by DeMarcus Ware, is going to be top five in the NFL. I hate writing all of that, but as a unbiased writer, I must.

Prediction: 12-4, number 1 seed.