2010 NFL Preview: NFC South

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Atlanta Falcons- The Dirty Birds would appear on my short list of possible surprise teams for the upcoming season. Matt Ryan could be looking at a breakout year, after a somewhat mediocre sophomore season. The third year is a popular time for good quarterbacks to breakout. Peyton Manning led the league in yards and touchdowns his third year. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Donovan McNabb all had things figured out by season number three. I predict they overtake the Saints for supremacy of the ever-changing NFC South division.

Carolina Panthers- A possible candidate for the first draft pick come next April (although last time I said that about the Panthas, Rodney Peete led them to a 3-0 start). But the laundry list reads like this: Breaking in a new Quarterback (Matt Moore), no more Julius Peppers, Steve Smith breaking his arm playing flag football (he told me he didn't play…jerk), and Jonathan Stewart has been hurt most of training camp. At least they drafted Dirkness favorite, Eric Norwood, in the 4th round. John Fox has done a lot with a little before, so not all hope is lost in Panthaland.

New Orleans Saints- Just don't seem good enough to repeat. Will have to deal with the more, more, more syndrome (coined by Evil Empire's Sports Guy) after winning the championship (more money, more touches, more competition). Drew Brees, who quietly set an NFL record for completion percentage last season, can cement his name atop the best quarterbacks by proving consistent this year. Repetitive success is a major factor. Peyton and Brady are both on the decline (or should be atleast), and the title is up for grabs this year. For whatever reason I wasn't that into the Super Bowl last year, leading me to completely overlook the significance of a surprise onside kick to start the second half. That may be the ballsiest move in NFL history.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- All of my credibility for projecting Quarterback success in the NFL is on the line with Josh Freeman (thought he'd be terrible), so here's one towards him falling flat on his fro. People said he had a semi-successful freshman season, but dude still had 18 INT's on top of 9 fumbles in 10 games. It's hard to imagine the Bucs making any noise this year, but they could be setting themselves up for the future with a nice foundation of young talent.

2010 Super Bowl XLIV Preview

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Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints

I'd like to start by saying that I've been very unintrigued by this game even though I think it is a close matchup of teams and think the game will be relatively close. I think the reasoning stems from both teams being offensively based. I like games with good defense, where 3 and outs aren't always a bad thing, and the distances of punts make a difference. Instead it's become a human vs. human game of Madden where games are decided by Red Zone efficiency and who's lucky enough to force fumbles. This isn't the fault of the two teams playing, it's just the latest example of how the game has changed. Hate the game, not the player. Rule changes have all been made in the offense's favor which has depreciated my interest in what I once saw as the perfect professional sports league. I don't believe this opinion is shared with the vast majority of fans (who are more interested in higher fantasy numbers), so it is tough for me to put any blame on the NFL, but I'd like to believe there are some purists out there that went to see an even balance in the rules of the game. Oh well, I guess I still have Big Ten Football. On to the game...

Legacy Games:


Peyton Manning- With a victory, he can enter the discussion of the greatest quarterback of all time. There is no G.O.A.T. right now, only a discussion (Elway, Montana, Marino, Favre, Manning, Brady, Unitas, and Seneca Wallace). Peyton has the chance to become the GOAT if he wins three Super Bowls. He has the chance to become the greatest of his generation (over Brady) if he wins this game. His two Super Bowls would eclipse Brady's three for three reasons: 1. His numbers are way better. 2. Brady had the benefit of playing with possibly the greatest coach of all time, Bill Belichick, and was thus equipped with a top of the line defense throughout his career. 3. At any point during their careers, if you took away both Manning and Brady from their teams, the Colts would suffer more because of it. For the record, I have Manning over Brady already.

Drew Brees- With a victory, he can enter the discussion of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, and perhaps become the best current quarterback. The only thing he is lacking from the top ones as of now is years of stats to pile up and postseason success. He's well on his way as far as stats go, and this game could answer the playoff questions. He seems destined for Hall of Fame borderline status and this game may become the decider.

Teams:

New Orleans Saints- I can't find one reason to pick the Saints in this game (not always a bad thing, especially in the NFL). I don't think they'll be able to challenge the Peytons on offense. They thrive off of turnovers- interceptions that Peyton won't throw and fumbles that it's hard to imagine repeating itself from the NFC Championship. Let's be honest, the Vikings dominated that game and would've won if not for fumbling 18 times- and they could've still easily won. Brees did not look very good the entire second half and they penaltied their way to the game winning field goal. Their best chance is to find a way to capitalize on the injury of Marlo Freeney (HUGE) with some slow developing, deep crossing routes, and to create some big plays after the play has broken down. Bring your Michael Scott improv skills, Drew.

Indianapolis Colts- Peyton is in the zone. Pocket passing quarterbacks hit their prime at about 33-35 as long as they stay injury free in their career. It appears that Peyton has come around from his playoff failures in the past, as he is no longer afraid of any game or deficit facing him. Seemingly. The only way the Saints win this game is if Peyton starts to feel the weight of all the legacy talk going around this week. If he reaches a comfort zone its game over. The injury of Freeney is huge for their defense. He was probably the third best player in the game (Manning, Brees). Bring your steroid shots, Dwight.

Prediction:

Low scoring in the first half as they feel each other out and everyone is surprised at the "defensive battle". Scoring picks up in the second half as Peyton starts to dissect the Saints defense. Brees in turn presses and makes some mistakes. Colts cruise in a game with little second half intrigue that is decided in the third quarter.

Colts 27, Saints 16
MVP: Dallas Clark

2010 NFL Championship Round Predictions

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Dirkness missed his deadline last night so these predictions are coming at you too fast and too furious. BOOM!

Indianapolis-NY Jets: I see the Jets confusing Peyton Manning all day with exotic blitzes. I see Darelle Revis shutting down Reggie Wayne in a bad way. I see Shonn Greene finding some running room against Indy's defense. I see the Jets playing with the swagger necessary to win this game. I don't see it being enough. I don't see the Jets being able to mount anything of a passing attack. Combine that with the fact that Peyton is in his prime and won't take unnecessary chances today, and I'll take the Colts pulling it out at the end.

Indianapolis 13, NY Jets 10


New Orleans-Minnesota: Props to both home teams this week for playing in a dome so that we are deprived of real football for the weekend. I see an Adrian Peterson break out game against a Saints defense that is waiting to be pounded. I see Brett Favre outplaying Drew Brees. I see the Vikings playing a bend but don't break defense and shutting the Saints down in the red zone. I see Reggie "Don't call me Ramsey" Bush being a non-factor. I see Visanthe Shiancoe looking BIG. I see Jared Allen being the most important player in the game. I see you Prince (although your new Vikings song is so incredibly lame). I see the Vikes.

Minnesota 34, New Orleans 23

Dirkness