NFL Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2010 NFL season.  I'm going to start with my local team, the Detroit Lions, then move on to the Lions' division, and then the AFC, NFC and Super Bowl championship games.

Detroit Lions schedule

at Chicago (Win)
vs Philadelphia (Loss)
at Minnesota (Loss)
at Green Bay (Loss)
vs St. Louis (Win)
at New York Giants (Loss)
vs Washington (Win)
vs New York Jets (Loss)
at Buffalo (Win)
at Dallas (Loss)
vs New England (Loss)
vs Chicago (Win)
vs Green Bay (Loss)
at Tampa Bay (Win)
at Miami (Loss)
vs Minnesota (Loss)

I'm going to state the obvious here.  The Lions' future hinges on the development of Matthew Stafford.  Will he end up another Joey Harrington?  That remains to been seen, but I don't think so.  He has to show marked improvement this year though because it usually doesn't take the good quarterbacks that long to develop anymore (see Matt Ryan and Joe Flaco).  My expectations for him this year are 3,500 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.  Now, I don't expect Stafford to ever be an elite-level quarterback like Drew Brees, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.  I do, however, expect him to be in the next tier of quarterbacks that are good enough to lead their team to the playoffs year in and year out (and I expect that to happen as soon as next year).  That's where I'm at right now as a Lions' fan.  Just make the playoffs and build from there.  And hopefully, I'll get to see them win a Super Bowl before I die.  You've got about 50 years guys.  Make it happen!

About my prediction for the Lions though.  I've got them at 6-10.  I also have them winning three road games, which will be an amazing feat if you consider their recent road woes.  They haven't won a road game since October 28th, 2007 against the Chicago Bears.  Their current road losing streak stands at 20 games and I see that ending in week one against the Bears.  I'm not 100% confident with that pick, but I'm making it anyway.  I'm also not very confident about them winning in Buffalo either because it can be a tough place to play during the winter months (they play them there in the middle of November, so the weather could be a factor).  I'm still going to say that they are going to win that game too.  Their other four predicted wins, to borrow a basketball analogy, I see those as slam dunks.  I'm fairly confident in saying that they will beat St. Louis, Washington and Chicago at home and Tampa Bay on the road.  As for their ten loses, I really don't see much hope for a win in any of those ten games.  Maybe at home against Minnesota the last game of the year, if Minnesota has nothing to play for or if Favre's ankle falls off his body somehow before the game.  I guess I can maybe see them winning at Miami, but if I had to pick one game I have as a loss to be a win instead, I would go with that final game against Minnesota.

Okay, here is how I think the NFC North will look like at season's end:

NFC North standings

Packers (12-4)
Vikings (10-6)
Lions (6-10)
Bears (5-11)

Yes, the Lions will finally dig themselves out of the cellar of the division and move up one spot to third!  It's progress I tell you, progress!

Alright, moving on to my prediction for the AFC, NFC and Super Bowl championship games:

Championship Games

AFC: New York Jets vs Baltimore Ravens
NFC: New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl: New York Jets beat Green Pay Packers

So, that is my prediction for the 2010 NFL season.  It'll be interesting to look back on this to see how close or far away I was.  I hope I'm not too far off, but a lot can happen on any given Sunday.  Until next time, you stay classy, Detroit.