Manning, Colts won’t be down for long

Gregg Rosenthal

The NFL has trained us well by now. Football season never really ends. The combine starts in a few weeks, and then the unknown of free agency without a salary cap starts. Giddy up!

The NFL has also taught us that the league is always going to unpredictable and teams don’t usually progress in a linear fashion. Despite all that, we’ll still try to predict who will be the teams to beat in 2010.

And we’ll expect this list to look awfully silly by next season.

Looking ahead to 2010:

1. Indianapolis
Peyton Manning in his prime practically guarantees 12 wins. You can’t say that about any other team. (The development of his young receivers won’t hurt either.)

2. Green Bay
The NFL’s youngest team four years running, the Packers are ready to grow up. Offense is more consistent year-to-year than defense in general, and there are few offenses that can match up with Aaron Rodgers and company.

3. San Diego
The top of this list is about quarterbacks we trust. Philip Rivers is on the ascent, the AFC West remains poor overall, and getting rid of LaDainian Tomlinson should help solve the running game.

4. Pittsburgh
Their problems (terrible luck, special teams) are correctable. Their program is consistent and they draft well. There may not be a team with more playmakers on both sides of the ball.

5. New England
Brady and Belichick have traditionally enjoyed their best seasons as underdogs. It’s been a while since they had this much to prove.

6. New Orleans
A city that is knows a thing or two about hangovers will experience one next season. The offense will hum, but they need a major youth infusion in their defensive front seven.

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7. Dallas
We worry about the age on their offensive line, but they have the quarterback in his prime, depth everywhere else, and the right defensive play-caller.

8. Philadelphia
This young offense is just coming together. Look for one last title try before Donovan McNabb is finally run out of town.

9. New York Jets
They will go as far as Mark Sanchez’s improvement allows, because they can’t expect the defense to be that dominant again.

10. Tennessee
They have the game’s most dangerous weapon (Chris Johnson) playing behind what may be the league’s best offensive line. Jeff Fisher can figure out the rest on defense.

To be determined
Minnesota. If Brett Favre returns or they swing a trade for Donovan McNabb, Minnesota’s our NFC favorite. If Tarvaris Jackson is the starter, they are an average team.

Surprise team
Miami. The Dolphins have laid a great foundation with strong players on the offensive and defensive line. If Chad Henne is as good as we think he is, the AFC East could be the best division in football.

Surprise II
Denver. Forget all the drama and you see this was a team that overachieved in 2009. They should be greater than the sum of their parts again. The parts should improve.

Falling
Arizona. Without Kurt Warner, they are just another mediocre NFC West team.

Falling II
Cincinnati. Playing in a division with Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and an improving Cleveland team will make life difficult.

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