Minnesota Vikings - there is no doubting that the Vikings have a very good all-round game. A quick glance at their roster reveals stars in most positions. Shining above all of this is, no not Favre, but Adrian Peterson - the fumble-happy RB who often requires an entire defense to stop him - 
many teams last year managed to halt him but took their eye off Favre's deep suicide passes and were unable to pick him off as often as he should be! Peterson may no longer be the premier rusher in the league, after CJ2K's achievements last year, but he still boasts phenomenal numbers after 3 years as a pro. Unlike Tennessee, the Vikings also have a decent receiving corps, with Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin particularly strong (much like Harvin's migraine medication) and a mean offensive line to protect the fragile Favre, although it didn't work out so well in the championship game against New Orleans when their kamikazee pass rushing near killed him! G Steve Hutchinson et al will feel they have a point to prove, although may well have their work cut out if they have Tarvaris Jackson to protect! All of this strength shows a team who know how to get points on the board (it also helps that Harvin is one of the best KR's in the game as well). When you add in an evil defensive line, you can understand why the Vikings are perennially fancied for a deep playoff run these days. Kevin and Pat Williams are the DTs, Ray Edwards and Jared Allen the DEs. All of them should frighten the life out of any man, particularly Allen, who has been brilliant since moving from Kansas City, leading the NFL in sacks since being drafted in 2004. Much as I hate to buy into the hype, their form will depend on the decision made by Favre. Without him they go 9-7 and miss the playoffs. With him (which let's face it is going to happen) they go 11-5 and pick up a wild card spot.
many teams last year managed to halt him but took their eye off Favre's deep suicide passes and were unable to pick him off as often as he should be! Peterson may no longer be the premier rusher in the league, after CJ2K's achievements last year, but he still boasts phenomenal numbers after 3 years as a pro. Unlike Tennessee, the Vikings also have a decent receiving corps, with Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin particularly strong (much like Harvin's migraine medication) and a mean offensive line to protect the fragile Favre, although it didn't work out so well in the championship game against New Orleans when their kamikazee pass rushing near killed him! G Steve Hutchinson et al will feel they have a point to prove, although may well have their work cut out if they have Tarvaris Jackson to protect! All of this strength shows a team who know how to get points on the board (it also helps that Harvin is one of the best KR's in the game as well). When you add in an evil defensive line, you can understand why the Vikings are perennially fancied for a deep playoff run these days. Kevin and Pat Williams are the DTs, Ray Edwards and Jared Allen the DEs. All of them should frighten the life out of any man, particularly Allen, who has been brilliant since moving from Kansas City, leading the NFL in sacks since being drafted in 2004. Much as I hate to buy into the hype, their form will depend on the decision made by Favre. Without him they go 9-7 and miss the playoffs. With him (which let's face it is going to happen) they go 11-5 and pick up a wild card spot.Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers will have nightmares about his first ever playoff appearence. Stripped by Karlos Dansby in overtime for a touchdown after mounting an amazing comeback in the wildcard round, the Packers were one and done after an encouraging improv
ement on their first year without Favre. QB Rodgers has improved to such a degree that he is ranked as the No.1 fantasy QB and is regarded as throwing the "nicest passes" in the league. Whatever the hell that means. The offense is bolstered by WRs Greg Jennings and veteran Donald Driver and TE Jermichael Finley, who many are tipping for a breakout season, where he could advance his reputation beyond that of Tony Gonzalez of Atlanta. But particularly impressive in 2009 was the improved defence, having switched to a 3-4 and drafted Clay Matthews at OLB. The rookie managed double-digit sacks (OK, ten) as well as 51 tackles, earning himself a Pro-Bowl selection. He narrowly missed out on Defensive Rookie of the Year to a drugged-up Brian Cushing of Houston. The LB position in general is very strong, with the pass rush being provided by AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett in the MLB positions - the switch last year paid dividends as they were able to play the same role. Of course, the secondary possesses a major playmaker in CB Charles Woodson, who surely will follow cousin Rod into the Hall of Fame one day. I reckon the Packers go 12-4 this year - in fact I have them in the Championship game with the Cowboys (oh, how it pains me to say that)
ement on their first year without Favre. QB Rodgers has improved to such a degree that he is ranked as the No.1 fantasy QB and is regarded as throwing the "nicest passes" in the league. Whatever the hell that means. The offense is bolstered by WRs Greg Jennings and veteran Donald Driver and TE Jermichael Finley, who many are tipping for a breakout season, where he could advance his reputation beyond that of Tony Gonzalez of Atlanta. But particularly impressive in 2009 was the improved defence, having switched to a 3-4 and drafted Clay Matthews at OLB. The rookie managed double-digit sacks (OK, ten) as well as 51 tackles, earning himself a Pro-Bowl selection. He narrowly missed out on Defensive Rookie of the Year to a drugged-up Brian Cushing of Houston. The LB position in general is very strong, with the pass rush being provided by AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett in the MLB positions - the switch last year paid dividends as they were able to play the same role. Of course, the secondary possesses a major playmaker in CB Charles Woodson, who surely will follow cousin Rod into the Hall of Fame one day. I reckon the Packers go 12-4 this year - in fact I have them in the Championship game with the Cowboys (oh, how it pains me to say that)Chicago Bears - another one of the NFL's also-ran teams, who I don't reckon will be seriously pushing for the playoffs but aren't so awful so as to be funny (watch out for the Bills in that respect). I see them akin to the Broncos, or a Steelers side shorn of Ben Roethlisberger's services for six 
games. However, there have been some exciting changes in Illinois. Mike Martz has arrived as the new offensive co-ordinator, architect of St Louis' "Greatest Show on Turf" at the turn of the century. The 1970 Brazil side which won the World Cup might dispute that claim, but we'll run with it. The problem that Martz has with Chicago is the ringleader - Jay Cutler is no Kurt Warner. Cutler throws far too many interceptions with a simple playbook, so the complex system that Martz is known to be implemnting may be a step too far for a QB who has seriously underachieved during his time in the NFL. That, or he simply is not as good at pro level as we all thought he was. 2010 could be his last chance to salvage his reputation as a starting NFL QB. He's just lucky that there is no real challenge to his role currently, although rookie Dan LeFevour may be a long-term project, albeit not the new Tom Brady. Another issue is an uninspiring receiver corps. Devin Hester and TE Greg Olsen are the only ones really worth writing home about. It will be interesting to see if Martz can lift the levels of mediocrity. We can predict greater things in the defense though. Julius Peppers has signed for big money from Carolina. The DE is one of the scariest men walking on this planet, now that Michael Jackson and Raoul Moat are both dead. MLB Brian Urlacher also returns from injury. He'll want to prove a point having slagged off the team in his absence, or he may well be out on his arse. 7-9.
games. However, there have been some exciting changes in Illinois. Mike Martz has arrived as the new offensive co-ordinator, architect of St Louis' "Greatest Show on Turf" at the turn of the century. The 1970 Brazil side which won the World Cup might dispute that claim, but we'll run with it. The problem that Martz has with Chicago is the ringleader - Jay Cutler is no Kurt Warner. Cutler throws far too many interceptions with a simple playbook, so the complex system that Martz is known to be implemnting may be a step too far for a QB who has seriously underachieved during his time in the NFL. That, or he simply is not as good at pro level as we all thought he was. 2010 could be his last chance to salvage his reputation as a starting NFL QB. He's just lucky that there is no real challenge to his role currently, although rookie Dan LeFevour may be a long-term project, albeit not the new Tom Brady. Another issue is an uninspiring receiver corps. Devin Hester and TE Greg Olsen are the only ones really worth writing home about. It will be interesting to see if Martz can lift the levels of mediocrity. We can predict greater things in the defense though. Julius Peppers has signed for big money from Carolina. The DE is one of the scariest men walking on this planet, now that Michael Jackson and Raoul Moat are both dead. MLB Brian Urlacher also returns from injury. He'll want to prove a point having slagged off the team in his absence, or he may well be out on his arse. 7-9.Detroit Lions - in a departure from my traditions, I will start by predicting a 5-11 record for Detroit this season. Normally, that sort of prediction comes after much slating of the team or nothing 
written at all out of sheer boredom. But, after 2-14 in 2009 and 0-16 in 2008, I probably should point out the improvements that I am expecting the Lions to make in 2010. Firstly, there is QB Matthew Stafford. He did OK in his first season as the face of the franchise, particularly impressing against the Browns when he threw the winning TD with a separated shoulder (made all the more entertaining by the fact he was miked up, so the screams of agony were audible). He took a lot of knocks last season, not helped by his O-Line admittedly, but is now used to the physicality of the NFL and so can use his natural talent to stay/run away from trouble. He would do well to take a leaf out of Matt Schaub's book and form a close relationship with your star WR named Johnson. This is Calvin, not Andre, but the idea should be the same. Calvin Johnson is the only man with serious playmaking ability in the offense and will want to improve his numbers and go over 1000 yards in 2010. The Lions picked up some very nice first round draft picks in DT Ndamukong Suh and RB Jahvid Best, both of whom should make instant impact. Best is a genuine No.1 RB and gives Stafford options to vary the plays a bit more. Suh is capable of displaying inhuman physical strength, much needed in a woeful D-Line. If I was in county cricket mode, I'd say he was a LAD. As it's the NFL "He the man" will suffice. Kyle VandenBosch has also been brought in at DE from Tennessee, a useful acquisition. Although to be honest, I could have made a positive difference to this D-Line, so awful has it been in recent times.
written at all out of sheer boredom. But, after 2-14 in 2009 and 0-16 in 2008, I probably should point out the improvements that I am expecting the Lions to make in 2010. Firstly, there is QB Matthew Stafford. He did OK in his first season as the face of the franchise, particularly impressing against the Browns when he threw the winning TD with a separated shoulder (made all the more entertaining by the fact he was miked up, so the screams of agony were audible). He took a lot of knocks last season, not helped by his O-Line admittedly, but is now used to the physicality of the NFL and so can use his natural talent to stay/run away from trouble. He would do well to take a leaf out of Matt Schaub's book and form a close relationship with your star WR named Johnson. This is Calvin, not Andre, but the idea should be the same. Calvin Johnson is the only man with serious playmaking ability in the offense and will want to improve his numbers and go over 1000 yards in 2010. The Lions picked up some very nice first round draft picks in DT Ndamukong Suh and RB Jahvid Best, both of whom should make instant impact. Best is a genuine No.1 RB and gives Stafford options to vary the plays a bit more. Suh is capable of displaying inhuman physical strength, much needed in a woeful D-Line. If I was in county cricket mode, I'd say he was a LAD. As it's the NFL "He the man" will suffice. Kyle VandenBosch has also been brought in at DE from Tennessee, a useful acquisition. Although to be honest, I could have made a positive difference to this D-Line, so awful has it been in recent times.RM
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