Obviously, this is a bit early to start making predictions for next year, as this season hasn’t even ended, the draft hasn’t taken place, and the free agency market has yet to officially open. With the absolute knowledge that I am missing almost every scientific and statistic factor which would help me make an educated decision as to what teams will look like next year in the NFL, I’m going to make my predictions anyway. Call it my love for talking out of my own ass, gut feeling, or wishful thinking, either way this will be fun.

Seattle Seahawks:
In a surprising move, the Hawks fired Mora and brought in Pete Carroll. Carroll has been great as a collage coach, at least as far as building a winning football program. The sad thing is that USC is under serious heat after allegations of irregularities that have defiled a mass of NCAA rules. Basically, I guess you could say I’m questioning Pete Carrolls scruples. Back to the subject at hand:The Seahawks looked like a flimsy pile of dog poo this year. Hasselback has been great over the years, but it truly seems like he is injury prone and unlikely to be 100% ever again in his NFL career. I think it’s time they draft a quarterback. Their offensive line and defense were flat out soft all year.
Verdict: All in all, they stunk and I believe they will continue to do so well into next year.

Oakland Raiders:
Let’s quickly asses the Raiders situation……
1.Their #1 pick at QB from 2007 is a lazy bum who looks like Oprah in her pre diet days. He doesn’t care. He eats too much. He doesn’t like practicing. He doesn’t know his own playbook. The only thing he does consistently is stinking up the joint.
2.They have a head coach who likes beating women. I guess there’s nothing wrong with that if you live in Yemen, but we find it offensive here in the Western Hemisphere. On a professional level, I actually think he did a fairly good job with this team.
3.Al Davis- Someone needs to write a book about this guy. He seems to base his football decisions on the opposite of what every other GM and owners in the league do. He is clearly a moron, yet an entertaining one.
Verdict: I suspect that Russell will still be on the bench, that Al Davis will continue to draft garbage, and that Tom Cable maybe able to knock sense into his team, as he attempts to do with women. They will be mediocre at best, with a much better shot at sucking.

San Francisco 49ers:
I really think this team could be good. Mike Singaltary is a solid coach, with a team that continues to improve. I think Alex Smith and Crabtree (asshole) will be good for them next year as well.
Verdict: They have a real shot at the NFC West next year, especially if Kurt Warner retires over in Arizona.
San Diego Chargers:
This team was great this year. I really think that as long as Phillip Rivers is behind center they will continue to be a force in the AFC. LT is done, and that’s sad because he’s been such a great player over the years.
Verdict: They will own their division once again.

Arizona Cardinals:
They have heart, especially with Kurt Warner leading them. The problem, which was heavily exploited in their last 2 playoff games, is that they give up big plays. They were even better this year than last, and there’s no question that their defense has improved by leaps and bounds, but if they truly want another shot at glory, their defense has to become mega stingy…and FAST!
Verdict: They will be good, but I think they will be in a fight to end in order to win the division with San Fran.

Denver Broncos
I can’t if I like this team or not. Josh McDaniel’s was outstanding in his rookie coaching year, and I love that defense…on their good days. They were great at times, lucky at others, and crappy the rest of the time. If that defense consistently plays well, like they are capable of, they will have a shot at being a winning team. I think they need a quarterback change. Orton is solid, but they will need something more.
Verdict: They will be good, but San Diego will still own them, and the AFC West.

Kansas City Chiefs
They really fought this year, despite being a bad team. I like Matt Cassell, Scott Piaoli, the Charlie Weiss hire…..I like a lot about this team, but they are young. I think they are potentially going to be a good team. They need to get some pass rushers on that defense this year.
Verdict: It probably won’t be this year, but 2-3 years down the road, they will be a playoff caliber team.

Dallas Cowboys
This team is destined for greatness in it’s current format. Unlike most critics and some sportbetting sites, I believe Tony Romo will win a Super Bowl with the Cowboys and Wade Phillips. If this team plays the entire season like they did the second half of the season, they will be going deep into the playoffs. They desperately need a solid kicker, and this years draft is weak at that position. Another positive change would be turning Tashard Choice into the starting RB, and making Marion Barber the closer as he has traditionally been.
Verdict: They make the NFC championship game…not sure they win it.

Houston Texans:
Matt Shuab is good and getting better. This defense is brutal on good days. They will continue to improve.
Verdict: Kubiak gets canned. They make the playoffs next year as the 6 seed.

Minnesota Vikings
That defense was brutal at home, and Favre was awesome. With the exception of Favre, this team is young, and has a fair chance at being good for years to come.
Verdict: If Favre stays, they will be in the playoffs, not sure if as a wild card, or division champ…but somehow. If Favre is gone, they suck and Childress gets canned.

St. Louis Rams
Steve Spagnola has always been a winner in this league. It will take 3 years, but they will get good, but boy did they suck this year!!
Verdict: They will stink as they continue the rebuilding process.

Green Bay Packers
They were awesome this year on both sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers has a bright NFL future ahead of him, and I believe he will win a Super Bowl at some point.
Verdict: If Favre retires, the division is theirs. If not, there will be a dog fight, but either way, they make the playoffs.

Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler is the most over rated QB in the NFL. So what if his arm is strong? The boy can’t read defenses, can’t throw in tight spaces, and most importantly, he lacks leadership skills. There’s no doubt his supporting cast was anything but stellar, and his defense was outright lousy. I think they will make adjustments to help him out. Lovie better do it, or he will be hunting for a job come mid-season next year.
Verdict: They will get better, but Green Bay and the Vikes will still rule the division.

New Orleans Saints
They really have had a fairy tale season this year. They are a fun team to watch, mainly because that offense is pure dynamite. I’m not sure they can pull another year like this off, especially considering that the NFC South is bad.
Verdict: The NFC South will be theirs next year as long as Drew Brees is healthy.

Detroit Lions
They broke the curse this year. They drafted well when they went with Matt Stafford, and they started looking like a team with some heart this year. They are in rebuild mode, and they have a lot of positions to fill, but 2 years down the road they will be ok.
Verdict: They still stink next year, but they will be showing more signs of improvement.

Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning= Winner
Verdict: True contenders

Tennessee Titans
I love Jeff fisher, and I love Vince Young. Chris Johnson isn’t too shabby himself. This division is good with Indi, TN, and Houston.
Verdict: They will be a playoff team next year.

Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan hit a bit of slump this year, but that’s ok. Boy got game. They will be the only true contender against the Saints in their division next year. I have faith that they will step it up next year.
Verdict: Playoffs….maybe, but they will still be good.

Cincinnati Bengals
I hope they keep most of that team in tact. They are a solid old school football team. I still think they need more of an air game, but either way, they will be playoff contenders.
Verdict: Depends on the Steelers.

Cleveland Browns
It’s time they give Brady Quinn a full year to start. They improved towards the end of the year, but that offense is from hell. They are horrible. Cribbs can’t be the answer to everything. They need some talent ASAP.
Verdict: They will improve, yet they will still stink.

Pittsburgh Steelers
They are overrated. Heinz ward should be abolished from the NFL, because he is the definition of a terd. What a dirty player. I like Mike Tomlin as a coach….and that’s about where it ends.
Verdict: Not much of a verdict, more of a prayer on paper…..I hope they get whooped all year long.

Buffalo Bills
Chan Gailey is a great hire at head coach. I didn’t watch much of them this year, but they do need a QB who is league worthy.
Verdict: Better than 09, but still not good.

New England Patriots
Tom Brady didn’t quiet look like himself this year, but he was still great. What I think hurt them this year was their defense. They traded off some of the players that helped make them an empire, and despite these players age, it wasn’t a good idea, because they didn’t get good replacements. The Pats draft well, and have a good amount of early picks this year, so I think they buckle up next year.
Verdict: Tom Brady and Bill Bellichek…Need I say more?

New York Jets
You have to love the way Rex Ryan runs a defense! They guy is great with his defense and it showed all year. Sanchez had a solid rookie year. This team ran well all year as well. Basically, they were good all around. The only thing they have missing is a great pass game, but if the AFC championship showed us anything, it’s that the passing game will be there as Sanchez starts making better decisions.
Verdict: Sanchez starts dating a celebrity, and this franchise is on it’s way to some very good years.

New York Giants
They were a real disappointment this year. I always thought Eli Manning is average at best, and I was right. What’s disappointing is that their defense was just weak. They had a reputation for making offensive lines squirm. They are not the same without Strayhan.
Verdict: They will continue to be mediocre for a few years to come.

Philadelphia Eagles
They were a good team for most of the year. There is no doubt that there is a group of young guys there that will be good for years to come. They really lost their touch down the stretch. I don’t think that after what Kobb did this year off the bench, that they can justify sitting him for much longer.
Verdict: Possibly a wild card team, but McNabb loses his job at the end of the year.

Baltimore Ravens
This team was tough this year. I really don’t enjoy their style of play, but they do it well.
Verdict: That defense is getting old. I think they continue on a downward spiral.

Washington Redskins
This franchise conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner all year, which is sad, because the guys getting burned (Jim Zorn & Jason Campbell) are both classy guys who made sure to be respectful in their conduct. So…..they brought Shannahan in…So what? He was let go from Denver because he couldn’t win, and his defenses are notorious train wrecks due to his drafting.
Verdict: They will both suck and continue employing assholes like Clinton Portis.

Carolina Panthers
Delhomme really blew it this year. That team still has great defense and a great running game, but Delhomme really did hurt them. Matt Moore will be starting next year, and there is a glimmer of hope.
Verdict: NFC South contender next year.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Can you say poo? Even if you can’t, you should be able to smell it if you live anywhere near Jacksonville.
Verdict: Bottom 5 in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They were absolutely horrible this year. That team is talented but Raheem Morris needs about 10 years of aging, and an ego half the size of his current one.
Verdict: They won’t even need to borrow manure from their boys in Jax….They will stink it up on their own.

Miami Dolphins
They were well coached. They executed well. They have a good QB, and RB’s. They need some help in the receiver slots and some D-line work. If they get that taken care of over the off season, they will be good.
Verdict : They will continue to improve.