The 2010 NFL season is officially underway. Here are the top potential storylines.
• Can the New Orleans Saints repeat?
Only three teams have won back-to-back titles in the past 20 years, the New England Patriots in 2003-04, the Denver Broncos in 1997-98 and the Dallas Cowboys in 1992-93, so history isn’t on New Orleans’ side.
But the Saints have all of its stars on offence returning, such as Drew Brees, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush (with or without his Heisman trophy), Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey. As long as they can allow less than 30 points per game on defence, they will have a great opportunity.
• Will Brett Favre be a factor like he was last season?
Favre is coming off one of his best statistical years of his long, long, career and the Vikings were only an NFC Championship game overtime loss to the Saints away from the Super Bowl. But offseason ankle surgery, and more drama on whether he would return or not, must have had an effect on his mindset. I’d like to see him leave on a championship note, however it would be a long shot this year, as too many factors are seemingly stacked against him.
Side note to the Vikings: If Favre falters, I hear Doug Flutie is contemplating making another comeback.
• Will Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens’ Batman and Robin tandem impress or implode?
I’m probably one of the few people who think this may actually work. The Bengals’ quarterback, Carson Palmer, played his college football at USC and had the responsibility of providing the ball to a number of star players. His experience, coupled with the off-the-wall friendship between the two receivers, could push Cincinnati deep into the playoffs.
Ochocinco had a great start Sept. 12 with 159 yards and a touchdown. Owens had 53 yards. But both receivers are deep threats and defences won’t be able to double team the two of them at the same time, which should leave the other one open.
Either way, the Bengals’ TV ratings should be better than Rotten Tomatoes’ rating for the movie Batman and Robin.
• Will Chris Johnson run for 2,000 yards again?
Common sense would tell you that only five players reached that plateau in 90 years, before Johnson became the sixth last year. Those aren’t good odds and defences will know what to expect from Tennessee’s playbook more this year.
But if anyone could do it, I could see Johnson doing it. He started strong with 142 yards against the Raiders on Sept. 12. Plus, he says he wants to hit 2,500 yards this year and we all know professional athletes always keep their word.
• Will Randy Moss’ mouth keep the Patriots from returning to the NFL’s elite?
His post-game comments following the Pats’ win over the Bengals were hilarious. He gets asked about the game and goes into a rant about how this will be his last season with the team, how they don’t appreciate him because they haven’t offered him a new contract yet, etc. Vintage Randy Moss.
I think if he continues to focus on his personal situation rather than the team’s success, it will become a huge concern for coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. But for a sportswriter, I’d much rather hear Moss talk about how he needs to support his family (which must be tough when you get $9-million per season to catch footballs 16 days out of the year) than see the Pats win another Super Bowl.
• Will Kevin Kolb keep his new starting quarterback job for the Eagles, or will Micheal Vick return to prominence?
Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington in the off-season, so the opportunity was there for Kolb. But he suffered a concussion during Philadelphia’s loss to Green Bay on Sept. 12. Vick then came in and looked like pre-dogfighting era Mike Vick.
Depending on the severity of Kolb’s injury, Vick should get a chance. As much as I don’t like him, or what he was guilty of doing in the past, he does deserve the chance that fell upon him. What he does with it is up to him.
Good thing the Eagles don’t have to visit the Cleveland Browns and its endzone Dawg Pound fans.
• Will Pittsburgh be affected by Ben Roethlisberger’s four-game suspension?
The Steelers beat Atlanta on Sept. 12 to go 1W-0L. They now have to play at Tennessee and at Tampa Bay before hosting Baltimore. If they win just one of those games they’ll be a .500 team, which would be considered a good start with out your starting quarterback.
The bigger question may be if Big Ben will be ready to make an immediate impact with the team upon his return. He’s not allowed to practice with them, but says he will be prepared. Steeler fans better hope he stays in the gym and out of the clubs during his mini-vacation.
• Will any rookie quarterbacks make an impact?
Very doubtful. Despite Sam Bradford starting in St. Louis, Tim Tebow is one Kyle Orton injury away from starting in Denver, as is Jimmy Clausen behind Matt Moore in Carolina, quarterbacks rarely perform well in their first seasons.
They just can’t seem to adjust to the speed and talent of the NFL right away, or the lifestyle change of going from being the team’s best player to just another rookie picking up the veterans’ towels and lunch orders.
• Who will be the league’s worst team this year?
Oakland, St. Louis, Detroit and Kansas City should all battle for this dubious honour.
• Will any team go 0-16?
Very likely. See previous question.
• Can any team go 16-0?
The 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 2007 Patriots are the only two teams who have ever achieved the rare feat. I can’t foresee anyone doing it this year, as league parity, tougher scheduling, travel, injuries and other factors provide too many arguments against.
• Who will be this year’s breakout star/team?
Arian Foster and the Houston Texans. Foster had 231 yards and three touchdowns in Houston’s potentially breakthrough win over the Colts on Sept. 12. Quarterback Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, arguably the league’s best receiver, will also provide a fearful air attack.
• Who will win the Super Bowl?
The Baltimore Ravens have immense talent on both sides of the ball; Aaron Rodgers is ready to take the Green Bay Packers to the next level; the Saints, Colts and Patriots are all strong.
I’m going with a Baltimore/Green Bay final, with the Packers prevailing.
