2010 predictions, etc., revisited

[Uncle Rico]

One of the side benefits of working this week is that no one else is around, so things are kind of slow. Gave me a chance to spend some time with my good friend Google and see what folks were saying before the season started. Couple of things that stood out to me: How long ago it seems that #81 was here; and how highly the Colts, Chargers, Packers and Cowboys were rated as the season started. Feel free to add any I may have missed.

• SI.com's 2010 NFL Season Predictions - NFL - SI.com
  A bunch of interesting predictions. Tim Layden had the Pats as missing the playoffs: "This is a dynasty on the downside. Belichick's defense is mediocre at best."

• 2010 NFL Season Predictions for playoffs, Super Bowl, awards - NFL - SI.com
  Shows where SI folks picked teams to finish. Jets and Pats were neck-and-neck to win AFC East.

• 
  2010 NFL Power Rankings, early look at how teams stack up - Peter King - SI.com
  King has Pats ... 14th. (And he wonders who should be coach of the year). teams ahead of NE include, Miami, the Jets, Carolina ("dangerous team") and Seattle.

• 
  NFL.com news: Packers unanimously picked to reach Super Bowl XLV
  NFL picks table. Lots of love for Green Bay, split on Jets-Pats.

• 
  NFL preseason power rankings: Cowboys can't shake Colts from top spot - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com
  USA Today has Pats at 8th overall; not bad.

• 
  NFL.com news: Early 2010 awards predictions have a distinct Chargers flavor
  NFL.com's Bucky Brooks's awards predictions. Had Spikes as DROY contender.

• 
  NFL.com news: Patriots aim to maintain AFC East dominance
  NFL.com Pats preview summary. Concern over Pats' D, respect for Brady/Belichick. Maroney "on the hot seat" ...

• 
  Ten predictions for the 2010 New England Patriots - ESPN Boston
  Mike Reiss predictions. Saw double-digit TDs for Gronk, 30+ TD for Brady and ... Taylor as leading rusher (as did I). Maybe he shouldn't have used the word "operation" in the bit about Gostkowski.

• 
  'Tis the season of Super Bowl XLV, so our intrepid expert has XLV predictions about the upcoming year in the National Football League. - ESPN
  ESPN hack, Wojchiechowski. Picks Pats to win AFCE, but also second most likely to flop: "Injuries and youth aren't often a great combination."

• 
  New England Patriots 2010 Preview - ESPN
  ESPN's team preview page. Consensus pick: 1st in Division. Pretty good page overall; some here might be surprised by the respectful tone. They cite running offense as a concern, but BJGE and Woodhead weren't even on the radar, of course.

• 
  NFL Power Rankings Week 1 - National Football League - ESPN
  ESPN Power Ranking on eve of season. Pats at #10 behind Jets. Harumph.

Well, that's all I've got. Enjoy.

 

[Fencer]

Shows how hard the details are. Reiss was directionally right about lots of things, and still half or more of his predictions came out wrong.

 

[GroganCountry]

Interesting. Thanks for the post.

 

[102 Pat]

Thanks for posting this! It's fascinating to think that BJGE was considered to be on the roster bubble.

 

[Coach42]

I was just thinking today about the argument going around here this summer about how predicting the NFL is not that difficult. Guess that argument has been decided.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

what a flash back..nice post

 

[WhiZa]

Goes to show you that Peter King does not follow the Patriots at all. Probably comes from reading the NY paper everyday.