The 2010 NFL season is (finally) here and it all kicks off tonight in a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game. I predicted the Saints to come out of virtually nowhere to make it to the Super Bowl last season. 2009 NFL Season Preview. Unfortunately the New England Patriots did not cooperate and the Saints marched on in to the Super Bowl record books with its first title in franchise history. This season starts with 5 teams (Minnesota, New Orleans, Indianapolis, New England and New York Giants) who have Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks starting under center. When Big Ben Roethlisberger joins Pittsburgh in week 5 that number will be 6. The same as last season when not 1 of the 6 led their team to the Championship. Which leads me to my first question:

Which QB who has NOT won a Super Bowl already can lead his team to a Super Bowl win?

I have to be realistic here. Houston's Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yards last season but his team is not going to get to the Conference title game, let alone the Super Bowl. Philip Rivers of the Chargers was 3rd in the league in QB rating (104.4) and he continues to get better every year but do not expect the Chargers to make much noise this season. So who is left? Here are my 4...

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

2. Tony Romo, Dallas

3. Donovan McNabb, Washington

4. Joe Flacco, Baltimore

There will be many that say I left off N.Y. Jets young phenomenon Mark Sanchez. I like Mark and yes the Jets are a Super Bowl caliber team but Mark is not a Super Bowl caliber QB. Not yet anyway.

Teams to NEVER make it to the Super Bowl entering the 2010 season:

Cleveland Browns
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Detroit Lions

In the last two years two teams have come off of this list (Arizona 08' & New Orleans 09'). Do I think any of these teams can make it 3 years in a row? NO WAY. But if any team has a LONG SHOT it is the boys from Houston.

Players to Watch

1. Jamaal Charles RB, Kansas City - Last season Charles rushed for over 1,100 yard and scored 9 total touchdowns. The reason he should be watched very carefully this season is because he achieved those numbers last year averaging an eye-popping 5.9 yards per carry.

2. Mike Wallace WR, Pittsburgh - Wallace led the NFL in yards per reception (19.4) last season as a 3rd option for the Steelers. This season he will become their primary play maker with the departure of Santonio Holmes. He may not completely get off the ground until game number 5 when Big Ben returns however.

3. Aaron Rodgers QB, Green Bay - The only QB's with more touchdown passes than Rodgers over the last two years are current Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees and one of my players to watch last season (San Diego Charger) Philip Rivers.

Don’t Be Surprised If …

The San Diego Chargers are the 2010 version of the 2009 Tennessee Titans. The Chargers are in absolute disarray and they are not getting any younger.

The Green Bay Packers are the 2010 version of the 2009 New Orleans Saints. The Packers made the playoffs last season and are an absolute nightmare offensively. If there defense makes even minor improvements this team could be in line to win it all.

The Elite

New Orleans - The defending champs return just about everyone on offense and will light up the scoreboard again this season. If the defense is anywhere near average this team should repeat.

Indianapolis - 3 things you can count on - death, taxes and Peyton Manning throwing for 4,000 yards and winning 10 plus games.

Very Very Very Good

Pittsburgh - This takes into effect starting week 5 on offensive but right away on defense.

New York Jets - This team should not have even made the playoffs a year ago but they did and went all the way to the Conference Championship game. This season with great expectations and a gritty head coach they will just about live up to the hype. They HAVE to.

Green Bay Packers - Only the Saints and Vikings put up more points than the Packers last season. This season look for them to lead the NFL in scoring and take the step forward to becoming elite.

Dallas Cowboys - Only the Jets allowed fewer points last year and the offense has been upgraded by the drafting of stud WR Dez Bryant. If things start clicking right away for the Boys' they may be the 1st team in NFL history to HOST a Super Bowl.

Playoff Bound

New England Patriots - Bill and Tom will find away to get into the tournament.

Baltimore Ravens - My choice for surprise of the year. This team can win the AFC.

Denver Broncos - With the Chargers on the decline they are next in line to take over the AFC West.

Washington Redskins - A worst to first waiting to happen IF McNabb can remain healthy all season.

Minnesota Vikings - Adrianne Peterson will approach 2000 yards rushing this season and finish top 3 in the MVP race.

San Francisco 49ers - If the defense continues its ascension and the offense joins in - WATCH OUT!

AFC Championship Game

Ravens over Steelers - Flacco will make the leap from boy to man.

NFC Championship

Packers over 49ers - Aaron Rodgers is for real and so are the cheese heads.

Super Bowl XLV

Ravens over Packers - The fraternity of Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks gets another member when Cool hand Joe joins the ranks.