2010 Early Schedule Analysis and Prediction Part 2

This is far to early to make predictions, but with a mock draft coming up, one must have something else to focus on rather than worrying about Thursday, also I am really tired of mock drafts. This is based off the current state of the teams, not post-draft. Since we have just received the schedule, I can try and take momentum into account here.

Week 1

Jacksonville (away): This team is one that I think is headed the route of the Rams, with only a strong running back and a decent quarterback, the Jags will be struggling next season. Sadly, they really haven't done much to improve in free agency, which means that this team will be one that will struggle right out of the starting gates.. Dangerous in their own division, they aren't really much to be feared, even at home. If we can contain Maurice Jones-Drew, I think this game shouldn't be to bad. W

Week 2

Seattle (home): This team has done some good moves this off-season, but not enough to really move them above an 8-8 team. Neither their offense or their defense have improved much, not enough to compete with a good offense and a dominating defense anyways. The Seahawks always play much better at home, but this team just doesn't have enough weapons or skilled players going for it to really compete in this game. W

Week 3

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Indianapolis (home): We are luck to be facing them at Mile High, and with the Colts just returning from playing the Manning Bowl, it could be interesting, but while we put a good game last season, much closer than the score showed, I still can't see use really upsetting the Colts. It's hard to imagine Manning having another bad game against us. Our defense is improved in my opinion, so we will still be able to not let Manning control the field, but few teams can keep up with the Colts offense, it took the Saints to finally put them down. While I like us to be so lucky, I really can't see it happening. L

Week 4

Tennessee (away): This team was pretty hyped at the beginning and end of last season, but that may have been to either the past seasons record, or to a soft schedule. I like Chris Johnson, but I don't think he can carry a Vince Young lead offense for very long. This team doesn't have the tools of defense anymore to stop any decent offense. The Titans are often the talk of underachievement, and that will continue next season, like last season. While Young is dangerous and explosive, he is also very unreliable for most of the game. If we can contain Johnson from making any big runs, I think our offense will overpower their weakening defense. It will be tough, but I don't think home field will be enough to stop us here. W

Week 5

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Baltimore (away): This team has been slowly rising and then falling from grace, the picture of inconsistent play, roasting the Patriots in the playoffs, but getting swept by the Bengals in some embarrassing games. But if Ray Rice can stay strong and Flacco do a good job of keeping a decent passing game, I believe their defense is still strong enough to keep us at bay. With Boldin on their team now, I think this game could turn out to be a battle of two very evenly matched teams. Both will have strong defenses and decent offenses. But the fact that it's in Baltimore gives the Ravens the edge on a very even match. If this were to come at another time in the season, it wouldn't be so bad, but after tough games against Indy and the Titans, going into Baltimore, I think we just won't be able to win here. L

Week 6

New York Jets (home): The Jets have made some big moves this off-seasons, and their defense has become even better, if that possible, with the pick up of Antonio Cromartie and Jason Taylor. Mark Sanchez will improve next season, and with a good running game, and adding some new offensive weapons, their offense will be a bit more balanced than last season, but will still not be explosive. But with a strong defense, I believe they can shut our running game down, and with Cromartie joining Revis, I don't think Orton will be able to overcome this team This will make for a tough loss in the middle of the season. L

Week 7

Oakland (home): At home, we have a strong chance of taking down the Raiders, which is just what we need after two tough losses. They have done little to improve over last season, and I don't think they will have as much luck on their side as internal problems will come to the surface that have been building for a while. Their strong defense will not be able to overcome offensive woes. Look for a pep talk from the captains before this game, similar to Dawkins player meeting last season. W

Week 8

San Francisco (away): This game takes place in London, so it's more of an neutral game rather than an away game. I like what the 49niners have done, but bringing in David Carr really isn't going to do much against the Broncos defense, nor is signing Ted Ginn. While Gore may try to carry the day for San Francisco, I don't think their offense has enough weapons to keep up with us. Coming off a big win in Oakland, Denver will play with confidence, and should be able to handle the Niners. W

Week 9

Heading into our bye, a record of 5-3 isn't fantastic, but some of the toughest games are behind us. Looking forward, the team will need to focus to take on San Diego both times after it's bye. The Broncos should be playing with some swagger about now, especially if they can get the wins over San Francisco and Oakland, but even more if we can get a win against the Jets, Colts, or Ravens.

Week 10

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Kansas City (home): At home we should be able to beat the Chiefs, and even though it's been a while, the thought of Jamaal Charles running over our defense will still be on our players minds.They have improved over last season, especially by picking up Thomas Jones, but I don't think of D will let us have a week 17 repeat. I don't see their defense being enough to stop a decent offense, especially with the lose of Mike Brown, and Orton will out gun Cassel, again. W

Week 11

San Diego (away): San Diego in November and December are almost unbeatable, especially at home. While they have made a lot of changes, mostly letting people go, I still think they will be a tough team to beat, especially late in the season.Despite the losses of Cromartie and LT, they are still one of the toughest teams to beat, and going into Qualcomm will be tough, I can't see us winning there. L

Week 12

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This game is just an excuse for our cheerleaders to be on the field.

St. Louis (home): Ah just what we needed, the Rams are rebuilding, but have done little so far to change their current sad state, I can't think of any reason on this Earth for us to lose this game, unless of course Steven Jackson pulls a huge game on us like KC did at the end of the season, but I really can't see that happening with all the changes we've made to the defensive line. Stop the running back, and this game could turn out well.  W

Week 13

Kansas City (away): For me, this was one of the toughest games to pick, we have only won twice in 18 games at Arrowhead in December, and they are a team that looks to be a bit more dangerous this next season. I like what we did last season there, and I really want to say we can do it again, but it's hard to call, and if we face them in Arrowhead this late in the season, I think we might just face an off-week. Tough to call, but I like to be conservative here. L

Week 14

Arizona (away): This team has lost a lot, and done little to fill the voids left by the departure of key players, the most important of which was Kurt Warner. While still a decent team, the once powerful offense will not be able to make up for this now weakened team, and I don't think they will be able to match up against us well at, even home. Arizona at this point may be fighting for it's playoff life, but having either Derek Anderson or Matt Leinhart at the helm will not be enough, even at home to stop us. Arizona has tendency to lose games it shouldn't late in the season, this will be one of those games. W

Intermission: Okay at this point, we are 8-5 and in full gear to not finish 2010 like the past two seasons, the Chargers are probably in a similar boat, just shy of clinching the division, so at this point it's make it or break it.

Week 15

Oakland (away): This season I think we will manage to keep it together and contain the unpredictable Raiders. Last season they won some surprising games against good teams, Denver, Philly, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. Not this season, I believe that Oakland just haven't done enough so far to keep it's feet in the water, we won't repeat last  seasons lose again. W

Week 16

Houston (home): This is a hard team to figure out, losing to Jacksonville twice, then winning games agianst New England and the Bengals. With a lot of weapons on offense, they seem to struggle to live up to expectations. But if Schaub can pull a big day out of his offense, it will be hard to keep up with the Texans. While I want to say we'll win this it's hard to do, this team is dangerous and unpredictable. But, and that's one big but, we are at home here, coming off two wins, and if we can win here, we are set for the playoffs. It will depend on which Texans team shows up, but either way, I think we can pull this one out in a great game. W

Week 17

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San Diego (home): Could you ask for any better way to end the season?  The Chargers have the longest winning streak in December, but December will be over, so maybe we can pull off some magic here. San Diego may be fighting for a 1st round bye, so they will come out fighting, making it tough to win. The Chargers have lost a lot of their weapons, and coming into Mile High, and not having Chris Simms as our starter automatically gives us a better chance then last season. I think this will be a big game, and we will want to spoil the Chargers late season drive, but I just don't think we can beat San Diego here, man it's a tough call. L

Record: 10-6, we make the playoffs!

I tried to make my explanations thorough, and hope I did a good job saying why we either won or loss. While this has a note that it can go +/- 1 game either way, I still see us having a winning year no matter what. I would love to know what peoples analysis on games where they question my outcome so I can get a better feel from those who may follow those teams more closely. Part 3 will come after the draft. Thanks and lets hope for a great next season.

P.S. For all you kool-aid drinkers, I want "13-3 till we aren't" too, just trying to be realistic.