Finally the 2010 NFL season begins this week and once again the NFL will stage a huge game for its Thursday night opener, featuring a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game when the Minnesota Vikings travel down to the Big Easy to take on the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints in the Superdome on September 9th.

This year Super Bowl 45 (XLV) will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, February 6th. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones outbid Indianapolis and Glendale, Arizona, for the rights to host the big game, the third time the Super Bowl will be played in Texas with both of the previous ones taking place in Houston and favoring the AFC representative (Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium (Miami over Minnesota) and Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium (New England over Carolina).

Here are my predictions:

NFC East – Dallas Cowboys (prediction: 10-6)

I believe that the Cowboys are hands down the team to beat in this division, as they have one of the top defenses in all of football and made a huge addition on offense in rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant. The Eagles lose Donovan McNabb to the Redskins, but I believe the Eagles will still be one of the top teams in the NFC this season, while the Redskins will be good, just not good enough to win arguably the toughest division in football, but the Skins have an easier schedule than the Cowboys.

NFC North – Green Bay Packers (11-5)

The NFC North Division boils down to one proposition: Brett Favre versus Aaron Rodgers? I’ll take the younger and still improving Rodgers over the drama queen.  The Packers were the youngest team in the NFL the past few seasons and they all had a taste of the playoffs last year and could be poised for a deep playoff run in 2011. Keep a close eye on the Packers, as they could very well be the surprise team of the NFL this season, much like the Saints were a year ago. I believe that the Bears will be better, but not good enough to compete with the Vikings or Packers. The Lions appear headed in the right direction, I just don’t think that is going to translate into many wins in 2010

NFC South – New Orleans Saints (12-4)

What hasn’t Drew Brees done since his Super Bowl MVP? Man that guy has pimped himself everywhere this offseason, which is why the Saints will give back a few games this season. But with an offense that can put up 50 in a blink on just about anyone, the Saints won’t fall too far as defending champs.  Interesting note that there hasn’t been a repeat champion out of this division since the realignment in 2002, making this one of the toughest divisions in the entire NFL to predict. I am going against the grain and picking the Saints to repeat in 2010.  I expect a much better year out of the Falcons, who appear to have the best shot at taking over the top spot. The Panthers will be solid, but I don’t believe they are a playoff team. The Buccaneers figure to be much more competitive this season, and could very well slip past the Panthers for third in the division

NFC West – San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

Sorry Cardinal fans, but they are mess right now with all of their personnel changes at the reigning NFC West champion Arizona.  I’m driving the bus for the upcoming 49ers.  I’m still not sold on quarterback Alex Smith, but I am sold on Mike Singletary and his approach in the Bay. Drafting two- fifths of an offensive line (Anthony Davis and Mike Lupati) translates to me that Iron Mike is going bring a little smash-mouth to the West Coast.  I have the Rams making the jump from last to third, but I don’t have them rated much higher than the Seahawks.

NFC Wildcards – Atlanta Falcons (10-6) and Washington Redskins(9-7)

The Falcons did a solid job of addressing their defensive needs by picking up CB Dunta Robinson in free agency and adding three potential major contributors in the draft (LB Sean Weatherspoon, DT Corey Peters and CB Dominique Franks), so a game improvement to 10-6 gets them in the playoffs of 2011.

The Redskins have an easier schedule than the rest of the East.  I could also flip flop Philly here too – not sure what Kevin Kolb will do.

AFC East – New England Patriots (11-5)

Most people will tell you it takes two years after knee surgery to get back to 100 percent. Tom Brady will be better and the Pats will still have enough to hold off the upstart Jets for one more year. Although if you like the Jets having worked one of their preseason games and love Hard Knocks, but I am not impressed with yet another bad USC quarterback -Mark Sanchez.  Watch out for the Miami Dolphins to be sleepers in this division.

AFC North – Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

Even though the Bengals swept the division in 2009, I believe that the Ravens are going to be the team to beat, and could be poised for a Super Bowl run this season. I look for another strong year out of the Bengals, who definitely have the talent to repeat as division champs. With all the problems surrounding the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger this offseason, I don’t think they will have what it takes to win the division, but the defense could save their season and keep them in the hunt.

AFC South – Indianapolis Colts (13-3)

Seriously, I know it’s real insight here, but Peyton Manning finished one game away from his intended goal last season. My money is on him and his motivation to get back there again. Looking at their schedule it’s hard to see them doing any worse than 13 wins in my book. The Texans could be primed to really come on this season, as they have flirted around the .500 mark for the past three seasons. The Titans finished as good as anyone in 2009, and are only two seasons removed from winning this division. The Jaguars showed some improvement last season, but I don’t think there is enough talent to compete for the division crown.

AFC West – San Diego Chargers (13-3)

San Diego gets 13 wins by virtue of the weak AFC West.  I do question their receiving core, but they have a solid defense.  I don’t think it will be as easy as some people think. I think we are going to see huge improvements out of the Chiefs and Raiders this season, and both could win close to eight games this season. It’s hard telling what exactly to expect from the Broncos this season.

AFC Wildcards – Pittsburgh (9-7) and New York Jets (10-6)

The Jets will go as far as Sanchez can take them, but you can expect a similar KISS (keep it simple stupid) approach on offense so he can just manage the game and not feel like he has to win it every week. The defense will be solid, if rookie corner Kyle Wilson can balance the field and bring Derrelle Revis back into play.

Conference Championships (January 23rd)

Instead of continuing to throw predictions out based on my Divisional selections above for the Wild Card Weekend (January 8th/9th) and Divisional Round (January 15th/16th), let’s instead skip ahead and predict the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl 45 – February 6th, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Dallas Cowboys vs. Indianapolis Colts -Winner – Indianapolis Colts