The 2009 NFL regular season has ended and with it, we have our first Mid-Atlantic Bias Picks Champion: James Buckless. Seen here. In the final week, Jim picked 10 games correctly. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Matthew Minton (who’s baseball prospect analysis you can read and listen to here) picked 8 games correctly. A very solid job done by both, I must say. I enjoyed this little feature on the blog and hope to continue it in some form or fashion next season, should I still be blogging/alive.

With the end of the 2009 regular season comes the 2010 NFL playoffs and with it, 12 teams have the opportunity to reach immortality, or in the case of the 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, historical footnote status (I mean, Brad Johnson was their QB and the MVP of the Super Bowl was some guy named Dexter Jackson who is playing in the UFL right now.). You’re probably (not) asking yourself, “Jason, who’s going to win the Super Bowl.” Well, here’s a ranking for each conference of the teams with the best shot:

AFC:

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Frankly, the Houston Texans have just as good a shot as the Bengals of winning the Super Bowl. Find out where the Bengals are in Vegas today on odds to win the Super Bowl and then avoid that bet at all costs. I don’t care if they’re 1000:1 and you place a $10 bet. You’re going to lose that $10. Carson Palmer suddenly can’t throw the football anymore. They’re banged up defensively. Their receiving corp is thin with the injury to Chad Johnson/truck-falling of Chris Henry and they’re best offensive weapon, running back Cedric Benson, is also playing hurt. I don’t see them getting by the Jets on Saturday.

5. New England Patriots: Yes, they’re here because of the injury to Wes Welker and I don’t care what the other Wes Welker (who is only referred to as such because of his race. There, I said it.) did against Houston. The Ravens secondary, hurt or not, is not the Texans secondary and Ed Reed/Terrell Suggs/Ray Lewis will hit young Wes Welker II in the mouth the first time he comes across the middle. Edelman’s toughness has not been tested this year. It will be on Sunday. The Patriots have been a subpar defensive club all year long and they’ll be exposed by the Ravens running game on Sunday. Take a quick look at what Arian Foster did on Sunday to them. Exactly.

4. Baltimore Ravens: Beating the Patriots is their apex and gets them a date with the Colts. That won’t last long. Joe Flacco still doesn’t have the “it” that a quarterback needs to lead a team. You need to make a play or two in the playoffs to get your team by, unless you have a truly elite offensive line/running game, and I don’t think Flacco has that ability yet. I also don’t have much faith in their kicker, Man Who Isn’t Very Good.

3. San Diego Chargers: I know they’re the hottest team in all the land. I’m not here to argue against that point. This comes down to their constant inability to win a big game. They’re solid everywhere on the field, but not elite anywhere. The Jets have more elite segments of their game than do the Chargers. And they’re better coached. When the Chargers and Jets play, I envision San Diego committing at least 3 really stupid penalties. I’ll even be specific and call for a 15-yard person foul penalty on Shawne Merriman.

2. New York Jets: I’m a little high from their win last night, but find me an offensive line that protects/run blocks better, a defense that, well, defenses better, and a three-headed running back tandem that is more diverse (Thomas Jones, Bradley Smith, and Shonn Greene) and I’ll show you a Super Bowl contender. If they put Sanchez in no situations where he has to win the game, they’ll be alright. So alright that they’ll reach the Conference Championships. And if you think I’m crazy, well, that’s okay.

1. Indianapolis Colts: They’re on a mission from god. No one believes in them anymore, as though Curtis Painter is going to quarterback this team in the playoffs. He won’t be. They’ll be in Miami again.

Tomorrow, the NFC. Once again, congratulations to James!