2011 NFL Season Preview

NFC North



Green Bay Packers- Packer Nation should be ecstatic that they won the Super Bowl last year. But, now they have to try and repeat. With Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant both coming back from and injury filled season last year, they are reloaded and ready for 2011. Aaron Rodgers and a great defense will lead the Packers to an NFC North Title this year and give them a great chance to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
 Predicted Record: 13-3

                                             

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Aaron Rodgers hopes to be holding up another Lombardi
trophy at the end of this season.



Chicago Bears- One game away from the Super Bowl last year and now most people have picked them to drop to third in the division (behind the Packers and Lions). Most people forget that they won this division last year and the Packers didn't. Although that will not be the case this year, the Bears will battle and get a second place finish in the NFC North and JUST MISS the playoffs.

Predicted Record: 9-7


Minnesota Vikings- The Vikings were a field goal away from being in the Super Bowl just two years ago. They still have a lot of talent and another veteran QB (Donovan McNabb) that has Super Bowl dreams. The problem is I think they lack a solid #1 receiver. They still have weapons with Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe. Don't forget they have a pretty good running back up there in Minnesota as well. The Vikings will finish third in the most competitive division in the NFL.


Predicted Record: 8-8


Detroit Lions- The Lions have improved tremendously since that 0-16 season just a few years back and some people have predicted them to go to the playoffs. Actually a lot of people have. However, I am not sold. They have an injury prone QB, a great WR and young Running Backs. Even if they are healthy this year they are going to need to learn how to win. I think they are a year away from really being a playoff contender. Next year is their year.


Predicted Record: 7-9




NFC South

Atlanta Falcons- The Atlanta Falcons won this division last year and they just added weapons on offense (Rookie WR Julio Jones) and defense ( DE Ray Edwards). They should remain at the top of the division. They have a trio of stars with Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner. Not to mention veteran leaders like Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons remain the team to beat in the NFC South, and lucky for them not many teams in the NFL will have the talent or firepower to stop them.

Predicted Record: 12-4 


Matt Ryan and Roddy White should help the Atlanta Falcons win
the NFC South and contend for a Championship.



                                                                                

                                                       

New Orleans Saints- The New Orleans Saints will battle with the young Falcons for the division crown, but will fall just short. They will be a threat in the playoffs and a team that nobody wants to see. Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees will lead them to a Wild Card Playoff Berth.

Predicted Record: 11-5


Tampa Bay Buccaneers- I feel sorry for the Bucs. They play in a division that is stacked at the top. Young Quarterback Josh Freeman played great last year and I think he will continue to do so. However, I think Tampa Bay is a year away from a playoff berth.

Predicted Record: 9-7


Carolina Panthers- The Panthers were the worst team in football last year and should stay there this year. They drafted Cam Newton who is freakishly big and athletic for a Quarterback. However, he is extremely inaccurate and there isn't much talent outside of running back Deangelo Williams. This division is just too good to let the Panthers be competitive. Andrew Luck sweepstakes anyone? They better figure out if Cam is their future.

Predicted Record: 3-13


NFC EAST

Philadelphia "Dream Team" Eagles- The Eagles were great last year and look to be just as successful this year. The problem used to be the health of Mike Vick. But, with Vince Young as a backup, the offense wouldn't really change if Vick went down. Both QB's are mobile and can resemble each other in the same offense. The health of Jeremy Maclin and the young linebacker core is a concern, but not enough for me to pick against the "Dream Team."

Predicted Record: 12-4


Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys struggled with injuries last year. Tony Romo is back and ready to lead Dallas to the playoffs. I think they will make the playoffs and become a contender. Jason Garrett shed the "interim" head coach tag and hired Rob Ryan as his defensive coordinator. The defense will be improved.  This team WILL make the playoffs.

Predicted Record: 11-5


New York Giants- The New York Giants choked last year against Philadelphia and it cost them the playoffs. This year, they won't get that opportunity. They will be a slightlty better than average team and will end up with an average record. If Eli can cut down on his turnovers, they may have a shot. They still have weapons, but also lost TE Kevin Boss and WR Steve Smith who signed with the division rival Eagles.

Predicted Record: 8-8


Washington Redskins- The Redskins aren't going to be any good this season. I'm glad they competed during the preseason, but I don't see this team winning more than four games. Their Quarterback isn't going to be good (Rex Grossman) and their backup isn't any better (John Beck). Tim Hightower could help in the running game. But, overall they will struggle and have less wins than they did a year ago.

Predicted Record 4-12


NFC West

St. Louis Rams- The St. Louis Rams let the division title slip through their fingers last year. I do not think that will happen again. Sam Bradford is no longer a rookie and he has a new target in Mike Sims-Walker. Steven Jackson is a beast at running back and collectively St. Louis will get its first division title in quite some time.
Predicted Record: 10-6       

Sam Bradford (right) and Steven Jackson (left) will lead
the Rams to a division crown. 

                                       
Arizona Cardinals- The Cardinals were a quarterback away from the playoffs last season. Now, they have who they wanted at QB all along with Kevin Kolb. They gave up a Pro Bowl corner to get him. That will hurt the defense. I think the offense may struggle a bit early on because Kolb did not have any mini camps or practices because of the lockout. The Cardinals are a year away from the playoffs. Larry Fitzgerald will still ensure that the Cardinals are a winning team.

Predicted Record: 9-7


San Francisco 49ers- Speaking of not having a Quarterback? How does it feel San Francisco? They have Vernon Davis, a very good running back in Frank Gore, a solid defense, good WR's and yet they still won't contend. They are missing a Quarterback and once they get one they will be a solid team. With Alex Smith at the helm? How does 7-9 sound? Good, because you can't get there with Alex Smith


Predicted Record: 6-10

Seattle Seahawks: I cannot believe this team won a playoff game last year. Don't worry, I can assure you it won't happen again this season. Their quarterback bolted and went to Tennessee. When they signed Tavaris Jackson, they got a QB the Minnesota Vikings did not want. I do not think he can get the ball to the weapons they do have like Sidney Rice, Mike Williams and Zack Miller.

Predicted Record: 4-12 




AFC East

New England Patriots- The Patriots had a very good season last year, but came up a bit short in the playoffs. Now, journalists are calling this team "finesse" and picking them to lose the division to the Jets. Well, in the famous words of Chad Ochocinco: "Child Please." They have solid running backs, great Tight ends and plenty of Wide Receiver options. Oh and don't forget about the greatest quarterback in the game, Tom Brady.

Predicted Record: 13-3

Chad Ochocinco looks to give Tom Brady another weapon
and stretch the field for an offense that
lacked big plays last season.

New York Jets- The Jets beat the Patriots in the playoffs last season and look to finally get over the hump and get to a Super Bowl this year. They have a solid QB in Mark Sanchez and two potential big play threats with Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress. However, they rely on their defense and running game to win games and they will win plenty, en route to a Wild Card Playoff Berth.

Predicted Record: 11-5


Miami Dolphins- The Miami Dolphins have weapons on offense. They lost two running backs, (Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams) but they added a very dangerous open field runner in Reggie Bush and Rookie Daniel Thomas. They have a solid defense and a top tier WR with Brandon Marshall. It is up to their quarterback Chad Henne to raise his game and lead this Dolphins team. If he can do that, they could compete for a wild card birth. I think he will be solid, but he's an average QB, that's all there is to it.

Predicted Record: 7-9



Buffalo Bills- Believe it or not, I like the Buffalo Bills this season. Hopefully, C.J. Spiller can have a breakout year and Stevie Johnson will build off of his very productive year in 2010. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a solid quarterback and definitely better than his Dolphins counterpart Chad Henne. With that said, the Bills will compete, but will struggle in such a tough division.

Predicted Record: 7-9



AFC West


San Diego Chargers- The Chargers were #1 on offense and defense last year and DID NOT make the playoffs. I believe that was an exception and not the rule. The Chargers will win the division this year and take back what is rightfully theirs. Phillip Rivers always makes them a contender and now they have Vincent Jackson back for a full season after brutal contract issues last year.

Predicted Record: 11-5



Kansas City Chiefs- The Kansas City Chiefs have the best running back tandem in the league. They added a big fullback in Leron McClain and should continue to dominate on the ground. They lost offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and will struggle in the passing game somewhat this season. They have a tough schedule and it looks like last year was their fifteen minutes of fame.

Predicted Record: 8-8



Oakland Raiders- The Raiders swept this division last year and still ended up with just 8 wins. They fired Coach Cable and promoted Hue jackson. I've heard great things about Jackson, but this team has lost one of the top tier tight ends in the game (Zack Miller) and an imortant offensive lineman (Robert Gallery). They will still compete, but take a step back from last year.


Predicted Record: 7-9



Denver Broncos- The Denver Broncos were bottom feeders in the division last year and odds are they will remain there. Brandon Lloyd had a breakout season, but unless Knowshon Moreno can prove he is the answer at running back in Denver, then this team will be about as bad as it was last season.
Predicted Record: 5-11



AFC South

Houston Texans- It's either now or never for the Texans. They have a great Pro Bowl trio with Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson. They signed Daniel Manning at safety and cornerback Jonathan Joseph. They should win this division, even if Manning was healthy for the Colts, but he's hurt and the AFC South is up for grabs. Houston is the clear cut favorite and it should get it's first playoff berth in franchise history.

Predicted record: 11-5



Tennessee Titans: The Titans went out and signed an underrated QB. Matt Hasselback is a veteran and more than capable of competing with any team in this division. Running back Chris Johnson will need to have a big year, but if he does the Titans could sneak up on some people. I just don't think Hasselbeck will stay healthy for 16 games and that will define their season with rookie Jake Locker as Hasselbeck's backup.


Predicted Record: 7-9




Indianapolis Colts- The Colts have their backs against the wall. They went out and signed veteran QB Kerry Collins, who will try to fill the void that Peyton Manning left. Today, news came out that Peyton will be out a minimum 2-3 months after another neck procedure. This is why the Colts have dropped to third place in the division. Yikes.

Predicted Record: 6-10





Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars decided just a few days ago that they were going to go young and released the second best quarterback in the history of their franchise in David Garrard. This might not have been the year to turn to their rookie quarterback, but I bet Blaine Gabbert will be named the starter by week 5. They could have had a shot this year with Garrard to make some noise in the division, but without him, they are a work in progress. We will see if the decision pays off.

Predicted Record 4-12



AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers- It is hard to make a case that the Pittsburgh Steelers are not going to win this division. They dominate the Ravens who are the only other threat to them this year. They added a good number three wide receiver with Jerricho Cotchery and look to dominate with the running game and defense like they always have.

Predicted Record: 12-4 

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens always have tough battles,
but Pittsburgh always seems to come out on top.

                                             


Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens have to be tired of getting beat up on in the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Steelers. I really like the Lee Evans trade and hopefully Flacco can get him the ball. I think the Ravens will make the playoffs and get a Wild Card Playoff Berth.


Predicted Record: 10-6



Cleveland Browns- The Cleveland Browns are going in the right direction, but they are a year away from truly contending for a playoff spot. Colt McCoy had a solid preseason and you know what you get from Peyton Hillis. The Browns could be a dangerous spoiler down the stretch and competeitive throughout the season.


Predicted Record: 6-10


Cincinnati Bengals- The Bengals had an interesting offseason to say the least. They had their underperforming, yet franchise Quarterback retire. They drafted AJ Green who could be a very good Wide Receiver in the NFL. They are led by Rookie Quarterback Andy Dalton and will suffer some from growing pains throughout the season. They do have an easy early schedule and could steal a win or two down the stretch after the rookies get accustomed to the NFL game. The bottom line: They are too young to compete this year. There's always next year right?

Predicted Record: 4-12