The 2011 NFL Season begins this Thursday Night as the Defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints. After following the comings and goings of a crazy NFL "offseason" and watching and breaking down the NFL Preseason I think I'm prepared to make my Final Predictions for the upcoming season. Of course it wasn't easy, every year there are new teams making the Playoffs, it's never just the same old teams. In fact in the last 10 years there have been at least four new teams in the Playoffs each year. As you will read below I expect this season to be more of the same, plenty of fresh faces.
AFC East
1. New England Patriots: 14-2
The Patriots really improved their defense this offseason with the additions of Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis. The Offense is gonna do what it does and get the Patriots to 11 Wins by itself but I think the Defense is gonna win this Team some Games this year. The have the potential to be unstoppable. Now they just need to Win in the Playoffs.
2. New York Jets: 9-7
I think the Jets got worse this Offseason plain and simple. They are worse on the Defensive Line, at Wide Receiver, and especially on the Offensive Line. They will struggle to match last season's 11-5 record.
3. Miami Dolphins: 8-8
The Dolphins have a pretty talented Defense. If they could find themselves a Quarterback they could be a Playoff Team but as long as they have Henne under center they are a .500 Team at Best.
4. Buffalo Bills: 6-10
I like some of the pieces this Team added to the Defense in the offseason. They still don't have enough talent to compete but they can beat some Teams, they're defiantly not the worst team in the NFL this year.
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens: 12-4
Baltimore is still very solid but at what point will some of their old playmakers begin to break down? I think they are still a little weak in the secondary and they have major problems on the Offensive Line. But they still will win the North.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7
The reason the Ravens win the Division despite all the flaws I listed above is cause of the Post Super Bowl Slump that pretty much every Super Bowl Loser faces. Look it up, since 2001 only the 2006 Seahawks, 2009 Cardinals and the 2010 Colts made the Playoffs after losing the Super Bowl the season before. Sure two of them came in the last two seasons but in the last ten years only three have made the Playoffs, pretty telling.
3. Cleveland Browns: 4-12
I have a feeling the Browns Defense is gonna take a step back by not having Eric Mangini coaching them up. Factor in the Madden Curse to Peyton Hillis and a sophomore slump by Colt McCoy and the Browns are screwed.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: 2-14
This Franchise is a mess. No way a Team with a Rookie QB, a Rookie WR and a RB due to spend the bye week in jail can be a successful team.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans: 10-6
I have picked the Texans to Win this Division the last two season's and got burnt doing it but this year they added Wade Phillips as the Defensive coordinator and I have no doubt he will make them better. The Texans should be able to win one more games on last years 9-7 record.
2. Indianapolis Colts: 8-8
They went 10-6 last season with Peyton Manning starting all 16 games and relatively healthy. If Manning misses any games this year they have no shot at matching last years 10-6. Even if Manning plays every game (which I have my doubts) he will not be 100% and they will defiantly be worse off then last season. It's hard for me to envision them winning more games then last season.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8
No one remembers the Jags were in the division lead heading into week 16 last season. They have some good players who can keep this team a float.
4. Tennessee Titans: 6-10
With Chris Johnson back they can get to 6 wins but if he's not 100% in the first few weeks it could be worse. Hasselbeck is not the same quarterback he once was and their Defense is depleted.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers: 11-5
They have too good of a team to miss the Playoffs again. They had the #1 Offense and the #1 Defense in the NFL last season. They should be close again this year and they will make the Playoffs.
2. Oakland Raiders: 9-7
Like I said there is always a surprise team every year. This year in the AFC it's gonna be the Oakland Raiders. They have a good front 7 on Defense and McFadden will carry the Offense. They should be able to get a wildcard spot.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: 7-9
I see them as a on year wonder. The Offense will not be able to match last season's production and the Defense doesn't have enough talent. I also hate Todd Haley, he will find a way to screw this up, Pioli needs to find a Belichick guy to be his coach. Maybe Eric Mangini or Josh McDaniels in 2012?
Denver Broncos: 4-12
They have no Talent. They suck plain and simple. I think they will get 4 Wins after they got 0-8 to begin the season and they switch to Timmy Tebow and he pulls out four wins and establishes himself as the starting QB heading into 2012.
AFC Playoffs
Wildcard: (4) San Diego Chargers over (5) New York Jets
Wildcard: (3) Houston Texans over (6) Oakland Raiders
Divisional: (1) New England Patriots over (4) San Diego Chargers
Divisional: (3) Houston Texans over (2) Baltimore Ravens
AFC Championship: (1) New England Patriots over (3) Houston Texans
NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia Eagles: 12-4
The "Dream Team" is getting way to much hype this Offseason. They will be good but they don't have enough added talent to win too many more games then last years 11-5.
2. Dallas Cowboys: 9-7
With Tony Romo back and Rob Ryan taking over the Defense the Cowboys should be an Improved Football Team. They will fight for a Playoff spot.
3. New York Giants: 8-8
The Giants have been getting older and worse every year since their Super Bowl Win in 2007. It might be time for Tom Coughlin to finally go.
4. Washington Redskins: 1-15
Rex Grossman is their Quarterback.....enough said.
AFC North
1. Green Bay Packers: 13-3
The Defending Super Bowl Champs are young and Loaded and they should be healthier this season. Not much to criticize the Packers about, they have a great chance to repeat. Aaron Rodgers will continue to grow as a Quarterback and firmly establish himself as a Top 3 QB in this league.
2. Detroit Lions: 11-5
The Lions might be my Big Sleeper Team. It will all come down to Matt Stafford. If he stays healthy they can be a Playoff team, if he get injured again they will be a 6-8 win team once again. The Defensive front 7 is really good, they are gonna get to quarterbacks.
3. Chicago Bears: 7-9
They continuously go up and down. After a good year they have a bad year, they just can't follow up a Playoff Season with another. Jay Cutler will lose them more games then he will win. Some key Defensive Players are getting up there in age.
4. Minnesota Vikings: 6-10
Donovan McNabb? Really? Good Luck, did the Vikings GM watch any Redskins games last season? They also lost a few starters on Defense including Ray Edwards. It's gonna be an ugly season in Minnesota once again just like last season.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons: 14-2
The Falcons are Loaded. They were 13-3 and the #1 seed last season and they added Julio Jones on Offense and Ray Edwards on Defense. They will easily be the best team in the NFC this season.
2. Tampa Bay Bucs: 10-6
The Bucs made huge strives last season and will continue to grow as a Team in 2011. They will have the same record as last season but they will be a better Team and this time they will make the Playoffs.
3. New Orleans Saints: 9-7
I'm not as high on the Saints as a Lot of other people are. They don't have near the Defense they had two years ago when they won it all. Their Passing Game isn't as Prolific as it once was and Brees makes more mistakes then you'd think, he threw 22 Interceptions last season.
4. Carolina Panthers: 3-13
The Panthers are too young. Cam Newton will not be a good NFL QB. They do have a solid Defense but it won't be enough to consistently win them games.
NFC West
1. St. Louis Rams: 10-6
Sam Bradford is going to be even better in year two than his rookie season. They added weapons around him and most importantly they brought in Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. The Rams are going to have an explosive Offensive Attack.
2. Arizona Cardinals: 8-8
The Cardinals were a Back to Back Playoff Team just 2 years ago with Kurt Warner at QB. e left and last year they sucked. Bring in Kolb and they got the QB back and they could make a Playoff run. But Kolb is not Warner and they will come up short.
3. Seattle Seahawks: 6-10
They will take a step back from last year's surprising Playoff Birth. Pete Carroll is a Train Wreck at Head Coach. And they took a step back at QB going from Hasselback to Jackson.
4. San Francisco 49ers: 4-12
Not much to say here. The 49ers are the 49ers. John Haubaugh is going to struggle in his first year in the NFL.
NFC Playoffs
Wildcard: (3) Philadelphia Eagles over (6) Tampa Bay Bucs
Wildcard: (5) Detroit Lions over (4) St. Louis Rams
Divisional: (2) Green Bay Packers over (3) Philadelphia Eagles
Divisional: (1) Atlanta Falcons over (5) Detroit Lions
NFC Championship: (1) Atlanta Falcons over (2) Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl XLVI: New England Patriots over Atlanta Falcons
AFC East
1. New England Patriots: 14-2
The Patriots really improved their defense this offseason with the additions of Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis. The Offense is gonna do what it does and get the Patriots to 11 Wins by itself but I think the Defense is gonna win this Team some Games this year. The have the potential to be unstoppable. Now they just need to Win in the Playoffs.
2. New York Jets: 9-7
I think the Jets got worse this Offseason plain and simple. They are worse on the Defensive Line, at Wide Receiver, and especially on the Offensive Line. They will struggle to match last season's 11-5 record.
3. Miami Dolphins: 8-8
The Dolphins have a pretty talented Defense. If they could find themselves a Quarterback they could be a Playoff Team but as long as they have Henne under center they are a .500 Team at Best.
4. Buffalo Bills: 6-10
I like some of the pieces this Team added to the Defense in the offseason. They still don't have enough talent to compete but they can beat some Teams, they're defiantly not the worst team in the NFL this year.
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens: 12-4
Baltimore is still very solid but at what point will some of their old playmakers begin to break down? I think they are still a little weak in the secondary and they have major problems on the Offensive Line. But they still will win the North.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7
The reason the Ravens win the Division despite all the flaws I listed above is cause of the Post Super Bowl Slump that pretty much every Super Bowl Loser faces. Look it up, since 2001 only the 2006 Seahawks, 2009 Cardinals and the 2010 Colts made the Playoffs after losing the Super Bowl the season before. Sure two of them came in the last two seasons but in the last ten years only three have made the Playoffs, pretty telling.
3. Cleveland Browns: 4-12
I have a feeling the Browns Defense is gonna take a step back by not having Eric Mangini coaching them up. Factor in the Madden Curse to Peyton Hillis and a sophomore slump by Colt McCoy and the Browns are screwed.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: 2-14
This Franchise is a mess. No way a Team with a Rookie QB, a Rookie WR and a RB due to spend the bye week in jail can be a successful team.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans: 10-6
I have picked the Texans to Win this Division the last two season's and got burnt doing it but this year they added Wade Phillips as the Defensive coordinator and I have no doubt he will make them better. The Texans should be able to win one more games on last years 9-7 record.
2. Indianapolis Colts: 8-8
They went 10-6 last season with Peyton Manning starting all 16 games and relatively healthy. If Manning misses any games this year they have no shot at matching last years 10-6. Even if Manning plays every game (which I have my doubts) he will not be 100% and they will defiantly be worse off then last season. It's hard for me to envision them winning more games then last season.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8
No one remembers the Jags were in the division lead heading into week 16 last season. They have some good players who can keep this team a float.
4. Tennessee Titans: 6-10
With Chris Johnson back they can get to 6 wins but if he's not 100% in the first few weeks it could be worse. Hasselbeck is not the same quarterback he once was and their Defense is depleted.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers: 11-5
They have too good of a team to miss the Playoffs again. They had the #1 Offense and the #1 Defense in the NFL last season. They should be close again this year and they will make the Playoffs.
2. Oakland Raiders: 9-7
Like I said there is always a surprise team every year. This year in the AFC it's gonna be the Oakland Raiders. They have a good front 7 on Defense and McFadden will carry the Offense. They should be able to get a wildcard spot.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: 7-9
I see them as a on year wonder. The Offense will not be able to match last season's production and the Defense doesn't have enough talent. I also hate Todd Haley, he will find a way to screw this up, Pioli needs to find a Belichick guy to be his coach. Maybe Eric Mangini or Josh McDaniels in 2012?
Denver Broncos: 4-12
They have no Talent. They suck plain and simple. I think they will get 4 Wins after they got 0-8 to begin the season and they switch to Timmy Tebow and he pulls out four wins and establishes himself as the starting QB heading into 2012.
AFC Playoffs
Wildcard: (4) San Diego Chargers over (5) New York Jets
Wildcard: (3) Houston Texans over (6) Oakland Raiders
Divisional: (1) New England Patriots over (4) San Diego Chargers
Divisional: (3) Houston Texans over (2) Baltimore Ravens
AFC Championship: (1) New England Patriots over (3) Houston Texans
NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia Eagles: 12-4
The "Dream Team" is getting way to much hype this Offseason. They will be good but they don't have enough added talent to win too many more games then last years 11-5.
2. Dallas Cowboys: 9-7
With Tony Romo back and Rob Ryan taking over the Defense the Cowboys should be an Improved Football Team. They will fight for a Playoff spot.
3. New York Giants: 8-8
The Giants have been getting older and worse every year since their Super Bowl Win in 2007. It might be time for Tom Coughlin to finally go.
4. Washington Redskins: 1-15
Rex Grossman is their Quarterback.....enough said.
AFC North
1. Green Bay Packers: 13-3
The Defending Super Bowl Champs are young and Loaded and they should be healthier this season. Not much to criticize the Packers about, they have a great chance to repeat. Aaron Rodgers will continue to grow as a Quarterback and firmly establish himself as a Top 3 QB in this league.
2. Detroit Lions: 11-5
The Lions might be my Big Sleeper Team. It will all come down to Matt Stafford. If he stays healthy they can be a Playoff team, if he get injured again they will be a 6-8 win team once again. The Defensive front 7 is really good, they are gonna get to quarterbacks.
3. Chicago Bears: 7-9
They continuously go up and down. After a good year they have a bad year, they just can't follow up a Playoff Season with another. Jay Cutler will lose them more games then he will win. Some key Defensive Players are getting up there in age.
4. Minnesota Vikings: 6-10
Donovan McNabb? Really? Good Luck, did the Vikings GM watch any Redskins games last season? They also lost a few starters on Defense including Ray Edwards. It's gonna be an ugly season in Minnesota once again just like last season.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons: 14-2
The Falcons are Loaded. They were 13-3 and the #1 seed last season and they added Julio Jones on Offense and Ray Edwards on Defense. They will easily be the best team in the NFC this season.
2. Tampa Bay Bucs: 10-6
The Bucs made huge strives last season and will continue to grow as a Team in 2011. They will have the same record as last season but they will be a better Team and this time they will make the Playoffs.
3. New Orleans Saints: 9-7
I'm not as high on the Saints as a Lot of other people are. They don't have near the Defense they had two years ago when they won it all. Their Passing Game isn't as Prolific as it once was and Brees makes more mistakes then you'd think, he threw 22 Interceptions last season.
4. Carolina Panthers: 3-13
The Panthers are too young. Cam Newton will not be a good NFL QB. They do have a solid Defense but it won't be enough to consistently win them games.
NFC West
1. St. Louis Rams: 10-6
Sam Bradford is going to be even better in year two than his rookie season. They added weapons around him and most importantly they brought in Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. The Rams are going to have an explosive Offensive Attack.
2. Arizona Cardinals: 8-8
The Cardinals were a Back to Back Playoff Team just 2 years ago with Kurt Warner at QB. e left and last year they sucked. Bring in Kolb and they got the QB back and they could make a Playoff run. But Kolb is not Warner and they will come up short.
3. Seattle Seahawks: 6-10
They will take a step back from last year's surprising Playoff Birth. Pete Carroll is a Train Wreck at Head Coach. And they took a step back at QB going from Hasselback to Jackson.
4. San Francisco 49ers: 4-12
Not much to say here. The 49ers are the 49ers. John Haubaugh is going to struggle in his first year in the NFL.
NFC Playoffs
Wildcard: (3) Philadelphia Eagles over (6) Tampa Bay Bucs
Wildcard: (5) Detroit Lions over (4) St. Louis Rams
Divisional: (2) Green Bay Packers over (3) Philadelphia Eagles
Divisional: (1) Atlanta Falcons over (5) Detroit Lions
NFC Championship: (1) Atlanta Falcons over (2) Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl XLVI: New England Patriots over Atlanta Falcons
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