East
 |
| Jerod Mayo |
2010: 14-2, L in Divisional
The Patriots are coming off of a 14-2 campaign but they fell short again in the playoffs. But last year wasn't even supposed to be the year where the offense and defense come together to be a dominant force. The Patriots are blossoming on defense, led by Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty while the offense lights up the scoreboard and more impressively, they don't turn the football over. I expect the Patriots to be just like they were last season, a dominant force; but it will all come down to how the Pats perform if they make it to the postseason.
Record: 13-3, -1 from 2010
2 New York Jets
 |
| Mark Sanchez |
The Jets have appeared in back to back AFC Championships but have fallen just short. The season depends heavily on Mark Sanchez, but the defense will also be put to the test with some games against premier offenses. I think the Jets are capable of going to the Super Bowl but I also think they are capable of falling flat on their face and going 8-8. The Jets put pressure on themselves and due to the fact that I believe the Jets did not get any better in the offseason, the Jets will struggle to get into the playoffs, if at all.
Record: 10-6, = from 2010
 |
| Shawne Merriman |
3 Buffalo Bills
2010: 4-12, Did Not Make Playoffs
The Bills were a very competitive 4-12 team if their is such a thing. This team did not have "it" in those close games. But I believe the Bills are on the right track; they have a potent offense and the additions of Marcell Dareus and Shawne Merriman will help out the defense. Expect the Bills to surprise this year and take a bigger stride forward then most would expect.
Record: 7-9, +3 from 2010
4 Miami Dolphins
2010: 7-9, Did Not Make Playoffs
 |
| Chad Henne |
Record: 5-11, -2 from 2010
North
1 Baltimore Ravens
2010: 12-4, L in Divisional
 |
| Anquan Boldin |
Record: 11-5, -1 from 2010
2 Pittsburgh Steelers
 |
| James Harrison |
The Steelers have everyone returning from their AFC Champion squad from 2010. The Steelers are always a tough team to beat and with their defense they will be in every single game. I still think that James Harrison is a big distraction for this team and they have shown in the past that they have let down seasons after years they go to the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, the Steelers will be one of the better teams in the NFL.
Record: 11-5, -1 from 2010
3 Cleveland Browns
2010: 5-11, Did Not Make Playoffs
 |
| Colt McCoy |
Record: 6-10, = from 2010
4 Cincinnati Bengals
2010: 4-12, Did Not Make Playoffs
 |
| Andy Dalton |
Record: 2-14, -2 from 2010
South
1 Indianapolis Colts
 |
| Peyton Manning |
The Colts had a ton of injuries last season which was the reason for a less than stellar season by Colts standards. They don't look a ton healthier this year with Peyton Manning questionable to open the season, but I think he will be ready when it matters, even if it takes him three-four weeks. The Colts have so many weapons on offense and their defense is good enough to hold teams under 20. I think just when people doubt the Colts saying their too old, they'll show that they still have something left in the tank.
Record: 11-5, +1 from 2010
 |
| Matt Schaub |
2010: 6-10, Did Not Make Playoffs
The Texans are everyone's sexy pick to surprise, and this year, I agree with those people who like the Texans. What's not too like? Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson are a lot to handle on offense and their defense boasts players like Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans who had injury battles all last season. The Texans sured up their issues in the secondary and they look poised to battle the Colts and make the playoffs in 2011.
Record: 11-5, +5 from 2010
3 Jacksonville Jaguars
 |
| David Garrard |
It is still unclear whether or not the Jaguars will start David Garrard or rookie Blaine Gabbert but what is clear is that the Jaguars are neither good nor bad, simply mediocre. They will hang around with most or maybe even all teams they play, but they don't have enough depth or talent to go say 10-6 or 11-5. The Jaguars will be anywhere from 6-10 to 9-7, but I think the right move is too start Garrard because he gives you a slightly better chance to win.
Record: 6-10, = from 2010
 |
| Chris Johnson |
2010: 6-10, Did Not Make Playoffs
A new era in Tennessee begins. A lot will depend on whether or not Chris Johnson returns from his holdout because he is the difference from Tennessee being a horrible team and a fair team. The Titans will also have to sure up issues on the defensive side of the ball as well. All in all, the Titans have a lot of weaknesses and not a lot of strengths and it won't be an easy season for new coach Mike Munchak.
Record: 4-12, - 2 from 2010
 |
| Phillip Rivers |
1 San Diego Chargers
2010: 9-7, Did Not Make Playoffs
The Chargers simply beat themselves last year with turnovers and miscues. We have seen how great they are capable of playing, but they are very inconsistent. I expect more consistency from the Chargers this season because I think they will learn from what they did wrong last season and play determined to make the playoffs. The Chargers are the most talented team in the AFC West and led by Phillip Rivers, the Chargers will be heading back to the playoffs.
Record: 11-5, +2 from 2010
 |
| Jamaal Charles |
2010: 10-6, L in Wild Card Round
The Chiefs surprised many last season with their trip to the playoffs. But the schedule gets much harder for Jamaal Charles and co. I believe the Chiefs will continue to improve, but because of such a tough schedule, the Chiefs will not go 10-6 again because they will be exposed as a pretender from last year. The Chiefs still have young pieces in place, but they are still a year away from seriously contending.
Record: 9-7, -2 from 2010
 |
| Elvis Dumervil |
3 Denver Broncos
2010: 4-12, Did Not Make Playoffs
The Broncos are certainly in turmoil, but I think they are a team that could surprise. People forget that they did not have their best defensive player, Elvis Dumervil, all of last season. Add him to new draft pick Von Miller and the defense is already improved. The offense is quietly productive as well. I think the Broncos are capable of winning games with Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow, but Orton gives them a better chance to win. I expect the Broncos to have a decent season giving that this is only John Fox's first year in a rebuilding mode.
Record: 6-10, +2 from 2010
4 Oakland Raiders
 |
| Darren McFadden |
It is going to be difficult for the Raiders to recover after losing Nnamdi Asomugha and Zach Miller in the offseason. They really don't have much talent across the board now so they will rely heavily on Darren McFadden to improve on his 2010 season. I just don't see it with this Raiders team, they have a difficult schedule and they don't play in the easiest division, so they should struggle to come close to 8-8, if they even get that many wins.
Record: 5-11, -3 from 2010
NFC
East
1 Philadelphia Eagles
 |
| Michael Vick |
The Eagles have the same sort of pressure the Miami Heat faced in the NBA this past season. Everyone is going to be gunning for the Eagles and after any loss it is going to be all doom and gloom. How the Eagles handle that will determine how they finish this season. The Eagles certainly have the talent too, but it will come down to Michael Vick; will he be the player he was in the first half of last year or the second half? I think Vick plays somewhere in between, ultimately leading the Eagles to a successful season.
Record: 13-3, +3 from 2010
 |
| Dez Bryant |
2 Dallas Cowboys
2010: 6-10, Did Not Make Playoffs
Last season couldn't have gotten worse for the Cowboys, but 2011 is a new season. Tony Romo is back and healthy and the defense remains strong. I think the Cowboys are closer to their 2009 11-5 playoff team than the team that went 6-10 last year because the Cowboys have many promising players on both sides of the ball that are ready to step up for Dallas. It won't be easy, but I think Dallas is poised to return to the playoffs.
Record: 10-6, +4 from 2010
 |
| Eli Manning |
2010: 10-6, Did Not Make Playoffs
If the Giants had closed out a 31-10 lead in the 4th quarter against the Eagles, New York would've found themselves in the playoffs. This team has many problems internally that have caused the downfall of this team. From Eli Manning to Osi Umenyiora, the Giants do too much talking and not enough playing. I don't think Tom Coughlin has enough control of this team and the Giants will have another disappointing season.
Record: 8-8, -2 from 2010
 |
| Rex Grossman |
2010: 6-10, Did Not Make Playoffs
This could be the year when it all comes crashing down for the Redskins. They are unsettled at pretty much every position on the field, primarily quarterback. Whether it is John Beck or Rex Grossman, the Redskins will have issues putting points on the board. On defense, the 'Skins had one of the worst in the NFL last season and they only made minor additions to patch up the defense. In such a competitive division with a tight schedule, I don't expect the Redskins to have a good season.
Record: 2-14, -4 from 2010
 |
| Aaron Rodgers |
1 Green Bay Packers
Record: 10-6, Won Super Bowl
What's amazing about the Packers is that they still managed to win the Super Bowl after they were plagued by injuries. With everyone healthy, one can only imagine what the Packers are capable of doing. I can't really find any weakness on this team, possibly the D-Line but nothing else. The Packers might even be better than last season.
Record: 13-3, +3 from 2010
 |
| Calvin Johnson |
2 Detroit Lions
Record: 6-10, Did Not Make Playoffs
The Lions are one of the NFL's most promising teams. They have all the pieces in place, Matt Stafford at quarterback, Jahvid Best at running back, Calvin Johnson at wide receiver and Ndamukong Suh anchoring the defensive line. I don't expect the Lions to make the playoffs, but I expect an over .500 season because Matthew Stafford will stay healthy, the Lions will score points and their defense will get after the quarterback enough to win many games.
Record: 9-7, +3 from 2010
3 Chicago Bears
 |
| Brian Urlacher |
Chicago was one of the NFL's surprises last year and they made a run to the NFC Championship. This year, they will have more of a target on their back. Jay Cutler has a lot of responsibility, he needs to play like he did last year in order for the Bears to get back to the playoffs. I think that this team in a way backed into the NFC Championship and into the NFC North for that matter and this year they're going to come back down to earth.
Record: 8-8, -3 from 2010
4 Minnesota Vikings
Record: 6-10, Did Not Make Playoffs
 |
| Adrian Peterson |
Record: 6-10, = from 2010
South
 |
| Drew Brees |
Record: 10-6, L in Wild Card Round
The Saints had a little bit too much of a Super Bowl hangover last year. This year, they have a chip on their shoulders. Drew Brees simply can't turn the ball over as much as he did last year, but still continue to put points up on the board. The Saints offense will get a nice boost with rookie Mark Ingram. But the season will come down to their defense, which gave up 41 points in the playoffs last year against Seattle.
Record: 12-4, +2 from 2010
2 Atlanta Falcons
 |
| John Abraham |
The Falcons were destroyed in the playoffs by the Packers after a stellar regular season which begs the question of whether or not the Falcons were really that good. I don't think they really were. Matt Ryan is a very good player, but he is not a great player like everyone is making him out to be, so in order for the Falcons to succeed in the playoffs, Ryan needs to be more than just a dink and dunk passer. Like the Saints though, the entire defense needs to step up. If the Falcons can straighten these problems out before a potential playoff run, the Falcons are a dark horse to come out of the NFC.
Record: 10-6, -3 from 2010
 |
| Mike Williams |
Record: 10-6, Did Not Make Playoffs
The Buccaneers were the NFL's biggest surprise last season. But now they have more people watching them and more teams aware of them. The Buccaneers need the same players who stepped up last season to do so again, especially LeGarrette Blount and Mike Williams to take pressure off of Josh Freeman. The defense is solid, but I don't know if this team scores enough points or forces enough turnovers to win 10 games like they did a year ago against a pretty weak schedule. I expect a slight decline from the young Bucs.
Record: 8-8, -2 from 2010
4 Carolina Panthers
 |
| DeAngelo Williams |
The Panthers have nowhere to go but up. They have a few things going for them this season; DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will be healthy and when they are healthy, we all know that they are one of the better rushing tandems in the NFL. They also resigned Charles Johnson who will get after the quarterback. I think they took the right step forward with Cam Newton and if he is the starter, he will do fairly well. Well, not well enough to get the Panthers even close to .500.
Record: 3-13, +2 from 2010
 |
| Larry Fitzgerald |
1 Arizona Cardinals
Record: 5-11, Did Not Make Playoffs
Arizona finally has a legitimate quarterback in Kevin Kolb. I know that Kolb will be solid and to those who say he doesn't have enough experience, look at Matt Schaub. The Cardinals still have some weak areas that they need to settle, like a pass rush and replacing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the secondary but I just think that now with Kolb at quarterback, he will find Larry Fitzgerald enough for the Cardinals to at least be in contention in the waning weeks of the season for the NFC West crown.
Record: 9-7, +4 from 2010
 |
| James Laurinaitis |
2 St. Louis Rams
Record: 7-9, Did Not Make Playoffs
The Rams are heading in the right direction. It is only a matter of time before Sam Bradford leads them to the playoffs, but is this the year? They made upgrades at the receiver position with Mike Sims-Walker, the defense boasts a solid pass rush led by James Hall and solid play makers like James Laurinaitis. I know the Rams will be better that last year even if only by a little and like the Cardinals, I think at the very least the Rams will be in contention in the last weeks of the season like last year.
Record: 8-8, +1 from 2010
 |
| Alex Smith |
Record: 6-10, Did Not Make Playoffs
The 49ers seem to have hype every year but I just am not buying it. They're like the Jacksonville Jaguars, not good enough to be a 10-6 team but not bad enough to be a 4-12 team. They aren't really rebuilding or loading up for the playoffs, they're like I said before, stuck in limbo. I guess it comes down to Alex Smith and whether or not he can earn his worth.
Record: 7-9, +1 from 2010
4 Seattle Seahawks
Record: 7-9, L in Divisional
 |
| Marshawn Lynch |
Record: 4-12, -3 from 2010
AFC Playoff Seedings
1 New England
2 San Diego
3 Baltimore
4 Indianapolis
5 Houston
6 Pittsburgh
NFC Playoff Seedings
1 Green Bay
2 Philadelphia
3 New Orleans
4 Arizona
5 Atlanta
6 Dallas
Wild Card Round
3) Baltimore over 6) Pittsburgh 20-13 The Ravens are bound to beat the Steelers in the playoffs some time
5) Houston over 4) Indianapolis 31-27 Houston plays enough defense to send Peyton and the Colts home early
6) Dallas over 3) New Orleans 28-20 The Cowboys have played the Saints well over the past few years; Tony Romo finally has a huge playoff game
5) Atlanta over 4) Arizona 34-24 Atlanta is simply the more balanced team
Divisional Round
1) New England over 5) Houston 36-14 Houston is a bit overwhelmed in Foxboro against the Pats
3) Baltimore over 2) San Diego 22-17 Baltimore knows how to win on the road, San Diego knows how to loose at home in the playoffs
1) Green Bay over 6) Dallas 23-16 Green Bay just has a few too many weapons on both sides of the ball for Dallas to stop
5) Atlanta over 2) Philadelphia 24-21 The pressure causes Philly to crack, Atlanta takes full advantage
AFC Championship
1) New England over 3) Baltimore 27-13 New England's defense stifles the Ravens offense and the Pats put up enough points to win going away
NFC Championship
1) Green Bay over 5) Atlanta 30-27 Not quite the same game as last years playoff matchup, Matt Ryan and Atlanta keep it close but Aaron Rodgers is too dynamic for the Atlanta defense
Super Bowl 46- Lucas Oil Stadium
New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers 34-28
Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady, NE
This should be a shoot-out. I think its the Patriots time to break through once more and win their 4th and probably final championship in the Tom Brady era. The Packers won't make it easy, but the Patriots defense is now experienced enough to take on a big challenge on a big stage. I like the Patriots, 34-28 over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl 46.
 |
| Tom Brady |
 |
| Aaron Rodgers |
MVP
1 Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers
2 Phillip Rivers, QB San Diego Chargers
3 Tom Brady, QB New England Patriots
4 Larry Fitzgerald, WR Arizona Cardinals
5 Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota Vikings
Offensive Player of the Year
1 Phillip Rivers, QB San Diego Chargers
2 Tom Brady, QB New England Patriots
3 Larry Fitzgerald, WR Arizona Cardinals
4 Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers
5 Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota Vikings
 |
| DeMarcus Ware |
1 DeMarcus Ware, LB Dallas Cowboys
2 Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Philadelphia Eagles
3 Darrelle Revis, CB New York Jets
4 Jerod Mayo, LB New England Patriots
5 Troy Polamalu, S Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive Rookie of the Year
1 A.J. Green, WR Cincinnati Bengals
2 Cam Newton, QB Carolina Panthers
3 Mark Ingram, RB New Orleans Saints
 |
| Von Miller |
Defensive Rookie of the Year
1 Von Miller, LB Denver Broncos
2 Marcell Dareus, DT Buffalo Bills
3 Nick Fairly, DT Detroit Lions
4 Patrick Peterson, CB Arizona Cardinals
Comeback Player of the Year
1 Shawne Merriman, LB Buffalo Bills
2 Tony Romo, QB Dallas Cowboys
3 Matthew Stafford, QB Detroit Lions
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