Regan: NFL Preview

Here is a very brief team-by-team overview of the 2011 NFL season. GO COWBOYS!!!

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills- Sorry Bills fans, the bad records you have become accustomed to is a trend that is going to continue this season. If I were the owner I would tell my coaches to make sure they lose every game so they can get Andrew Luck with the first pick in next year’s draft, but they won’t do that.           

2011 Record Prediction: 5-11

Miami Dolphins- I honestly don’t know a whole lot about the Dolphins except they have a quarterback that ranks among the bottom third of the league at his position, the same can be said about their running back. Also, Marc Anthony and J-LO own a portion of the team; now that they are divorced I don’t know how that’ll work. Anyways, another mediocre season for Miami.

2011 Record Prediction: 6-10

New England Patriots- Looking to rebound after a tough playoff loss to their nemesis the Jets. Fortunately, they still have the best quarterback and best coach in the game. I think they are just as good as last year when they finished 14-2.

2011 Record Prediction: 13-3

New York Jets- My least favorite team in the league (that’s not a major Cowboys rival) unfortunately should be formidable again with a good running game and stout defense. Will go as far as Mark Sanchez can take them.

2011 Record Prediction: 10-6

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans- No team happier about Manning’s injury, although I’m sure they would never admit it. Potent offense led by Andre Johnson and Arian Foster should score a lot of points, the addition of Wade Phillips at defensive coordinator should improve the defense. Look for the Texans to win division for first time in franchise history.

2011 Record Prediction: 10-6

Indianapolis Colts- Thanks to a certain quarterback’s bad neck this team will lose a lot for the first time in a long time. If the line and receivers are legit they’ll win a few games, if Manning was the only reason they have been legit they will win less then a few games.

2011 Record Prediction: 4-12

Jacksonville Jaguars- They released a slightly below average quarterback for an extremely below average one. They’ll run the ball a lot and have success with that, and continue to be the team no one ever thinks about, even the majority of the people in Jacksonville.

2011 Record Prediction: 4-12

Tennessee Titans- A new coach, new quarterback, and new very large contract for running back Chris Johnson. I think Hasselback will actually fit in very well with the Titans, and I think the Titans could surprise a lot of people and possibly win this division. (But probably not)

2011 Record Prediction: 8-8

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos- A team with a lot of question marks under new coach John Fox. Former coach Josh McDaniels certainly didn’t do the team a whole lot of favors, setting them up for the future. On offense they are going to run the football with Knowshon Moreno, a high pick who has yet to prove anything in the NFL. If Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil can be major force in the running game and get to the quarterback, it would greatly help a secondary that’s ancient in a couple spots (Dawkins, Bailey) and extremely young at another (Moore). A favorable schedule in a below average division helps a lot but reaching .500 is still a stretch.

2011 Record Prediction: 6-10

Kansas City Chiefs- Last year the Chiefs were one of the NFL’s biggest surprises, however I don’t think they can expect to repeat the success from 2010 to this year. They had so much go just right last year, and that doesn’t happen year to year in less you’re actually a really good team, which the Chiefs aren’t.

2011 Record Prediction: 7-9

Oakland Raiders- I have no idea why so many people outside of the Oakland area seem to like the Raiders, they haven’t been good in almost a decade, and things aren’t looking up, they will be bad again this year. Their best player is the punter Shane Lechler if that tells you anything.

2011 Record Prediction: 4-12

San Diego Chargers- Worst special teams in history last year, which just cannot happen again, especially with the new kickoff rules. Until last year they had ruled this division for the majority of the last six or seven years, this year they will regain the top spot led by MVP candidate Philip Rivers.

2011 Record Prediction: 11-5

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: They’ve been a very good team the last couple years, and they will be again this year. The aging defense led by Ray Lewis still has a year or two of dominance left in them, and Ray Rice is a stud at running back. However, they will suffer another early exit in the playoffs because Joe Flacco isn’t capable of leading a team to the Super Bowl, he’s a decent quarterback, but not one of the elite that can take a team to the Super Bowl.

2011 Record Prediction: 10-6

Cincinnati Bengals- A team that finished 4-12 record last year is somehow a lot worse. Andy Dalton may have a good career, but he won’t have good season, the running situation is average at best, and the same can be said for the defense, although I don’t think either area will even be average. My deep apologies Bengals fans.

2011 Record Prediction: 2-14

Cleveland Browns: A team that is on the rise with a running back they like in Peyton Hillis and a quarterback they think is the guy in Colt McCoy. However, they don’t really have any other offensive playmakers and with the likes of Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the division they need more playmakers. Yet another rebuilding year for the Browns

2011 Record Prediction: 6-10

Pittsburgh Steelers- The defending AFC champs come into this season hungry to get back to the Super Bowl as well as get a few more fines for cheap shots and illegal hits, and with a cast that is pretty all much returning they should have a pretty good shot at just that if they stay healthy.

2011 Record Prediction: 12-4

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys- My favorite team, and as the readers of this blog know I am extremely biased towards my favorite teams and favorite players. That is going to continue right now. However, hear me out, the Cowboys have the offensive weapons and an offensive mind (Head Coach Jason Garrett) to make them unstoppable. They do have a few offensive line question marks. But even with those question marks this offense will be among the tops in the league. Tony Romo is looking as good as ever and has great chemistry with receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant as well as the best tight end in the league Jason Witten. On defense they were horrible last year, but two years ago they were a top 10 defenses with primarily the same players. They are capable of being pretty good and I think they will be.

2011 Record Prediction 10-6

New York Giants: Injuries have really hurt them already this season especially on defense, and they were on the decline anyway. Eli is an interception machine, the running game isn’t that great. Ahmed Bradshaw was fine as a second back but a little out of his league as a featured back. Plus, they always suck in the second half.

2011 Record Prediction: 6-10

Philadelphia Eagles- The favorite in this division and rightfully so, they have lots of talent on both sides of the ball. But forgive me if I don’t jump on the Eagles bandwagon (and not just because I have always freaking hated the Eagles). Mike Vick is a spectacular talent but he’s played a full season just once and back up Vince Young is a guy that, well… deserves to be a back up. I’m just not convinced they’ll totally mesh, but they will still be really good.

2011 Record Prediction: 11-5

Washington Redskins- Rex Grossman is the starting quarterback, that’s all you need to know.

2011 Record Prediction: 5-11

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons- A really good team last season that should on paper be better with the addition of Julio Jones on offense and Ray Edward on the defensive line. They have a really well rounded offense and this is the year Matt Ryan needs to step up and carry this team to some playoff wins.

2011 Record Prediction: 12-4

Carolina Panthers: They have some talent, but not enough quite yet, especially in a division as tough as this one. Unless Cam Newton can carry the Panthers the way he carried Auburn last year, which he most likely won’t, it will be another dismal season for Carolina fans.

2011 Record Prediction: 5-11

New Orleans Saints- They win a lot of games but I don’t know how. Drew Brees is a stud, one of the top few quarterbacks in the game and Marques Colston is a solid receiver but other then that, they just don’t have a lot of great players. However, they do have great coaching and one of the best at the most important position, and just enough talent to reach the playoffs but they’ll lose early again.

2011 Record Prediction: 10-6

Tampa Bay Bucs- The media loves Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman, and he’s solid, but I do not understand the infatuation with him at all, you would think he was as good as Manning or Brady. (Just venting some frustration) Last season they finished 10-6. They won a lot of close games and a lot of games against subpar teams. People consider Tampa to be a fun, trendy pick this year… not smart.

2011 Record Prediction: 8-8

NFC  WEST

Arizona Cardinals- Even if Kevin Kolb is as good as Arizona hopes he is, this will still be a subpar season in Arizona. The defense is not very good and the running back is Beanie Wells. And by the way I don’t think Kolb is that great. (Although a definite upgrade from last season’s qb saga in Arizona) However, being in the worst division in football should help.

2011 Record Prediction: 7-9

San Francisco 49ers- They should give Alex Smith five or six games to prove himself, if he’s bad they should tank for Andrew Luck, if he’s decent they should probably tank for Andrew Luck, if he’s actually good they should consider it a fluke and still tank for Andrew Luck.

2011 Record Prediction: 4-12

Seattle Seahawks- Their starting quarterback isn’t Rex Grossman. You are probably thinking, “Hmmm that’s a good thing.” Well the Seahawks starting quarterback is Tarvaris Jackson; yeah somehow Grossman isn’t the worst starting quarterback in this league. The Cowboys have three quarterbacks better then Jackson.

2011 Record Prediction: 4-12

St. Louis Rams- This is a trendy pick among fans and experts as well this year, and in this case I’m going to have to agree. Because Sam Bradford is an absolute stud, in five years when Brady, Manning, and Brees have all regressed or retired he will be fighting Rodgers for the title of best quarterback alive. Stephen Jackson is an underrated running back who will give the offense good balance and propel the Rams to the division title.

2011 Record Prediction: 9-7

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears- Last year this lackluster team somehow made it into the playoffs and into the NFC championship game, well that’s not happening this year. Jay Cutler is not a winner and never will be a winner. Last year was an absolute fluke.

2011 Record Prediction: 7-9

Detroit Lions- The Lions are a team to watch out for if they can stay healthy, particularly quarterback Matthew Stafford. They have a top 5 receiver in Calvin Johnson, a solid running back and when he’s healthy Stafford is tough to stop. And Ndamukong Suh is in my opinion already about the best defensive player in the entire NFL.  The Lions will reach .500 but no playoffs quite yet.

2011 Record Prediction: 8:8

Green Bay Packers- I admit I’m writing this after their Opening Night win over the Saints, so I’ve already had the chance to kind of evaluate them. The Packers offense is going to be an absolute nightmare for every other team in the league. I really don’t think they can be stopped. Aaron Rodgers is better then every other quarterback in the NFL except for Brady, and he’s probably tied with Brady. Good offensive line, good running back, good tight end, good receivers. The offense has no weaknesses whatsoever. The defense looked a little shaky at time Thursday night but that’s against an elite offensive team, they’ve proven to be a good defense.

2011 Record Prediction: 13-3

Minnesota Vikings- All depends on how much Donovan McNabb has left, they have the best running back in the league, but that won’t matter if McNabb can’t make some plays. They have a favorable schedule; even so I don’t see the Vikings making a playoff push.

2011 Record Prediction: 7-9

·      So based off my predictions the playoff teams from the AFC will be the Patriots, Steelers, Chargers, Jets, and Ravens, and Texans.

·      From the NFC: Eagles, Cowboys, Falcons, Rams, Packers, and Saints

·      I think in the AFC championship we’ll see Patriots vs. the Steelers

·      NFC Championship will feature Packers vs. Cowboys (don’t judge me)

·      In the Super Bowl it’ll be Packer vs. Patriots

·      And the champion will be …… the Green Bay Packers for the second year in a row.

The MVP of the league will also be a repeat; Tom Brady will win it again. Suh will be the defensive MVP.