The New England Patriots and Every Other NFL Team's 2011 Season as a Pop Song

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Pop music is everywhere! So, let's add its reach to one more sector by having a little bit of fun and comparing every NFL team's season to a pop song. 

I scanned the pop charts picking out the songs that best exemplify the season each NFL team had. The 2011 season was a memorable one and here are the sounds of that season. 

So just sit back, relax and rock out to the NFL. 

Arizona Cardinals

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"Crazy For You" by Adele

This song can go two ways. The first way is that Cards fans are crazy for phenomenon Larry Fitzgerald. He is a complete beast and one of the best receivers in the game. I can see why fans are crazy for this superstar!

The second way is that the Arizona front office was crazy for QB Kevin Kolb in the offseason and totally overpaid for him. It is safe to say that Kolb has not fulfilled the team's lofty expectations for him to this point.

Atlanta Falcons

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"Ice, Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice

You may be wondering: "What?" Well, this is a nod to Matt Ryan and his famous nickname, Matty Ice. This year, Ryan put the Falcons on his back, throwing for 3,698 yards and 26 touchdowns en route to the 2011 playoffs.

In the playoffs Atlanta lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions, but Matty Ice will be back with a vengeance next year. 

Baltimore Ravens

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"Can I Kick It?" by A Tribe Called Quest 

It is terrible that the whole Ravens season came down to one kick. Sadly, that is how Baltimore will be remembered. 

They were a talented group that experienced a good deal of success this year. The Ravens were a Billy Cundiff kick from the Super Bowl, but they fell short. The kick went wide left and on the biggest stage the Ravens choked. 

No, the Baltimore Ravens cannot kick it.

Buffalo Bills

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"Keep Me in Mind" by Zac Brown Band 

The Bills finished the season with a 6-10 record. While that is not good, lots of experts expected the Bills to be much, much worse. Their 4-1 start was not a fluke and is a sign of good things to come. When healthy, this is a dangerous team that can win games.  

NFL teams and writers should keep the Buffalo Bills in mind going forward from here.

Carolina Panthers

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"Young, Wild and Free" by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa

Without Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers would definitely not be winners of six games. Newton is a young quarterback and his future is a big, wide, open field. 

Experts are arguing if this season by Newton is the best rookie season ever. This song is a perfect fit for Newton and the Panthers. This ROY winner ran wild for 14 rushing touchdowns. 

The possibilities for Newton and the Panthers are endless. 

Chicago Bears

"I Need a Doctor" by Dr. Dre 

The Bears were a solid team that was playoff-bound. Not for long. Their playoff dreams were crushed like a teenage girl's heartbreak after Jay Cutler got injured. 

You see, Cutler was their very capable starting quarterback. Then Matt Forte went down.

Forte? Well, he was their starting running back who was putting up insane numbers for the Bears and my fantasy team alike.

The Windy City is in desperate need of a doctor.

Cincinnati Bengals

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"Make Me Proud" by Drake 

This was not supposed to happen. The Bengals were playing ball in January. They were an exciting team that clinched a playoff berth. What? They were supposed to be bad. 

A.J. Green and Andy Dalton would take another season to develop? Not quite. The Bengals went 9-7, and their redhead quarterback tossed 20 touchdowns, while Green accumulated 1,057 yards for seven scores.

These two rookies have made the Cincy front office very proud.

Cleveland Browns

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"The Real McCoy" by John Coltrane 

The Browns are 4-12 this year but the blame should not fall on Colt McCoy alone. The run game has been abysmal and McCoy hasn't been amazing. 

But he has been a good game manager. McCoy has thrown for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns., and was even on the receiving end of James Harrison's anger. 

Whether Cleveland likes it or not, this is the real McCoy. But that not might be enough as Cleveland is looking for a replacement for Colt in the draft or through free agency. 

Dallas Cowboys

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"Don’t Stop Believing" by Journey 

This was a tumultuous season for the Cowboys. It was more up and down than the hills in Tiny Wings. Tony Romo and Company played in three games that went into overtime, winning two of them. 

It was a crazy season for Dallas, but they never stopped believing. They were one win away from the playoffs but lost a tough match to the eventual Super Bowl champions. Even in that game, they never gave up. 

Denver Broncos

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"We R Who We R" by Kesha 

Wow! I cannot explain the Denver Broncos this season, nor will I try. They have been absolutely crazy, doing their own thing. At least they made it to the playoffs and shocked the world by actually winning again. Long before Linsanity swept America, Tebow enthralled a nation. 

The Denver Broncos are who they are and no team in the NFL is quite like them. 

Detroit Lions

"Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown 

2008: 0-16.

2009: 2-14.

2010: 6-10.

2011: 10-6

The Lions are a great feel-good story. Matt Stafford and Company played great football and silenced the critics. Oh, and they brought a playoff berth to the city of Detroit. They lost to the mighty Saints but proved that they can play good football. 

Everyone in the Motor City is finally excited for next season. 

Green Bay Packers

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"The One that Got Away" by Katy Perry  

The Green Bay Packers had a great season. Notice how I didn't say "perfect season."

That's because the Pack was 14-0 coming into Kansas City. They left 14-1. Aaron Rodgers had an outstanding, MVP season. This is a great team and no one doubts that. 

But their legacy will be remembered as 15-1. Their legacy will be remembered as the one that got away, both in Kansas City and their flat performance in their playoff loss to the Giants.

Houston Texans

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"The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco 

Andre Johnson goes out. The Texans kept playing football. 

Matt Schaub went down. The Texans never gave up. 

Matt Leinart gets injured. The Texans roll with third-string TJ Yates and get a playoff victory. 

No matter what has happened to Houston, the show kept going on. And it was one hell of a show. 

Indianapolis Colts

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"Headlines" by Drake 

Even before the season started, Indy was making headlines. Peyton Manning had his little neck injury and the newspapers devoured that. It then turned out that Manning was out for the season and the sportswriters attacked their keyboards once more. 

The Colts lost game after game; that made headlines. Then they went on a two-game winning streak, beating Tennessee and Houston. You bet that made headlines. 

Throughout the whole season, the Colts made headlines—good or bad.

Jacksonville Jaguars

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"No Hands" by Waka Flocka Flame 

In Jacksonville, they just don't use their hands. By "hands," I mean passing the ball. The Jags rank last in the league when it comes to passing yards. 

But it's a whole different story when it comes to running. MJD had 1,606 yards on the season and won the rushing title. 

This song fits perfectly for a Jaguars team that loves to run. Even the Geico caveman knows that Jacksonville isn't going to pass the ball. And he lives under a rock.

Kansas City Chiefs

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"Without You" by David Guetta and Usher

Injuries have been the story of the year for Kansas City. 

They have been without starting quarterback Matt Cassel, starting running back Jamaal Charles, defensive superstar Eric Berry and wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin among others. 

They did rise to 7-9 after a late-season recovery under Romeo Crennel, and could find more success next year with their stars back.

Miami Dolphins

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"Just Can’t Get Enough" by The Black Eyed Peas 

The Dolphins are 6-3 in their last nine games, losing to Dallas by one and New England by three. That's one reason why this Black Eyed Peas anthem fits Miami. If they had jut gotten four more points, Matt Moore and Company would be 8-1 in their last eight. They just couldn't get enough. 

Also, the 'Phins started the season 0-8. That is a contributing factor to the lowly season this year. If they had just won a few more games early on, this would be a whole different story. They just couldn't get enough. 

Minnesota Vikings

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"Forget You" by Cee Lo Green 

The Minnesota front office spent a great deal of money on offseason acquisition Donavon McNabb. On October 18th, he was benched after starting the season 1-5. 

Since then, rookie QB Christian Ponder won two games and is the quarterback of the future—not McNabb.

Forget you, indeed. 

New Orleans Saints

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"Cheers" by Rihanna 

Everyone might be quick to condemn the Saints on a playoff loss to the Niners, but that takes away from the real truth. 

The New Orleans Saints had a great season. They were 13-3 and won the NFC South. New Orleans finished the season on an eight-game win streak and were looking unstoppable until San Francisco rained on their parade. 

Oh, and their quarterback broke Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record. 

Even though their season might not have ended at Disney World, cheers to Drew Brees and the Saints! 

New York Jets

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"The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga 

The Jets did not win the Super Bowl this year like Rex Ryan promised. 2011 has not been a year of glory, but New York was close to success. 

The Jets just collapsed against Philadelphia and the Giants. They needed a miracle to make the playoffs and didn't get one. They were close, but locker room problems and losses took their toll. 

There were chances for Gang Green to get glory, but they were on the edge and couldn't get it done. 

Oakland Raiders

"All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled

This is a nod to Raiders owner Al Davis and his motto: "Just win; baby!" 

RIP Al.

Philadelphia Eagles

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"Give Me Everything" by Pitbull 

The Eagles wanted everything this offseason, and they got it. Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Nnamdi Asomugha, Vince Young and Ronnie Brown all became Eagles this year. 

Philly got everything they ever wanted this year.  

Except wins. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

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"Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa 

Really? Was there ever any doubt?

This song is the Pittsburgh mantra. 

San Diego Chargers

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"What the Hell" by Avril Lavigne

The Chargers were supposed to be good. An 8-8 record is not good. What the hell!

This was the year that Philip Rivers would make the jump to elite. If anything, Rivers managed to get worse. What the hell! 

Many experts were convinced that the Chargers would dominate the playoffs. They were a far cry from the January football this year. 

I think all of San Diego agrees with me when I say: What the hell! 

San Francisco 49ers

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"Good Feeling" by Flo Rida

Without a doubt, the 49ers are the feel-good story of the year in the NFL. A year after going 6-10 and missing out on the playoffs, San Fran finished the season 13-3 and was only a muffed punt away from the Super Bowl. 

Jim Harbaugh had Alex Smith and Company looking solid. Smith has finally shown why he was a top draft pick. The defense is coming together very nicely and Frank Gore is a freak of nature. 

There was definitely a good feeling going in San Francisco.

Seattle Seahawks

"More" by Usher 

The reason I chose the song "More" for the Seahawks is twofold. 

First, Marshawn Lynch is a complete highlight-reel-hogger and I want to see more of him. I think fans all over the country agree.

Second, this is a team that finished 7-9. While this season was not the Seahawks' year, they are a young team that is just going to get better. The league will see more of them in the upcoming years. 

St. Louis Rams

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"Down On Me" by Jeremih and 50 Cent 

When your record is 2-14, people will be down on you. 

When your team is last in the lowly NFC West, fans will be down on you. 

When your defense is ranked last at defending the run, coaches will be down on you. 

And by "down" I don't mean good things. This has been a horrendous year for the Rams and they need to rebuild. 

Quickly! 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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"The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars 

There is no excuse but laziness. The Bucs have the talent, but they just couldn't get it done this season. 

Experts picked them to contend in the NFC South this year. Tampa responded by posting a 4-12 record and just getting blown out every week. I doubt that this team tried to win this year. 

Just take a look at these scores: a 48-16 loss to Carolina; a 31-15 loss to Dallas; a 41-14 loss to Jacksonville; a 45-24 loss to Atlanta. 

This team had a shot at playing well this season. They started the year 4-2 before going on a ten-game losing streak. 

This team was just downright lazy.

Tennessee Titans

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"Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum 

The Titans had a great, albeit surprising, season. A 9-7 record was a solid performance, but the new home of Matt Hasselbeck just narrowly missed the playoffs. 

Before this season, Tennessee gave superstar running back Chris Johnson a huge pay raise. He responded by being nonexistent in the first half of the season. 

And then when Tennessee needed Johnson the most, he had big games and big runs. 

The Titans needed CJ to play big and he did when needed.

Washington Redskins

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"You Think We Suck" by Ape Fight 

Yes, yes we do! 

New England Patriots

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"Stronger" by Kanye West 

Yes, the New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl in the worst way possible. Yes, Wes Welker dropped a big catch to seal the deal. Yes, Tom Brady looked less then terrific. 

But as Kanye raps, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" the Patriots will be back with a vengeance next season. 

The New England dynasty didn't die in that Super Bowl. Brady and company will come back stronger next season and contend once again. 

New York Giants

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"We Are The Champions" by Queen 

This one is pretty self explanatory. Congrats to Eli Manning and his New York Giants on being World Champions!