2010-2011 NFL Predictions: Hyped Teams Sure To Fail
With the 2010-11 NFL season right around the corner, a handful of hyped teams are poised for a big season while several others appear likely to fall short of expectations.
The hype machine began cranking up early in training camp and hasn't slowed down one bit.
In the NFC, most of the Super Bowl fanfare centers around the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings possibly meeting in a rematch in late January.
In the AFC, the most hyped team thus far has been the New York Jets. A reality show and made-for-TV contract dispute with Darrelle Revis has kept the Jets in the spotlight.
The Denver Broncos have also garnered an astounding amount of hype thanks to a certain third-string quarterback.
Here's a look at 10 teams that won't live up to the hype this season.
No. 10: Denver Broncos
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The Broncos aren't expected to be anything close to a Super Bowl contender but you would never know that, given the daily reports for training camp documenting the progress of a third-string quarterback.
Josh McDaniels might not want a quarterback controversy, but when the Broncos opted to select the iconic Tim Tebow, the writing was on the wall.
Unless Kyle Orton enjoys a miracle season, despite having one of the worst groups of receivers in the AFC, fans will begin clamoring for Tebow at the media's urging.
Everybody loves a story.
Tebow's presence has overshadowed the Broncos' flaws; it has even overshadowed the loss of sack specialist Elvis Dumervil, one of the most critical parts of Denver's defensive unit that will be asked to make up for the shortcomings of the offense.
When it's all said and done, the Broncos might get more attention than any 6-10 team in NFL history.
Behold the power of Tebow.
No. 9: Oakland Raiders
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The Raiders are supposed to be better this season.
We've heard that before.
The AFC West figures to be only slightly better than the NFC West, so the Raiders appear to be a decent sleeper candidate to at least make a run at the Division.
Life after JaMarcus Russell has fueled optimism, but the Raiders remain a big work in progress.
Jason Campbell has battled inconsistent play of his own in the past and his production will be limited, thanks to an underwhelming group of receivers.
The pressure is on the offensive line to protect Campbell and prevent another season marred by injuries to quarterbacks in Oakland.
Unless Darrius Heyward-Bey develops and Darren McFadden stays healthy and contributes on a weekly basis, the Raiders might once again be a strong defensive team incapable of putting enough points on the board to win.
No. 8: Washington Redskins
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Albert Haynesworth has never gotten so much attention.
Even when he was widely regarded as one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL during his final seasons with the Titans, Haynesworth never found the headlines.
Now, the Redskins defensive tackle turned nose tackle has kept the Redskins in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
The arrival of Donovan McNabb has made Washington one of the NFC's most intriguing teams.
As much as the Redskins pretend they won't need him, an interested and effective Haynesworth would make a huge difference for the defensive unit.
McNabb's health is also critical to Washington's chances, as is the emergence of a solid No. 2 receiver as the season gets underway.
The Redskins are likely to be a story all season long, especially if they struggle more than expected.
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No. 7: New York Giants
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The Giants are always a trendy team, even in what could be a fairly mediocre season.
New York will at least be competitive, regardless of how poorly the defensive backfield plays.
But 2010-11 figures to be the year of the NFC East, with the Cowboys and Eagles loaded on offense and the Redskins likely to compete.
That means the Giants will have to overachieve to stay in the race for the division or the wild card.
Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs could be the key to New York's fate; if they are unable to run the ball with consistency, there could be some big bumps in the road.
No. 6: New York Jets
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The Jets have a great chance to make the Super Bowl, but there is one big thing that must happen for that dream to become a reality.
Mark Sanchez needs to get better—much, much better.
History has shown that it is possible for an NFL team to make the Super Bowl with a mediocre quarterback prone to making mistakes.
It's just not easy.
Sanchez will need to eliminate careless turnovers in order to function as a game-manager type quarterback, which might be all the Jets need, thanks to a strong running game and solid defense bolstered by the return of Darrelle Revis.
Until Sanchez demonstrates at least some level of improvement, it's difficult to believe the hype with absolute certainty.
No. 5: Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens have cornered the market on aging possession receivers in an effort to give Joe Flacco the weapons he has sorely lacked.
Time will tell if the investment in Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh pays off.
Baltimore's offense should be solid this season with Ray Rice leading the way, but the defense appears likely to regress. The Ravens are counting on LaDarius Webb, coming off a torn ACL last December, and Fabian Washington to anchor the cornerback positions.
Ed Reed's health is also a huge concern.
The Ravens might need the offense to be better than solid in order to make a playoff push this season.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans
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Vince Young's play last season inspired great expectations for this season.
It might not be that simple.
The Titans' traditional no-name defense has even fewer names than usual, with Keith Bulluck and Kyle Vanden Bosch having moved on.
The output of the offense rests in Chris Johnson staying healthy and not wearing down after being overworked last season. Young has improved, but probably can't be counted on to win games by himself with a relatively unproven group of wide receivers and tight ends.
Jeff Fisher's team has a very small margin for error in 2010-11.
No. 3: San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers would be ranked higher if not for the depressed state of the NFC West this season.
San Francisco has stockpiled young players on both sides of the ball and figures to be a very solid defensive unit once again.
The fate of the franchise lies with the production of Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree.
Smith finally showed he can play at the NFL level last season and needs to take the next step in his progression. He also needs to find a go-to receiver on the outside to compliment Vernon Davis.
That receiver was supposed to be Michael Crabtree.
After his holdout caused him to miss training camp and the start of last season, Crabtree hasn't exactly showed encouraging signs of improvement or enthusiasm in camp this year.
If Crabtree doesn't mature quickly, the 49ers will likely have to eke out wins even against the likes of the Rams and Seahawks.
No. 2: Cincinnati Bengals
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Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, and Carson Palmer sounds like an absolutely lethal combination.
But it's not 2005 anymore.
The Bengals have a nice group of players on offense, but need to protect the fragile Palmer at all costs or risk entering panic mode, with Carson's younger brother Jordan listed as the No. 2 quarterback.
Cedric Benson showed consistency and the willingness to finish runs last season, something he had never demonstrated before in his NFL career. Until he shows he can produce two years in a row, he is far from a sure thing.
The Bengals should be a playoff team in 2010-2011, but aspirations of the Super Bowl aren't likely to be met unless the defense overachieves and reality stars Ochocinco and T.O. discover the fountain of youth.
No. 1: Minnesota Vikings
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Three weeks ago, things were looking good for the Vikings: Brett Favre had been coaxed out of retirement, Sidney Rice was coming back, and Percy Harvin was fielding punts at practice.
How quickly things can change.
Favre has spent training camp and preseason throwing caution to the wind about expectations for his performance this season. By all accounts, his troublesome ankle could be a major issue this season.
Meanwhile, Rice had surgery and isn't expected back until Week 7 at the earliest, leaving the Vikings without their athletic deep-threat.
Harvin is healthy at the moment, but his chronic bout with migraines makes him far from a sure thing.
Before the Vikings start talking about an NFC Championship rematch with the Saints, they will have to focus on making it out of the NFC North or earning a Wild Card spot.
It might be easier said than done.
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