NFL: Predictions for All 32 Teams, for Better or Worse
With the NFL at a stand still, I wanted to examine every team and familiarize myself with the changes they have all made so far in this strange offseason.
My findings helped me draw the following conclusions—some are pretty surprising.
Check out how your team looks going into the hopeful 2011 season.
Thank you for reading! Please follow me on Twitter @ryanthebroker.
San Francisco 49ers: Better
1 of 32
2010 Record: 6-10
2011 Predicted Record: 9-7
The Niners had a solid draft with Aldon Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Kendall Hunter, to name a few.
Jim Harbaugh is a good coach and has a lot of other good coaches around him. I believe the new coaching staff, along with real competition at the quarterback position, will promote strong play from Alex Smith and Kaepernick.
Smith has already started to show more leadership than ever before. His "minicamps" are helping everybody on the team, including his competition. I imagine he will play slightly better under Harbaugh, but Kaepernick's superior skill will push Smith aside by midseason.
Buffalo Bills: Worse
2 of 32
2010 Record: 4-12
2011 Predicted Record: 2-14
Although I like some of players the Bills picked up in this year's draft, they still lack the fundamentals of a winning team—an offense for example.
So far, based on the moves the Bills have made, it signals they are prepared for a long-term overhaul.
Don’t look for any immediate improvement over last year (besides the addition of Marcell Dareus). The Bills face a tough schedule, and it appears they are going to take a pretty brutal beating again this year.
Cincinnati Bengals: Worse
3 of 32
2010 Record: 4-12
2011 Predicted Record: 2-14
I think taking Andy Dalton and A.J.Green was great. I can imagine these guys being a decent duo in the years to come—kind of like Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco a few years back.
The Bengals will also need their division to soften before you can expect much from Cincy or the orange-haired guy in the black jersey.
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Cleveland Browns: Worse
4 of 32
2010 Record: 5-11
2011 Predicted Record: 4-12
The Browns have something good going on with Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis, Madden 2011's featured player.
They also had a solid draft and improved in numerous positions, but they are the Cleveland Browns. My hunch is they will be about the same but may loose another game or two.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Worse
5 of 32
2010 Record: 10-6
2011 Predicted Record: 8-8
Although the Buccaneers did great last year and played above all expectations, they will have a hard time repeating that performance in 2011.
Josh Freeman appears to be the real deal, but the Buccaneers have more to work on.
Arizona Cardinals: Worse
6 of 32
2010 Record: 5-11
2011 Predicted Record: 4-12
As of right now Arizona has no shining star at quarterback. Odds are they will bring one in through trade or free agency as soon as they can. With the lockout, it may not be soon enough.
I imagine the Cardinals will struggle this year, despite the addition of the exciting Patrick Peterson.
Even if Arizona gets a veteran like Donovan McNabb, he will need time to adjust. Someone like Kevin Kolb, even more so.
The birds will struggle early in the season.
St. Louis Rams: Better
7 of 32
2010 Record: 7-9
2011 Predicted Record: 8-8
Sam Bradford had a break-out rookie season. I can see him adding to that with an even better sophomore year.
Jackson will also continue to pound the ball and run hard. The Rams will compete for the NFC West this year.
Seattle Seahawks: Worse
8 of 32
2010 Record: 7-9
2011 Predicted Record: 4-12
The Seahawks own the record as the worst team to ever make the playoffs.
They won’t be back anytime soon.
As of right now, Seahawks fans have no idea who will be QB in September. They also had a pretty bad draft, some say the worst in the league.
Pete Carroll and the Seahawks will struggle this year.
Tennessee Titans: Worse
9 of 32
2010 Record: 6-10
2011 Predicted Record: 3-13
I like Jake Locker; his attitude and love for the game remind me of Brett Favre.
Some people have worries about his accuracy, but I am not as worried about that though. I am more worried about the Titans organization.
The Titans have had a lot of non-football related problems surrounding the team. Locker will need to show strong leadership skills if he expects to have any success in Tennessee. His leadership is more important to Tennessee than his arm right now.
The Titans will have a rough year.
Denver Broncos: Better
10 of 32
2010 Record: 4-12
2011 Predicted Record: 6-10
I think Denver is doing the right things under John Elway, as they have been on the rebuild for a year now.
Tebow should show some improvement this year and should also be pretty interesting to watch in 2011.
Kansas City Chiefs: Worse
11 of 32
2010 Record: 10-6
2011 Predicted Record: 9-7
The Chiefs surprised a lot of people last year, and by midseason it proved to be no fluke.
Kansas City has a strong future with their young defensive unit and quarterback Matt Cassel.
but will probably loose a game or two more next year.
Indianapolis Colts: Better
13 of 32
2010 Record: 10-6
2011 Predicted Record: 11-5
The Colts will improve this year with the addition of some young offensive linemen to better protect Peyton Manning and a better running game.
Manning is probably in the last few years in his spectacular career, so the Colts will be going all out this year to try and grab another ring for him.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Worse
14 of 32
2010 Record: 8-8
2011 Predicted Record: 6-10
The Jags may have had the second-worst draft in the league this year.
The Jaguars' first-round pick was Blaine Gabbert, but they currently have David Garrard. I do not see Gabbert being better than Garrard anytime soon (or if ever). It was kind of a wasted pick, considering it does not really improve the team over last year.
The quarterback situation may actually cause Garrard to play worse with a loss of confidence.
Jacksonville will fall off a bit this year.
San Diego Chargers: Better
15 of 32
2010 Record: 9-7
2011 Predicted Record: 10-6
Philip Rivers has statistically been the best QB in the NFL the last few years.
Whenever you have a QB like that, you will always have a chance to compete. I find it hard to believe they will not find more success this year.
Look for the Chargers to make the playoffs this year.
Washington Redskins: Worse
16 of 32
2010 Record: 6-10
2011 Predicted Record: 4-12
There are too many unknowns with the Redskins to have any confidence they will improve over last year.
I was not impressed with the 2010 version of Mike Shanahan. I think his coaching days are drawing to a close unless he can turn it around in D.C. soon. As good as the legend is, he made some critical mistakes in his handling of McNabb.
Rough season is ahead, Redskins fans.
Detroit Lions: Better
17 of 32
2010 Record: 6-10
2011 Predicted Record: 7-9
All signs point to a better year from Detroit.
It seems hard to believe, but the Lions have a lot of the necessary pieces in place to compete at a strong level.
This should be a better year to be a Lions fan. They should easily be able to pick up a game.
Minnesota Vikings: Worse
18 of 32
2010 Record: 6-10
2011 Predicted Record: 4-12
Minnesota has a lot of rebuilding to do this year (not including the roof).
It has been reported that Christian Ponder is working out with teammates and assuming the role as starter. Leslie Frazier seems to be a promising head coach, and Adrian Peterson is one of the best in the business.
But they have a lot of unknowns in Minnesota.
I expect a one to two-year drop-off for the Vikings while they figure things out.
Carolina Panthers: Better
19 of 32
2010 Record: 2-14
2011 Predicted Record: 4-12
The Carolina Panthers are in total rebuilding mode.
It’s hard to believe any team could be that bad twice in a row. Cam Newton’s athletic ability alone will help them pick up a couple games this year.
That being said, Cam's window to prepare for this season is getting smaller and smaller by the day. I believe he needs a lot of coaching time to be successful, so hopefully he can get it soon.
This is going to be an interesting team to watch moving forward.
Atlanta Falcons: Better
20 of 32
2010 Record: 13-3
2011 Predicted Record: 14-2
By their actions in the draft, everything suggests the Falcons expect to make the big push this year.
Trading all those picks for Julio Jones will hopefully pay off. If it doesn’t, that trade will go down as a huge mistake.
I expect it should pay off. The Falcons look strong offensively going into 2011.
New Orleans Saints: Better
21 of 32
2010 Record: 11-5
2011 Predicted Record: 12-4
I expect the Saints to rebound stronger then ever and possibly make a push for the NFC Championship.
They should all have a poor taste in their mouths after last year's defeat.
Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram are both great pickups, especially with the weak ground game they had last year. Ingram and Bush should be a nice one-two.
Good year for the Saints overall.
Miami Dolphins: Worse
22 of 32
2010 Record: 7-9
2011 Predicted Record: 5-11
Good NFL teams start with good ownership. Stephen Ross showed poor, classless management over this offseason with the extravagant and failed coaching search he put on, leaving the under-contract and current head coach Tony Sparano feeling awkward, I am sure.
Miami also lacks a true franchise quarterback among other things.
Disenfranchised head coach and no quarterback. Bad Year.
Baltimore Ravens: Worse
23 of 32
2010 Record: 12-4
2011 Predicted Record: 10-6
Ray Lewis and Jon Harbaugh always have a chance to go all the way.
They had a great draft, picking up Jimmy Smith and Torrey Smith. Also, Tyrod Taylor may be one of the most underrated QB’s in this draft.
Although I think Baltimore looks good, their division looks better.
Chicago Bears: Worse
24 of 32
2010 Record: 11-5
2011 Predicted Record: 10-6
I think they may lose a step or two on the season though. Numbers suggest they outplayed their stats, meaning they just found a way to win last year.
I believe they will do pretty close to the same this year.
Oakland Raiders: Better
25 of 32
2010 Record: 8-8
2011 Predicted Record: 9-7
It’s never easy to predict how the Raiders will do.
Oakland was surprisingly good last year, and they showed flashes of brilliance that may be a good sign for the team.
In Raiders fashion, Oakland picked up even more speed this year in the draft.
Jason Campbell is underrated. I expect him and the Raiders to rumble their way into a possible Wild Card position this year under Hue Jackson and behind their relentless rushing attack.
New York Giants: Better
26 of 32
2010 Record: 10-6
2011 Predicted Record: 11-5
Eli Manning will finally show dominance over defenses this year.
Eli and the Giants are due, and the addition of Prince Amukamara and a couple of the other good rookies should help with that pursuit.
Experienced teams like the Giants should have a slight advantage this year anyway.
I expect a big year from New York.
Philadelphia Eagles: Worse
27 of 32
2010 Record: 10-6
2011 Predicted Record: 9-7
With the amazing Michael Vick at QB all year, the Eagles could always do better.
I think the Eagles are a good team that overachieved last year though, largely due to the unbelievable play of Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson.
I believe they will do well. Just not as freakishly well as last year.
Dallas Cowboys: Better
28 of 32
2010 Record: 6-10
2011 Predicted Record: 8-8
The Cowboys looked good at the end of the year playing for head coach Jason Garrett; it seems they were almost playing up to their potential for once.
Like many other teams, they have the talent to succeed, but have been horribly underachieving. Look for them to break that trend with the new head coach and Tony Romo back under center this year.
New England Patriots: Worse
29 of 32
2010 Record: 14-2
2011 Predicted Record: 12-4
Although I think their record drops, the Patriots aren’t going anywhere soon.
I think we can all agree Tom Brady had a fluky good year. Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and he will play close to that level, but last year was a once-in-a-career season. I can’t see him repeating that performance.
The Patriots will do well and make the playoffs again. They just won’t be 14-2.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Better
30 of 32
2010 Record: 12-4
2011 Predicted Record: 13-3
The Pittsburgh Steelers are an elite franchise that always seems to have one of the top teams and defenses every year.
Selecting Cameron Heyward was an excellent pick. I think the big guy from Ohio State is a great addition in Pittsburgh and will help carry on that tradition.
The Steelers will also improve with a full year of Big Ben Roethlisberger under center.
"One drive away" should motivate them all year.
New York Jets: Better
31 of 32
2010 Record: 11-5
2011 Predicted Record: 12-4
Mark Sanchez is entering his third season. He should be able to improve again from last year and pull off another win or two during the season.
The Jets had talented weapons throughout the entire 2010 roster, which seems to be the case again going into the 2011 season. Let's see if they can finally take one all the way.
The Jets will make the big game within the next few years.
Green Bay Packers: Better
32 of 32
2010 Record: 10-6
2011 Predicted Record: 12-4
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will be riding high after last year's Super Bowl victory. Even though they were plagued with injuries, the Packers still managed to pull it off.
With a healthy Packers team, they are sure to improve on the season.
Can they repeat? That’s yet to be seen, but with Aaron Rodgers, you never know.
Thanks for reading.
Please follow me on Twitter @ryanthebroker.
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