NFL 2011-12 Preseason Predictions: Which Teams Are Bound for Super Bowl XLVI?

The NFL preseason promises many things: roster cuts, player development, untimely injuries, and conjecture.  As if powered by a psychic cap or holding clues seized during time travel, every fan has an opinion about how the upcoming season will play out.

I am included in those masses of football fanatics who lend their annual opinion regarding the upcoming campaign's final standings, foolish enough to think my rankings warrant any more weight than the pile of others.

With the tininess of my lone predictions against the masses in its proper perspective, the best way for me to save face with my first annual published predictions is obviously being correct.  It's a fool's errand; nobody is ever 100 percent correct without their own version of the DeLorean time machine.

If one desires to be wrong, they can fall fall flat on their face by failing to account for change.

Last summer, the Cowboys, Vikings, and Saints were the toast of experts, while the Chiefs were a lost cause.  It turns out, those former three squads were burnt and Kansas City was one of the lost treasures heading into 2010.

Do your picks boast 10 (or more) of 12 playoff teams from last year repeating this winter?  If so, start over.  It simply doesn't work that way. 

The NFL is a fluid league, and there is always change.  After all, NFL is an acronym that stands for No Freakin' Logic!

So, what is going to be different this season?  Where will fans be most surprised?

Predicting an upcoming season with any semblance of accuracy is an act of, well...  heroism. Or flat luck.  Actually, it's almost futile to try, but it can also be aptly described by another eff word: fun.

These past few weeks have been free agency concentrate, a more potent strain of the typical NFL offseason that has rapidly mutated our gridiron heroes, changing pirates into eagles and hawks into titans.

What fan base will be most pleased with these alterations?  Will Philadelphia be green with envy or fly higher than an eagle? 

Are the Packers on a journey toward a repeat championship, or will a shortened season leave faithful Lambeau loonies feeling cheesy?

Will the Men of Steel be the band of heroes that triumphs in the AFC North, or will ravenous Ravens evolve into Ben bludgeoning birds?

Tapping into my self-proclaimed and altogether fabricated skills of telepathy, I will delve into the upcoming season to predict the final standings, playoff results, and most importantly...

...the winner of Super Bowl XLVI!! 

With any luck, my selections won't be as embarrassing in February as they may seem in August.

AFC South: Will the Revamped Houston Secondary Cause a Manning Migraine?

With every passing summer since approximately 2008, fans and experts alike have gone overboard with expectations in Houston.  Their dynamic offensive talent and mostly superb finishes late in the season inspired a misplaced confidence and made them fad picks in most recent preseasons. 

These "dark horse" picks, as many labelled them, fizzled.  A defensive secondary as porous as a pimply face made these risky picks altogether irresponsible.

In 2011, the Texans may be the popular upset pick in the South, but they are no dark horse.  Roster upgrades reflect a Houston squad ready to make some Texas-sized noise. 

The pick is no longer just a fad.  It makes sense.

The key media focus for the Texans' offseason was the attempted signing of Nnamdi Asomugha, the elite cornerback whose services promise to be aggressively pursued by high bidders on the open market. 

Instead of succumbing to the Asomu-auction, Houston buoyed their defensive backfield on both sides, signing stellar free agent corners Johnathan Josepth and Danieal Manning.  These key acquisitions ensure an obvious step forward. 

With improvement at both corner positions, the benefits could be extreme.

With a solid quarterback, breakout runner, and arguably the best receiver in football, the Texans were a dangerous team that has to be given more consideration than their previous "fad pick" status in recent preseasons. 

With Indianapolis' key star recovering from neck surgery (and an indefinite schedule for a return to action), the Colts may actually enter 2011 with more questions than their three young division foes. Actually, they likely don't have more questions, but certainly the biggest:

Is Manning past his prime? 

No matter the answer, Peyton and pals enter the year with eight consecutive seasons of double-digit wins that should stay intact barring a midseason implosion like the one Indianapolis endured in 2010.

Changes across the board in Tennessee promise some growing pains, though veteran Matt Hasselbeck should steal a few wins for a Titans squad that could finish with anywhere from five to 10 wins.  Will the quarterback, with his west coast background in Green Bay and Seattle, fit in with the Titans and their offensive playmakers, such as Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt, and Nate Washington? 

Or, as I suspect, will the squad take some time to congeal, ultimately grooming themselves for the future that is the Mike Munchak-Jake Locker era in Nashville?  Unfortunately for Tennessee, the evolution of the offense coupled with a defense that is not among the league's elite should translate to mediocrity.

Lastly, in Jacksonville, defense has been the focus.  Adding Paul Posluszny, Drew Coleman at corner, and Dawan Landry should revitalize a clear weakness in 2010.  If David Garrard can continue to protect the ball and make plays to couple with another great season by Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jags could be a surprise story in the AFC.  Heading into 2011, they may be among the league's most underrated teams.

That said, until they can win a key game against Indianapolis, a lack of major improvements will leave fans to wonder if Jack Del Rio isn't coaching his final days in sunny Florida.

The South is truly up for grabs between two franchises, and the safe bet is clearly the experience of the Colts.  Yet, with a first place schedule, injury questions, and a division rival seemingly ready to catch up, I predict that Indy will lose its grip on the division.

Sadly, in 2011, they'd better hope that I'm wrong.  With Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore and New England vs. New York in the North and East, the wild card race may not be a savior to anybody with fewer than 11 wins.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: **-seeding

1. Houston Texans (10-6)   **No. 4 seed

2. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

4. Tennessee Titans (7-9)

AFC North: Black and Gold to Take AFC's Black and Blue Division Once Again

With changes predicted for the AFC South, our prediction tour regains a semblance of normalcy up north.  Once again, the Steelers and Ravens enter as the lone heavyweights in a top-heavy division.

In these matches (bloodbaths), both squads have had their own way of quoting the raven: “Never score.”

Well, rarely score.  The teams' playoff contest did end with a final score of 31-24, a track meet by their standards. 

So, as the Steelers return a healthier lineup and Baltimore prepares its search for speed on offense, I find it odd that the modern “Purple People Eaters” are such a common pick to win the AFC North. 

Sure, the Ravens bolstered their running attack with the recent addition of Ricky Willams, but opponents run on Pittsburgh with such infrequency that it would hardly serve as an advantage atop the North.

With an opening weekend home game against the hated Steelers, the Ravens' most advantageous match versus their biggest foe also comes at a severe handicap.  The kickoff contest is their first real trial with a number of new offensive starters, replacement for Baltimore mainstays such as tight end Todd Heap.  Yet, in a series of low-scoring affairs, offense alway has come at a premium.

I suppose there is a simpler way to examine these two AFC favorites: the Ravens can't beat Ben.

In a series that typically finds Big Ben shaking the losing hand of Joe Flacco, trends support a Pittsburgh team, determined after last season’s playoff loss, beginning their campaign with a huge road win in the division.  In any case, the more important meeting comes in early November, as the Ravens travel to Heinz Field to complete their season series against the Steelers.

With many things staying the same and two punishing defenses returning to dominate the division, the edge has to go to Pittsburgh.

With Colt McCoy looking to improve on an unexpectedly stellar rookie campaign, he leads a Browns franchise that should continually get better under the watchful eye of Mike Holmgren—whether with or without McCoy at quarterback.  If the former Longhorns signal caller doesn't perform, not even the protection of Joe Thomas, one of the league’s best linemen, can bail him out of a front office blitz. 

Considering Cleveland's quarterback carousal, McCoy's 2011 may not be a trip to the amusement park!

However, initial signs look promising for the young signal-caller as he has power runner Peyton Hillis in the backfield.  Rest assured, Madden Curse enthusiasts will be more than willing to find something to associate with Hillis’ presence as the front man for this season’s installment of the smash video game.  If nothing else, the Browns should finish no better than 8-8 (even with a weaker schedule), so curse supporters can always fall back on the struggles of football by Lake Erie.

In Cincinnati, season ticket holders are forfeiting their packages as the team enters rebuilding mode again… again… again.   Yet, not all is lost in Bungling Bengals-ville, as quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green promise to be an exciting connection in the seasons ahead.

Not this season, though, as the Bengals’ black stripes should dominate a dark 2011 season, key veteran losses and a tough division becoming huge hindrances to a fan base desperate to turn the corner toward postseason success.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: **-seeding

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)  **No. 2 seed

2. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)  **No. 5 seed

3. Cleveland Browns (7-9)

4. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)

AFC East: Brady and Belichick vs. the Big Apple's Bombastic Bunch

The key source of pride for any NFL prognosticator is correctly predicting the Super Bowl.  Last season, Sports Illustrated and football guru Peter King correctly predicted Terrible Towels and Cheeseheads to represent their respective conferences at the big game.

Heading into 2011, two popular teams sit atop the AFC East division, both perennial favorites to win the Lamar Hunt Trophy and represent the conference in Super Bowl XLVI.   

For all of the predictions that will flood the internet and popular magazines, nailing the winner in the East could go a long way toward correctly picking the AFC’s Super Bowl representative.

The Big Apple bigmouth (Rex Ryan) and Boston’s killer B’s (Brady and Belichick) promise one of the league’s most compelling division races, the winner having a clear inside track to the championship. 

Despite last year’s road win by Gang Green, winning the AFC East and acquiring home field advantage (for at least one playoff game) is recommended for either of these teams.  In reality, the Jets have had success on the road, but ultimately they've also lost two consecutive AFC Championship Games to home squads.

As home advantage is concerned, the Patriots have been historically dominant in the postseason at home (even in spite of two recent home playoff losses).  The odds of a second Jets victory at Gillette in January are incredibly remote, making the top spot even more important.

With the Bills and Dolphins light years behind the elite fraternity of the AFC East, the two-team race atop the division comes down to one key factor: consistency. 

The Jets' seasons have been filled with excitement since the arrival of Rex Ryan, but they've also been marred by ebbs and flows that make them unpredictable.

Meanwhile, the Patriots are incredibly predictable.  More often than not, they win.  Period. 

No team has better portrayed this standard than New England.  Last season’s 14-2 record was tarnished by their home loss to the Jets, but the campaign still proved two things:

1)      The line between a brutalizing win and narrow loss is thin.

2)      The Patriots have still got it.

Strengths and weaknesses are obvious for both clubs, too.  For New England's great offense and better quarterback, the Jets have a shutdown defense.  Meanwhile, Mark Sanchez has not had to concern himself with being too overwhelmed by the Patriots' defender.

The Patriots hope to alleviate that strain with the additions of Albert Haynesworth (who is capable of becoming a rampant force) and Shaun Ellis, the Jets' former defensive end. 

Meanwhile, in New York, Mark Sanchez still needs to develop into a consistent passer.  The squad brought in Plaxico Burress, a receiver with a lot of upside and a lot to reprove with hopes of giving the young former Trojan an additional target.

You have all heard the quote Rex Ryan uttered after the Jets' 28-21 win in the AFC Divisional Round: "...going back to the AFC Championship Game, only we plan to win it this time.”

Sadly, for all of his quotability, Rex's Jets will fall short of their landing strip from the past two campaigns.  Despite all of the makings of a Super Bowl contender, I predict a January on the road once again.

Simply, a Patriots team firing on all cylinders is the best team in football.  A franchise known for getting the most out of both young players and aging veterans looks to continue to blend the two styles in a brand of football that has been a prove success for over a decade.  With a premier offense and inevitable improvements on defense, which could range from slight to extreme, the Pats are again the team to beat.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: **-seeding

1. New England Patriots (13-3)  **No. 1 seed

2. New York Jets (11-5)   **No. 6 seed

3. Miami Dolphins (6-10)

4. Buffalo Bills (4-12)

AFC West: Lightning Strikes Down Kansas City Despite Improvements

Arrowhead Stadium is one of the finest atmospheres for football at any level, albeit high school, collegiate, or professional.  Chiefs fans are loud, enthusiastic, and incredibly loyal.  After a 2010 campaign that showed promise and improvement, fans wearing red in Missouri expect to pick up right where they left off.

Unfortunately, the Chiefs are about to find out that sometimes getting better doesn't mean having more success.

Statistically, K.C. was likely the second best team in the AFC West even last year, but they made opportune plays and utilized their own fast start.  In doing so, they separated themselves early given San Diego's annual Septic-tember.

The Chiefs showcase a rising set of stars in the defensive secondary, including the Brandons (Flowers and Carr) and rising corner Eric Berry.  Additionally, Jamaal Charles had a mammoth year with a lot of open field running.  Matt Cassel's strong season disguised some down field passing struggles.  The acquisition of Steve Breaston may not solve the latter problem, but it will further solidify a balanced offense. 

The real meat of the Kansas City offseason was the acquisition of Le'Ron McClain, a stud fullback who can seal off the corner and provide a deterrent running threat to open more lanes for the team's young star running back.

Make no mistake: the Chiefs will be a better team in 2011 than they were last season.

This does not guarantee that they will repeat as AFC West Champions.  If not for some inopportune plays and lackluster special teams, the Chargers (who destroyed Kansas City late last season) would have been in contention.  San Diego returns most of its starters.

Rich Basaccia may be the odd key for the Bolts.  He is the new special teams coach.

To put his impact into perspective, the Chargers offensive and defensive rankings mirrored each other last season.  One.  Numero uno.

Yet, their final record was 8-8.  If the team has been anything less than spectacular, it's not for a lack of talent.  Not to assume that a franchise that annually underachieves will turn the corner, but San Diego can't do much worse in clutch moments then they did in 2010. 

And, frankly, no unit in the NFL may have been worse than San Diego's special teams!  (Okay, maybe Houston's secondary or Arizona's offense...)

With a first place schedule in front of them, an improved Kansas City squad could still struggle to reach double-digit victories.  For all of their success, those fervent fans at Arrowhead still have to account for losses to division rivals to paint a responsible portrait of their turnaround year.  These included games in Denver (29-49) and San Diego (31-0). 

I predict that a hungry Chargers squad will strike down the Chiefs late in the season to claim the AFC West.

While Denver continues to work in phantom logic and the Raiders dump a large portion of their best players, two teams rise to the top of the Western heap.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: **-seeding

1. San Diego Chargers (10-6) **No. 3 seed

2. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)

3. Denver Broncos (4-12)

4. Oakland Raiders (2-14)

AFC Playoffs and AFC Championship Game

AFC EAST CHAMPION (SEED No. 1): NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (13-3)

AFC NORTH CHAMPION (SEED No. 2): PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4)

AFC WEST CHAMPION (SEED No. 3): SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-6)

AFC SOUTH CHAMPION (SEED No. 4): HOUSTON TEXANS (10-6)

WILD CARDS: BALTIMORE RAVENS AND NEW YORK JETS

The AFC playoffs will feature an exciting roster, including annual January staples and newcomers to the postseason.

Two compelling angles heading into the tournament will be the potential for rematches from the previous season (i.e. Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh and New York vs. New England) and the must-win situation for coach Norv Turner and the San Diego Chargers. Despite improvements and playoff qualifying, Turner's job security will depend on a playoff victory.

Fans in Houston will be ready to create quite a raucous, hosting their first playoff game (projection: vs. Baltimore) since Joe Montana led the Chiefs into the Astrodome to play the Oilers.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: PITTSBURGH STEELERS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The conference championship will be a rematch between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.  After an era of mastery by Tom Brady over the Men of Steel, the headlines for this game will be many, including:

Can the Steelers turn the tables on the Patriots, having lost the AFC Championship in Pittsburgh to New England... twice?

Will Tom Brady and the Patriots have an opportunity for redemption after a stunning loss in Super Bowl XLII?

Will the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger have the chance to go back to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in six seasons, avenging last year's loss?

With a New England win, Tom Brady would become the first quarterback in NFL history to start five Super Bowls.  Likewise, Roethlisberger would tie Brady (as well as Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana) by making it to his fourth Super Bowl.

AFC CHAMPION: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 27, PITTSBURGH STEELERS 24

After a four-year hiatus from the Super Bowl (remarkably, the longest such drought of his stellar career), Tom Brady will take the Patriots back to the NFL's ultimate platform.  In a gut-wrenching affair, the Steelers will fall just short, a Brady drive in the final seconds resulting in the winning points.

Every subjective bone in my body hopes that I am wrong!

NFC South: Big Easy Loves Being "Breesy"

Most fans anticipate a showdown in the NFC South between Atlanta and New Orleans.  While this may be accurate, neither squad will have it easy.  Both boast difficult schedules, and neither can overlook the rising Buccaneers in the rear view.

By limiting turnovers, finding a superb chemistry between Josh Freeman and Mike Williams, and beating opponents they were favored to defeat, the Buccaneers quickly turned their fortunes in an exciting 2010 campaign.  With weaknesses along the defensive front and the need for a few more premier playmakers, Raheem Morris's squad, albeit not to be taken lightly, is likely a year away from serious contention.

And, well, the Panthers did well by keeping their young stars in a shortened free agency, but nobody is confusing them with a six-win team, sans a contestant in the fiercely competitive division.

In truth, the South will again come down to the Bayou Boys and Dirty Birds. 

The Saints enter the season knowing that they likely should have won a second consecutive division title.

One miss on a chip shot field goal was all that separated the New Orleans Saints from the NFC South crown last season. 

The Falcons played hard throughout 2010, and Matt Ryan found a great connection with wide receiver Roddy White.  While he did have occasional fits of tunnel vision, "Matty Ice" did a nice job in most circumstances of balancing the offense and making critical plays in crucial scenarios. 

They don't call him "Ice" for nothing...

One edge that belongs to New Orleans is their penchant for forcing the ball downfield more aggressively on offense.  Able to do anything that the Falcons can accomplish, Drew Brees's unit boasts a bit more fire power. 

Yet, if 2011 is supposed to be the reincarnation of the 2009 champions, the Saints will need to limit untimely turnovers, a plague that cost them winnable games last season.  Few fans in Louisiana will forget the 20-point loss to Cleveland that occurred courtesy of four uncharacteristic interceptions by the typically flawless Brees.

Does anybody really think that Drew is going to allow another turnover-filled campaign to occur?

A deadly offense compliments a team that is very good in nearly every phase of the game.   The Saints are a balanced squad that continues to be every bit as dangerous as the Super Bowl winner of two years ago.

If anything motivates them to get back to that final podium in early February, it should be their performance at Qwest Field this past January.  Shoddy tackling haunted the underachieving Saints in that shootout loss, uncharacteristic of a unit that had typically played well under Gregg Williams.

With one missed kick and a couple of missed tackles, New Orleans threw away its championship defense.  Sean Payton will be hard at work to ensure this is not repeated.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: **-seeding

1. Saints (11-5)  **No. 3 seed

2. Falcons (10-6) **No. 5 seed

3. Buccaneers (8-8)

4. Panthers (3-13)

NFC North: Does Anybody Have What It Takes to Take Down the Pack?

The Packers are the most complete team in football. With starters well above average at nearly every position and no stark weaknesses, one naturally focuses on the team's strengths.

The pass rush and secondary work well together.  The Packers' defensive backfield, with studs like Charles Woodson and Nick Collins, can hold their own while mammoths like Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji wreak havoc.

The offense also speaks for itself.  Aaron Rodger, an athletic quarterback with a rifle arm and mindfulness for the situation (you dig, Brett?), showcases constant aplomb.  He happens to have among the finest trio, if not quartet, of receivers in football.

Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, James Jones.  What else can be said?  Mr. Rogers has quite a talented neighborhood.

Last season, I felt strongly that nobody would eclipse Green Bay in the North.

I was wrong.

The Chicago Bears enter year two of the Jay Cutler and Mike Martz era (or is it experiment?).  The Bears do have to take some credit for resolving a number of early season issues that caused fans to predict the bottom falling out.  They went from nearly killing Cutler in the backfield to the NFC Championship...

...where Cutler promptly got warm.  (Hey, just saying—coats are warm, right?)

The real credit for getting the offense grounded likely goes to Matt Forte, who grounded them in the most literal way: running the ball effectively.  Forte's 4.5 yards per carry were yeoman's work.

With Brian Urlacher still anchoring a Bears defense that makes plays with frequency and shuts the door on opponents, the Windy City has to be considered a front-runner for the Packers' top contention in the division.

Nevertheless, the Bears always seem a Cutler hand grenade away from falling apart at the seams, and rarely does Chicago back up a fine season in similar fashion.

Two years ago, the Minnesota Vikings went to the NFC Championship Game on the strength of the game's most ferocious running back (Adrian Peterson), a playmaking quarterback, and a fast, pressure-based defense.

Everything in Minnesota imploded like the Metrodome roof in 2010, leaving fans in the cold literally and figuratively.  A roster that screamed of hope not suddenly reeks of failure. 

By hiring Leslie Frazier as head coach, there will be continuity for the franchise that welcomes experienced veteran Donovan McNabb.

Unlike Brett Far-from-Favre in 2010, McNabb enters the season healthy and ready to work.  A season with the dysfunctional Redskins surely taught him a lesson (or 20) about appreciating the chance to be surrounded by talent.

With a roster similar to the one that excelled two years ago, expect McNabb to give the Vikings an offensive face-lift, despite the loss of Sidney Rice.  With a fine running back and a defense that should rebound, I expect the 2011 Vikings to be one of the biggest surprise stories in the NFL.

Oddly, the division story does not end with those three franchises.  Even the Detroit Lions enter the mix!

Coming off of four consecutive victories to end last season, fans in Detroit are eager to see what surprises their young team has in store!  Even losses in 2010 came with excitement for Lions fans used to seeing their team acting more cowardly than like kings of the jungle.

With a franchise quarterback in place and an amazing receiver, the ticket price at Ford Field has driven less of Motown suicidal in the past 12 months.  For the team to have actual success, the defensive secondary must improve, much in the vain of the defensive front's success in 2010. 

Then again, not every phase of the game received talent like Ndamukong Suh.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: **-seedings

1. Green Bay Packers (12-4) **No. 2 seed

2. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)

3. Chicago Bears (9-7)

4. Detroit Lions (7-9)

NFC East: Will the Philly Phree Agency Translate into a Phantastic Phinish?

Like the Vikings, the NFC East boasts a roster that will be largely overlooked entering 2011 due to last season's slump.  While it cannot be ignored, it must be addressed that the Dallas Cowboys field a team that has the potential to achieve great success.  Nobody is confusing this year's installment with having an "America's Team" style of swagger.

Yet, with the return of Tony Romo and a plethora of talent already in place for coach Jason Garrett, Dallas has a great opportunity to return to the postseason in 2011.

In spite of these aspirations, these Cowboys, along with New York's Giants and the dysfunctional Redskins, will be looking high in the sky at the soaring Eagles.

Too often, the media, and in turn, the fans overreact to big name signings.  A roster laden with talent is useless without chemistry and good coaching. 

The Eagles are in a different mold, however.  Often, teams that make such large splashes are eradicating distinct weaknesses.  In Philadelphia, Andy Reid and his crew are simply climbing the NFL preseason power rankings. 

By acquiring a list of players with a distinct set of skills, the Eagles should be easily able to implement each of their free agents into the current structure with relative ease.  Nnamdi Asomugha will allow the defense to take risks without nearly as much susceptibility.  Beyond signing the biggest free agent corner of the last decade, the additions of Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin factor in, and...

...well, you just get the sense of a team that is ready and able to win right now.  Don't you?

While he may be overrated as a pure passer following last season, Michael Vick is a phenomenal athlete whose abilities are enhanced by an offensive roster laden with talent.  His main target is the man who crumbled an entire installment in New York Giants history. 

Those same Giants continue to field an enormously physical defense.  Yet, their offensive inconsistency coupled with Eli Manning's unpredictability has to create concerns for Big Blue.

Yes, if Eli could limit the turnovers it would be a different story.  I refuse to make that statement for the third straight season.

"If Eli would this, if Eli could that."

If he hasn't by now, odds are he isn't going to.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: **-seeding

1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) **No. 1 seed

2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)  **No. 6 seed

3. New York Giants (8-8)

4. Washington Redskins (2-14)

NFC West: Strengths and Weaknesses, Pros and Cons, Optimism and Pessimism

The NFC West may turn out to be the most competitive division in football for all of the wrong reasons.  Every team has a distinct reason for optimism coupled with a clear area of concern.

Arizona Cardinals

Optimism: The signing of Kevin Kolb as a franchise quarterback could mark the reemergence of a team that had great success prior to the departure of Kurt Warner.  After all, he's throwing the league's greatest receiver, right?

Pessimism: Seriously, Kevin Kolb?  More interceptions that touchdowns warrants immediate merit as a starting quarterback?  Andy Reid loved his potential so much that he traded him.  Did I mention the losing record?  Or that shaky defense?

Seattle Seahawks

Optimism: Last year's defending champions (despite a losing record) enter year two of the Pete Carroll era.  And, ooh-ooh!  Sidney Rice!

Pessimism: Is that Tavaris Jackson?  And does a losing record even warrant a division championship, or was that all merely obligatory recognition?

San Francisco 49ers

Optimism: New coach.  Jim Harbaugh is more of a player's coach, which should work well on a talented roster (especially on defense) that did not respond well to Mike Singletary.   Has everyone forgotten this team was the popular pick to win the division last season?

Pessimism: Same old Alex Smith. 

St. Louis Rams

Optimism: Steady improvement indicates a positive future for the young Rams.

Pessimism: These are still the young Rams...

In all relative honesty, the winner of the NFC West will still be fodder for a more worthy Super Bowl candidate; a mere warm-up act.  Nevertheless, these franchises all hold potential cards in their hands that if played at the right moment could set them up for a very promising decade ahead!

Predicting this champion is a shot in the dark, a blindfolded attempt to put the tail on whatever donkey is lucky enough to win this year's version of the lackluster division.  Sadly, each of these teams has too many concerns to be a serious threat to any of the league's above average teams, sans the NFL's elite.

This season, the NFC West Champion will be .500 or better.  I know... bold, right?

For all of the reasons that they were favored last season, San Francisco will step up to the plate and steal the West this season.  Jim Harbaugh will reach these players, especially Alex Smith, in a way that Mike Singletary could not accomplish.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:  **-seeding

1. San Francisco 49ers (9-7) **No. 4 seed

2. St. Louis Rams (8-8)

3. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)

4. Seattle Seahawks (6-10)

NFC Playoffs and NFC Championship Game

NFC EAST CHAMPION (SEED No. 1): PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-3)

NFC NORTH CHAMPION (SEED No. 2): GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-4)

NFC SOUTH CHAMPION (SEED No. 3): NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-5)

NFC WEST CHAMPION (SEED No. 4): SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9-7)

WILD CARDS: ATLANTA FALCONS AND DALLAS COWBOYS

In a return to playoff action, both Matt Ryan and Tony Romo will have an opportunity to win in the playoffs for the first time. 

The Wild Card race should be contentious, not only with respect to the divisions, but also with regard to the difference in playoff venues between the fifth and sixth seeds.  With question marks surrounding every team in the NFC West, a trip to visit one of those franchises would be much more ideal than beginning the playoffs in New Orleans (or Atlanta), Philadelphia, or Green Bay—the favorites in their respective divisions.  

With every decade in NFL history to-date boasting a dynasty, two NFL teams could get a huge leg up on this status with a win in Super Bowl XLVI.  With a win, both Green Bay and New Orleans would set up a potential dynasty-clinching season in 2012.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: GREEN BAY PACKERS at PHILADLEPHIA EAGLES

An experienced Packers team will defend their championship when they travel to Lincoln Financial Field.  The stadium is the site of the Eagles' lone NFC title of the Andy Reid era, though the city of Philadelphia has experienced heartbreak at this stage in extreme disproportion. 

The Eagles are an improved squad that the one who lost to the Packers last January, while Green Bay knows they are able to go on the road and win in the postseason.  In fact, the Packers defeated the Eagles at this very site twice last season. 

In terms of experience, the Packers and Lincoln Financial is the ultimate "been there, done that" proposition.

NFC CHAMPION: GREEN BAY PACKERS 24, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 20

With a number of weapons on both sides of the football, either offense is capable of exploding.

With great athletes on both defenses, each unit is capable of stopping the league's showcase offensive units.

Advantage: Packers.  Reason: Experience.

In the clutch, Rodgers has proven the ability to make difficult throws.  Michael Vick is unproven in this respect, though his arm is as strong as that of any quarterback in football.  If the Eagles' QB is able to consistently showcase an aplomb in the passing game this season (key word: consistently), perhaps this opinion will change.

Until he shows that his arm is a constant threat, the edge will go to Rodgers and his trio of weapons at receiver.  A solid Green Bay front will help to negate Vick's biggest intangible strength, his mobility, forcing him to pass—much like in January 2010 where the quarterback completed barely 50 percent of his passes (20 for 36).

I wonder how you pack a cheesehead?  Perhaps a patent on cheesehead suitcases is in the works.

Super Bowl XLVI: Encore!

In Super Bowl XLVI, two storied franchises with dynastic histories will square off as the Green Bay Packers defend their championship against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

In the 1960's, Vince Lombardi led the Packers to the top of the football food chain, while Bill Belichick, the consensus coach of the previous decade, coached the Patriots to a dynasty in the early 2000s.

While Tom Brady looks to win another Super Bowl title, which would tie him for most ever as a starting quarterback and cement his legacy as the best quarterback in the game, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will look to solidify their status as the best team in the game today.

And they will succeed.

The Patriots can never be counted out of any game, but Green Bay is a more balanced team that is only going to get better with experience.  Despite a 10-6 campaign in 2010, statistics drew a portrait on a 14-win team.  In the playoffs, the Packers sent opponents packing, proving that the raw numbers were not deceiving.

Returning most of their starters in 2011, Rodgers will not only lead the Pack back to the Lombardi Trophy, but he will do so in MVP fashion, earning both the NFL and Super Bowl MVP trophies.

With the win, Green Bay will be one championship away from opening the 2010s as the NFL's newest dynasty.