2011 NFL Predictions: Looking into the Future for All 32 Teams

We almost did not have a 2011 NFL season, but we do now, and I'm as excited as anyone for this football season.

Last year, it was Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers hoisting the Lombardi Trophy to conclude the season.

Every team has a fresh start this season though, as all 32 of them will be hoping to be the last team standing next February in Indianapolis.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles - After a 10-6 campaign in 2010, and a Wild Card round loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Packers, the Eagles were the big winners of the offseason.  The acquisitions of Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin, Ronnie Brown, and more dubbed this team the "Dream Team". I am not completely buying the Eagles as a dream team, but I do think they will be very good this year. This team will only go as far as Michael Vick can take them, and I think that can be pretty far, but not to the Super Bowl.

Final Record and Prediction: 11-5; loss in Divisional round

2. Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys went an extremely disappointing 6-10 last year, but were 5-3 once Jason Garratt took over, even without Tony Romo. Romo will be back healthy this season, and I expect huge things from him. In my mind, he is extremely underrated, and I think he has the capability to be an elite quarterback in this league.  Dallas has quite a few weapons on the offense side of the ball to help out Romo in up and coming receiver Dez Bryant, receiver Miles Austin, running back Felix Jones, and tight end Jason Witten. The defense should improve with new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. They should make the playoffs as a Wild Card.

Final Record and Prediction: 10-6, loss in Divisional round

3. New York Giants -  The Giants may be third in the NFC East this season, but this team could also make some noise. Despite going 10-6 last season, the Giants missed the postseason. Eli was a lot better than his stats showed last season, as many of those 25 interceptions were not his fault in the least bit.  I expect a pretty big year out of him. In Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, and Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants have quite a few weapons to center  their offense around.  The defense is still pretty good too, with or without Osi.

Final Record and Prediction: 10-6, loss in Wild Card round

4. Washington Redskins - The Redskins are in for a rough season.  This team is a mess.  Rex Grossman, yes Rex Grossman could be this team's starting quarterback.  If not him, well there's the John Beck.  Not much too look forward to in D.C. this season.

Final Record and Prediction: 3-13, miss playoffs   

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers - The defending Super Bowl champs will return this season a lot healthier than they ended last season, and as a result could be even better this year.  Aaron Rodgers has quickly emerged as one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks, and could lead the Packers to yet another Super Bowl win.

Final Record and Prediction: 13-3, loss in Super Bowl

2. Detroit Lions - Detroit has improved drastically the past few seasons. Jahvid Best, Calvin Johnson, and Matt Stafford all have the potential to be future stars, and Calvin probably is a star already. On the other side of the ball Ndamukong Suh anchors one of the best defensive lines in football.  With talent on both sides of the football, this team could make a Wild Card push.  I don't see it happening quite yet,though. This team will be very scary down the road however.

Final Record and Prediction: 9-7, miss playoffs

3. Minnesota Vikings - With Donovan McNabb, the Vikings will be better this season, as I think he will have a bounce back season.  The Vikings may have lost Sidney Rice, but they still have the league's best running back in Adrian Peterson, and a very good defense.  They could even compete for a playoff spot.

Final Record and Prediction: 8-8, miss playoffs

4. Chicago Bears - In my opinion, the Bears were the most overrated team last year. They lucked out by getting to play the Seahawks in their first playoff game, as the Saints probably would have beaten them.  I do not trust Jay Cutler at all, especially when he gets sacked as much as he does. 

Final Record and Prediction: 7-9, miss playoffs 

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints - The Saints were stunned, as was the rest of the country, when Seattle beat them in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs. Drew Brees and the Saints will enter the 2011 season however with hopes of winning their second Super Bowl in three years.  With one of the leagues most high powered offenses, and also one of the best defenses, they surely will contend. 

Final Record and Prediction: 12-4, loss in NFC Championship game

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers missed the playoffs last year, but did go 10-6. Josh Freeman had a superb year, and could emerge as one of the leagues elite quarterbacks this year. Wide receiver Mike Williams and running back LeGarrete Blount had surprisingly good years. If they play that well again, this team could make the playoffs.

Final Record and Prediction: 10-6, miss playoffs

3. Atlanta Falcons - I expect somewhat of a down year for the Falcons this season.  The team does not have a whole lot of depth at wide receiver, especially after Roddy White. Tony Gonzalez is aging, and is becoming less and less of a threat.  Even Michael Turner doesn't look too promising.

Final Record and Prediction: 9-7, miss playoffs

4. Carolina Panthers: Carolina took a step in the right direction when drafting possible future star quarterback Cam Newton. They still have a long way to go though, and will have another bad season. 

Final Record and Prediction: 4-12, miss playoffs 

NFC West

1. Arizona Cardinals - With the addition of Kevin Kolb, I think the Cardinals are the favorites in the NFC West. I live in the Philly area, and saw him play a few times, and I really do think he has the capability to excel in this league.  Star receiver Larry Fitzgerald has someone who can throw to him now, and the Kolb/Fitzgerald combination should lead this team to a division title.

Final Record and Prediction: 9-7, loss in Wild Card round

2. St. Louis Rams - Once again, the Rams will come close to winning this division, but will not get over the hump.  Sam Bradford looks like a star in the making, and he should get his fair share of wins over his career.  Steven Jackson is still one of the best backs in the league, but the Rams are very shallow at the wide receiver position. On the defensive side, they are one of the worst in the league.  Their rank may show only 19th, but keep in mind they play in a division with pretty poor offenses.

Final Record and Prediction: 8-8, miss playoffs

3. San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers have plenty of pieces in place, with guys like Michael Crabtree, Braylon Edwards, Frank Gore, and a decent defense, but they will not go anywhere as long as Alex Smith is under center.  He is yet another huge bust, and they better hope to get a good quarterback in the 2012 draft.

Final Record and Prediction: 7-9, miss playoffs

4. Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks made the playoffs last season, but they were just 7-9 and did not deserve to be in.  Tarvaris Jackson will not do much of anything for this team, and will be a big reason, along with their awful defense, for their lack of success this season.

Final Record and Prediction: 6-10, miss playoffs                             

AFC East

1. New England Patriots - As a Colts fan, it pains me to say this, but the Patriots are going to be awesome this season.  Tom Brady is arguably the league's best quarterback (I personally think it's Peyton Manning, but that's a completely different discussion) and Bill Belichick is, in my opinion, the best coach of all time in any sport.  The guy scares me.  The Patriots also have guys like Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco (who I think will have a great season), and BenJarvus Green-Ellis on the offensive side of the ball to compliment Brady.  On the defensive side, they should be better than last year with the addition of Albert Haynesworth, but even if they are not, Tom Brady and the offensive should be able to overcome them.

Final Record and Prediction: 14-2, Super Bowl champions

2. New York Jets - The Jets are also Super Bowl contenders, and also have one of the best coaches in the league in Rex Ryan.  However, I am not buying any of the hype around Mark Sanchez.  I don't think he's awful, but I also don't think he's great.  Plaxico Burress could be the key to the offense, as if he can step in and put up numbers similar to what Braylon Edwards did, this offense could be pretty good.  The defense should be very good once again, and the main reason for their success.

Final Record and Prediction: 11-5, loss in Divisional round

3. Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins have a very good defense, but the offense is a pretty big mess. The fans don't even want Chad Henne to be their quarterback, but unfortunately for Miami, he's their best option. Reggie Bush won't do much, his best days are probably already behind him.  Brandon Marshall is a great talent, but he's got a bad attitude and nobody to throw him the ball.

Final Record and Prediction: 7-9, miss playoffs

4. Buffalo Bills - The Bills don't have much to look forward to.  Their defense is terrible, and Ryan Fitzpatrick virtually has no weapons around him on offense.  Another down year is to be expected. 

Final Record and Prediction: 3-13, miss playoffs 

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore will win this division because of their great defense, and an improving offense. Joe Flacco will only get better, Ray Rice is an established running back in this league, and receivers Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans should each have good seasons. Baltimore could make a run at a Super Bowl title.

Final Record and Prediction: 12-4, loss in Divisional round

2. Pittsburgh Steelers - The last two times the Steelers were in the Super Bowl, they missed the playoffs the next season. I think they will be able to make the postseason this year, but won't be as good as last season.  They still have Ben Roethlisberger and a great defense, so they should be contenders. 

Final Record and Prediction: 10-6, loss in Wild Card round

3. Cleveland Browns  - Behind Colt McCoy, the Browns should be a very improved team this season.  Peyton Hillis is overrated in my opinion, but he could have another good year. The defense isn't very good, and as a whole this team is pretty inconsistent. Expect improvement though.

Final Record and Prediction: 7-9, miss playoffs 

4. Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals have a rookie quarterback, they lost their top two receivers, and they have an average at best defense.  This team could be the worst in the league this season. 

Final Record and Prediction: 2-14, miss playoffs

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts - Despite a bunch of injuries, to some significant players, the Colts still went 10-6 last season and won the division.  This season, with a healthy team, the Colts should be able to win their division pretty easily.  The Reggie Wayne/Austin Collie receiving duo is the most underrated in the league. Peyton Manning is, in my opinion, still the best quarterback in the league, and the reason why the Colts have been so successful. Dallas Clark is also returning, one of the Colts most important weapons.  The defense is still pretty bad, but the offense has always been able to overcome them.  The Colts have a great chance to win another Super Bowl.

Final Record and Prediction: 13-3, loss in AFC Championship game

2. Houston Texans - I've been hearing that the Texans will dethrone the Colts in this division for quite a few years now.  Well as long as Manning is around, it's not going to happen.  The Texans will be average once again, despite guys like Andre Johnson and Arian Foster.  Matt Schaub is easily on of the most overrated players in the NFL, and the defense is pretty terrible.  They will improve, but won't contend.

Final Record and Prediction: 8-8, miss playoffs

3. Tennessee Titans - Matt Hasselbeck was a great addition for this team, and with him and Chris Johnson, and Kenny Britt, this offense could be pretty solid. Their defense is terrible however, and they will still be below average.

Final Record and Prediction: 7-9, miss playoffs

4. Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars will drop a few wins this season, with the Texans and Titans both getting better.  Drafting Blaine Gabbart just showed they don't have plans to keep David Garrard much longer. Jacksonville's defense is also one of the league's worst, and this team will suffer because of it.

Final Record and Prediction: 6-10, miss playoffs 

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers - The Chargers went a disappointing 9-7 last season, and missed the playoffs. With Vincent Jackson back for the whole season, along with Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Ryan Mathews, and last year's number one defense, the Chargers will have a good year.

Final Record and Prediction: 11-5, loss in Wild Card round

2. Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs had a surprisingly good year last year, but this year teams will be ready for them.  Although I really like Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles, their defense is pretty average and Dwayne Bowe will have a let down of a year.  The Chiefs will be good, but not as good as last year.

Final Record and Prediction: 9-7, miss playoffs

3. Oakland Raiders - Just when it appears the Raiders are going in the right direction and have a lot to look forward to, they fire Tom Cable. I think that was a terrible decision, and it will come back to bite them. Their defense is pretty good, and Darren McFadden is emerging as one of the league's best backs, so this team will still be decent, but won't make a playoff push.

Final Record and Prediction: 7-9, miss playoffs

4. Denver Broncos - At least Denver is realizing that Tim Tebow is not the guy to start at quarterback, but this team is still pretty bad.  Their defense was the worst in the league last year, and after Knoshown Moreno, they don't have many offensive weapons, as I think Brandon Lloyd will be in for a down season. Kyle Orton is a pretty good quarterback though, but not good enough to make this team any good. 

Final Record and Prediction: 3-13, miss playoffs