2011 NFL Playoff Picks and Award Predictions: Will the Green Bay Packers Repeat?

Now the season starts.

That picture above is what the NFL is all about.

Players and coaches grind year-round to get into the playoffs, so they can be among the select few who have a shot at winning the Lombardi Trophy.

Last year, the Green Bay Packers had to beat the Chicago Bears in Week 17 (10-3) to make it into the playoffs. Since then, they've won 21 of their last 22 games (postseason included) by an average of 13.5 points per game.

Are they the team to beat? Is Aaron Rodgers a lock to win the league MVP award?

Those questions are valid, but in my opinion, the answer to those questions is no.

The Associated Press and the NFL announced yesterday that they will unveil their 2011 season award winners on February 4, 2012 (the night before Super Bowl XLVI) from 9-11 p.m. ET on NBC.

The show will be entitled NFL Honors.

For now, I'll share with you who I think will win those awards and who I think will advance in the 2012 NFL playoffs.

Comeback Player of the Year: Matthew Stafford

After playing in only three games last season, Matthew Stafford has lit up scoreboards and stat sheets in 2011.

Plagued by a right (throwing) shoulder injury sustained in Week 1 versus Chicago, Stafford struggled to see the field in 2010.

This year, although not completely healthy throughout the season, Stafford put himself among the NFL elite in terms of passing statistics and may garner an MVP vote or two.

Here are Stafford's ranks among NFL passers:

• 63.5 completion percentage (fifth)
• 5,038 passing yards (third; fifth all-time)
• 41 touchdowns (third)
• 64 passes of 20-plus yards (T-sixth)
• 97.2 quarterback rating (fifth)

In an era where athletes are making absurd amounts of money, Stafford is starting to earn the $72 million contract he signed in 2009.

What's most impressive about Stafford's statistical success is that he's had to do it mostly by himself. Detroit's backfield has been plagued by injuries, which has caused Stafford's workload to increase.

But despite the 29th-ranked rush offense, Stafford has put up incredible numbers, which has propelled the Lions to their first winning season since 2000 and their first playoff appearance since 1999.

Others considered: Dallas QB Tony Romo, Carolina WR Steve Smith,

Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh had no opportunity to meet players, install game plans, etc. during the lockout this past offseason.

I know the NFC West is traditionally a weak division, which may have lowered expectations, but Harbaugh aced his first year as an NFL head coach.

With very little familiarity, Harbaugh took the San Francisco 49ers from six wins in 2010 to 13 wins in 2011.

The Niners only lost three games this season by an average of five points.

In the franchise's 66-year history, the team has only won more games than they did in 2011 four times (two of which resulted in Super Bowl Championships—1989, 1990).

Harbaugh has instilled a toughness and attitude in the 49ers fans haven't seen in a while.

Their defense is the second-best scoring defense in the league, giving up an average of 14.3 points per game (Pittsburgh leads the NFL, allowing 14.2 points per game).

Perhaps Harbaugh's biggest challenge was reawakening the career of his quarterback, Alex Smith.

Even in 2007 when Smith only played in nine games, he had never committed fewer than nine turnovers in his career.

This year, Smith turned the ball over seven times (five interceptions, two lost fumbles).

You can coach that.

Others considered: Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy, Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Andy Dalton

The AFC North is the best division in football.

Every team in the division is among the top 10 in scoring defense (Pittsburgh: first, Baltimore: third, Cleveland: fifth, Cincinnati: ninth).

Although Andy Dalton was 2-4 in the division this year, he led his team to a winning road record (5-3) and an overall winning record (9-7), which qualified them to be the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs.

Most rookies don't see the field at all in their first season.

Dalton started from day one, and performed very well in the face of elite competition.

His numbers of 3,398 passing yards and 20 touchdowns are good for any quarterback, much less a rookie (who has to face the Ravens and Steelers four times in the regular season).

The consensus among general managers around the league is that Dalton's rookie campaign is not a fluke.

After all, he figures to have an elite wide receiver (A.J. Green) and an above-average tight end (Jermaine Gresham) to throw to during his entire career.

With that trio in place for years to come, this may not be the only major award Dalton wins in his pro career.

Others considered: Carolina QB Cam Newton, Cincinnati WR A.J. Green

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aldon Smith

With the seventh pick in this year's draft, the 49ers selected Aldon Smith.

For a player to be selected that high and produce as Smith has produced is not something that happens often.

In addition to his 14.0 sacks, Smith has notched 37 tackles and two forced fumbles.

In a defensive front that has such stars as Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and NaVorro Bowman, Smith has still managed to stand out with his exceptional play all year.

He barely missed out on the Pro Bowl in 2011, but don't expect to say the same thing about Smith in 2012 (and beyond).

Others considered: Broncos OLB Von Miller, Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson, Bills DE Marcell Dareus

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees

As if it were possible, Drew Brees played better in 2011 than he has in the past.

This season, Brees passed Dan Marino's all-time single-season passing yardage mark by 392 yards.

In addition to leading the league in passing yards, Brees also led the NFL in completion percentage (71.2) while attempting the second-most passes of anyone (657).

During a year in which so many quarterbacks had career years, Brees topped them all.

Not only did he throw for an all-time-best 5,476 yards, but Brees threw for a league-high 46 touchdowns and 342.2 yards per game.

He was also second among all quarterbacks with passes of 20-pls yards (69) and passer rating (110.6).

Furthermore, Brees threw for at least 300 yards in 14 of his 16 games this season.

By the way, on three occasions, Brees left the game early because the score was so lopsided.

If there was a player who personified offense this year, Brees was him.

Others considered: Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, New England QB Tom Brady, Baltimore RB Ray Rice, Detroit WR Calvin Johnson, Philadelphia RB LeSean McCoy

Defensive Player of the Year: Terrell Suggs

This was his breakout year.

Terrell Suggs said he wants the Lombardi Trophy more than anything (when asked how he'd feel if he won the Defensive Player of the Year award).

Something tells me he's going to have to have an acceptance speech ready.

Since Week 1 against the Steelers, when he recorded five tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles, Suggs has been on a mission.

He helped the Ravens finish the regular season ranked third in total defense (288.9 yards per game) and third in scoring defense (16.6 points per game) to finally claim that elusive first-round bye in the playoffs.

Suggs' stat line is as follows: 70 tackles, 14.0 sacks (fifth), eight passes defensed, seven forced fumbles (leads NFL) and two interceptions.

But he'll be the first to tell you those stats mean nothing without a Super Bowl Championship.

Others considered: New York (Giants) DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Minnesota DE Jared Allen, Dallas OLB DeMarcus Ware, San Francisco ILB NaVorro Bowman

2011 NFL MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Despite what many people think, Aaron Rodgers is not a lock to win this award.

There is a decent chance Drew Brees could split the MVP award with Rodgers, or even win it outright.

Still, in a close race, I think it's Rodgers' award to lose.

Not only did he complete over 68 percent of his throws and lead the league in passer rating (122.5), but Rodgers also threw 45 touchdowns next to just six interceptions.

Compared to Brees, Rodgers threw one less touchdown and eight fewer interceptions in 155 fewer pass attempts.

Most importantly, Rodgers' Packers went 15-1 (most wins in the team's 91-year history).

What's even more remarkable about how Rodgers led Green Bay this season is that the Packers are having all of this success the year after they won the Super Bowl.

In other words, every team was giving the Packers their best shot, and the Packers still won 15 games.

Like last year, Rodgers had to deal with injuries to the offensive line and a lack of production from his running game.

Still, he performed at a Hall of Fame level, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Others considered: New Orleans QB Drew Brees, New England QB Tom Brady

Playoff Predictions: NFC

There are many intriguing matchups on the NFC side of the playoffs.

Will Green Bay be able to pick up where they left off in the regular season?

Will San Francisco be able to get an early lead (instead of having to play from behind)?

Can New Orleans go outdoors to San Fransisco or Green Bay and win?

Here's my take:

Wild Card

No. 3 New Orleans vs. No. 6 Detroit: NO 45, DET 31

Previous meeting: Week 13 (NO 31, DET 17)

No. 4 New York vs. No. 5 Atlanta: NYG 27, ATL 20

Divisional

No. 1 Green Bay vs. No. 4 New York: GB 30, NYG 27

Previous meeting: Week 13 (GB 38, NYG 35)

No. 2 San Francisco vs. No. 3 New Orleans: SF 19, NO 24

Conference Championship

No. 1 Green Bay vs. No. 3 New Orleans: GB 26, NO 27

Previous meeting: Week 1 (GB 42, NO 34)

NFC Champion: New Orleans Saints

Playoff Predictions: AFC

To me, the NFC has the stronger playoff teams, from top to bottom.

However, there are two teams in the AFC that make up the best rivalry in football.

Those two teams, if they survive the two (or three) games against each other, have as good of a chance to make it to and win the Super Bowl as any team in the NFL.

Wild Card

No. 3 Houston vs. No. 6 Cincinnati: HOU 23, CIN 20

Previous meeting: Week 14 (HOU 20, CIN 19)

No. 4 Denver vs. No. 5 Pittsburgh: DEN 6, DEN 17

Divisional

No. 1 New England vs. No. 5 Pittsburgh: NE 23, PIT 27

Previous meeting: Week 8 (PIT 25, NE 17)

No. 2 Baltimore vs. No. 3 Houston: BAL 27, HOU 13

Previous meeting: Week 6 (BAL 29, HOU 14)

Conference Championship

No. 2 Baltimore vs. No. 5 Pittsburgh: BAL 24, PIT 19

Previous meetings: Week 1 (BAL 35, PIT 7) and Week 9 (BAL 23, PIT 20)

AFC Champion: Baltimore Ravens

Super Bowl XLVI

Sometime in the late hours of Sunday night, February 5th, 2012, the Super Bowl XLVI champions will be crowned.

Whether it's the Ravens and the Saints, the Packers and the Patriots, or any other combination, this season's playoffs are sure to be thrilling, as always.