Paradigm Shift: The Balance Of Power In The NFL Part 1

There is one thing that sets the NFL apart from all other professional sports leagues: Parity. Any team can beat any team on any given week. Even better, the most hapless of franchises can turn things around with a couple good drafts.

Even so, there are always several organizations that always seem to dominate for periods of time. The past decade has been dominated by teams like the Colts, the Patriots, and the Steelers in the AFC, while teams like the Eagles, the Giants, and for a little while the Bears have ruled the NFC.

But the winds of change are blowing. There are several teams who have been mostly irrelevant that are starting to rise. At the same time, some of the most dominant teams are aging.

This is the first installment of a three-part article. The first part will focus on teams on the rise, the second part will focus on teams soon to fall, and the third will feature teams that will hold steady(for better or worse).

Team #5 On The Rise: The Cleveland Browns

The Browns have been all but completely irrelevant since their return to the league in 1999. Problems with the front office, coaching, quarterback contraversy, and Murphy's Law have left them in a quagmire of futility for the past decade.

But finally things are turning around for them. NFL guru Mike Holmgren was brought in this past offseason and very quickly has started to clean house. Surprisingly, there is a lot of unknown talent on this team.

A strong, youthful offensive line, and a stable of solid young running backs give this team a strong offensive foundation. Players like Joe Thomas, Joshua Cribbs, and Jerome Harrison led this team to a four-game winning streak to end the 2009 season. The defense is anchored by big Shaun Rogers and a youthful defensive backfield.

The biggest question for the Browns is at quarterback. Veteran Jake Delhomme was brought in as a stop-gap to develop rookie Colt McCoy. If McCoy doesn't pan out, they may be looking to draft a quarterback high and soon. It will take several seasons, but I expect them to be a serious playoff contender in the next five years.

Team #4 On The Rise: the Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have quietly and quickly put together a core of playmakers that could be downright scary. Players like Jamal Charles, Dexter McCluster, and Dwayne Bowe form a formidable group of young playmakers on offense. Eric Berry, Tamba Hali, and Glen Dorsey have the potential to become a downright fearsome threesome on defense.

That is the key word with this team: potential. They have tons of it, but a couple of their young core have yet to live up to that potential. Glen Dorsey and Dwayne Bowe have yet to live up to their abilities while Dexter McCluster and Eric Berry are rookies who will need to prove themselves.

Maybe the biggest question facing the Chiefs is also at the quarterback position. Last offseason, they went out and spent a fortune on free agent Matt Cassel. Cassel was excellent while Tom Brady was injured in New England, but struggled last year.

The Chiefs are a risky choice. They could rise very quickly, or sink like a zeppelin. I'm inclined to think it will be the former. I predict they will start to contend for a playoff spot as early as next year.

Team #3 On The Rise: The Detroit Lions

I know what you're thinking. The Lions? Are you kidding me?! I kid you not, my friend. The lowly Lions, who are just two seasons removed from a 0-16 record, are built to succeed.

Just look at what they accomplished in one offseason. Last year, this team had more problems than a high school math book. Now I count only one severe deficiency on this team. That of course would be the offensive line.

Now I'm not saying there isn't still room for improvement in other areas, but they improved every other area of the team this offseason. They took maybe the worst defensive line from last season and turned it into what could end up being one of the best defensive lines this season, with the additions of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Ndamukong Suh 

They took an offense that had one weapon last year(Calvin Johnson) and added several playmakers to compliment Megatron(Tony Scheffler, Nate Burleson, and Jahvid Best). Second year quarterback showed the ability to be very prolific in his rookie season. The biggest question is can they give him enough time to find his rhythm.

Mark my words, this will be a playoff team in two years. Don't believe me? Well you're welcome to rub it in if I'm wrong.

Team #2 On The Rise: The Houston Texans

One of the big stories of last season was the rise of quarterback Matt Schaub to elite status. I personally was quite pleased with it, as it led to my domination in fantasy football. But seriously, this is a team that is built to succeed now!

They have almost all of the major pieces needed to contend for a championship. Andre Johnson is, in my opinion, easily the best wide receiver in the game. Owen Daniels could be one of the three best tight ends in the game if he can stay healthy. Let's not forget about defensive studs Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, the underrated Bernard Pollard, and Briand Cushing(steroids not withstanding).

Running back Arian Foster came on strong at the end of last season and appears to be poised to have a breakout season. That allows the Texans to use Steve Slaton in a 3rd-down role that he's very suited to.

There is, and has been, one major obstacle between Houston and the postseason: the Indianapolis Colts(more about them later). I don't think they can be shut out of the playoffs again this year. By the middle of the decade, this team will win their division.

Team #1 On The Rise: The San Fransisco 49er's

As I was going through my projections for this season, there was one thing that really jumped out at me and caught me by surprise. I couldn't see any reason at all not to think that Niner's could have the best record in the NFL this season. Seriously, look at their schedule. It's a cakewalk. Winning 11 games would be an underachievement for them.

Since the moment Mike Singletary took over this team, he almost instantly changed the culture. I've never seen anything like it honestly. Players that used to underachieve now meet their potential, and at times overachieve.

Case in point, Vernon Davis. He was the poster boy for workout wonder busts. Last season, he was an absolute world-beater. When he finally got the chance last year, former number one pick Alex Smith started to finally show flashes of first round ability. I don't think Smith has gotten a fair shake from anybody so far, but it seems to me that he has handled it amazingly, and now is poised to fulfill his potential.

He has a great cast of young weapons to work with. The aforementioned Davis, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Ted Ginn, and Josh Morgan. The defense is led by Patrick Willis who is arguably the best defensive player in the game right now.

Smith still has a lot to prove, but to me the biggest question is in the secondary. If this team can be consistent on defense, they could be a dark-horse for the Super Bowl this year! I don't think they get quite that far just yet, but I'd be willing to bet that they'll get there in the next five. I see this team as the next dynasty of the NFC.

Conclusion

Call me crazy, call me stupid, call me anything but late for dinner, but I would be willing to bet these 5 teams will all become perrenial playoff teams within the next 5 years.

Stayed tuned for part 2 of this series where I will list my top 5 teams that will fall hard within the next 5 years.