NFL 2011 Season Preview

AFC East

A difficult division to predict this season after the New York Jets made it all the way to the AFC Championship last season with the best defence in the league. The New England Patriots are no longer the dominant force they were for most of the last decade, and the Miami Dolphins are coming into the season optimistic once again. Not much needs to be said about the Buffalo Bills. The value has to be on the New York Jets to win this division under Rex Ryan. They will be competing to be the best defence statistically again this season, have three top running backs behind their offensive line, and Mark Sanchez has a year of experience under his belt now.

Pick: New York Jets to win AFC East 6/4

AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens made the biggest improvements to their offence over the off-season period in the AFC North. The addition of Anquan Boldin to play opposite Derrick Mason gives Joe Flacco a great target to find. Mason has often been the hot receiver in this team, but the Ravens now have a few targets for Flacco, including Tight End Todd Heap and running back Ray Rice, who is dangerous coming out of the backfield. While Ravens were adding talent in Boldin, the Cincinnati Bengals added Terrell Owens to their roster, who joins Chad Ochocinco. If Carson Palmer stays healthy, the Bengals have a fearsome offence. Inconsistencies often hurt this team though and Terrell Owens’ temper has the potential to hurt this team. The Pittsburgh Steelers look very weak considering they only won the Superbowl two seasons ago and are regular visitors to the playoffs. The Cleveland Browns are still looking woeful which leaves the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North.

Pick: Baltimore Ravens to win AFC North 10/11

AFC South

The most one-sided division in the NFL since the Houston Texans became a franchise. The Indianapolis Colts have owned the AFC South and will continue to do so for at least one more year. This division has provided other playoff contenders in recent years, with the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s hard to predict how either will do this season. The Titans with Chris Johnson coming off a hot season. Too much may be expected of him and I would expect defences to gang up on him and maybe cheap shot to slow Johnson down. That leaves the ball in Vince Young’s hands, who’s had injuries of his own. The mobile quarterback showed maturity last season, but can he do it for a full season with a tough schedule? The Jaguars have too many weaknesses to be a contender in this division and although the Houston Texans have shown improvement over the past few seasons, you can expect them to finish around the .500 mark while Peyton Manning exploits the weaknesses in the rest of the AFC South’s defences.

Pick: Indianapolis Colts to win AFC South 7/10

AFC West

Are the Denver Broncos for real? Even if they make a good start for the third consecutive season, we’re pretty confident in what will happen to them. Once again, the San Diego Chargers head into this season looking too good for the rest of the AFC West. The Kansas City Chiefs will continue their long-rebuilding process, while Oakland never looks like rebuilding as the Raiders continue to lead the chase for the number 1 draft choice.

Pick: San Diego Chargers to win AFC West 2/5

NFC East

A tough division to call with all teams having a wealth of talent on their roster. The bookmakers make the Dallas Cowboys the favourites. With Tony Romo at the helm and a wealth of talent at running back, they will, once again tally up a large number of points. Consistency has been a problem for them in the past, but with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles not being as strong as they once were, the Cowboys can afford to drop a few games this season. Even though they’ve signed Donovan McNabb, the Washington Redskins won’t make the post-season.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys to win NFC East 11/8

NFC North

The Green Bay Packers are favourites for the NFC North. With their high-scoring offence and a defence that creates turnovers, you would expect them to be there or thereabouts after week 17 is through. Their offensive line remains their weak point and Aaron Rodgers’ impatience has cost them heavily in the past. The Minnesota Vikings may make a slow start to the season off the back of their tough NFC Championship loss, but I can see them getting through the season with an impressive record and top the division. The Chicago Bears are still rebuilding and the Detroit Lions are the Detroit Lions.

Pick: Minnesota Vikings to win NFC North 2/1

NFC South

The Atlanta Falcons are a dark horse in this division, but it’s the New Orleans Saints’ division to lose. Strong contenders to back their Superbowl championship, as all winners are, they’ve keep their top offence in tact. The weakpoint of the team is speed in the secondary and they are vulnerable to vertical passes over the top. Last season they created a high number of turnovers, and the same performance this season will see them go deep in the playoffs if not all the way once more. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping for a good offence this season but will be well short of topping the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers are also too weak to win this division.

Pick: New Orleans Saints to win NFC South 8/13

NFC West

With Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin gone, the Arizona Cardinals will be a much different team this season. Warner was the vocal point of their playoff and Superbowl runs and will be a massive loss. The San Francisco 49ers have been building nicely and this is the perfect opportunity for them to take the NFC West for the first time since 2002. The Seattle Seahawks and St Louis Rams won’t be in contention.

Pick: San Francisco 49ers to win NFC West 10/11