Reason To Believe: Ten Pretenders That Can Contend in 2011
While fans of teams like the Falcons, Steelers and Patriots can get ready to watch their teams compete for an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl, plenty of other fans have seen their teams be a doormat for contenders. If you live in areas like Carolina, Cincinnati, or even Dallas, you know what I'm talking about.
But if there is any one certainty in the NFL, it's that every year is different. The NFL is the only sport where you can consistently find teams go from a nobody to a winner in just one year. Luck may play a factor in that sure, but it also has to do with good drafts, key signings, solid player development and stars reaching their potential.
For those reasons combined, here are ten teams that have a chance to go from cellar dweller to potential champions in 2011.
Buffalo Bills
1 of 10
If you're a fan of or follow the Buffalo Bills, it's easy to realize that the 21st century has not exactly been the best of times for the once proud franchise. While the Bills were arguably the most dominant team in the AFC in the 1990's, the Bills have not made the playoffs in eleven years, often finishing with some of the worst records in the league.
The 2010 season looked as bleak as any as the Bills started the season 0-9. After losing to Jacksonville by ten after week five, questions began to circulate if this could be a team that went 0-16.
However, their fortunes began to turn on week seven in Baltimore. Though their record wouldn't reflect this until week ten, the Bills began to look like a completely different football team, being led by career backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills narrowly lost to playoff contenders Baltimore, Kansas City and Chicago in successive weeks before finally winning their first game against Detroit.
Since week nine the Bills have gone 4-2, and while their record is still a paltry 4-10, there is finally some positive momentum going on in Buffalo, a type of energy that hasn't been felt around the city in years. Fitzpatrick has been one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the league with young talent emerging.
Along with the development of Fitzpatrick has been the emergence of wide receiver Stevie Johnson, a 7th round draft pick from last year's draft. Johnson has been one of the NFL's best receivers and should find his way onto the Pro Bowl roster.
The major concern for this team is its defense and offensive line. Drafting someone like LSU's cornerback Patrick Peterson could start to solidify their backfield coverage.
Work still needs to be done, but a good draft and a few good signings, and the Bills could find themselves on the hunt for a Wild Card.
Minnesota Vikings
2 of 10
The Vikings hit rock bottom in more ways than one when they got embarrassed by their rival, the Bears on Monday Night Football. Brett Favre made what SHOULD be his last start, leaving the game with a concussion. (Despite the well being of himself and his team, he'll probably start, but that's another story!)
Seeing Favre motionless on the field, at the University of Minnesota's stadium with Adrian Peterson injured and a 5-8 record was not how Viking fans envisioned their 2010 season going. Eleven months ago, the Vikings were on the brink of returning to the Super Bowl. Today, they're a team about to enter an off-season with no quarterback, an aging defense and a damaged stadium that only has one year left on its lease.
Despite how bleak it looks for the Vikings right now, they have the pieces in place to right the ship immediately if they bring in a good quarterback. If the Vikings were to acquire someone like Kevin Kolb, Donovan McNabb, or even Kyle Orton, the Vikings could immediately contend for a playoff spot next year.
Their other concern is drafting or signing players to be ready to replace the Williams duo at defensive tackle for next year or 2012.
Houston Texans
3 of 10
Perhaps no team in the past several years has done less with more than the Houston Texans. Despite having stars at almost every skill position, the Texans still find themselves with a 5-9 record, doomed to miss the playoffs yet again. Head Coach Gary Kubiak will likely be out of a job seeing his team and specifically its pass defense collapse since starting the season 3-1.
The silver lining in this, is the team has the parts in place to immediately contend for the playoffs.
The Texans have arguably the best receiver in football in Andre Johnson, and the best emerging running back in Arian Foster. And while he's not flashy, quarterback Matt Schaub is a solid NFL starter. Combine that with a defense that features Mario Williams and Brian Cushing, the Texans are a team that should not be perennially underachieving.
This is why despite the fact the Texans have little to no NFL prestige, it could be the most attractive opening for coaches. If someone like Bill Cowher goes to Houston, expect the Texans to make noise next year.
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Detroit Lions
4 of 10
There aren't many cases when a team can exceed expectations by winning five games. Of course, there aren't many cases like the Detroit Lions. Since reaching the lowest point you can get to in professional sports by going winless in 2008, the Lions have been piecing themselves together bit by bit over the past two years.
While the Lions won only two games in 2009, they have won four this year with two winnable games left on their schedules. What's more encouraging is the Lions could have easily won three to four other games and have spent much of their season competing with some of the NFL's elite without their young franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Two years ago, there were hardly any players on their roster you could consider as part of a young nucleus. Today the Lions have a solid structure being led by receiver Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh. If the Lions can have another strong draft, keep Stafford upright and sign a few good free agents, the Lions could compete for a playoff spot in a division that's looked very mediocre this year.
Oakland Raiders
5 of 10
It feels very weird to say this, having spent the past eight years seeing this team be humiliated by almost every other team in the league, but the Raiders hardly belong on a list of 2010 pretenders. At 7-7, the Raiders technically are eligible to win their division, and they are guaranteed of their best record since the shellacking they took in the Super Bowl against the Buccaneers.
There is always a chance, and even a probability the Raiders will find a way to screw up the momentum they've created this year. But the Raiders had a good draft this past year and brought in good veteran leadership in players like Richard Seymour. They have also seen running back Darren Mcfadden evolve into the player they believed he'd be when they drafted him fourth overall in the 2008 draft.
If the Raiders could have another strong draft in 2011, and fix their never ending issues on their offensive line, the Raiders have an opportunity to go into next year as a real contender to win their division.
Arizona Cardinals
6 of 10
It didn't take long to have the Cardinals revert back to their pre-2008 form did it? For decades the Cardinals were a laughing stock, never competing for a Super Bowl. But Kurt Warner changed their fortunes, and the Cardinals came within a miracle catch by Santonio Holmes away from capturing their first championship at Super Bowl 43.
However while Warner was learning the Tango enjoying retirement, the Cardinals had to move on with quarterbacks like Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton. Not surprisingly, the Cardinals have struggled mightily without Warner as well as other defensive standouts such as Carlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle.
The good news in this though is if the Cardinals can land a starting quarterback in the off-season, the Cardinals could contend in what is a very mediocre and at times downright bad NFC West. A player like Donovan McNabb could excel in their system. The other key is to shore up their defense which hasn't made up for the losses, especially Dansby.
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 10
Talk about a team that's hard to figure out! A year ago the Bengals won the AFC North and appeared prime to be a Super Bowl contender with the addition of Terrel Owens and arrivals of rookie receivers Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley. However, the season has been a disaster in almost every form.
Carson Palmer has clearly regressed to a point his tenure in Cincy may be up. Their defense which played so well last year, has taken steps backward. Running back Cedric Benson doesn't look as quick or strong as last year. And despite his dominant numbers, T.O.'s play has not translated to wins.
The 2010 season has surely been miserable for Bengals fans, so bad in fact long term coach Marvin Lewis likely won't survive it. But for whomever takes over the reigns, they will take over a roster that will look similar to the one that won a division title in 2008.
Considering the team will likely have a top five selection in the 2011 draft, the team is ripe to contend again the next year. The biggest question will be if Palmer is still there, or a rookie will take his place.
Dallas Cowboys
8 of 10
Sixteen weeks ago, Jerry Jones and millions of Cowboys fans believed their team would be the first to play in a Super Bowl on its home field. With a loaded roster of players returning from a playoff appearance in 2009, everything seemed great in Jerry's world. But that is why they play the games as they say.
Dallas stumbled out of the gates this year, to a point they had to fire coach Wade Phillips. Tony Romo was lost for the season in October, and rookie standout Dez Bryant got hurt several weeks ago. Life in Dallas has quickly turned into a nightmare.
Just as fast as they turned into a pretender though, Dallas could contend for a Super Bowl next year. The biggest issue that needs to be addressed is improving their offensive line. If they are able to achieve that, the Cowboys are in place to quickly reverse their fortunes and try to make good on what many fans believed could happen this year.
Miami Dolphins
9 of 10
The Dolphins are a team that while it's not been a real bottom feeder the past two years, it's also not been a team to strongly contend for anything except complete mediocrity. The Dolphins really are no worse nor better than their team from 2009.
While they acquired star receiver Brandon Marshall, there was no real connection made with quarterback Chad Henne as one or both of them have been injured for much of the season. Carlos Dansby has played well, but not enough to propel them 'Fins to another blah season.
The good news for the Dolphins is if their roster can stay healthy next year, they just need to improve by two or three games to become a playoff contender. To ensure this, the Dolphins need to add another receiver or two to their team as well as solidify their defensive line. If they can do this, Miami could be right up there with the powers of the AFC East.
San Francisco 49'ers
10 of 10
When a team has nine losses by week 15, it will almost always mean a team is looking towards a top ten pick. However, in the NFC West, it means you can control your own playoff destiny. Despite the fact the 49'ers have a good chance to go into the playoffs with a 7-9 record, I am officially calling them a cellar dweller. After all, only five teams have a record worse than theirs!
The center of their issues lie in the revolving door that is their quarterback position. Neither Alex or Troy Smith have proven they can compete week in and week out on the big stage of the NFL. And coach Mike Singletary refuses to give former first round pick David Carr a chance.
Everywhere on the roster else you see young talent. Whether it's Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, or Patrick Willis, the 49'ers have impact players at almost every skill position. If they can bring in a veteran quarterback such as Kyle Orton, who may very well have to exit out of Denver, the 49'ers could instantly elevate themselves into a contender role in the NFC.
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