Super Bowl Predictions: 10 Reasons This Could Be the Best Super Bowl in Years

The 2011 NFL playoffs have already seen its fair share of intrigue and surprises.

The Seattle Seahawks shocked the world by upsetting the New Orleans Saints. Rex Ryan finally got his revenge on Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

The Michael Vick comeback story ended early courtesy of the Green Bay Packers. The Baltimore Ravens displayed their playoff experience on the road against the upstart Kansas City Chiefs.

Already, the NFL playoffs have been more exciting than anything in recent years. Undoubtedly, the excitement will continue through to the second round of the playoffs.

The AFC features two rivalry matchups that have become both heated and personal between the teams. The NFC is full of question marks.

Can the Seahawks continue a magical run towards the Super Bowl? Are the Falcons really as good as their record would suggest? Can Aaron Rodgers bring glory back to Green Bay?

Here are 10 reasons why this year's Super Bowl could be the best in years...

A Seattle Seahawks Run

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Jabari Greer #33 of the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on Janua

Nobody expected the seven-win Seattle Seahawks to make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Even at home, the Seahawks were major underdogs to the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

Matt Hasselbeck took a time machine back five years and passed for 272 yards and four touchdowns. Marshawn Lynch had one of the best carries in playoff history, a 67-yard run in the fourth quarter which sealed the game.

It's a longshot, but Seattle still has a chance to make the Super Bowl this year. If they did, the Seahawks would be the least likely Super Bowl team in the history of the NFL.

The Emergence of Mark Sanchez

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to pass the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets

Over the last two years, Mark Sanchez has only been an obstacle in New York's road to the Super Bowl. The Jets have had some of the most talented receivers, running backs and offensive linemen in the league to complement Sanchez throughout his short time in the NFL.

New York's defense has been one of the best in the NFL over the past couple of seasons. Clearly, the defense has carried the Jets in their pursuit of a Super Bowl berth.

If New York is to make the 2011 Super Bowl, Mark Sanchez must take the next step in his progression as a quarterback. Against the Colts in the Wild Card round, Sanchez had 189 passing yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

If Sanchez finds himself in the Super Bowl this year, it will be because he has developed into an impressive quarterback.

Redemption for Roethlisberger

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Ben Roethlisberger began the 2010-2011 NFL season suspended for off-the-field conduct. In 2010, Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault for the second time over the past couple of years.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Roethlisberger six games (later reduced to four) for his conduct off the field. While it was never found that Roethlisberger committed a crime, his conduct certainly reflected poorly upon himself, the Steelers and the entire NFL.

Now Roethlisberger is back in the playoffs after a terrific season in which he compiled 3,200 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions in a 12-game span.

Roethlisberger's teammates say he has changed since his suspension becoming more of a leader and better teammate. If the Steelers can make it back to the Super Bowl, Roethlisberger will be a story of redemption after a tumultuous offseason.

Matt Ryan's Next Step

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Matt Ryan took an enormous step forward in the 2010 season after a sophomore season in which Ryan slumped for the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan has come a long way since his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2008.

In 2010, Ryan led the Falcons to the best record in the NFC and a No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Moreover, the Atlanta quarterback laid claim to his first NFC Pro Bowl nomination after a season in which he passed for 3,705 yards and 28 touchdowns. However, all that will be for naught if Ryan cannot find a way to be successful against the Packers this weekend and beyond.

If Ryan can continue to lead the Falcons to victories in the playoffs, then it will an enormous step forward for the third-year quarterback. A Super Bowl berth could see Ryan join the elite quarterback ranks with Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady.

Rex Ryan's Antics

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets looks on during warm ups against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy

We are less than two weeks into the NFL playoffs, and Rex Ryan has already made waves throughout the media.

Last week against the Indianapolis Colts, Ryan called out Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts saying the game was "personal." The Colts knocked the Jets out last year and had dominated New York in recent years. Peyton Manning had Ryan's number even going back to the days when Ryan was defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.

Already, Ryan has called out New England coach Bill Belichick before this week's looming matchup between the Jets and the Patriots. Ryan is quoted as saying, "[t]his is about Bill Belichick versus Rex Ryan. There's no question, it's personal. It's about him against myself. That's what it's going to come down to."

If Ryan's Jets could make the Super Bowl this year, the media coverage would be far more entertaining than any other coach could ever provide.

Tom Brady Back on Top

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Tom Brady is unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks of the decade and of all time; however, the Patriots who had so much success in the first half of the decade have not won a Super Bowl since the 2004-2005 season. Of course, everyone remembers the 2007 season in which the Patriots won 18 straight games to start the season only to fall to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

Brady is surely itching to get back on top. After a 14-win regular season, Brady and the Patriots appear poised to get back to the big game. New England still has a tough road ahead but will have a rematch with the Jets who they dominated by 42 points in their last meeting.

Tom Brady, back in the Super Bowl, could make it one of the better games in recent years.

Aaron Rodgers Bringing Glory Back to Green Bay

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philad

Since taking over for Brett Favre in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers has had his fair share of personal accolades but minimal playoff success. The Packers lost in the Wild Card round to the Arizona Cardinals, despite an 11 win season last year.

Now, Rodgers already has his first playoff victory under his belt against a tough Philadelphia team on the road. Rodgers and the Packers will have a difficult road to the Super Bowl through Atlanta this weekend.

However, if Green Bay is able to make it, Aaron Rodgers will finally be able to begin a new era of winning in Green Bay helping fans to forget about the departure of Brett Favre to the rival Vikings.

Ray Lewis Winning Super Bowls One Decade Apart

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens reads the play in 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/G

There is no question that Ray Lewis is one of the best linebackers in the history of the game, elevating his play and those of others with his incredible intensity. In 2001, Lewis and the Ravens won a Super Bowl against the New York Giants.

Now in 2011, Lewis has an opportunity to get back to the big game. The Ravens defense absolutely swamped Matt Cassel and the Kansas City offense last week. This week, Baltimore will have an opportunity for a grudge match against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Lewis turns 36 this year and probably will have few opportunities left to get back to a Super Bowl. Winning a second Super Bowl one decade after a first is quite an impressive feat which would demonstrate just how incredible it is that Lewis has maintained his abilities as an NFL player.

Devin Hester

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown catch against the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears are one of the least exciting teams in the playoffs this season; however, they do have one of the most electrifying players in all of football. Hester is already the first player to return an opening kickoff in the Super Bowl for a touchdown.

Hester has the type of game-changing ability in returning kicks or punts that can shift the momentum of a game. Every time he touches the ball, spectators hold their breath to see just how far he can get.

If the Bears find themselves in the Super Bowl this year, it will likely have something to do with the contributions of Hester. Seeing Hester in the big game would add much excitement to a Bears team that doesn't exactly scream excitement.

The Dallas Venue

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 28: Fans walk outside of Cowboys Stadium prior to the Dallas Cowboys game against the Carolina Panthers on September 28, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The new Cowboys Stadium is one of the most impressive venues in all of sports. The stadium boasts the largest high definition video screen in the world, the largest column free interior in the world and is the largest domed stadium in the world.

Including standing room, the Cowboys Stadium can host 110,000 spectators making it one of the largest venues ever for a Super Bowl. Everything about the stadium is state of the art, and it is sure to be one of the best venues ever if not the best.