Super Bowl XLVI: Power Ranking Each Of the Super Bowl Contenders for 2012
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers just defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV to culminate the 2010-11 NFL season.
Now that the season is over, the only thing left to do is cry that your favorite team (if it’s not Green Bay) did not win Super Bowl XLV. But we can only live in the past for so long! Wipe those tears from your eyes, for there is still next year! We may be without football for far too long, but now we have the enjoyment of speculating the 2011-12 season.
As we power rank the Super Bowl XLVI contenders, where does your favorite team rank? Do our Super Bowl XLV Champions rank No. 1 heading into next season?
Not a Snowball’s Chance in Hell
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These following eight teams have a snowball’s chance in Hell at reaching the Super Bowl in the 2011-2012 season. There are just too many pressing holes to be filled right now and in the foreseeable future. These teams will lack the free agent pick-ups to accommodate for their potential losses. Although some of these teams had successful 2010 seasons for their standards, they are just too far gone from the top.
32. Carolina Panthers
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We’ve seen teams in the NFC South go from last to first.
I don’t see it next year. I was never a fan of Jimmy Clausen, meaning the quarterback situation is a mess.
31. Washington Redskins
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The offense is terrible. The defense has holes that need to be fixed. It just never seems to work for owner Dan Snyder. Why would 2011-12 be any different?
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30. Cincinnati Bengals
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Where do you even begin with this team? Personally, I like the defense a lot. But this offense could be terrible in 2011. Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer don’t want to be there. Cedric Benson is not good. Marvin Lewis is still the head coach.
Let me repeat loud and clear: MARVIN LEWIS IS STILL THE HEAD COACH.
29. Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins are usually a resilient, gritty team but they fell off in 2010. Heading into 2011, the team lacks in the defense, quarterback and running back departments. I like the offensive line, wide receiver and secondary units though.
28. Denver Broncos
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Too many holes on defense. I like Tim Tebow a lot, but it doesn’t seem John Elway does. If he’s not the starter, this team will once again be set back. He’s the future. Elvis Dumervill is the star of the defense, but he’s not enough. The line and secondary needs help ASAP.
27. Buffalo Bills
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I like what the Bills did in 2010. They were competitive for most of the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm working with Steve Johnson. C.J. Spiller still has immense talent and could be in store for a terrific sophomore season. It will be interesting to see if they can continue along that path or if Fitzpatrick was just a one hit wonder.
26. Cleveland Browns
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I love what the Browns did this season. They were competitive up until the last month of the season. They defeated the Saints and Patriots. They played the Jets close. Colt McCoy even played well in his first career start against the Steelers. This team has fight and I like it. There just isn’t enough playmakers on both sides of the ball just yet.
On the Bubble of the Cusp of Potentially Contending
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These following 10 teams could very well be on the verge of competing for playoff spot in 2011-12, which means they would have an outside chance at winning a Super Bowl. Some of these teams have huge voids to fill, but if they are able to do so, they could potentially win their division and be a threat in their conference.
25. Arizona Cardinals
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I know what you’re thinking. The Cardinals were terrible.
Yet this team has a ton of playmakers on defense. Larry Fitzgerald is arguably the best wide receiver in the league.
I still believe Beanie Wells could be a top running back in the NFL.
They just need a quarterback and they can take the NFC West.
24. St. Louis Rams
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Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson did a fantastic job. I almost put them in the “Not a Snowball’s Chance in Hell” category, but I admire their 2010 season. Sam Bradford has a ton of talent, he just needs wide receivers to throw to. The defense is getting better too.
23. Oakland Raiders
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I picked the Raiders to win the AFC West in 2010, so needless to say, they disappointed me despite making strides to everyone else. The offense is still messy with the lack of receiving threats and Jason Campbell at quarterback. Darren McFadden is incredible though. I just don’t see Nnamdi Asomugha returning, which sets this team back mightily.
22. Seattle Seahawks
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Yeah, they went to the NFC Divisional round, but I expect them to take a few steps back this season. The NFC West will be improved next year while they have trouble staying the same. The defense needs help and I expect a downfall from the quarterback position.
21. Tennessee Titans
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The Titans just promoted offensive line coach Mike Munchak, meaning he knows this team. They are usually a gritty team, but they faltered in 2010. This is the type of team though that can start fighting again in a hurry. Kerry Collins will most likely be brought back to manage the team. With the emergence of Kenny Britt and superstar Chris Johnson still on board, the offense can finally meet the stout defense.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jaguars had a surprisingly very good 2010. The offense was efficient and Maurice Jones-Drew stayed healthy until they were out of contention. If they were able to sweep the Colts, they would have been in the playoffs. Marcedes Lewis finally emerged. I still don’t trust David Garrard or the defense to take them to the top though.
19. Houston Texans
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Injuries decimated the Texans’ season. The defense has a ton of holes it needs to be filled due to lack of talent and injuries. Mario Williams is one of the best defensive players in the game though, and the offense is top-notch led by Andre Johnson, Matt Schaubb and Arian Foster.
18. Minnesota Vikings
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If the Vikings can nab an efficient quarterback, they could be right back in their 2009 position. Adrian Peterson can carry this team and the defense still has another year left. Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin will be better. It all depends on the quarterback position.
17. San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers finally found their man in head coach Jim Harbaugh. Now, the team needs to stay healthy and draft well. Michael Crabtree must emerge as a top possession receiver. Most importantly, they need to bring in a great quarterback to lead this team after the failed Alex Smith experiment. Depending on who the team brings in, the 49ers could jump a few spots in this power ranking because they have top notch talent to compete in this league with Patrick Willis, Frank Gore and Vernon Davis.
16. Detroit Lions
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I love what the Lions did in 2010. They were competitive throughout the entire season. They played the Super Bowl Champion Packers tough in both meetings and even beat them when Aaron Rodgers went down in the first half. The Lions ended the season on a four-game win streak, which included a monumental road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which snapped their historic 26-game road losing streak. With Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh on board, the Lions have one of the best young, competing teams in the NFL.
Teams On the Cusp of Contention
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These following five teams could very well crack the top 10 later in the offseason, but not yet in my eyes. I just can’t put them above the 10 teams that will follow. You may be surprised to find some of them in this section instead of the top 10, but that’s for you to continue the debate.
15. Dallas Cowboys
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You would think one year this team would get their act together.
Tony Romo still needs to prove he can win a big game. Until that happens, I’ll never be a believer in this Dallas Cowboys team or him as a winning quarterback.
Still, there is plenty of talent on the team, which is undeniable. DeMarcus Ware is one of the best pass rushers in the game and Jason Witten is a top two or three tight end.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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I loved what these “Young Bucs” did in 2010.
Raheem Morris is a fantastic motivator.
Josh Freeman is an excellent young, resilient, winning quarterback. The defense fell apart late in the season but if they are healthy, they will be even more improved in 2011.
13. Kansas City Chiefs
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Todd Haley did a fantastic job with a young Chiefs team. The defense has a lot of playmakers and one of the best secondary units in the league. If Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe can continue building their chemistry and get Dexter McCluster involved, this team could be scary. The team has a ton of playmakers, highlighted by Pro Bowler Jamaal Charles.
12. San Diego Chargers
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The Chargers were one of the best teams on offense and defense, statistically.
I don’t believe Norv Turner will ever take this team to a Super Bowl, but they are still on the cusp of contention nonetheless. Especially if they can overcome their early-season woes, they could cruise into the playoffs in the AFC West.
Philip Rivers is one of the most gifted quarterbacks in the game and Antonio Gates is a Hall of Fame tight end who lit up the league before getting injured.
11. Chicago Bears
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How could the NFC North winners and NFC Champion runner-ups just be on the cusp? I’m not sold on the offense. They desperately need another wide receiver. Maybe they’ll sign Terrell Owens, who they should have signed in the 2010 offseason. Jay Cutler will continue to get obliterated without adequate protection.
Top 10 Super Bowl Contenders
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Finally, these are the top 10 Super Bowl contenders for the 2011-12 season. They are the 10 most complete teams in the NFL and have a recent history of competing at the highest level of contention.
10. New York Giants
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I still have hope for my New York Giants.
The defense fell apart at the end of the season but this team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Steve Smith should return healthy at some point next season and Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw should emerge among the best of their respective positions. The secondary improved this season and the defensive line is still one of the best in the league. If they can acquire some quality linebackers through free agency or the draft, watch out for the Giants next year.
Eli Manning is up-and-down, but at the end of the day he’s a winning quarterback and has the talent to take the team back to the Super Bowl.
9. Atlanta Falcons
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I was hard on the Falcons all season, but this team played great throughout the year. They won a bunch of close games and that’s what matters at the end of the day. They ran into Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional round. No shame in losing to the hottest team at the time and the eventual Super Bowl Champions.
Matt Ryan and Roddy White are quickly becoming the top quarterback-wide receiver tandem in the game. Michael Turner is a fantastic runner and the defense gained valuable experience.
8. Indianapolis Colts
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As long as Peyton Manning is on the team, they’ll enter the playoffs. They almost missed out this year, but once again, Manning powered the Colts to the postseason. The defense is still undersized but has speed. The Colts suffered injury after injury after injury in 2010, which most likely won’t happen again.
Manning still has a few years left to become the greatest of all-time.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
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The league will have a full season of footage on Michael Vick.
That goes both ways though.
The Eagles will boast one of the most explosive offense in the entire NFL. Vick will have an entire offseason to work with the first team offense, which includes three of the best young pass catching threats in the game in DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy. As long as the Eagles can build their defense, this team will be a massive threat in 2011.
6. New Orleans Saints
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I know, I know.
The Saints?
This team got knocked out of the Wild Card round by the Seattle Seahawks?
I know what you’re thinking.
Weren’t the Seahawks a college team…?
Sorry Seattle, I had to throw that in there.
As long as Drew Brees stays healthy, who reportedly played with a sprained MCL, the Saints will be a contender in the NFC.
Yeah, he’s that damn good.
The Saints' defense stumbled mightily, somehow unable to tackle the slippery Seahawks. They’ll correct their woes this offseason through free agency, the draft and practice. Expect the high-octane Saints to be right there again next year.
5. New York Jets
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It’s tough to officially judge the New York Jets right now considering so many players are going to be free agents.
Still, I think the pieces we know will be on hand and can assume they bring back, make the Jets a staple on any list talking about potential Super Bowl contenders.
People may hate Rex Ryan’s monstrous mouth and Mark Sanchez’ pretty boy looks, but the tandem has gotten the job done in their first two seasons with the Jets.
Two years in a row the Jets made it to the AFC Championship and lost well-played games.
With more experience from both, new schemes from Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, the Jets could very well make it to a third consecutive AFC Championship and even win it.
4. Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens let me down this postseason. They fell up short against the Steelers, once again showing the world that Joe Flacco and these Ravens are not ready to win the big game.
I still really like this team as a whole. The offense is still improving and Anquan Boldin will surely be utilized more next season. Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs will still be one of the top linebacking tandems in the game and the secondary should be much improved through the draft and free agency.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Much to my surprise, the Pittsburgh Steelers not only had a fantastic season, they went to their third Super Bowl in the past six years.
I don’t care if they lost, this team is remarkable.
Ben Roethlisberger is the most clutch quarterback in the game.
Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches and motivators this league has to offer.
Troy Polamalu was hindered this postseason by injury, but he proved to be not only the Defensive Player of the Year, but the most important defensive player for any one team in the league. As long as Polamalu and Roethlisberger are available, the Steelers will make a run at another Super Bowl.
2. New England Patriots
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As long as the 2010 Coach of the Year, Bill Belichick, and 2010 regular season MVP, Tom Brady are together, they will forever be towards the top of my list.
The Patriots were ousted from the Super Bowl tournament by the Jets in a great game but it’s too difficult to count against this duo.
They continue to enter the playoffs together and have a fantastic record. They have won three Super Bowls together and have been to a fourth.
This was Belichick and Brady’s best season considering the lack of supporting cast. Next year, the team will be far improved given the experience gained by the young defense.
1. Green Bay Packers
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The Packers just won Super Bowl XLV but that isn’t the reason they top the list.
I’ve seen too many Super Bowl teams look like they have the making to become a dynasty and fall flat on their faces the following season.
I just don’t see it with this team.
The Packers went through a ton of adversity this season, yet when push came to shove, the Packers clawed themselves up out of their grave. They refused to let the coffin shut on their season and won out to enter the playoffs.
Despite rumblings early that Mike McCarthy should be fired, injuries to star players Ryan Grant, Nick Barnett, Jermichael Finley and Aaron Rodgers among others, the Packers won it all.
The resiliency and talent of this team truly has the makings of a dynasty.
Aaron Rodgers is only getting better. So is the defense. That’s the scariest part of this team.
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