2011 NFL Season: The 8 Teams Your Favorite Team Should Worry About Next Year
As the league year winds down after the Super Bowl, more and more attention is being focused on the upcoming off-season and, of course, the 2011 season after that.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Steelers and the Packers faced off in Super Bowl XLV. Both teams were favorites prior to the season and had strong regular seasons. They followed up these strong regular seasons with post-seasons to match, and it all culminated in one of the most hyped and most watched Super Bowls ever.
But now the Super Bowl is over, and we have to start looking toward next year. Every year there's at least one surprise team in the play-offs, whether it's because they exceeded expectations, had everything fall in the right way, or simply didn't collapse as usual.
And now, for your reading pleasure, the top 8 teams that your favorite teams should be concerned about next season, by division.
8. AFC East: Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins placed third (7-9) in a very strong AFC East division, behind the New England Patriots and the New York Jets.
Why should we worry?
The Dolphins were one of the least penalized teams in the league during the 2010 season. They were third in the league in rushing average for defense, and featured a pass defense that certainly wasn't terrible, including being in the top 10 of sacks registered during 2010.
Why not?
Other than penalties, the Dolphins weren't exactly great at protecting the football. Their play behind center is suspect, and they don't have a dominant running game either. They will need to work on improving their offense mostly, but their defense still has some holes to fill.
Who should worry most?
Other than divisional opponents Bills, Patriots, and Jets, the fan-base that should be most concerned about the Miami Dolphins is the Dallas Cowboys. Odds are good the Cowboys will play them on Thanksgiving, and the Dolphins are historically good on Thanksgiving — 6-1 overall, and 3-1 versus the Cowboys on Turkey Day. Their strength on the road and lack of penalties during 2010 should be a promise for good, disciplined play going into 2011.
7. AFC North: Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns placed third (5-11) in a dominant AFC North division, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.
Why should we worry?
You need look no further than their 2010 draft. Colt McCoy is blossoming into an unsuspected talent, and Joe Haden is the rookie no one is talking about. If not for the flashy play of guys like Devin McCourty, Ndamukong Suh, and Sam Bradford, Haden would have gotten much deserved attention this past season and only looks to be better next year. They acted as unlikely spoilers to the 2009 Super Bowl Champions and New England Patriots during this past season.
With a new regime change in the Browns going into 2011, they could be scary next year. You never know when a team goes under a restructuring like this, with the talent they have.
Why not?
Turnovers, to put it bluntly. They fumbled the ball way too much during the 2010 season, and threw more picks than was necessary. They need some work on both sides of the ball, but the pieces are there if they can have a strong draft and free agency again.
Who should worry most?
The NFC West. In such a weak division, play-off contenders St. Louis and Seattle both have to go into the Dog Pound during 2011. All four teams are far from complete, so expect the Browns to play a big part in the play-off battle for the NFC West.
6. AFC South: Houston Texans
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The Houston Texans finished third (6-10) in the AFC South, behind Jacksonville and Indianapolis.
Why should we worry?
Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are a formidable passing combination, and Arian Foster was pretty unstoppable during his 2010 run. They took care of the football very well this past season, with only five fumbles and twelve interceptions. This is a team on the cusp of greatness.
Why not?
Their passing defense is... well, it's bad. With a special player like Peyton Manning in their division, the Texans can't go anywhere without fixing their defense. If they can manage to address their pass rush and coverage this off-season, they should be on the rise very soon.
Who should worry most?
Their own division. If Indianapolis wants to make a run at the division again next year, they're going to have to do it through Houston. Similarly, if Jacksonville and Tennessee want to make the most of their new situations going into 2011, they had better make a good show at it while they're in Texas.
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5. NFC West: St. Louis Rams
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The St. Louis Rams finished second (7-9) in the NFC West, behind the Seattle Seahawks.
Why should we worry?
The Rams finished seventh in the league in sacks as their most notable accomplishment for the 2010 season, and did nothing particularly bad all year. Stephen Jackson, Sam Bradford, Chris Long, and James Laurinaitis are all names that Rams opponents should be familiar with by now, for good reason. They aren't a few pieces away from being a Super Bowl champion, but they're a team that can improve their play marginally on every facet and be a true force.
Why not?
They didn't do anything particularly well last year, and are about as middle of the ladder as they come. Playing in a weak division truly works out to their benefit, but they have the pieces to go places. They're desperately in need of more presence in their receiving corps. Danny Amendola had a great year, but Bradford needs more targets to succeed.
Who should worry most?
Every NFC team in the 2011 playoff race. Odds are very good they come away with the division title next year, and may prove as a spoiler to wild-card hopefuls and dominant NFC teams alike. This is a team that just needs to take a few steps higher to lock up their division again for years to come.
4. NFC North: Detroit Lions
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The Detroit Lions finished third (6-10) in the NFC North, behind the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.
Why should you be worried?
This is a team that can truly excuse its performance in 2010 on injuries — specifically, the injuries of Matthew Stafford. Toward the end of the season, the Lions knocked the Packers out of the play-offs only to then knock them back into the play-offs by defeating the Buccaneers the following week. The play of their defensive line is dominant, they feature a strong offensive line in pass protection, and an elite receiver in Calvin Johnson.
Why not?
Trouble at the linebacker position and secondary will hold them back in 2011. They're desperately in need of outside linebackers, and their offensive line is pretty bad at run blocking. Question marks surrounding the QB position may plague the Lions next year if Stafford can't stay on the field.
Who should worry most?
The San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. For two teams in playoff contention for the AFC West, having to go into Detroit to face this team should be a cause for concern. The Carolina Panthers may have something to worry about if they play the Thanksgiving Game against the Lions — they can't be too happy about collapsing against Tom Brady in 2010.
3. NFC East: New York Giants
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The New York Giants finished second (10-6) in the NFC East, behind the Philadelphia Eagles.
Why should we worry?
A strong running game coupled with a strong defense is the prototypical team, and the Giants possess these traits perennially. They forced a ridiculous number of fumbles this season, and the catalysts of those fumbles are still slated to be on the roster next year.
Why not?
Eli Manning and Matt Dodge. Eli has to step into his role as a franchise quarterback with more poise than he has; with the strength of his offensive line, the number of mistakes he makes per game is absurd. Matt Dodge had troubles all year, but got burned on highlight reels for weeks after the Miracle at the New Meadowlands. They had a fairly weak schedule this year, and failed to produce against good teams while simultaneously beating up bad ones.
Who should worry most?
Almost every team that played in the 2010 playoffs. They play the Eagles, Rams, Seahawks, and Packers at home next year, plus road games against the Jets, Patriots, and Saints. If the Giants can finally hold a season together next year, the entire league should take notice.
2. NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished third (10-6) in a very strong NFC South, behind the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
Why should we worry?
They're young, and they're very good. Josh Freeman is getting better every game, LeGarette Blount had a great season, Gerald McCoy deserved his first round selection, and Mike Williams was a strong wide receiver all year. The NFC South had a strong chance at sending three teams to the playoffs in 2010, and odds are good that's a serious possibility next year. Tom Brady got a lot of press for only throwing five interceptions last year — Tampa only threw six.
Why not?
There's not much that needs improving in Tampa Bay, to be honest. They're a team that everyone should be taking notice of by now. Their biggest weakness is against the run; if they can improve on that, they will be one of the most well-rounded teams in the league during 2011.
Who should worry most?
The NFC North and NFC South. Both divisions sent two teams to the playoffs last year, and both divisions play four games against the Bucs next year. Count on them to knock at least one would-be team out of the playoffs late in the 2011 season.
1. AFC West: San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers finished second (9-7) in the AFC West, behind the Kansas City Chiefs.
Why should we worry?
To put it simply, San Diego is a dangerous team. They feature a strong defense and a strong offense, a solid offensive line, and Philip Rivers is hungry. They seem to start out shaky every year, but if they come out of the gates swinging next year they'll be dangerous.
Why not?
Ball security, holdouts and special teams are the only things that held the Chargers back this year from making a deep playoff run. If not for Vincent Jackson holding out so late in the season, we may be discussing a different Super Bowl entirely this week.
Who should worry most?
Everyone. You cannot afford to ignore this team when your favorite team plays them next year.
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