NFL: One Surefire Way to Derail Each Team's Season

Every team heads into the season with the most positive thinking they can. 

With the mindset that nothing is in their way and nothing could go wrong for them, it's time to throw some scenario's into play. What if just one thing happened that threw an entire team's season down the drain.

Whether it be some sort of season ending injury, coaching decision, or personal issues on or off the field, they are all things that could happen that could cripple a team's entire season.

Here is a list of every team in the NFL and one thing that could potentially happen, resulting in the entire season as a failure.

I'll keep it short and sweet.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are supposedly going to make a big trade this offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles.

That deal will allegedly bring in Kevin Kolb for the Cardinals who will look to be the face of the franchise. If he comes in, he can certainly offer some improvement for a team who as seen failure since Kurt Warner's retirement.

If the Cardinals and the Eagles fail to make a transaction that would bring Kolb in, then I expect Arizona to be wearing the same shoes they wore last season. 

Atlanta Falcons

This may sound crazy, but it's 100 percent possible. 

Let's just say all is looking good for the lockout and the season will continue as scheduled. The Atlanta Falcons are ready to gear up and be one of the most dominating teams in the NFL.

Random drug test. Linebacker Curtis Lofton has tested positive for anabolic steroids and cannot play the 2011 season. Now that defense is really under a lot of pressure. Lofton led the team with 118 tackles in 2010 and was a dominant player.

Now that struggling defense has a major problem, and they can kiss the rest of the season goodbye.

Baltimore Ravens

Defense has made the Baltimore Ravens a strong team for the past couple of years. A large part of that is the work of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

Let's just say Ray Lewis gets fed-up with all this lockout stuff and decides to call it quits and retires.

First off, the entire city of Baltimore would be heart-broken, but it has to happen sometime. Ray is already in his 16th year as a Raven, so his time is certainly numbered.

That nightmare of an announcement would destroy the entire Ravens' year for the next couple of seasons. Replacing someone like him isn't easy to do. He is the soul of Baltimore. 

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have a lot of key players looking for a contract renewal. If they can't find a way to re-sign some players, they might as well go 0-16.

Re-signing Paul Posluszny would be a good place to start. Posluszny had 151 tackles in 2010 and was a highly productive player for them. If they let him go, they should be ashamed.

Safety George Wilson is another player they would like to have back. He is the defensive captain and is loved by the Buffalo fans.

The Bills don't have much talent as it is, so if they fail to resign the talent they do have, they'll have a horrible season. 

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers took Cam Newton with the first overall pick in the draft. Everyone knows about him and his scandal behind him, so I'm not going to get into it.

Cam has some potential, and he really can go one of two ways—play like Matt Ryan in his rookie year, or play like Matt Leinart for the Cardinals.

Carolina Panther fans are hoping he can get the team back on track, but many people also have their doubts about him. He had an off day at the combine, and that posed a lot of questions about how he will play in the NFL.

If Cam can't handle being the star quarterback for a team like the Panthers, then they are in trouble for some time to come. 

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears had a season that many people thought was a sign of thing to come.

Even though they managed to finish the season 11-5, they struggled to find their groove. Cutler was responsible for this, only averaging 188.4 yards per game through the air. He also threw 16 interceptions along with the 23 touchdowns.

So what would make the Bears season decline?

Let's say Cutler starts off the season throwing nothing but interceptions and throws another one of his little tantrums again. Lovie Smith decided he has had enough, and prompts Todd Collins in the starting lineup.

This would absolutely destroy the Bears. Yes, Cutler has a rocky arm and you never know what you're going to get from him on a day-to-day basis, but he also got 11 wins for his team.

Cincinnati Bengals

Rookie fever.

Rookies entering the NFL are faced with a lot of pressure. Especially in a situation like the Bengals where they don't know who will even be returning next season, it is rough.

That is why they went out and drafted QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green to help fill the gaps. These two players are going to have to deal with a lot next season in Cincinnati.

So if Dalton can't handle everything and plays like a sixth-round rookie, the Bengals are done. He will need to step up and connect with Green and whatever Bengal decides to stay. The season is riding on Dalton; he can either make it or destroy it. 

Cleveland Browns

The Madden curse strikes again!

If you're not familiar with this, then listen up. For the past decade, whoever has been on the cover of John Madden's football video game franchise has suffered some serious injury or has had a terrible season. Just take a look:

• 2010, Troy Polamalu/Larry Fitzgerald: Polamalu only played five games due to knee injuries, Steelers missed playoffs; Fitzgerald wasn’t affected much (97 receptions, 1,092 yards, 13 TD, Pro Bowl).
• 2009, Brett Favre: Feuded with Packers, traded to Jets, horrible down the stretch (lost four of last five).
• 2008, Vince Young: Missed one game with quad injury; led Titans to first playoff appearance in four years.
• 2007, Shaun Alexander: Fractured foot, missed six games; fewer yards and TDs in '06 AND '07 than in '04 OR '05.
• 2006, Donovan McNabb: Sports hernia in first game, missed seven games; feuded withTerrell Owens all year; had been to five straight Pro Bowls, hasn't been since.
• 2005, Ray Lewis: Broke wrist, missed one game; first season without interception; missed 10 games next year with thigh injury.
• 2004, Michael Vick: Fractured fibula one day after video game was released, missed 11 games; Pro Bowl next two seasons; obvious issues since then.
• 2003, Marshall Faulk: Ankle injury, missed two games, never rushed for 1,000 yards again.
• 2002, Daunte Culpepper: 4-7 record before season-ending knee injury.
• 2001, Eddie George: Career season, but fumbled in playoffs as top-seeded Titans lost first game to Ravens

All players except last year's Drew Brees have had something happen in the next season that wasn't something they would like to remember. Although, you could bring in his the 11-5 Saints lost to the 7-9 Seahawks in the playoffs. But, ehh.

Anyways, who is gracing the cover of Madden this year? The Browns' very own Peyton Hillis. Will the Madden curse strike again, leaving another player and his team to fall under the mighty Madden? 

Dallas Cowboys

Well, how unique was the Cowboys' season last year? Romo injured, Dez is a bust, Phillips gets fired and Garrett re-surges the team. 

So how can 2011 be any worse? 

Simple, just team chemistry. Dez Bryant thought he was the best thing Dallas has seen in years, and turned out to be a no-show. After not carrying the teams pads after practice during training camp last summer, I automatically got the impression that Bryant thought he was the next TO in town, and he may be.

Not the talent comparison in TO, but the attitude. Dez entered the season extremely cocky, and it rubbed a lot of people wrong. 

Roy Williams still seems to insist that he is in his prime, and doesn't like some rookie like Bryant stepping on his toes. I can see these two getting into a little physical altercation during practice one day, and Jerry Jone suspending both of the indefinitely. 

Other than that, Romo's only target is Austin Miles. If a team has only him to be worried about, expect a worse season than 2010. 

Denver Broncos

There is only one way that the Broncos can have a worse season in 2011, and it starts with the coaching staff.

Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow are all up in the air for the starting quarterback position. Say a competition is what it comes to and Brady Quinn gets the starting role, Denver is doomed.

Tebow is the best option for quarterback in Denver, and he should get that spot. However, the other two quarterbacks feel the same way about themselves. So if anybody other than Tebow starts under center, the Broncos are going to face a lot of problems.

Not only will the team suffer, but how do you think the fans will react? They don't want to see anyone else at that spot unless it's Tebow. So if it's not, be prepared. 

Detroit Lions

I really don't like talking about injuries that can cripple a team, but in some cases, you just have to. 

In this case, it is completely necessary for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions have seen a lot of problems recently at this position, with Stafford and Stanton getting injured for Shaun Hill to take their places.

They really didn't have a lot of success without Stafford, simply because he gives the team the best shot at winning. 

So with that being said, the obvious situation in Stafford getting injured yet again would be the worst thing for the Lions. 

If he can stay healthy, then they'll be okay. If not, then 2011 will be another disappointing year for Detroit. 

Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints

Let's knock out two birds with one stone here.

The Green Bay Packers open up the season facing the New Orleans Saints; two dominating teams in the NFC. Want to hear something that could derail both of their seasons in just one play?

Imagine this: It's a 3rd-and-13 for the Saints and Brees knows that he is going to take a shot down the field, but so does Clay Matthews. Clay reads and jumps the snap perfectly, Brees scrambles away from the pressure on the other side and meets Clay head-to-head.

BAM. Concussion, and ends up with a serious neck injury. This is horrible I know, but also possible. Now, the Saints are out of it with their franchise quarterback out for the season.

How does commissioner Roger Goodell handle this? To make it known to the league that he wants to start the season off on the right foot and that he isn't messing around, he suspends Clay for the next eight games. 

Now both teams are in a pickle. 

Houston Texans

The Texans looked to be a contending team last year, but showed signs of weakness that led to a 6-10 record.

They have one of the best wide receivers in the league in Andre Johnson, and if anything happened to him, they'd be lost.

Everyone remembers that fight that he and Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan got into last year, and they will meet again in Week 7.

Looking for another shot, I know these two will be going at it all game. So how can that ruin the Texans year? Well if Johnson buys in to Finnegan's words, I think he'll take a cheap shot at him that will get him thrown out and suspended.

I don't see it being anything serious, maybe four games. But four games without Johnson will feel like 10, and that's just too much for this team. 

Indianapolis Colts

The entire city of Indianapolis would be lost if anything ever happened to Manning. he has brought them so much success over the recent years that he is their life-long idol.

But in the past year, Manning has had two surgeries on his neck.

That is not a good sign if your franchise quarterback is starting to feel is age. The neck is something that you do not want to mess with, and the fact that Manning is having so many issues with it is not a good sign for 2011.

If he feels any sort of pressure or pain in his neck, you know he will not be the same player anymore. Neither will the Colts, as the team cannot rely on Curtis Painter. Who? Exactly.  

Jacksonville Jaguars

The 8-8 Jacksonville Jaguars surprised many when they took Blaine Gabbert with their first pick in the draft, leaving David Garrard in the dust.

Starting Gabbert over Garrard is most likely what the team will do, and it will ruin yet another season. This is not a smart decision, especially since Garrard has played pretty decent football lately.

What would be the best case? Starting Garrard and having Gabbert watch and learn, like a rookie should. Instead, Gabbert will be the starter and I feel it will derail the entire season for the Jags.

I'm not saying Gabbert is a bad quarterback, because he is not. He is very talented, but I feel sitting him for a year to spectate and learn would only do him better.  

Kansas City Chiefs

Who predicted the season the Chiefs had in 2010? Not too many people.

The Kansas City Chiefs had an outstanding year and shocked the league with their ability to get the job done. Granted they had one of the more easier schedules, it still does not deny them the fact they can execute very well. 

The Chiefs led the league in rushing with Jamaal Charles, accompanied by Dwayne Bowe having a stellar season as well as a receiver. 

The coaching staff has done a great job with the team, but what could send the Chiefs heading the wrong way again?

I'm not going to throw a injury in here right now but I'll go ahead and say free agency.

The Chiefs have a lot of guys with an expiring contract this year, or are nearing the end in 2012. Most of those guys are on defense.

The Chiefs defense is average in the NFL, but really became a hurting factor in the playoffs. If they fail to resign some defensive players along with Brodie Croyle as a backup quarterback, they may need to rethink some things. 

Miami Dolphins

If you don't see this one coming, then you should be pretty upset with yourself.

Who is the best player on that roster who always seems to find himself in off-the-field issues? That man is no other than Brandon Marshall. 

Marshall is one of the best receivers in the league, but is has a head too big for this shoulders.

How many has times has this guy been arrested or cited for issues dealing with his personal life? Way to many for an NFL player. 

Whether it being drunk, stabbed, battery charges, a nightclub or anything else in that vicinity, Marshall has been arrested for it all. Not to mention he likes showing up to things late, and getting benched.

I just don't get it. A man with this much talent has so many issues off of the field. If he keeps it up, he can bring the Dolphins down town along with him. 

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have had a roller-coaster ride these past three years. With the success under Favre, then his downfall and uncertainty with the team, the Vikings fell apart in 2010.

Filling in for Favre is looking to be the new man in purple Christian Ponder. But I'm not going to throw the season on him, but in someone else. 

That man is Adrian Peterson. 

Peterson has been one of the best running backs in the NFL ever since he was a rookie in 2007, and dominates on the ground with the ball in his hands. His only downfall is his ability to keep the ball in his hands.

Peterson had fumbled the ball nine times in 2008, six times in 2009 and only once in 2010. If he looks to bring some success back to the team, that number has to stay at one. He has been known for his butterfingers over the years, and that itself can ruin the glimmering hope of a good season for them.

Let's face it, the Vikings don't have a lot going for them this year. Ponder is a rookie and Sidney Rice will most likely try out elsewhere, so the team is relying on Peterson.

If Peterson can't seem to grasp the nose, this season will be another failure. 

New England Patriots

The Patriots are a scary team, but they can still have things go haywire. 

Even though another injury to Tom Brady like in 2008 could ruin their hopes of another Super Bowl, I'll pass on that note. Instead, the problem in New England could be on Brady's personality.

It is already reported that Brady is extremely unhappy with the Patriots and will not attend any training camps. 

What happens when a player avoids team workouts and training camps? Nothing good, that's for sure.

Look at Revis for the Jets last year. He held out up until the end of preseason because he felt he wanted more money. He still had an exceptional year as a corner, but his numbers were noticeably down. 

So Brady, the ball is in your court. Do you want to risk holding out and potentially ruin the entire next season because you're a little angry? 

Ha, and people thought I was crazy when I said his days in NE are becoming numbered. 

New York Giants

Of course a player could easily mess up the Giants' year, but that isn't the case for this.

With everything that has happened lately around the league concerning the lockout, I think Tom Coughlin is just fed up and done as a coach. I would not be surprised if within the next three months he called it quits.

After the Giants blew that huge game to the Eagles at the end of last year, you could just tell he's had enough. Coughlin is an old-fashioned guy who I think hates what the league is becoming, and is just done.

So if Coughlin hangs this headset up, the entire Giants team can join him as well. 

New York Jets

Other than the immediate life in offense the team needs, I think if the Jets don't shop around for a replacement for Matt Cavanaugh, they'll be in trouble.

Cavanaugh is the team's quarterback coach who became apart of the staff along with Mark Sanchez. 

Sanchez is a great player who has led the Jets to a lot of success recently, however, I feel he is capable of way more. Sanchez often struggles to get the offense going, and that can be blamed on either him, or Cavanaugh.

I say fire him and look around. Sanchez has a lot more potential than he displays, and a lot of people recognize that. 

Sanchez has gone over 300 yards passing in his career only once, and that was last year in overtime against the Detroit Lions. Not saying much there.

So if Cavanaugh stays as QB Coach, then don't expect any different results out of the Jets. 

Oakland Raiders

The 8-8 Oakland Raiders have seen some improvement recently, and they hope to keep that trend going.

Last year was Jason Campbell's first year under center while running back Darren McFadden had a career year as well. With the hiring of Hue Jackson, the Raiders look to be a team on the radar.

However, one thing that may offset their 2011 season would be a change of owner. Al Davis is the current team owner, but I'm not sure how long that will last.

Has anyone seen him lately? Not looking so good...

Davis will turn 82 shortly, and if something like a retirement or death stopped him from being the eyes of the Raiders, they'd be in trouble. 

They have just started playing exceptional football, and something tragic like the death of Davis would set them back promptly. 

Philadelphia Eagles

This is certainly one of the more obvious decisions in the article, but I'll give this one two ways their season could be derailed.

Obviously, one major injury to Michael Vick would absolutely destroy their entire season. He isn't a frail man by any means, but it's his value that makes people cover their eyes when he gets hit.

Everyone knows that if he is out, so are the Eagles.

Now for the other possibility—DeSean Jackson's immaturity.

Last season, DeSean had a little hissy-fit because he wasn't getting the ball enough. Reid pretty much told him to stop being a baby and suck it up. Why is this a problem? Because Jackson is one of the best receivers in the NFL and has had many big plays for the Eagles.

So if he went through a stretch of four or five games with seeing "enough" receptions to meet his liking, then I think there would be some problems in Philly once again. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

What happened to that nice non-bearded guy that everyone fell in love with in Pittsburgh?

Ever since his motorcycle crash back in 2006, something just changed for the big man. Since that day, Roethlisberger has been accused of three separate rape charges.

There has seemed to be a pattern and it must stop. He was already suspended for the first six games of the 2010 season, but that didn't stop them from reaching the Super Bowl.

This man better stay out of public bathrooms, or he'll be seeing his fourth accusation. 

If anything else happens and a charge is thrown his way, you can bet that Big Ben will be sitting not on the bench, but in prison for 2011. 

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers have a very solid team all around. With the best offense in the league led by Philip Rivers, the Chargers have also proved they can shut down opponents on defense as well.

Did you know they were first in the league in pass yards allowed and fourth-best in the league in rush yards allowed? I didn't, simply because I don't follow them that much.

But for those who do, then you know that Rivers is the soul of the team. Vincent Jackson's absence really didn't have as big an effect as they thought it would, which is good news for them. 

The biggest problem for the Chargers is their mindset. The Chargers think the more you pass, the more you win. If they decided to change up their game plan a little bit and tried to dominate on the ground a little more, the Chargers would be a lot more successful team.

So if the Chargers continue to be a pass happy team and only mange a 9-7 record, that number will go down in 2011. 

Switch it up for once, keep the defense guessing. 

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been going through some tough times in the Golden City.

To get right to the point, Alex Smith is the team's biggest problem, and will continue to be until there is some change in town. Even Michael Crabtree has enough of Smith. 

The 49ers have drafted a promising rookie in Colin Kaepernick out of Nevada who will look to take the team over.

If there is any sense in new coach Michael Christianson's head, then he will recognize that Smith is leading the team to a dead-end. If Smith gets the start over Kaepernick in 2011, then the season is over in Week 1. 

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks had a fairytale kind of season last year, making it all the way to the NFC Semi's. They rocked the Saints with that huge run from Marshawn Lynch that shocked the world, and made many fans a believer.

But, there is one problem arising in Seattle.

That problem is at quarterback, with Matt Hasselbeck as a free agent. What will they do? Will they re-sign him for another year or in with hopes he still has some fuel left in his tank? Or will they take a chance somewhere else and sign someone else.

I think they should let Hasselbeck go, because the 35-year-old simply has seen time slip out of his hands. He threw only 12 touchdowns last year with 17 interceptions and were arguably one of the worst regular season teams to make the playoffs.

If they re-sign Hasselbeck instead of looking at maybe McNabb or Garrard, then they won't have a great season. 

St. Louis Rams

The team works around Sam Bradford; there is no question about that.

I really hate throwing the whole cliche injury thing, but in this case, that is the ultimate arrow in the Rams. This team really has no hope without Bradford taking snaps, and if anything happened to him, even for half the season, it'd be too much.

In the rookie's first year, Bradford threw for over 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. Those numbers aren't so bad for a rookie on a team like this.

They really don't have a receiving core, and Stephen Jackson can only do so much.

So for a mediocre team with limited weapons, taking out their star QB would just deflate their hopes.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For a young team like the Bucs, they have a lot ahead of good things ahead of them.

The Bucs went 10-6 last season with Josh Freeman having a great year. These young players should be ecstatic to be on a team like this; I predict they'll be in the Super Bowl within the next five years.

Their offense is coming together quite well with some progressing players, and their defense just got better with the draft. 

The only thing that could ruin the Bucs in 2011 is cornerback Aqib Talib doesn't stay out of trouble. 

Talib had a warrant issued for his arrest at the end of March due to a domestic violence incident and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. 

Talib, come on man. You're on a good team and have stuff going good. Don't ruin it. 

Tennessee Titans

Ha, once the Titans acquired Randy Moss mid-season, I thought they were going to be a serious contending team. Boy, was I wrong.

Vince Young has left the team and Randy Moss is a free agent, but that is the least of their concerns.

Now, the Titans have to worry about the players they actually do have. WR Kenny Britt is facing some more legal issues, and Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson may hold out due to his contract.

Britt has been involved in at least seven incidents with police since the Titans drafted him in 2009, something that really can hurt the team given the problems they already have. Britt has a lot of potential to be competing with the best receivers in the league, it's a shame he can't stay out of trouble. 

Now for Johnson; the Titans need to do whatever they can to keep him happy. If he's not happy and holds out, then no one in Tennessee will be happy either.

Washington Redskins

Big problem in the nation's capital. 

Everyone knows that McNabb will not be returning next year, and that's a fact. The Redskins just didn't work out for the six-time Pro Bowler. So who does that leave. 

Rex Grossman.

Rex was on that Bears squad who went to the Super Bowl in 2006, and lost. Even then, Grossman's tactics were often questioned. He just can't seem to control the ball or do anything productive with it. 

You want to see a ruined season for the 'Skins in 2011? Then hope for Grossman to start.

If the Redskins don't seriously shop around first and take what is available, even if it's for a season, then they'll be seeing an even worse season in 2011.