2011 NFL Predictions: Predicting Everything for the New Season

Its been a long time coming, but the NFL is finally back. The Saints visit Lambeau Field on Thursday to take on the Green Bay Packers in the season's first game.

Due to the great amount of player acquisitions, cuts, and trades this offseason, I've spent much of the summer changing around my predictions.

I've predicted the major awards, statistical leaders, All-Pro team, each team's record, the playoffs, and the Super Bowl.

NFL Statistical Leaders

Passing:

• Yards: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers, 4,825
• Touchdowns: Aaron Rodgers, Packers, 34
• Rating: Tom Brady, New England Patriots, 104.5

Rushing:

• Yards: Jamaal Charles, Kansas Chiefs, 1,650
• Touchdowns: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, 15

Receiving:

• Yards: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans, 1,470
• Touchdowns: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, 16
• Receptions: Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts, 114

Defense:

• Tackles: Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers, 168
• Interceptions: Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens, 9
• Sacks: DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys, 18

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

Defensive Player of the Year: DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Cowboys

Offensive Player of the Year: Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs

Offensive Rookie: Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Defensive Rookie: Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos

Comeback Player of the Year: Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions

Coach of the Year: Jim Schwartz, Lions

Award Runners-Up

Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady (Patriots), Philip Rivers (Chargers)

Defensive Player of the Year: Ndamukong Suh (Lions), Nnamdi Asomugha (Philadelphia Eagles)

Offensive Player of the Year: Rivers, Brady

Offensive Rookie: Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals), A.J. Green (Bengals)

Defensive Rookie: Jimmy Smith (Baltimore Ravens), Patrick Peterson (Arizona Cardinals)

Comeback Player of the Year: Albert Haynesworth (Patriots), Jermichael Finley (Packers)

Coach of the Year: Jason Garrett (Cowboys), Pat Shurmur (Cleveland Browns)

All-Pro Team: Offense

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers very close second and third

RB: Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson

WR: Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson

TE: Jason Witten, Antonio Gates a very close second

OT: Jake Long, Joe Thomas

OG: Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks

C: Nick Mangold

All-Pro Team: Defense/Special Teams

Defense

DE: Julius Peppers, Justin Tuck

DT: Ndamukong Suh, Haloti Ngata

OLB: DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, James Harrison a very close third

MLB: Patrick Willis, Lawrence Timmons, Ray Lewis a very close third

S: Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed

CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Darrelle Revis

Special Teams

K: Matt Bryant

P: Shane Lechler

KR: Jacoby Ford

AFC East

Division Order:

1. New England Patriots, 12-4

2. New York Jets, 11-5*

3. Miami Dolphins, 6-10

4. Buffalo Bills, 4-12

* wild card

AFC North

Division Order:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers, 11-5

2. Baltimore Ravens, 11-5*

3. Cleveland Browns, 6-10

4. Cincinnati Bengals, 4-12

* wild card

AFC South

Division Order:

1. Indianapolis Colts, 10-6

2. Houston Texans, 9-7

3. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7-9

4. Tennessee Titans, 6-10

AFC West

Division Order:

1. San Diego Chargers, 12-4

2. Kansas City Chiefs, 9-7

3. Oakland Raiders, 6-10

4. Denver Broncos, 4-12

NFC East

Division Order:

1. Philadelphia Eagles, 11-5

2. Dallas Cowboys, 10-6*

3. New York Giants, 9-7

4. Washington Redskins, 5-11

* wild card

NFC North

Division Order:

1. Green Bay Packers, 12-4

2. Detroit Lions, 9-7

3. Chicago Bears, 8-8

4. Minnesota Vikings, 5-11

NFC South

Division Order:

1. Atlanta Falcons, 11-5

2. New Orleans Saints, 10-6*

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-7

4. Carolina Panthers, 3-13

* wild card

NFC West

Division Order:

1. St. Louis Rams, 9-7

2. Arizona Cardinals, 7-9

3. Seattle Seahawks, 6-10

4. San Francisco 49ers, 5-11

Playoffs: AFC

Wild-Card Round:

(3) Chargers 17 vs. (6) Jets 20

(4) Colts 27 vs. (5) Ravens 30

Divisional Round:

(1) Patriots 26 vs. (6) Jets 17

(2) Steelers 17 vs. (5) Ravens 24

AFC Championship:

(1) Patriots 24 vs. (5) Ravens 19

Playoffs: NFC

Wild-Card Round:

(3) Falcons 30 vs. (6) New Orleans 24

(4) Rams 17 vs. (5) Cowboys 31

Divisional Round:

(2) Eagles 31 vs.  (3) Falcons 20

(1) Packers 24 vs. (5) Cowboys 17

NFC Championship:

(1) Packers 28 vs. (2) Eagles 22

Super Bowl XLVI

Patriots 27 vs. Packers 25

Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady

The Patriots haven't won a playoff game since losing in Super Bowl XLII. I believe that this is the year they regain their mojo.