NFL: Four-Horse Race to the Super Bowl

There are always countless questions to be asked at the beginning of every NFL season:  Who will make a surprise run?  What records will be broken?  How will newcomers to new teams play out?

That last question is going to be bigger than ever in 2011.  There have been more moves than we can count, and that's not thinking about the 2011 Draft choices. 

Given the recent signings and offseason activities, the race to the Super Bowl is one that only features four horses (or teams if you don't care for the analogy).

Sure, the Rams, Browns, and Raiders are poised to break out this year and have a good season, but this doesn't imply that they're ready for the big time.  A week ago, I would have told you that no matter what happens, there was only one horse in the race.  I will reveal that choice later in the slideshow, and they're still the front runners, but there are now three other teams with legitimate chances. 

4. Philadelphia Eagles

With everything that has happened over the last seven days, the Eagles have made themselves contenders - maybe.  If Michael Vick can return with the form he had in 2010, this Eagle offense will have defenses stymied all year. 

Let's run down what the Eagles have done this offseason:  signed DT Cullen Jenkins, signed most of their draft picks, traded Kevin Kolb to Arizona for star corner Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, and finally, signed Nnamdi Asomugha.

The defense has become a stacked machine.  Forget the offense that I mentioned for a minute.  Asomugha has become a terror around the league, and he's now paired up with Rogers-Cromartie.  That's two Pro Bowl corners to cover the likes of Eli Manning and Tony Romo in 2011. 

The signing of Jenkins is big for the D-line, as is Jason Babin.

Vick leads an offense along with one of the biggest offensive lines in football, and they're still waiting to sign their first round draft pick, Danny Watkins.  Lesean McCoy has also made a name for himself out of the backfield, and the receiving core could probably summarize this entire article.  Guys that Vick will be throwing to:

Desean Jackson, Brent Celek, Jason Avant, and Jeremy Maclin.

The offense was one of the best in the NFL in 2010, and they will be in 2011.  However, their improvements on defense will take them into glory to compete for a Super Bowl championship. 

3. New York Jets

Say what you want about Rex Ryan, but he's gotten the Jets to two consecutive AFC title game appearances, and has guaranteed a Super Bowl this year.

What Ryan has had for the last two years is a superior defense.  Antonio Cromartie, Bart Scott, and Darelle Revis ran the Jets' 3-4 defense. 

The Jets' success this year hinges on a couple things: 

1.  Mark Sanchez's progress as a quarterback

2.  Plaxico Burress' ability after prison

Their defense really wasn't hurt, except for the retirement of Kris Jenkins, who only played one game in 2010 anyway.  They drafted to monster D-linemen with their first two picks in the draft.

That being said, that explains why the two things above are about the offense.  It's no secret that the Jets have all the tools to have a good offense.  Santonio Holmes re-signed, Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson will continue to run the ball effectively, and Dustin Keller is an adequate tight end.

Which brings me back to the x-factors.  Mark Sanchez has been an up-and-down quarterback in each of his first two seasons in New York.  At times, his pocket presence and ability to read a defense has been top notch.  Other times, he looks like he still belongs in pee-wee football. 

Lastly, of course, is the highlight of the offseason, Plaxico Burress.  If he hasn't lost a step, the Jets are going to be a scary team to play.  The more likely scenario is this:  the Jets are wasting their time, and Burress will become an after thought en route to yet another AFC title game.

2. New England Patriots

The Patriots made two blockbuster trades over the last week, and they are moves that will carry this team back to the Super Bowl.  Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth are excellent players, but they both have an undeniable downside. 

Haynesworth is lazy - there is no other way to put it.  He's with Bill Belichick now, and you better believe he won't let Haynesworth's attitude fly.  No one doubts his potential and ability to play, and in 2011, be ready for him to return to his former 2009 form.

As for Ochocinco, his last three seasons have been mediocre in comparison to his others, which is not fully on him to take the blame for.  There's no question that he's been a circus in Cincinnati, but he was, at one time, a great receiver.  I ask you:  what happened last time Tom Brady was united with a receiver that was an after thought?  That after thought I refer to is Randy Moss.

The Patriots went 16-0, and lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl - which is not the conclusion I'm trying to lay out.  Brady is made better by his receivers and vice versa.  This team was already good last year, but they now have a potentially great nose tackle and a receiver with loads of talent left.

Expect at least 13 wins from the Patriots, and a run to the Super Bowl.

1. Green Bay Packers

I'm going on record now:  the Packers will defeat the Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXI.

Why?

Well, the Packers won the Super Bowl last season, and throughout the offseason, have only lost Brandon Jackson (an untalented backup running back) and linebacker Nick Barnett.

That means they return Charles Woodson, A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews, and B.J. Raji on defense.

On offense, they have James Jones re-signed, Donald Driver (the ageless wonder), Greg Jennings, a returning Jermichael Finley, and Ryan Grant back from injury.

None of these sum up why the Packers will win the Super Bowl, although they are certainly factors. 

Aaron Rodgers is stepping into the spotlight and making a name for himself as the next top quarterback.  He's got incredible precision and certainly the receivers to back him up.  He stays in the pocket and is able to maintain his composure.  All considered, Rodgers is a perfect quarterback. 

In the 2011 Draft, lineman Derek Sherrod and receiver Randall Cobb headlined the Packers' three days.  Sherrod is a massive lineman who will help Chad Clifton keep trouble away from Rodgers.  Cobb has brought on comparisons to Antwaan Randle El, being a triple threat athlete.

Bring all of these single aspects together, and there you have the Green Bay Packers - a team due to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.