2011 NFL Schedule: Predicting the First Loss for Every Team in the NFC

As we get closer to the start of the NFL Season, we get more of a clear picture how the schedule for each team will play out. It's becoming easier to see when each team might suffer that first loss.

For years, the AFC has been thought of as the most dominant division, as it plays host to the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, who have each done what they wanted in this league for a long time now.

The NFC, however, is gaining some steam.

The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl last year. The New Orleans Saints won it two years ago. 

The Chicago Bears won 11 games last year, while the Atlanta Falcons won 13 and might even be better this season.

The Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both popular sleeper teams this season.

And the NFC West, well, forget about the NFC West.

All-in-all, this conference is improving, and here's a look at how each team might start the season, and a prediction for each first loss. 

Philadelphia Eagles, Week 1

Yeah, I know what you're thinking.

"The Philadelphia Eagles are the best team ever constructed."

"The Eagles are going undefeated this year, let alone losing in the first week."

"If the Eagles lose, I don't know what to believe anymore."

Now, before we announce the Eagles as the best thing since sliced bread, remember that most of the new guys on defense haven't played together yet. Let's wait and see how they mesh together.

All these players are hearing in the offseason is how good they are, and you have to believe a little bit of that will go to their head.  

Now I really know what you're thinking.

"Blah blah blah. These reasons mean absolutely nothing."

Fair point. So, enter the St. Louis Rams.

The Eagles Week 1 matchup with the Rams is not a gimme. The Rams got a lot better with the additions of Al Harris, Mike Sims-Walker and rookie Robert Quinn. They are underrated entering this season, and they were very good at home last year, with a record of 5-3. 

I think the Rams pull off the upset in St. Louis, and wake up Philly for the rest of the season. The next eight, at least, should be wins for the Eagles.  

New York Giants, Week 3

The New York Giants didn't lose any key names, and they added a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball with Prince Amukamara and Marvin Austin.

The contract negotiations with Osi Umenyiora will be very key, but doesn't really affect my decision here.

The Giants get the Redskins on the road in Week 1. The 'Skins got a lot better, but with John Beck as their current starting QB, I don't see them pulling off the upset.

In Week 2, St. Louis comes to the Meadowlands, and while I like the Rams, I don't see them pulling a rabbit out of their hat two weeks in a row.

That brings us to a Giants-Eagles matchup that will have big implications for how early in the season it comes. The Eagles will be in the right mind-set for this one, and won't slip up at home.

Dallas Cowboys, Week 1

I like what the Dallas Cowboys have been doing this offseason. They got rid of veterans like Roy WIlliams and Marion Barber who are making too much money, they didn't overspend on free agents and they had a solid draft.

With that being said, that points more to success in the next year or two, rather than this season. They haven't really gotten better this offseason with the exception of getting Tony Romo back. Even there, the 'Boys were better last season without Romo.

Getting the New York Jets on the road in Week 1 isn't an easy task, and barring anything crazy, I don't see Dallas winning that game.   

Washington Redskins, Week 1

This one is more like predicting the Washington Redskins' first win. The 'Skins have made improvements, but like I noted earlier, John Beck and Rex Grossman at QB probably won't cut it.

The Giants should take down the Redskins in Washington in Week 1, then after that, things get murky for the 'Skins.

A Week 2 matchup with the Cardinals at home is their best shot for a win for a while. The Cards are much improved, and if Washington loses that game, they probably won't have another legitimate shot until Week 7.

They get Dallas and St. Louis on the road in Weeks 3 and 4, a bye in Week 5 and Philly at home in Week 6. Things could get ugly quick for Washington fans. 

Chicago Bears, Week 1

The Chicago Bears are going to be very good again this year, as they have essentially the same team plus a few underachiever free agent signings.

With that being said, their opening schedule is pretty brutal. They get Atlanta at home to start the season, then travel to New Orleans, then come back home to host the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. 

The Bears could very well come out of that 0-3 or 3-0.

The addition of Julio Jones to Atlanta's offense is going to make them nearly unstoppable, even against Chicago's lock-down defense, and I think the Falcons pull off the road win in Week 1.

Green Bay Packers, Week 5

The Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl run last year was even more impressive considering how many injuries they had to play through.

The loss of Nick Barnett was probably the biggest change in this offseason, showing how quiet it has been for the Pack in the past few weeks.

But that really doesn't matter. The returned health to many key players is much more important than any lack of signings.

Green Bay has a few tough early games, such as hosting New Orleans in Week 1 and at Soldier Field against the Bears in Week 3.

I think they get through those games, but lose in Week 5 on the road against the Falcons in a shootout.   

Detroit Lions, Week 3

The Detroit Lions have to go on the road in Week 1 to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and I think they have the pieces to pull off an upset.

Tampa Bay is a popular playoff-sleeper pick this year, and I tend to agree, but watch out for the Lions. With the addition of Nick Fairley to Ndamukong Suh in the middle, the Detroit Lions will be very hard to run on, therefore making things a lot easier for everyone on the defensive side of the ball. Just the fact that you know you can stop the run is a very underrated defensive quality.

Anyway, I believe Tampa Bay also has the defense to slow down Detroit's powerful offense, so this comes down to a low scoring affair. I like Detroit with the road upset.

The Lions should handle Kansas City at home in Week 2, although that's anything but a gimme.

After two big wins, lots of buzz will be building around the Lions, and they might slip up on the road against the Vikings in Week 3.  

Minnesota Vikings, Week 1

The Minnesota Vikings' strengths are defense and, of course, running the ball with Adrian Peterson.

Their Week 1 matchup, San Diego, has the offense to compete, and if first-rounder Corey Liuget signs, they will have the ability to at least slow down Peterson in the middle.

Throw in the fact that Minnesota was pretty bad on the road last year, and San Diego takes this early matchup.

In fact, things get pretty tough for Minnesota early on. They get two home games against surging Tampa Bay and Detroit, then go on the road to face Kansas City. None of those are gimmes. 

It's all going to depend on how Donovan McNabb can run this team, but if they aren't careful, they might not see a win until Week 5 when they host Arizona. 

Atlanta Falcons, Week 2

I think we are going to see a preview of the NFC Championship in Week 2 when the Atlanta Falcons play host to the Philadelphia Eagles.

I'm a little concerned about how Michael Turner ended last season, and I'm fairly confident the Philly corners will be able to shut down Roddy White, Julio Jones and company.

I've got the Eagles here, but it should be a good one.  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 1

I noted earlier that I thought the Buccaneers would fall in an upset to the Detroit Lions, and if that happens the Bucs better be careful because their schedule is dangerous.

Most of their home games are against tough opponents, as they match up with Atlanta, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Chicago, Houston and Dallas at Raymond James.

With those opponents, the Bucs better hope they are as good on the road as they were last year. I think they will be, and they'll start by knocking off the Vikings in Minnesota in Week 2 for their first win. 

New Orleans Saints, Week 1

The New Orleans Saints weren't given any favors, as they have to go to Lambeau Field to face the defending champs in Week 1.

I just don't think they have the defense to hold down the Packers. A Week 2 matchup hosting the Bears isn't easy, either, but after that, things lighten up.

The Saints host Houston, before going on the road to take on the Jaguars and Panthers. They should win all three of those. 

Carolina Panthers, Week 1

The Carolina Panthers were bad last year, and they will probably be bad again this year. Cam Newton is talented, but he won't be saving a franchise in one year, that's for sure.

The Panthers travel to Arizona where they will be over-matched by the Cardinals, and then come back to host the Packers. They won't be winning those games.

Week 3, however, Carolina hosts a declining Jacksonville team, and I think they'll secure their first win there. 

Seattle Seahawks, Week 2

Many people weren't happy with the signing of Tavaris Jackson, or with the Seahawks' entire draft. 

With that being said, they have made a couple of nice signings with Sidney Rice and Zach Miller, and their Week 1 opponent, San Francisco, hasn't done a whole lot to improve.

The game is in San Francisco, and Seattle struggles on the road, but the 'Hawks have enough offensive weapons to win that game.

Week 2, however, is a different story. The Seahawks travel to Pittsburgh and I won't even bother breaking down that game. It won't be pretty.

St. Louis Rams, Week 2

I've been impressed with the St. Louis Rams' offseason, and I think Sam Bradford becomes a Pro-Bowler this year.

I've already discussed in previous slides how I think they'll take down the Eagles at home, and then slip up in New York against the Giants, so I won't bore you here.

San Francisco 49ers, Week 1

Again, I've already discussed that i think the Seahawks will take out the Niners in San Fran, so I won't elaborate.

The 49ers have some winnable games in Week 2 and 3, however, as they host the Cowboys and travel to Cincy to take on the Bengals.

As unimpressed as I am with this team, they could easily start the year 3-0 (or 0-3).

Arizona Cardinals, Week 3

I'm interested to see if the Kevin Kolb signing pays off, as the Cardinals gave up quite a bit for him. Still though, the drafting of Patrick Peterson probably made it easy to trade Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. 

Peterson might even be an upgrade. That kid is a stud. 

I think the Cardinals easily take out Carolina at home and Washington on the road in their first two weeks, but fall to the 12th man and the Seahawks at the Clink.