2011 NFL Predictions: Why Philip Rivers Will Be the Next Aaron Rodgers

Last year marked an incredible run for the Green Bay Packers, who almost didn't even make the playoffs. They snuck their way in towards the end of the season, and rolled everyone on the way to winning the Lombardi Trophy. Aaron Rodgers carried his injury-rattled team all the way to a Super Bowl victory. Who is next in line to do the same?

Looking at the list of candidates this year that have a chance to do what Rodgers and the Packers did last year, there is one guy that stands out to me. Philip Rivers has to be the best quarterback in this league that has yet to win a Super Bowl. Though his delivery and form are strange, his passes are always on the money and his ability to lead the two-minute drill are second to none.

When you talk about the guys that can really sling the ball around, perhaps nobody can do it as well as Rivers can. With a makeshift receiving corps last year, he put up some incredible numbers. Now that he has a healthy Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson at his disposal, it is scary to think about what he and this offense could do. Add Ryan Matthews to that mix, and that is still an explosive offense, even if Malcom Floyd doesn't return.

The division looked much better last year with Kansas City and Oakland becoming much better teams. While I do think the Raiders and Chiefs will still be in the hunt for the AFC West title, I think it will be the Chargers' to lose. The defense should still be good, as they will have solid play from the corners, and the safety position should be just fine. Getting Eric Weddle back was a huge plus for this team, and if Bob Sanders can somehow finally stay healthy, we all know the type of damage that he can do.

Before winning the Super Bowl last season, Aaron Rodgers was a very good quarterback that just couldn't get over the hump in the playoffs. Rivers is arguably a top five quarterback in this league, and has been for several years. He too has had trouble getting over that hurdle in the postseason, but I believe he is capable of getting the Chargers to Indianapolis this year for the big game.

Rivers is already mentioned in the same breath as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. If he can add the Lombardi Trophy to his resume at the end of this year, he might be able to avoid being the next Dan Marino.