2011 NFL Predictions: 5 Teams That Will Surprise

Each NFL season, there are teams that virtually come out of nowhere to surprise everyone in the league.

This year should be no different in that regard.

With a plethora of young, talented teams heading into the upcoming '11 season, there are many squads that could surprise this year.

Here are five teams that are guaranteed to surprise people in 2011.

Miami Dolphins

2010 Record: 7-9

The Miami Dolphins might be the biggest head-scratcher to make the cut for this list.

One thing is for sure with the Dolphins: they will have a very explosive rushing attack in 2011.

They grabbed former Kansas State star Daniel Thomas in the draft and also netted free agent Reggie Bush, giving them a very talented ground game this year.

Their defense still has many question marks, but their improved offense should give them at least two more wins on the schedule.

2011 Predicted Record: 9-7

Detroit Lions

2010 Record: 6-10

The Lions defense is one of the main reasons why they made the cut for this list.

The team added heralded DT Nick Fairley with their first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and also picked up veteran ILB Stephen Tulloch in free agency.

When you add '10 NFL Defensive ROY Ndamukong Suh and veteran Lawrence Jackson, you have the makings of a very scary defensive line.

Assuming that QB Matthew Stafford can finally get things going in 2011, this Lions team will be off and running this season.

2011 Predicted Record: 9-7

Oakland Raiders

2010 Record: 8-8

The Oakland Raiders are a team that has been on the rise for the past few seasons, and this should continue in 2011.

Even though they lost two key pieces of their team in Nnamdi Asomugha and Zack Miller via free agency, they still have a very young, explosive offense and defense going forward.

Leading the way is RB Darren McFadden and WR/KR/PR Jacoby Ford (pictured above).

I look for the Raiders to make some noise in a somewhat weak AFC West division.

2011 Predicted Record: 10-6

St. Louis Rams

2010 Record: 7-9

The Rams are one of the youngest teams in the NFL, and it showed many times with their play in 2010.

This year, QB Sam Bradford will be another year older and St. Louis will now have two young, talented rookie receiver in Austin Pettis and Greg Salas to add to their offensive arsenal.

The Rams also had a solid free agency period, where they were able to nab play-making WR Mike Sims-Walker and veteran CB Quintin Mikell for the 2011 season.

2011 Predicted Record: 10-6

Houston Texans

2010 Record: 6-10

The Texans are a young team who went through some growing pains last season.

One of their biggest problems was on defense, where they had one of the worst passing defenses in the league.

They shored that up by signing free agent defensive backs Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning last month.

After all, how long can you hold down a team that has one of the best running backs and wide receivers in NFL?

2011 Predicted Record: 10-6