2011 NFL Predictions: 8 Hyped NFL Teams Most Likely To Disappoint

On the road to the Super Bowl, there are NFL teams that come out of the wilderness and surprise the country with a Cinderella season.

Then, there are the clubs that have overinflated optimism at season's start, and we soon find out they are riddled with too many holes to keep them afloat in their championship chase. 

Here are eight teams that have heard praises from the public, but have the best opportunity to fall short of those lofty expectations in 2011.

Philadelphia Eagles

It's hard to have more hype than the Philadelphia Eagles have absorbed in the span of a month.

They have gone from Super Bowl possibilities in mid-July to a supposed superpower in mid-August, thanks to a bevy of offseason pickups.

This makes anything less than a Lombardi Trophy in 2011 a severely disappointing year.

While the Eagles have all the capabilities to dethrone the Green Bay Packers in the NFC, they still have areas of concern. Who'll step up at linebacker? How will they fare with a rookie kicker and punter? Can the offensive line keep Michael Vick upright?

This proves that there are numerous factors that could prevent the talented Eagles from being No. 1 in Indianapolis.

Houston Texans

After several years of being on the precipice of postseason play, it is widely expected that the Texans will finally break through and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Houston has talent on both sides of the ball, with quarterback Matt Schaub throwing often to wide receiver Andre Johnson, as well as the oncoming rush of Mario Williams.

The Texans could finally overtake the Indianapolis Colts and realign the balance of power in the AFC South. But beating Peyton Manning's Colts is easier said than done.

Houston finished 6-10 in 2010, with the main bright spot being a surprising rushing effort from Arian Foster. The second-year player from Tennessee came out of nowhere last season, but he has nowhere to hide in 2011. Opposing defenses understand his capabilities and have been spending their spare time plotting to stop him.

Chicago Bears

Will quarterback Jay Cutler, who's a wild card in any regard, handle the scrutiny that has been placed upon him? His premature exit from the NFC Championship Game versus Green Bay is still questioned among fans and the media.

Now he'll have to respond by posting a season much like the last. However, his protection may prevent Cutler from getting there.

Considering how bad Chicago's offensive line was in 2010, it's hard to believe the Bears even got to the playoffs, much less advanced to the NFC title game. With no significant improvements made to the O-line this offseason, it may not cost them during the 2011 campaign.

New York Jets

Head coach Rex Ryan has already made his annual proclamation that his New York Jets are going to win the Super Bowl. In two years manning the sidelines for the Green and White, they have come up one win short of reaching the sport's ultimate contest.

Buoyed by a maturing quarterback in Mark Sanchez and a stifling defense, the Jets have a chance of fulfilling Ryan's prophecy. 

One part of the Jets that may hinder those hopes is the running back spot. Shonn Greene is taking the starting spot, but could lose it if he continues to struggle with ball security (six fumbles since 2009).

New York's most intriguing acquisition on offense is Plaxico Burress, who is making his return after serving a two-year jail term.

Although Burress' performance certainly does not make or break the Jets fortunes this season, a subpar effort from the former Steeler and Giant will hamper an air attack that has lost Braylon Edwards to San Francisco.

Green Bay Packers

How could the Packers, a team that won the Super Bowl with a boatload of injuries to key players, struggle to duplicate what they did with a healthier roster in 2011?

Here are two possible reasons.

The first is the always dreaded Super Bowl hangover. This has happened to even the best of champions—the 1985 San Francisco 49ers, 1992 Washington Redskins and 2002 New England Patriots to name a few.

One other "negative" of being the reigning kings of pro football is that every opponent on the Packers schedule will treat its encounter with Aaron Rodgers and company as its most important game of the year. If foes are able to play above their potential, Green Bay will be in for weekly challenges all season.

Kansas City Chiefs

Last year's AFC West champions have the tools to repeat in running back Jamaal Charles and an improving defense.

That said, in a quarterback-driven league, I'm not completely convinced that Matt Cassel can lead the Chiefs as far as they went in 2010. That thought is amplified when you consider that the previous season's offensive coordinator—Charlie Weis—left for the same position at the University of Florida.

Cassel has been successful as a product of the Bill Belichick/Weis system since he was a starting quarterback for the Patriots in 2008. It's an unknown what will happen with new offensive coordinator Bill Muir and quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn

Also, Kansas City's slate, right now, appears daunting. Non-divisional road opponents include New England, Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago and the New York Jets.

Detroit Lions

The chic pick to make noise in the NFC, Detroit has a roster filled with young talent just ready to bust out.

The 2010 season finished with a roar for the Lions, as they won their last four contests. Many feel that will continue heading in 2011.

That may very well be the case, provided Matthew Stafford can remain on the field. The former No. 1 pick was hampered by injuries last year, forcing backup QB Drew Stanton to handle the duties as signal-caller for a majority of the games.

The Lions are ready to win, but it's quite clear that the public is expecting too much. A .500 record? A definite possibility. A playoff berth? A definite possibility...in 2012.

Dallas Cowboys

When you have been dubbed "America's Team," you're bound to have high expectations. Then again, the Cowboys are currently a more under-the-radar team than in past seasons.

That, however, hasn't stopped some from claiming Dallas as a playoff bunch with a healthy Tony Romo behind center.

Even with Romo on the field, the Cowboys still have too many young players to contend in 2011. In addition, it may take more than just one season for new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's schemes to set in and become effective.