2011 NFL Predictions: Top 10 Teams Who Might Turn It Around

Every year in the NFL, there are teams that have much better seasons than any preseason pundit predicts.

Sometimes those teams just play above their talent level, and sometimes they fly under the radar in training camp with a talented squad and carry that playing ability into the regular season.

Here is a look at 10 teams that have the potential to have better seasons this year and maybe even make a push for the playoffs.

10. Buffalo Bills

2010-11 Final Record: 4-12

The Buffalo Bills have been a down-and-out team for the past several years, often finishing near the bottom of the AFC East.

Of course, being in a division that includes the Patriots and the Jets doesn't make things any easier for the Bills.

Last season, the Bills had a quarterback who threw for 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns and a wide receiver who caught 10 touchdown passes and accumulated over 1,000 yards.

Both of those players are returning this season.

They also had a 900-yard rusher in Fred Jackson, and rookie C.J. Spiller got valuable experience during the season while rushing for 283 yards.

The Bills did trade veteran wide receiver Lee Evans to the Baltimore Ravens, but their stable of young receivers should more than make up for Evans' 578 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions.

Their main weakness has been their defense for several years.

In the 2011 NFL Draft, Buffalo selected DT Marcell Dareus with the third overall pick.

Dareus should give the Bills a presence on the defensive line that they have not had in recent years.

They also drafted Texas cornerback Aaron Williams in the second round. Although it might be a few seasons before the rookies reach their potential, the Bills are doing everything they can to address their defensive issues.

Look for the Bills to improve upon their 4-12 record from a year ago.

Maybe not by much, but the Bills offense should be strong enough to earn an extra win or two this season.

9. Carolina Panthers

2010-11 Final Record: 2-14

The Carolina Panthers finished last season as one of the worst teams in the NFL.

A lack of play-makers and poor play from rookie QB Jimmy Clausen were major factors in their final record.

That poor record led to the Panthers being awarded the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. They ended up selecting Auburn QB Cam Newton.

Despite his off-field issues, Cam Newton has a tremendous amount of talent.

Any time a team adds a player of his caliber to their roster, they will undoubtedly see improvement.

Bounce-back seasons from several of Newton's new teammates will also go a long way towards helping the Panthers improve on their dismal 2010-11 season.

Although it isn't guaranteed that Newton will be the starting quarterback from Game 1, it is certain that he will see playing time. He is just too talented for the Panthers to leave him on the bench.

It will be up to Newton as to whether or not the Panthers deem him ready to start.

Whoever ends up starting at quarterback will benefit from the offseason addition of former Bears tight end Greg Olsen. He will provide a big target for whichever young quarterback is in the game.

The healthy return of veteran receiver Steve Smith and veteran running back DeAngelo Williams will also contribute to an improved Panthers offense.

Expect the Panthers to play their opponents much tougher this coming season and to improve upon their measly two wins from a year ago.

 

8. Denver Broncos

2010-11 Final Record: 4-12

The Denver Broncos had a very disappointing 2010-11 season.

Despite a big offensive year by QB Kyle Orton, a breakout year for WR Brandon Lloyd and a surprising showing late in the year by rookie Tim Tebow, the Broncos could just not win games.

Their defense was much to blame for that, as well as their midseason coaching change.

With the second pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Broncos picked top-rated linebacker Von Miller.

Miller's presence should go a long way toward improving the Broncos defense, especially against the run.

The Broncos defense also features cornerback Champ Bailey, who is one of the top corners in the league.

Both of those players will help Denver play better on the defensive side of the ball.

The Broncos are also expecting a big year from their offense.

They have a starting QB who threw for more than 3,500 yards and 20 touchdowns.

If Orton should falter, they have Tim Tebow on the bench as a viable option. Tebow showed a real ability to get his team in the end zone in his limited game experience.

If Knowshon Moreno can get through the year healthy, the Broncos should also have a 1,000 yard rusher.

Expect the Broncos to put up big offensive numbers all season long and to play better on defense. They should be able to improve on their record and might even be a team to watch later in the season.

7. Arizona Cardinals

2010-11 Final Record: 5-11

The Arizona Cardinals were plagued with shoddy quarterback play throughout the entire 2010-11 season.

Their top two quarterbacks were Derek Anderson and rookie John Skelton.

So what did the Cardinals do this lockout-shortened offseason? They went out and traded for QB Kevin Kolb.

Kolb, who has shown flashes of true talent in his limited opportunities in Philadelphia, immediately improves Arizona's offensive capabilities.

It doesn't hurt that Kolb will be throwing to some extremely talented wide receivers.

Larry Fitzgerald led the team in receiving with 1,137 yards and six touchdowns. They also have Steve Breaston, who finished last season with 718 yards and one touchdown.

Those low touchdown numbers can mostly be attributed to the quarterback situation.

The Cardinals also added veteran tight end Todd Heap, who provides another reliable target for the newly-arrived Kolb.

If running back Beanie Wells can finally start to live up to his potential, the Arizona Cardinals will have a dangerous offense.

On the defensive side, the Cardinals ranked 23rd in pass defense and 30th in run defense.

With their fifth pick in the 2011 Draft, Arizona selected LSU's stud cornerback Patrick Peterson. Peterson should immediately start for the Cards and has the ability to shut down opposing wide receivers.

Expect the Cardinals to improve on their 5-11 record from a year ago and be in the thick of things in the NFC West race.

6. San Francisco 49ers

2010-11 Final Record: 6-10

The San Francisco 49ers finished third in the NFC West last season.

A down year by running back Frank Gore was a major factor in that finish. A poor season by QB Alex Smith was also a factor.

San Francisco ranked toward the middle of the pack in both passing and rushing. They were 18th and 19th in those two categories, respectively.

Having a healthy Frank Gore and Alex Smith for a full season should help the 49ers to at least maintain those rankings in this upcoming season.

They also happen to have one of the best tight ends in the league in Vernon Davis.

They signed WR Braylon Edwards, who brings a downfield threat to the team. 

A repeat performance by Davis and a breakout year for WR Michael Crabtree could help San Francisco post even better numbers on offense.

Defense was one of San Francisco's main strengths last season. They ranked 24th in passing defense and an impressive sixth in rushing defense.

The addition of DE Aldon Smith, chosen seventh in the 2011 Draft, should only help improve those defensive rankings.

Playing in the weak NFC West only works in San Francisco's favor.

Expect the 49ers to finish near the top of the division and improve themselves this season.

5. Cleveland Browns

2010-11 Final Record: 5-11

Cleveland started the year with veteran QB Jake Delhomme as their starter and Seneca Wallace as their backup.

Draft pick Colt McCoy was the third-string quarterback, and the plan was for him to learn from the sidelines for a year.

That plan was quickly scrapped when both Delhomme and Wallace were injured. McCoy found himself thrust into the starting role, but he held his own.

Despite his own ankle injury and frequent sacks behind an injury-ridden offensive line, McCoy proved that he has what it takes to be a leader on an NFL team.

A full training camp this year will only help McCoy to improve.

The Browns also got great production from running back Peyton Hillis. Hillis rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns.

However, Hillis' production dropped off from overuse later in the season. The addition of Brandon Jackson should help alleviate that problem. The Browns also added talented WR Greg Little in the draft and are expecting big things from their other receivers.

The Browns defense also got a big boost from the 2011 Draft.

DT Phil Taylor and DE Jabaal Sheard give the Browns a solid defensive line in their new-look 4-3 defensive scheme.

They also have a talented young cornerback in Joe Haden and a hard-hitting safety in T.J. Ward. The Browns ranked 18th in pass defense last season and should be even better in that area this year.

Despite the fact that they are implementing new offensive and defensive schemes in a shortened training camp with a new coaching staff, the Browns should be a better team this season.

They have a much easier schedule and have a high talent ceiling.

Expect the Browns to improve on their previous year's record and to play better within the tough AFC North.

4. Detroit Lions

2010-11 Final Record: 6-10

The Detroit Lions have come a long way from their winless season a few years ago.

They are a team with a growing talent base and high potential.

They have a stud receiver in Calvin Johnson, two impressive defensive players in Ndomukong Suh and Nick Fairley and a former No. 1 draft pick at QB in Matthew Stafford.

This might just be the year that the Lions can put it all together.

The Lions will look to get more production out of RB Jahvid Best and a full season from Stafford.

If their players can stay healthy, Detroit will have no problem putting points on the board.

They also look to be tough defensively with the addition of DT Nick Fairley. Suh has already proven that he is a beast on the defensive side of the ball.

Expect the Lions to give Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago a run for their money in the NFC North.

They might not be ready to knock off the defending Super Bowl-champion Packers, but they are poised to be a better team than they were a year ago.

3. Houston Texans

2010-11 Final Record: 6-10

Despite having the fourth-best passing game and the seventh-best rushing game, the Texans finished the year with just six wins.

Their inability to stop their opponents' passing games is what really hurt them a year ago.

Houston has the talent level to beat any team, but they have to get better on defense. Top draft pick J.J. Watt should help disrupt opposing quarterbacks with his ability to get into the backfield.

The Texans have too much talent on offense to only win six games again this year.

QB Matt Schaub threw for 4,370 yards and 24 touchdowns. Eight of those touchdowns were caught by WR Andre Johnson, who is one of the best receivers in the NFL.

They also had outstanding output from running back Arian Foster, who contributed 1,616 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.

Needless to say, they seem to be set on offense.

If those three can play to a level anywhere near last season and their defense can step up, the Texans could be a team to watch in the playoffs.

Expect the Texans to challenge an aging Indianapolis Colts team for the AFC South division title.

2. Dallas Cowboys

2010-11 Final Record: 6-10

A season-ending injury to QB Tony Romo was a major blow to Dallas' high hopes for last season.

Backup John Kitna played admirably, but the Cowboys just were not the same team without Romo. Luckily for them, Romo is healthy and expected to be back to his old self.

Adding OT Tyron Smith in the 2011 Draft should help Dallas to have an improved rushing game and improved pass protection.

A talented receiving corps led by WR Miles Austin and TE Jason Witten should put up big numbers once again.

The fact that it will be Romo throwing to them will only bolster their stats. If they can get more touchdowns out of their running backs, the Cowboys will be dangerous on offense.

Dallas will also need improved pass defense if they expect to contend in the NFC East.

They ranked 26th in pass defense last year and a respectable 12th in rush defense. Improvement on that side of the ball will go a long way toward a better 2011-12 season.

Expect Dallas to be a solid team in the upcoming season.

However, they happen to play in a division with the powerful Philadelphia Eagles and always-solid NY Giants.

If Dallas can get big years from several players, they could make things interesting later in the season.

1. Minnesota Vikings

2010-11 Final Record: 6-10

The Minnesota Vikings went through last season with the currently-retired Brett Favre at quarterback.

Favre's age really showed last season, as he struggled to stay healthy and didn't have the same spark that he did with the Vikings the year before.

The lack of solid production from the QB position really hurt the outcome of Minnesota's last season.

This offseason, the Vikings addressed that issue by drafting Florida State QB Christian Ponder and acquiring veteran Donovan McNabb.

McNabb is expected to be the starter. He will also be a great source of knowledge to the young Ponder.

As can usually be expected, the Vikings rushing game was as dynamic as ever.

Adrian Peterson ran for 1,298 yards and 12 scores. While not his best season ever, Peterson's production is almost a given, because he puts up great numbers year in and year out.

Minnesota may have also found a solid backup for Peterson in Stanford product Toby Gerhart. The presence of Peterson and the addition of McNabb should make the Vikings offense much better than last season.

The Vikings were also very solid on defense, ranking 10th in passing defense and ninth in rushing defense.

Their main weakness stemmed from the poor QB play.

If their defense can produce similar results to last season's and new QB McNabb can get the ball into the hands of the Vikings talented receivers, they can expect to be a much-improved team.

Expect the Vikings to be a major contender in the NFC North and challenge the Packers for the division crown.