NFL Preseason: 10 Bold Predictions Before the Season Starts

One of the most fun things about being a sports writer is the speculation of everything.  How will this team do?  How is that athlete going to perform?

Some things just aren't possible to estimate.

However, there are other parts to the game that everyone has a take on.  When it comes to the NFL, the speculations and amount of people wanting to do so magnify, especially post-lockout.

So, without further ado, watch for these ten things to happen in 2011.

Prince Amukamara Will Be the Defensive Rookie of the Year

The New York Giants took Amukamara with the 19th pick in the 2011 Draft, and they certainly got a steal.  Amukamara is one of the fastest athletes to come out of the draft and can read an offense at the level of Ronde Barber.

This is not to say he has the greatest hands, especially considering he had a big goose egg in the interceptions column during his senior year at Nebraska.  On the other side of the argument for the Prince, he allowed only 18 completed passes aimed in his direction.

Amukamara was the 2010 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American.  He's known for being quick off the snap and tracking passes with pinpoint precision.  He'll pick it up again in the NFL and earn a Rookie of the Year honor.

Mike Sims-Walker Will Catch 12 Touchdowns

Sims-Walker has plenty of talent, as he showed in Jacksonville.  Now, he's got a steady quarterback in Sam Bradford—there's no question that he's the quarterback.  That situation in Jacksonville fluctuated, given Garrard's oft-injured presence.

I've already caught some hear for this prediction, but think about it:  the other receivers on this team are Brandon Gibson, Donnie Avery—fresh off a season in which he didn't play one game, and Danny Amendola who's being called a one-year wonder.

All of the attention from Bradford will be going Sims-Walker's way.  In reality, none of the receivers are on the same level as him.  Avery was at a time, but I fear his blown-out knee may have a huge effect in hindering his season.

The Lions Will Win at Least Eight Games

How long has it been since this team had even a little bit of hype?  Let alone hype as being a playoff team. 

Matt Stafford has shown plenty of skill to be an elite quarterback in the NFL—if he can actually stay on the field.  His most recent performance against the Bengals in the preseason saw him go six-for-seven with 71 yards and a couple touchdown tosses.

He's throwing to a great receiver in Calvin Johnson and one of the league's better tight ends in Brandon Pettigrew.  Jahvid Best had a decent rookie season in 2010.

Their defensive line is going to be downright scary in 2011.  Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley across the line will be fearsome, to say the least. 

Overall, the team's good enough to string together some wins.  They still play in the NFC North with the Packers and Bears.  They'll just miss the cut in 2011, but for the first time in awhile, they won't be the laughing stock of the NFL.

Kyle Orton Will Throw for 4,500 Yards

With the Tebow speculation finally being over for the time being at least, Orton is getting his fair chance.

When the trade between the Bears and Broncos took place, we thought Denver had gotten the raw end.  Some may agree that that's still the case, given Chicago's NFC Championship appearance last season, but the Broncos got a very good quarterback.

In just 13 games in 2010, Kyle Orton managed to throw 20 touchdowns and over 3,500 yards.  His red zone efficiency has been highly questioned, but that's not what I'm examining.

Orton makes better throws than most throwers in football.  He's at a slight disadvantage because his receiving corps consists of Eddie Royal, Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker.  Put him on a team with above-average receivers, and Orton could reach 4,800.

By the end of the year, Denver will be saying, "Tim who?"

The Redskins Will Lose at Least 14 Games

Obviously, this team just isn't very good when the quarterback battle is between John Beck, who hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2007, and Rex Grossman.

The running back duo of oft-injured Ryan Torain and sub-par Tim Hightower doesn't help the running game.

The only bright spot on defense is London Fletcher.  DeAngelo Hall's ship has sailed.

To make matters worse, this low-talent team is in the high-talent NFC East.

Unfortunately for the D.C. area, 2011 is going to be a dreadfully long season.

Ray Rice Will Be the Rushing Champion

Now that Willis McGehee has left town, it's Rice's backfield to control (Ricky Williams doesn't count for anything anymore, even a backup).

The quick young man out of Rutgers has been terrorizing defenders in the NFL since 2008, rushing for over 1,200 yards in his last two seasons.

Now that Baltimore has become his town, Rice will use lightning-fast speed and his small stature to blow by defenders for at least 1,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns.

This isn't knocking Joe Flacco's ability, but if Baltimore allows Rice to be the star of the show, that's where they will shine.

Aaron Rodgers Will Throw at Least 35 Touchdowns

This is going to be made very simple.

Rodgers was great without the help of Jermichael Finley as his tight end, and without Ryan Grant as his running back.

This year, he spreads the ball to both of them, as well as Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones.

Offense like that?  How can he not throw 35 touchdowns?

Indianapolis Will Not Make the Playoffs

Here's another one I may catch quite a bit of heat for.  Peyton Manning has plenty left to give, but coming off neck surgery, how effective will he be?

Plus, the defense isn't getting any better and the offense has begun to slow down after years of pure domination.  Joseph Addai and Donald Brown are an average duo at best.

Other than Reggie Wayne, the receivers aren't going to put up great numbers, especially considering most of them are constantly injury-plagued. 

They also have road games against Houston, New Orleans, Baltimore, New England and Tampa Bay.  Tough tasks for an aging and inconsistent team.

The Texans Finally Will Reach the Playoffs

After years and years of obscurity, 2011 will FINALLY be the year that Houston makes the playoffs.

It has to be now or never for this group of guys.  Matt Schaub has been able to stay on the field the last couple seasons and the performance of Andre Johnson has been top-notch.

Arian Foster comes off an incredible and shocking 2010 campaign—one in which he was the rushing champion.  He won't repeat that impressive performance, but he'll still carry the load in the backfield.

The secondary finally received help in the way of Jonathon Joseph, who signed after leaving the Bengals.  There's still some holes on defense, but with at least one respectable corner, the defense should be able to stop offenses a little better.

They will sneak in, but make no mistake—the Texans are finally going to break the barrier.

Kevin Kolb Will Be Benched Before the End of the Season

Anyone that has read my articles involving this man in any way, shape or form knows how I feel about him.

He is the most overrated player stepping onto the field in 2010 (and was in 2009) and has more unjustified hype than I've ever seen.

Am I crazy to think that he'll be benched in favor of John Skelton or Max Hall?  Not at all.

Kolb had a couple good games and everyone wants to believe he's the next Brett Favre.  Unfortunately for Arizona, they gave away a top-notch defender to get a quarterback who won't be on the field come week 12.

He's 3-4 career as a starter.  By time he's benched in week 12 at the very latest, he MIGHT be 6-12.  At best.