2011 NFL Predictions: Who Has the Easiest Path to the Playoffs?

Heading into the 2011 season, it's not an accurate statement to say that all 32 teams in the National Football League expect to reach the postseason.

The Miami Dolphins know they have no chance. Same with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins. 

Realistically, about 22 to 24 teams in the league have at least some chance of reaching the postseason this year.

The following eight slides will highlight the teams with the easiest path to reaching the postseason in 2011.

8. New Orleans Saints

Despite winning 11 games and clinching a wild-card berth last season, the Saints' season was a failure, as they suffered an embarrassing loss to the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round of the postseason.

The Saints will look to rebound to their 2009 form next season.

Quarterback Drew Brees completed 448 passes, the second-most in league history, while throwing for 4,620 yards and 33 touchdowns last year. But he needs to improve on his 22 interceptions.

Running back Reggie Bush is now with the Miami Dolphins, but the Saints will use first-round draft pick Mark Ingram, last year's surprise star Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and new free-agent signing Darren Sproles. 

Brees will continue to spread the ball around, as the Saints really don't have a superstar receiving target. 

On defense, the Saints ranked seventh in points allowed last season, and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and strong safety Roman Harper lead the defensive attack.

7. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons won 13 games last season, and despite a disappointing divisional round loss to the Green Bay Packers, they should remain one of the top teams in the NFC in 2011.

Quarterback Matt Ryan threw 28 touchdowns and just nine interceptions last season and is entering his fourth season, putting him in the prime of his career.

Running back Michael Turner (1,371 yards, 12 TDs last season) is one of the best in the business, and Julio Jones, the sixth overall draft pick in 2011, should help Roddy White in the receiving corps. Tight end Tony Gonzalez is still productive even at the age of 34.

On defense, the Falcons allowed the fifth-fewest points in the league. Cornerback Brent Grimes was named to the Pro Bowl after collecting 70 tackles and five interceptions. Defensive end John Abraham recorded 13 sacks. As for the rest of the defense? There aren't a lot of star players, but everybody is productive.

It's likely coming down to Atlanta or New Orleans, or possibly Tampa Bay, for the division title in 2011.

6. New York Jets

After consecutive AFC Championship Game losses (and three in a row for Rex Ryan), it's time for the New York Jets to put up or shut up in 2011. And when the head coach predicts a Super Bowl victory, well, there's definitely pressure.

The most important player for the Jets is quarterback Mark Sanchez, who enters his third season in the league. Sanchez tossed 17 touchdowns and posted a 75.3 passer rating last season. He needs five more touchdowns and a passer rating 10 points higher to keep the Jets competitive in 2011.

Running the football are future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. At receiver, the Jets lost Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith but replaced them with Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason.

On defense, cornerback Darrelle Revis is still the best in the game, and counterpart Antonio Cromartie is productive. First-round draft pick Muhammad Wilkerson should contribute on the defensive line, and safety Jim Leonhard helps in the secondary.

The Jets probably won't be able to overtake the Patriots in 2011, but they should win 11 games and clinch a wild-card spot.

5. Baltimore Ravens

No matter how hard they try, the Ravens haven't been able to get past the Steelers. They won 12 games in 2010, but the Steelers won the division title and defeated the Ravens in the postseason.

For the Ravens to overtake the Steelers in 2011, quarterback Joe Flacco (25 TDs, 10 INTs in 2010) needs to continue to improve. Ray Rice (1,220 rushing yards, 556 receiving yards in 2010) is one of the most versatile backs in the NFL, and Anquan Boldin leads a wide receiver corps that no longer includes Derrick Mason.

On defense, linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed are two of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Lewis enters his 16th season and collected his usual 100 tackles last year, while Reed led the NFL with eight interceptions despite playing in just 10 games. Defensive end Haloti Ngata and linebacker Terrell Suggs are Pro Bowl players.

It's going to be the Ravens or the Steelers for the division in 2011 because the Bengals and Browns don't have a chance.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last year's AFC champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers should do just as much damage in 2011.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has behaved and will be able to play in all 16 games this season. Running back Rashard Mendenhall is on the verge of his first Pro Bowl selection. Despite being 34 years old, wide receiver Hines Ward can still produce, as can deep threat Mike Wallace and tight end Heath Miller.

And who can forget that incredible Pittsburgh defense that allowed a league-low 232 points in 2010? It begins with safety Troy Polamalu, a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the best in the game. There's linebacker James Harrison, the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior, Bryant McFadden, Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor, LaMarr Woodley, and Brett Keisel are all solid starters.

It's Pittsburgh or Baltimore for the division in 2011, and the loser should easily grab a wild-card spot.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

This past offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles was without a doubt the craziest that any team in the league has had, maybe ever.

Following a 10-6 record and a wild-card loss in 2010, the Eagles completely changed around their team for the 2011 season, notably the defense. They acquired the top free agent, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, and also picked up cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals.

They added defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, defensive end Jason Babin, quarterback Vince Young, running back Ronnie Brown, wide receiver Steve Smith and tight end Donald Lee. Oh, and they picked up the best offensive line coach (Howard Mudd) and the best defensive line coach (Jim Washburn) in the game.

They already have superstars in Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jason Peters, Trent Cole and Asante Samuel.

With an offense that is poised to remain as dominant or even more dominant in 2011, thanks to the addition of first-round draft pick Danny Watkins at right guard and the return of center Jamaal Jackson, the Eagles will enter the season with high expectations for the first Super Bowl title in franchise history.

2. Green Bay Packers

Despite winning just eight of their first 14 games last season, the Green Bay Packers won two do-or-die games at the end of the season and entered the postseason as one of the league's hottest teams. They narrowly defeated the Eagles, blew out the Falcons, squeezed by the Bears and edged out the Steelers to win the Super Bowl.

They did so despite losing a ridiculous 16 players to the injured reserve list, including starting running back Ryan Grant.

This season, the Packers have all of their injured players healthy. They also have Aaron Rodgers, last year's Super Bowl MVP and one of the league's best quarterbacks. They boast a dangerous receiving corps in Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones, plus tight end Jermichael Finley.

Their defense is awesome too. Although they lost star defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins to free agency, they have an incredible trio of cornerbacks: Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and the versatile Charles Woodson. They have good linebackers in A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop and of course the dangerous Clay Matthews. They also have Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins, whose huge interception touchdown in the Super Bowl gave the Packers a 14-0 second-quarter lead.

The Packers should have no problem cruising to the postseason for the third straight season.

1. New England Patriots

In 2010, the New England Patriots were as complete as any NFL team has been since, well, the 2007 Patriots. They won 14 games and scored a league-leading 518 points. Yet an embarrassing loss to the New York Jets, their top division rival, in the AFC divisional playoffs put a serious damper on the season for the Patriots.

Heading into 2011, there's no reason to believe that the Patriots won't be as dominant. It begins with quarterback Tom Brady, who collected his second MVP award last season behind an incredible 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

At running backs, the Patriots have four legitimate weapons: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead and a pair of draft picks in Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley. The team also added tackle Nate Solder with its first-round pick.

On defense, cornerback Ras-I Dowling was drafted with the first pick in the second round to contribute to a secondary that already boasts Pro Bowlers Devin McCourty (cornerback) and Brandon Meriweather (safety). Throw in Pro Bowl linebacker Jerod Mayo, Pro Bowl defensive end Vince Wilfork and a number of developing players, like safety Patrick Chung and linebackers Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham, and it's safe to assume the Patriots will be atop the division again in 2011.

Oh, and having the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills in the division sure doesn't hurt.