2011 NFL Predictions: 5 Reasons New York Jets Will Make the Super Bowl

The New York Jets have come oh so close to reaching the Super Bowl the past two seasons, losing in the AFC Championship in both years. 

In the 2010 game, they played great in the first half and even had a 17-6 lead a one point. They collapsed after that, allowing the Indianapolis Colts to score 24 unanswered points en route to a 30-17 loss.

In 2011, they got off to a horrific start against the Pittsburgh Steelers and were down 24-0 in the first half. They recovered, but it was too little too late as they lost 24-19.

If they could only combine the first half from 2010 and the second half from 2011, we could be a looking at Super Bowl team.

So after two agonizing losses, is this finally the Jets year? I believe so and here are five reasons why. 

The Return of Revis Island

At this time last year, Darrelle Revis was still holding out from training camp. He didn't sign until one week before the first game. He went on to struggle in the first two weeks and then got injured.

It wasn't until midseason that Revis hit full stride. 

This season, Revis Island will be open for business starting in Week 1. Good thing because the Jets will need him in the season opener to shut down Miles Austin.

Emergence of Shonn Greene

LaDainian Tomlinson did an admirable job last season, serving as the New York Jets lead back. However, he slowed down as the season progressed and has accepted taking a lesser role this season to pave the way for Shonn Greene.

Greene has shown he can be a feature back, particularly in the postseason and now finally has the opportunity to do so. He is a running back that gets better as the game goes on and the more carries he gets. 

That shouldn't be a problem in the Jets "ground and pound" offense. With an outstanding offensive line blocking for him, Greene has the potential to do big things this year.  

Defensive Line Depth

The New York Jets were gashed by Rashard Mendenhall in the AFC Championship Game and made it a priority in the offseason to shore up their defensive line. 

In the 2011 NFL draft they spent their first two picks on defenisve lineman, Muhammad Wilkeron and Kenrick Ellis, both of whom are expected to make an impact this season.

They also got Ropati Pitoitua back from injury. The 6'8", 315-pound Pitoitua has been turning heads in training camp and will be a key cog on an improved defensive line this season.  

A Healthy Calvin Pace

Many expected the New York Jets to acquire a pass rusher in the offseason, but the Jets stood pat. One reason why is because they have a fully healthy Calvin Pace.

Pace was signed to be the Jets ace pass-rusher three years ago and while he hasn't been terrible, he has yet to have more than eight sacks in a season. He has also only played 16 games once.

Rex Ryan recently said that at the end of the season Calvin Pace’s broken foot, which caused him to miss the first four games of the season, was only 20 percent healed.

Now, Pace is 100 percent healthy and looking to deliver on his double-digit sack potential.  

Improvement of Mark Sanchez

Entering this third season in the NFL, Mark Sanchez needs to take a big step in his development as a quarterback. He made strides last year, but this is the year he needs to put it all together.

It's time for the training wheels to come off and for the New York Jets to win because of him, not despite him. Luckily for him, he has plenty of help around him.  

He has had another offseason to build chemistry with his favorite target, Santonio Holmes, who he will play with for 16 games this season. Also the Jets went out and signed Plaxico Burress, who the Jets thinks will help solve their red-zone woes.

Add in a solid running game and the Jets offense has all the necessary parts.  

Sanchez has all the weapons around him to succeed, now he just has to go out there and do it.