2011 NFL Predictions: 5 Teams That Will Bounce Back Big Time This Season

Every year there's at least one team that surprises everyone. In 2010, the Kansas City Chiefs jumped from four wins in 2009 to 10 wins. The Green Bay Packers shocked the world and won the Super Bowl as a 10-6 wild-card team.

The NFL is a league in which a team can make the playoffs after going 1-15 the year before (I'm talking about you Miami) and then follow that up with an 11-5 season in which it wins its division. 

It's a crazy league. And there will be more surprise teams in 2011. That I guarantee. Here are five teams that could be that surprise team in 2011. 

Detroit Lions (6-10 in 2010, Won Final 4 Games of Season)

The Lions have been the talk of the 2011 preseason.

Many people expect that they will make some noise and compete for a playoff spot for the first time since the 2007 season when Detroit started 6-2 but finished 7-9.

If Matthew Stafford can stay under center for more than three games in 2011, the offensive weapons are there for Detroit to put up points.

Calvin Johnson could thrust himself into discussion as one of the top three wide receivers in 2011, and Jahvid Best proved he has what it takes to be a running back in the NFL after his rookie campaign.

Detroit’s secondary is still suspect, but the front four could be one of the best in 2011 with the addition of rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley—who was in the discussion as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft—but fell to Detroit at 13. 

Fairley, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (10 sacks last season as a rookie), defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and defensive end Cliff Avril (8.5 sacks in 2011) will keep all NFC North quarterbacks tossing and turning in their sleep the night before gameday. 

Cleveland Browns (5-11 in 2010)

Colt McCoy has surprised many this preseason with his performance. Maybe it was the interactions with Brett Favre. Maybe it’s just that he’s a talented quarterback and a natural winner (45-8 in four years as a starter at Texas).

But McCoy appears ready to lead the Browns after a strong preseason performance (28-46 for 320 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in three games).

McCoy’s receiving core isn’t the strongest in the league, but he does have the 2012 Madden cover boy, Peyton Hillis (1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010), in his backfield. So he’s got that going for him. Which is nice.

Cleveland’s defense finished 18th against the pass and 20th against the rush in 2010, and both of those stats will need to improve in 2011.

But it does boast two of the better up-and-coming defensive backs in the NFL in safety T.J. Ward (123 tackles, second most by any NFL safety, in his 2010 rookie campaign) and cornerback Joe Haden (six interceptions, tied for fifth most last season, in his 2010 rookie campaign).

Minnesota Vikings (6-10 in 2010)

Everything that could go wrong seemingly did go wrong for the Vikings last season. Injuries, feuds and down seasons by many players destroyed Minnesota’s preseason Super Bowl aspirations in 2010.

In 2011, most have very little expectations for the Minnesota Vikings. And that’s probably for the best.

Donovan McNabb could have a big year. He’s out to prove all the doubters that he’s not a deteriorating quarterback and that there’s still some left in the tank.

Adrian Peterson still stations himself in the backfield which should help take the load off of McNabb’s shoulders and allow him to play more at ease. 

The defense, despite its struggles with injuries and down performances across the board, still ranked in the top 10 in rushing and pass defense (ninth and 10th, respectively).

If much of the roster plays back to its 2009 level, the Vikings could surprise in 2011.

Dallas Cowboys (6-10 in 2010)

The Cowboys were much like the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. They had preseason Super Bowl aspirations. But everything caved in and quickly.

Tony Romo suffered a season ending injury six games into the season and Wade Phillips was axed as coach after week nine.

The reigns are now in Jason Garrett’s hands, and he went 5-3 in 2010. Under his guidance, the Cowboys looked like a rejuvenated team.

Felix Jones, who’s the team’s primary running back in 2011 with Marion Barber moved on to the Chicago Bears, is primed for a big 2011 season which should help improve the Cowboys’ 16th ranked rushing offense from 2010 (111.6 yards per game).

The NFC East is certainly top heavy with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys can certainly compete with the Giants for the No. 2 spot in the division.

With Romo back and Garrett at the helm and a little bit of luck, the Cowboys could be a playoff team in 2011.

Arizona Cardinals (5-11 in 2010)

The Cardinals made a huge splash this offseason by giving up a second-round pick and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for then-Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Kolb, who’s only played 19 NFL games over his four-year career, is supposed to keep receiver Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona. It's already worked, as Fitzgerald just signed an eight-year, $120 million contract with $50 million guaranteed.

With Kolb, Fitzgerald and running back Beanie Wells—who coach Ken Whisenhunt is very excited about—the Cardinals could have a formidable offense in 2011. 

And with a favorable schedule, the Cardinals play the AFC North and the NFC East, there are 10 wins out there for the Cardinals to snatch—if everything falls right.

The defense was putrid in 2010—23rd against the pass and 30th against the rush—and if Arizona obtains those 10 wins, it’ll be because it’ll have one of the best offenses in the NFL or because the defense greatly improved.