2011 NFL Predictions: 5 Super Bowl Contenders Who'll Crumble in 2011

Before last season began, the Green Bay Packers were a trendy pick to win Super Bowl XLV.

Typically, being labeled as a "trendy pick" to do anything is akin to being hit with the kiss of death. But amazingly, the Packers bucked any and all hexes and won the Super Bowl anyway. Maybe being a Super Bowl favorite, trendy or otherwise, isn't so bad after all.

Well, it's certainly better than not being a Super Bowl favorite. The reality, though, is that only one Super Bowl favorite can actually win the blasted thing. Along the way, many others will fall off the pace.

It'll happen this year too. And in my estimation, there are five so-called "Super Bowl contenders" that are just plain doomed to fail.

They are listed below. Feel free to read and weep. Or read and argue. Or both.

5. Indianapolis Colts

Before you go crying foul about me even daring to label the Colts as a legit Super Bowl contender, just know that, technically, they are. At least according to Bodog, which has Indy's odds of taking home the Lombardi Trophy at 16:1.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's dispel the notion. While the Colts may technically be among the favorites in the NFL to win the Super Bowl, I think you and I both know they aren't going to.

As for reasons why, a slowly corroding Peyton Manning, a suspect running game, a defense littered with question marks and a very tough schedule (per ESPN) should do the trick.

4. New York Jets

You have to hand it to the Jets. They've made it to two straight AFC Championship Games despite being a deeply flawed team both years.

But is that a trend or a freak occurrence? As you can tell, my money is on the latter.

Here's what we know about the Jets: great defense, great coach, solid running game. Everything else, in my opinion, amounts to one big "meh."

Especially at the quarterback position. Mark Sanchez is very good at times, but totally unreliable in others. A quarterback like that simply isn't going to win a Super Bowl for you in this day and age.

3. San Diego Chargers

On paper, I'd argue that the Chargers are the best team in the AFC, and maybe even the best team in the entire NFL.

If that sounds familiar, it's because you've heard it before. Several times within the last couple years, in fact.

Yes, the Chargers have an elite offense run by an elite quarterback in Philip Rivers. And yes, they have a very good defense that got a couple of key additions during the offseason.

Nevertheless, these are the Chargers we're talking about.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

It's pretty hard not to like the Steelers. They have an offense that is drastically underrated, a defense that is elite and a head coach in Mike Tomlin who is among the game's best. Clearly, there's nothing to fear here.

That's what scares me.

If there is one knock against the Steelers, it's that there are a lot of years and a lot of mileage (killin' it with the Indiana Jones references) on their defense. At some point, this is going to bite them.

That some point will be this year.

1. Green Bay Packers

Speaking of nothing to complain about, how can you not like the Packers? The offense is stacked, the defense is even more stacked, and the team itself is just plain fun to watch.

As if that wasn't enough, the team is entering the 2011 season healthy for the first time since who knows when.

So why exactly should this team be expected to fall flat?

I guess you could call it an educated hunch. Firstly, you always have to worry about the dreaded Super Bowl hangover, which has done a number on each of the last couple Super Bowl winners.

Then there's the fact that the Packers chose not to organize players-only workouts during the offseason, a case of non-action that seemed to signify they were content just to rest up for a long season.

The one thing that I think stands out, though, is the fact that the NFC is much stronger this year. The Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints all went out and got stronger, and you also have up-and-comers like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions to take into account.

Long story short, the chips are stacked against the Pack. That will be their downfall.