2011 NFL Predictions: 5 Bold Predictions on the Web That Could Actually Happen

The Internet is filled with predictions about the upcoming 2011 NFL season. 

And while that's cool and all, some of these predictions are downright insane. 

However, shocking things happen in the NFL -- it's rare that the preseason Super Bowl favorites actually make it to the Super Bowl, but it's hard not to make the sexy, popular pick. 

Thus, some of these predictions have merit; most of the time, the predictions come true because the predictor saw something no one else saw. 

So here are five bold predictions from the media that might come true.

Cam Newton Is Rookie of the Year

Again, ESPN's "experts" have made a ballsy move. 

Cam Newton has looked awful all preseason; he's clearly very raw and needs a ton of work to get him to be a polished starting quarterback in the NFL. In fact, it's unlikely he'll even start the season. 

That's not to say Newton doesn't have the work ethic to succeed, though -- he has a similar talent level and array of skills that JaMarcus Russell had when he entered the league, and that's a good thing.

Newton's been working hard to perfect his craft, so it isn't as if he's going to go the same route Russell did.

In fact, it's possible that Cam Newton helps string together a solid rookie year -- even though the situation he's been put in a crappy position, he still has the ability to not stink. If he can win five or six games as a starter for the Panthers, he'll definitely win the award. 

The Indianapolis Colts Don't Win the AFC South

With Peyton Manning's neck surgery sending fantasy football owners and legit NFL team owners (ahem, Jim Irsay) into a psychopathic spiral, people are starting to doubt the Indianapolis Colts' efficacy out in the AFC South. 

However, we all know that the AFC South is a pretty weak division and the Colts figure to have Manning for at least 12 games, which means they're liable to win 12 times, but will reasonably win ten. That'll win the division, no problem.

But count Football Outsiders' writer Rivers McCown (Best. Name. Ever.) as one of the dudes who thinks the Colts' reign of terror is over.

This is a bold prediction because it isn't as if the Houston Texans got miles better over the offseason; furthermore, the Jaguars and Titans are in re-building mode, and that'll never get you into the postseason the first year.

But this is entirely plausible -- Manning doesn't have as strong of a team as he's had the past three or four years; couple that with the fact that he's aging and showing signs of it (even though throwing for over 30 touchdowns and less than 20 is a pretty damn good down year), and we could see the Colts miss the playoffs for the first time since the beginning of Manning's career.

The Dallas Cowboys Win the NFC East

With the Philadelphia Eagles going all Washington Redskins (but with, you know, good signings) on us this offseason, it's hard not to take Philly as the NFC East winners -- they have a triad of shutdown corners, a quarterback with the legs of a running back and the arm of a, well, quarterback, and a triumvirate of crazy fast wide-outs in DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant, they're clearly the Super Bowl favorites.

If you're asking the dawgs down at PredictEm.com, though the Cowboys are your NFC East champs.

There's merit behind this -- the Eagles can't expect to not have some issues with bringing in new talent and expecting them to live up to the playbook and know it like the back of their hands. Things could be rocky, either to start or to end, down in Philly.

On the other side of it, the Dallas Cowboys are hungry as hell, and now with Jason Garrett at the helm (who seems to have the attitude you expect from a legit playoff contender, whereas Wade Philips was a little too easy to push over), the 'Boys could have a legit shot at taking the division and quieting their five-year-long doubters. 

The Detroit Lions Will Win 10 Games

Everyone is in love with the Detroit Lions right now; for the first time in forever, the front office is building something very special, with Matt Stafford heading the way on offense along with Calvin Johnson, and Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley ready to cause problems on defense. 

Of course, they only won six games all of last year, and though winning four more games may not seem like a lot, that number will be tougher as they have to play  considerably-tougher NFC North rivals and the very formidable NFC South. 

However, these guys don't really care.

They have the Lions winning ten games, and while that may seem like a stretch, it really isn't, at its core.

The Lions have to play seven tough teams ten times, but after that, they have a relatively easy schedule. If they go .500 against good teams, and lose just once against not-so-good teams, they'll have their ten wins.  

The San Diego Chargers Win the Super Bowl

ESPN recently came out with their "expert" NFL predictions for the 2011 season, namely MVP, Rookie of the Year, Super Bowl teams, division champs and Wild Cards.

This is the most glaring selection for the winner of the Super Bowl, and only one writer (Dan Graziano) picked the Bolts to win it all. 

OK, so I know you aren't all crazy about Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers -- they have mostly skated themselves into the postseason and realized that winning postseason games takes a little more than pure talent. 

But with a chip on their shoulder, I'm not so sure the Chargers should be counted out -- they're motivated by the fact that no one's picking them to win the whole damn thing, and they're even more motivated by the fact that they didn't even make the playoffs last year. Plus, they are now associated with the word "chokers" for their early playoff exits after decent regular seasons. 

It's possible that the Chargers make a run for a title, but it's one of the least popular picks among NFL fans.