2011 NFL Predictions: 3 Teams Cruisin' for Bruisin' on Opening Weekend

Opening weekend of the 2011 NFL season will prove to be a rude awakening for at least a few squads. Even the eternal hope and optimism of a 0-0 record won't be enough for these three teams to come anywhere close to putting up a "W" in Week 1.

Indianapolis Colts

No Peyton Manning is a big, big problem for Colts. Catastrophic, even.

Manning has long been the lynchpin holding together a mediocre supporting cast. With him, Indy is a lock to win at least 10 games. Without him, it's lucky to win four.

That much will be made clear when Jim Caldwell leads his Colts into Houston on Sunday. The Texans sport one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, led by quarterback Matt Schaub, running back Arian Foster and wide receiver Andre Johnson.

These teams met in the 2010 season opener, with Gary Kubiak's club putting up 34 points and coming away with their first-ever win over the Colts. Look for the Texans to do similar, if not more, damage to the Colts defense this time around, while Indy's offense struggles to move the ball with Kerry Collins under center.

Miami Dolphins

Raise your hand if you think Chad Henne is a quality starting quarterback. How about with Reggie Bush behind him?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

The Dolphins were patently awful offensively last season and might be even worse with former Saints back Reggie Bush and rookie Daniel Thomas filling in for Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown and visions of Kyle Orton still dancing in Henne's head.

New England's revamped and retooled defense won't do them any favors either. Throw Albert Haynesworth, Mark Anderson and Andre Carter into the mix with Vince Wilfork up front, and the Pats will flatten even the Fins' hearty offensive line.

Oh, and then there's the issue of stopping the incomparable Tom Brady, who certainly won't mind sharing the ball with new toy Chad Ochocinco. The Dolphins D was pretty good last season, allowing just over 18 points per game, but gave up 79 in two games to the Pats, so...yeah.

It'll be AFC East against AFC Least on Monday Night Football. At least Patriots fans will enjoy it.

Carolina Panthers

It's not that the Arizona Cardinals are all that good, though they will much better off with Kevin Kolb this season than they were with John Skelton, Max Hall and Derek Anderson in 2010.

Rather, the Panthers are just that bad. I mean, did you see Cam Newton in the preseason? The guy struggled to complete 40 percent of his passes. The fact that he's actually starting Week 1 is much more an indictment of Jimmy Clausen's ability to play in the NFL than a ringing endorsement of Newton's development.

Sure, Carolina will be better in 2011, but that's not saying much, considering it was 2-14 in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Cards are hungry, talented and still stocked with players who know how to win football games.

Let's not forget the young, rebuilding Panthers will be on the road in this one.

Just sayin'.

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