NFL Playoff Predictions 2011: 12 Teams That Are Making the Postseason and Why

In every NFL season since 1996, at least five of the teams that made the playoffs the year before failed to make it back to the playoffs.

The 2010 season saw the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers miss the playoffs making securing a spot after the 2009 season.

Which teams will find themselves in the playoffs after the 2011 season, and which surprise teams will find themselves on the outside looking in?

We take an early look at the playoffs, predicting the 11 teams who will repeat and five newcomers to keep an eye on this season.

Will your team make the cut?

AFC East: New England Patriots

The New England Patriots won 14 games last season, best in the NFL. They return unanimous MVP Tom Brady, along with an offensive line and skill positions that saw vast improvements through free agency.

The defense is as good as always, even if there are many new faces in new places. Bill Belichick knows how to build a defense, and the way he uses Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter on the defensive line has us all intrigued.

New England last missed the playoffs in 2008, when Tom Brady went down with a knee injury. They won't be on the outside looking in this year.

Best Unit: Quarterback

The Patriots are three-deep at quarterback should anything happen to Brady. The team is in capable hands should either Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett need to take the field for a short or long period of time.

Worst Unit: Safety

The team cut experienced starters James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather this offseason in a move to rid the team of bad contracts and bad players. Starting Patrick Chung and Josh Barrett is a brave move.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers represented the AFC North last year and made it all the way to the Super Bowl. Worth noting is the fact that the Steelers have failed to make the playoffs the last two times they made a Super Bowl appearance.

The Baltimore Ravens are poised to make a run at the AFC North this season. The offensive line has been improved with the addition of Bryant McKinnie at left tackle, which moves Michael Oher to his natural position of right tackle. The secondary should see an upgrade with Jimmy Smith at cornerback opposite Cary Williams and Chris Carr.

Baltimore has the talent to overtake Pittsburgh in the AFC North, if the offensive line comes together. If McKinnie fails to drop weight and play motivated football, Baltimore could struggle.

Best Unit: Defensive Line

Even with the loss of Kelly Gregg at nose tackle, the Ravens defensive line is still nasty. Baltimore likes to use hybrid sets, moving between a four- and three-man front. Their use of Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata will cause problems for even the best offensive lines (something the AFC North lacks).

Worst Unit: Cornerbacks

Jimmy Smith may have been a first-round pick, but he's unproven at this point. Relying on a rookie and an unknown in Cary Williams is a risk the Ravens feel they can make in a division that is not known for throwing the ball.

AFC South: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are ready to take the AFC South from the Indianapolis Colts after their nine-year run of dominance in the division.

The health of Peyton Manning certainly helps shift the power to the Texans, but they were ready to take the division before the extent of Manning's injury was known.

Houston is loaded on offense, with a top-tier quarterback in Matt Schaub, the 2010 NFL rushing leader in Arian Foster and one of the best wide receivers the NFL has today in Andre Johnson. Points should come easily in Houston.

The defense is remade now that Wade Phillips and his 3-4 defense are in town. Phillips has been masterful at beating Manning during his days with the San Diego Chargers.

Best Unit: Running Back

The presence of the NFL's leading rusher from last year certainly helps, but Arian Foster is not a one-man show this season. The Texans love what they have in Ben Tate, a 2010 second-round pick. They also have a talented third-down back in Steve Slaton, who rushed for 1,000 yards during the 2009 season.

Worst Unit: Wide Receiver

This may seem odd, since the Texans feature the best wide receiver in the game, but the talent around him is less than stellar. Andre Johnson is elite, that's without question. The Texans will hope that Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter and/or Bryant Johnson step up this season.

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs might be an easy target for those who want to pick a team from the 2010 playoffs who will not repeat. But look around the division, which team is more talented top to bottom than the Chiefs?

Some may say the San Diego Chargers, but I have serious trust issues with Charger head coach Norv Turner. San Diego has gotten off to notoriously slow starts under Turner, and they also feature a defense that has major holes on the defensive line and at linebacker.

Back to Kansas City: this team is better than the 2010 version that won 10 games. Matt Cassel is a year smarter, the offensive line is better and the talent at wide receiver is deeper.

San Diego will push Kansas City for the division, but they are not good enough to take it just yet.

Best Unit: Running Back

Jamaal Charles leads an impressive backfield in Kansas City. Charles led the NFL in yards per carry last year and will be the same dynamic player in 2011. Behind him is Thomas Jones, a smart veteran and tough goal-line back. The team also upgraded at fullback by adding Le'Ron McClain, a very good runner/receiver/blocker option.

Worst Unit: Quarterback

Matt Cassel is solid as a starter and could make the jump to the next level this season. What's concerning is the lack of depth behind Cassel, who's already been beaten up in the preseason. Should Cassel go down, even for one game, the Chiefs would suffer for it.

Wildcard No. 1: Pittsburgh Steelers

I very seriously considered leaving Pittsburgh out of the playoff picture due to their inability to follow up the last two Super Bowl appearances, but this team is simply too good to leave out.

Pittsburgh is loaded on the defensive front seven, but I do worry about the play at cornerback. Troy Polamalu may be the best safety in the NFL, but even he cannot cover up for the sad play at cornerback opposite Ike Taylor,who isn't always spectacular himself.

The concerns don't stop at cornerback. The Pittsburgh offensive line can be a weakness in pass protection, and they did little to get better immediately for the 2011 season. A great pass rush, like Baltimore's, will put pressure on the Pittsburgh backfield.

Best Unit: Linebacker

The starting four in Pittsburgh are better than any other linebacker crew in the NFL today. James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley are all Pro Bowl-caliber players, with Harrison and Woodley more like All-Pro. Timmons isn't far off himself.

Worst Unit: Offensive Line

Here are the problems as I see them. Pittsburgh is set at center, as Mike Pouncey is a stud in the making. At tackle, the Steelers will use Jonathan Scott and Willie Colon, neither of whom are world-beaters. Guard is a little more settled, with veteran Chris Kemoeatu and Doug Legursky handling the starting jobs. Those four players are good at times, horrible at others.

Wildcard No. 2: San Diego Chargers

You didn't think I would leave out the Chargers, did you?

Some may think the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders or even the New York Jets would lay claim to this spot...but they don't. It's the San Diego Chargers who will be the second new team in the AFC playoff picture.

Why San Diego and not the Jets? San Diego is better on the offensive line, better at wide receiver, equal at running back, better at quarterback and plays in a weaker division.

The Jets will face issues on the offensive line and at wide receiver all season. There's also the lingering issue of who will rush the passer.

Best Unit: Wide Receiver/Tight End

Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates on the field together will scare every defensive coordinator they face this season. San Diego will feature what might be the NFL's best passing attack this season with Jackson on the field for a full 16 games.

Worst Unit: Linebacker

Outside of Shaun Phillips, the Charger linebacking crew is a question mark. Takeo Spikes is 34 years old, Donal Butler is talented but unproven and Larry English is one more season away from being labeled a draft bust.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

I was tempted to put the Dallas Cowboys here, but the Philadelphia Eagles are just too good (right now) to overlook.

The difference maker will not be Michael Vick, but the Eagles' secondary. Running with Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at cornerback gives Philadelphia the advantage over Dallas and the other NFC East teams.

Philadelphia has enough talent to walk away with the division, but they must find a way to protect Vick before the Eagles can be a safe bet to win the NFC East.

Best Unit: Wide Receiver

The mix of DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Steve Smith and Jason Avant gives the Eagles the best wide receiver corps in the NFL. Jackson and Maclin are dangerous on the outside, and Smith will be a difference maker in the slot.

Worst Unit: Linebacker

The offensive line is loaded with question marks, but the inexperience at linebacker is most troubling. Rookie fourth-round pick Casey Matthews will start at middle linebacker, with Jamar Chaney and Moise Fokou starting on the outside. The three may become something special, but right now, they are questionable.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl last season as a wild-card team. They'll have the benefit of a home-field advantage this season as a division winner.

Green Bay returns 20 of 22 starters from the 2010 season, and it could be argued that the two players they lost (Cullen Jenkins and Daryn College) were replaced by better players. Green Bay is poised to make a Super Bowl run again this year, and in the future.

The Packers are in a tough division, and will face competition from the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears for the division crown. Nothing will be handed to the Packers; they'll have to earn it.

Best Unit: Wide Receiver

Look at the Packers' top five wide receivers and you will see players who could start on many NFL depth charts. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and rookie Randall Cobb are all exceptionally talented, and dangerous.

Worst Unit: Offensive Line

It's hard to even call one unit on this roster the "worst." Green Bay's offensive line is good, but there are some question marks at right tackle (Bryan Bulaga) and left guard (T.J. Lang). If those two players can step up, the Packers line will be flawless.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons play in the NFL's best division, but they might also be the best team in the NFL. Period.

Atlanta has the talent at every unit to make a Super Bowl run this year. The team has a quarterback who can win big games in Matt Ryan and a running game that can control the clock and grind out tough wins.

Atlanta will feature a high-profile passing attack, but the play of the offensive line and running backs will win key games for them.

The defense should be much better in 2011 now that Ray Edwards is lining up opposite John Abraham. It will also help that young players Corey Peters, Sean Weatherspoon, William Moore and Thomas DeCoud are one year more experienced.

Best Unit: Secondary

Starting cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson are both Pro Bowl players. They're supported by three safeties with playmaking ability in Moore, DeCoud and James Sanders. The Falcons' nickel and dime packages will be dangerous.

Worst Unit: Defensive Tackle

This is nit-picking, as the Falcons defensive tackle group is solid. The team lacks that elite defensive tackle who can take over games, even if Jonathan Babineaux is close to being in that category.

NFC West: Arizona Cardinals

Well, someone has to win the NFC West, right?

The Arizona Cardinals will benefit from playing in the NFL's weakest division, but don't let that fool you into thinking they are not a good team. These Cardinals are more talented than most will realize.

Kevin Kolb leads a revitalized Cardinals offense, where Larry Fitzgerald has help in the form of Todd Heap to keep safeties off him. The Cardinals' defense is also pretty stout.

Darnell Dockett and Adrian Wilson head up a defense that can shift, morph and change looks on the fly. The Cardinal defense's unpredictability makes them incredibly dangerous.

Best Unit: Defensive Line

Dockett is complemented by Dan Williams, a huge nose tackle with other-wordly potential, and a very underrated end in Calais Campbell. Those three will move around quite a bit pre-snap to give Arizona varied looks on defense. The best part of this Cardinal team is these three big men on the defensive line.

Worst Unit: Cornerback

You could say the offensive line is the worst unit, but there are at least proven veterans there. At cornerback, the Cardinals will feature unproven players A.J. Jefferson and rookie Patrick Peterson.

Wildcard No. 1: New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints were good enough to win a Super Bowl after the 2009 season, and followed that up with a playoff berth last year before losing a shocking game at Seattle in Round 1 of the playoffs.

The Saints have gone from winners to hung over to hungry...and they are primed for a big season.

The talent is there to win another title, even if the Saints aren't the top team in their own division. The NFC South featured three 10-win teams last year. It's possible to see how the NFC champion could come from this division.

Best Unit: Quarterback

Having Drew Brees under center all but guarantees the Saints will once again be in the playoff push. Brees remains one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, even if his 2010 season was rocky. Brees' talent is undeniable.

Worst Unit: Offensive Tackle

There are few weaknesses on this roster. In fact, there's just one, and it's not even fair to call it a weakness. The offensive tackle position has been inconsistent. The team is hoping for a better season from Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief.

Wildcard No. 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The final NFC playoff team, and the fifth new team in the 2011 playoffs, will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yep, that's three teams from the NFC South representing in the playoffs.

Tampa was on the brink of a playoff run last year when they won 10 games and should have been in the playoffs. Winning more games vs. top competition this year will give Tampa the tie-breakers needed to make their playoff dreams a reality.

Best Unit: Defensive Line

There are other talented units on this team, notably at quarterback, but the defensive line is where the most talent lays. First-round picks Adrian Clayborn and Gerald McCoy are supported by talented youngsters like Da'Quan Bowers, Roy Miller, Frank Okam and Brian Price.

Worst Unit: Offensive Line

It's hard to be sold on this offensive line, even if they played well enough to win 10 games last year. Jeff Faine is a lock at center, and Donald Penn is a good enough left tackle. The other positions are either unproven or overrated.