NFL Predictions 2011: The NFL's Super Bowl XLVI Teams Come Down to This

Tomorrow, the NFL season will be officially underway.

We are in a bustle to get our fantasy teams in order, set up our Madden 2012 teams and get ready to watch some smash-mouth football (or perhaps a lot of fines for smash mouth football).

It is the luck of the draw predicting the outcome each year. Paid sports analysts are giving their NFL predictions. Then there is me.

The unpaid gal who sits here and makes predictions on gut instinct without taking 52 hours out of the week to examine tape on every single player and their previous seasons.

I do have to work for a living.

With that in mind, for my 2010 prediction, the Packers and the Jets were to be our Super Bowl XLV teams. We all see how that turned out.

What do you say we move on to 2011?

NFC North

I have expressed that the Green Bay Packers will be the team of the decade.

They had the second youngest team in the NFL in 2010, and they have utilized their players to the maximum.

I respect what Ted Thompson has done, considering most people wanted his head during or after that debacle with the “retirement guy.”

This team is a power team—no question.

Even with all the injuries the endured in 2010 (just goes to show injuries are no excuse) they still remained focused and intact. Impressive to say the least.

Packer fans, I am sorry, I have you in the playoffs and winning the NFC North, however I am thinking there are a couple of teams out there that are pretty stout.

Considering the Packers are bringing back 20 of their 22 starters from last season, it may be a big mistake on my part not to pick them for a back-to-back championship. I am teetering.

Trust me, I will hear about it later.

NFC West

The Arizona Cardinals have taken quite the parade route in this free-agency draft.

They have loaded up the team with moneymakers. Let us just hope that they can be playmakers.

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is always willing to make big plays, but can Kevin Kolb foot the bill?

Their running game isn't looking too promising, and they need to fill the backup role in this position. Beanie Wells can't take the entire load for the season.

With defensive powers and a good passing corps, look for the Cardinals to take the NFC West and find themselves in the playoffs.

NFC South

Atlanta! Gi-ganta!

Have you guys got your game going on or what? Sure are making some buzz there in Georgia.

With a young team and a couple 12-year veterans on defense, I am anxious to see how these players respond with all these weapons.

Michael Turner will dominate in the top five (of the NFL) with rushing. This is going to be his season.

Nine-year fullback Ovie Mughelli is a great complement for Turner, especially in blocking. 

The defense of Lofton, Babineaux and Peters will prove to be an asset for the Falcons.

I am impressed with Atlanta’s offseason moves (especially Julio Jones), and I put them in the playoffs as well for the NFC South.

NFC East

Here is my pick for the NFC Champions—the Philadelphia Eagles.

I am not buying their “Dream Team” name, and I am not certainly picking them to boost their egos. I am simply predicting them because they are the package deal.

Let’s face it—as long as the offense gets the ball to the 50-yard line, Alex Henery has the leg to make a 57-yard field goal with no problem. No one likes a three-point game—I’m just saying.

I am liking the quarterback situation and the resurrection that has been displayed. I was calling for Michael Vick for the MVP last year, but again, I find myself on this Oasis of Observation when it comes to stating my opinion on players. I like this guy's game. Period.

We all know that you can’t buy yourself a Super Bowl. Is this not what free agency is all about?

With head coach Andy Reid, you can bet that this team will simmer down and play the game under his strict direction.

Let the media and critics talk for the next 20 Sundays about the “Eagle Ego.” I think that Reid will have these men in rare form and under much discipline by Week 2. If not, their overconfident mentality could be another team's advantage.

A side note to the Eagle fans—I still remember your snowball pelting of the Niner fans (on your turf) two years ago.

My prediction obviously wasn't based on a grudge. Show some class when representing your team.

Good luck this season and keep it real, Eagles.

AFC East

Moving on to the AFC East, the New England Patriots are the stand-out team once again.

The Patriots have a close-to-the-vest personnel, very talented and elite players and fan favoritism.

Everyone—except me—is picking the Patriots. Sorry, folks, I am just not a bandwagon type of person. I can’t jump on this wagon.

I just can’t.

Besides, I am not a real big fan of this team.

I know, let the green tomato-throwing festival commence, unless you're still green with envy over that AFC East championship game last year. In that case, just make them soft tomatoes.

AFC North

The Cleveland Browns are in a defensively-strong division in the AFC North.

They have drafted nicely and have movers and shakers on this team.

Second-year starter Colt MCoy is set to lead this team. He is adapting to the NFL and this team’s scheme led by head coach Pat Shurmur.

McCoy has made the right adjustments, and this second year is only going to be better for him (he is a genius on time management, after all).

Frankly, McCoy could just turn, hand the ball off to Peyton Hillis and watch in amusement as Hillis steamrolls the opponents.

Add rookie Owen Marecic in the backfield and it will be an all-out beast bashing. I don’t think the Ravens and Steelers defenses can stop the Browns backfield.

Look for D-Qwell Jackson to be the centerpiece for this defense.

It's a long-shot prediction, but I'm going with the Browns.

AFC West

Getting closer every year is the San Diego Chargers.

They’re in a questionable division—the AFC West. You never know what you’ll get out of this division.

With Cassel’s latest injury, the Chiefs may not go 10 wins this season, and the Broncos and Raiders are still adapting.

Nothing seems concrete in this division, but I am taking the Chargers in hopes that quarterback Philip Rivers can finally get some sort of acknowledgment for his consistent seasons.

AFC South

In the AFC South, I like the Houston Texans.

It is no surprise that I am a fan of Brooks Reed and J.J. Watt. Although Reed may not get the nod to start, he was electric in preseason.

Look for Shaun Cody to have his best season in the start of his seventh year.

I think that Matt Schaub stays with the game plan year after year, and I would venture to say that this patience is going to be a big reward for him and this team.

Second-year and undrafted running back Arian Foster is making his name known as a threat.

It is perplexing how a first-round pick can rush for as many yards and receive the endorsements from the commentators, yet an undrafted player that has a breakout season gets the “we’ll have to wait and see what he does” analysis.

That's fine, but I’m putting my money on Foster (hamstring injury or not).

AFC Champions

Having to face the New England Patriots in Week 5 and in Week 10, the New York Jets will have to prove that they are better.

I am hoping that Sanchez can get his accuracy a little tighter and that the defense will remain a force again this year.

Mark Brunell is also a nice addition to the depth at quarterback. This team is so stacked with talent, they are just like a race-car driver who gets so close to the finish line and then blows a tire.

They are that close.

I may not agree with some of head coach Rex Ryan’s antics. However, he has definitely made a name for this team by winning football games.

Now, they just have to win the important football game, the AFC Championship.

It looks as though we may have two Super Bowls this year. One on December 18, 2011,  and the other on February 5, 2012.

I have chosen the Eagles and the Jets in Super Bowl XLVI.