2011 NFL Preview: It's Gonna Be a Green Super Bowl

Dan SmithSep 7, 2011

The 2011 NFL season will always be known as the season where there was no offseason. This has created a ton of problems for every team in the league. New coaches did not have OTA's to implement their systems.

None of this will affect my picks, as is the parity of the NFL.

This year, I think that the Philadelphia Eagles will play the New York Jets in the Super Bowl. I've only averaged five right picks out of twelve each preview. So by me picking those two teams, I just added to their list of problems. Sorry guys.

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So the hook for this preview is problems and away we go...

AFC East

1. New York Jets (11-5)

I like the Jets' problems. They have an outspoken coach in Rex Ryan that is the catalyst for the confidence.the team exudes. Mark Sanchez is entering his third year and expectations have never been higher for him. They have the best defense in the league. They have talent on offense. They do have the Patriots in their division, but they did beat them twice last year.

2. New England Patriots (9-7)

I don't like the Patriots problems'. They have been transitioning their defense for a few years now and defensive wizard Bill Belichick has not built it into a championship defense as of yet. As the defense transitions, Tom Brady is getting older. Brady is still one of the best QB's in the league and he does have some nice weapons. The Patriots will be in a lot of shoot-outs and they will be fun to watch.

3. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

I don't know enough about the Bills' problems to know if I like them. I do know they are not a playoff team. I hope that they stay in Buffalo. If they do relocate, that city is getting a moribund franchise.

4. Miami Dolphins (5-11)

This is a bad football team. They have been for a long time now. Their 11-5 season a few years back was a fluke of scheduling. They do not like their quarterback or their coach and seem to be stuck with both in another lost season.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

I like the Ravens' problems. Their defense, led by future hall-of-famer Ray Lewis, is old but still tough. Their offense, led by Joe Flacco, has some nice weapons. Like the Jets, they do have a tough No. 2 right in their own division.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

I do like the Steelers' problems. They are a model franchise that believes in continuity, so missing the off-season will not be a hindrance to them. The Super Bowl hangover will be a problem, however, and this is team plays in a lot of close games. Those close games seem to even out over the years, and the Steelers will be on the short end in a few more this season as they sneak into the playoffs.

3. Cleveland Browns (7-9)

I like the Browns'problems. They have a franchise quarterback in Colt McCoy. They need playmakers around him. They are in a tough division and their defense is not as good as the top two teams. They do have a new coach, and there is hope that they finally have a good coach—we'll see about that.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)

Awful, awful, awful. Andy Dalton looks good so far, but how long until he sits out with a contract because this team is so poorly managed?

AFC South

1. Houston Texans (9-7)

I like their problems in Houston. They are a young and talented team that has not reached their potential. Head coach Gary Kubiak has yet another season to get it out of them, and he has already caught a huge break with Peyton Manning's injury. If not now, then when, Houston?

2. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)

This has all of the makings of a lost season in Indy. No off-season, an injured Manning and a Houston team ready to takeover the AFC South. Still, the Colts have been the top dog of this division for so long that their name alone might make them champs yet again.

3. Tennessee Titans (7-9)

I do not like the Titans' problems. They got rid of their coach, Jeff Fisher, and their quarterback, Vince Young. Their defense is older. Their best player is running back Chris Johnson, who can now afford to hire a tutor so he doesn't look so stupid when he tweets.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10)

Ugly, ugly, ugly. A team that has no direction just got rid of their starting quarterback David Gerrard. Jack Del Rio is next, and the team itself should be on the move, too—Watch out, L.A., for a bad team moving west.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers (12-4)

How has the best team on paper still not made it to the Super Bowl? The easy answer is head coach Norv Turner. Their horrendous start last year kept them out of the playoffs, so they should start better this year, before going on to lose yet another home playoff game.

2. Oakland Raiders (9-7)

The Raiders will actually be battling the Steelers and Patriots for a wild card playoff spot. This team is talented and looks to be building toward a new commitment to excellence.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)

Last year was a fluke. The problems the Chiefs have on defense and offense will catch up with them this season.

4. Denver Broncos (5-11)

Another bad team lacking direction. The new regime does not seem to like Tim Tebow's skill set. The Denver fans will endure another long season.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

This team got a lot better on paper over the shortened offseason. Their problem is that games are not played on paper. They lost to Green Bay in the playoffs last year and the Eagles should see them again in January. Mike Vick for MVP is not right, but he is a great quarterback on a Super Bowl team.

2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)

Wade Phillips held this team back last year, and it cost them the playoffs. This is another team loaded with talent on paper, so it is hard to figure out why they struggle on Sundays.

3. New York Giants (8-8)

Injuries are going to make this a lost season for Big Blue. Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning are going to have a hot season.

4. Washington Redskins (3-13)

What is the deal with this team? Rex Grossman is their quarterback, and that is a problem I do not like at all.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (11-5)

I like the Packers' problems. They were all beat up last year and won the Super Bowl. The lack of an offseason meant rest for their whole team. Healthy and rested, they could be looking at a repeat.

2. Detroit Lions (9-7)

I like the Lions' problems. They are young, talented, hungry and mean. Their defense will batter you. If Matthew Stafford stays healthy, then their offense will score with you.

3. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)

I like Donovan McNabb and the weapons he has on offense. I like the Vikings defense. They are in the toughest division in football though.

4. Chicago Bears (6-10)

This team is in a lot of trouble. The other three teams in the division are better, and they will have a hangover from their loss in last year's NFC Championship Game.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints (10-6)

Drew Brees should have a running game this year. It felt like they had a bad year last year, but they still made the playoffs. That is the sign of a good team.

2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

This an an interesting franchise. They have never had back-to-back winning seasons before reeling over three straight in the last three years. The Falcons are 0-2 in the playoffs, though. They will be battling the Lions and Vikings for a wild card spot this year, their fourth straight winning season.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)

A young team with a franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman. They are knocking on the door of the playoffs and should get in 2012.

4. Carolina Panthers (4-12)

Good luck Cam Newton, it will be a while before you play in any big NFL games.

NFC West

To save time, let's just say that the Cardinals win it as they are the best of the worst division in the NFL.

The Playoffs

Wild Card Round

Steelers over Texans

Ravens over Patriots

Lions over Cardinals

Saints over Vikings