NFL Predictions 2011: 5 Teams That Face a Make-or-Break Year

This is a pivotal year for five NFL teams in particular. These aren't teams who are doormats or teams that are necessarily contenders. But all of them either now have or will develop reputations as chronic underachievers. 

So, while they may or may not have to make the playoffs or even do well if they get there, they do have to show improvement over years past. Otherwise, they risk facing a major upheaval that could include a drastic remodeling of the team and/or a coaching change.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers don't have to win their division this year, but they do have to show significant improvement over recent years. 

Expected to win a weak division easily last year, the 49ers regressed, resulting in head coach Mike Singletary losing his job. Unless the 49ers are incredibly bad, the axe won't fall on new coach Jim Harbaugh this time—but it's sure to fall on the players. 

Particularly vulnerable is quarterback Alex Smith, a top draft choice who was expected to be the future of this team, but has yet to live up to that expectation. If the 49ers don't improve, Smith can expect to spend the rest of his NFL career as a chronic backup—if anybody is still interested in him, that is. 

The 49ers have to play the AFC North and NFC East, so they can expect some tough opposition. They also have to face an improved Rams team. Additionally, despite the expected slide, the Seahawks still managed to win the division last year and pulled off a major playoff upset as well.

Starting with game one, many veteran 49ers will be playing for their jobs this year.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas had a horrible year in 2010. The players quit on coach Wade Philips, who was subsequently replaced by Jason Garrett. 

Like the 49ers, unless the Cowboys are incredibly bad, the axe won't fall on the head coach this year. 

Also like the 49ers, quarterback Tony Romo is going to be under the microscope. He did manage to win a playoff game in 2009, but only one game. He'll be an obvious target if the Cowboys struggle offensively. 

The defense was bad last year, so play on that side of the ball will be watched closely too. So, like the 49ers, many veteran Cowboys will be playing for their jobs when game one begins.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens' problem is not bad play, but their inability to supplant Pittsburgh—which may be just as much a tribute to Pittsburgh's excellence as it is to any Raven defect. 

However unfair such a comparison is, the Ravens can't keep going into the playoffs as a Wild Card team and expect to pull off playoff rides like the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. 

Quarterback Joe Flacco has to prove he's at the same level as Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  Other than injuries, a falloff will cause fans to start questioning the coaching and lead to a significant retooling at some positions during the 2012 offseason.

Miami Dolphins

The root of the Dolphins problem is twofold: First, they are in a division with two Super Bowl contenders—New England and the New York Jets. Second, they went from doormat to division winners two years ago, which may have led people to believe they are better than they actually are. 

The Dolphins are paying the price for being deceptively overrated. They now face a possible coaching dismissal during the regular season and a major player overhaul in the 2012 offseason if things don't go right in 2011. 

Given the fact that they have to play New England and New York twice each year, plus San Diego, Philadelphia, the New York Giants and Dallas this year, it doesn't look good for Miami. But if they can get a split in the two series with New England and New York, the potential axe hanging over their heads might get withdrawn.

San Diego Chargers

Right now, the Chargers are the king of the choke artists in the NFL. Expected to easily win one of the two weakest divisions in the NFL in 2010, the Chargers didn't even make the playoffs and managed to lose every significant game they played, including two to a weak Oakland. 

In truth, while being playoff contenders for over half of a decade, the Charger record is not that impressive.  Their only claim to fame is that they can beat the Peyton Manning Colts consistently and virtually nobody else. 

Playing in a consistently weak division may make them look better than they really are. Certainly a coaching change will be considered if the Chargers choke again. And failure to play well in a weak division this year may lead to a soul-searching reappraisal in the 2012 offseason and a major player overhaul.