2011 NFL Predictions: Each Team's Biggest Upset Victory

It has finally arrived: the 2011 NFL regular season. 

The regular season kicks off this weekend after arguably one of the most long and depressing offseasons ever, thanks to the lockout. 

With the regular season starting to kickoff, that means there will been plenty of upset victories every week. 

Upsets are a huge part of the game and it's what makes football the world's greatest sport—any team can win on any given Sunday. 

In that spirit, here are my predictions for each team's biggest upset victory for 2011. 

Arizona Cardinals

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys 

The Arizona Cardinals finally got a legitimate starting quarterback this offseason in Kevin Kolb and now are able to get the ball to one of the league's best playmakers, Larry Fitzgerald. With that recipe alone, the Cardinals should have no problem scoring points and staying in each and every game. 

I firmly believe that Arizona's offense will be too much for the Dallas Cowboys to handle during Week 13 and I'm not completely buying into Jason Garrett having success as his first year as head coach in Dallas. 

Atlanta Falcons

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 2 vs. Philadelphia Eagles 

Personally, I am not buying into Philadelphia's hype—I do not believe that they are even close to being considered a "Dream Team."

The Atlanta Falcons are a much more balanced and seasoned team and are coming off of an extremely impressive 13-3 regular season and should have major success in 2011.

All in all, Atlanta is a much more complete team than Philadelphia.  

Baltimore Ravens

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 9 at Pittsburgh Steelers

2011 is finally the year that Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens will beat Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Both teams are definite playoff contenders and have the potential to make a deep playoff run—they're simply too equal for the Steelers to sweep the Ravens for yet another season. 

Buffalo Bills

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 15 vs. Miami Dolphins

Be on the lookout for the Buffalo Bills—they're a young and talented football team that's heading in the right direction.

Entering 2011, I believe that the Bills are in a much better position than the Miami Dolphins and could even finish higher than Miami in the AFC East—however, Buffalo will always be considered an underdog. 

Buffalo will knock out Miami as they welcome them to the cold and windy combines of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 15. 

Carolina Panthers

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 12 at Indianapolis Colts

Without Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts are toast and if he doesn't play in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers, then they'll likely suffer an upset loss.

Cam Newton and the Panthers are definitely a talented bunch but will only go as far as Newton can carry them. 

Chicago Bears

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 16 at Green Bay Packers

I am going to state it right now: I do not believe that the Chicago Bears will make the playoffs in 2011 and I firmly believe that 2010 was a mere fluke for Lovie Smith and the Bears. 

You may or may not consider a potential Week 16 victory over the Green Bay Packers an upset, as the Packers could very well be already in line for the playoffs and it could simply be a meaningless game for them. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 8 at Seattle Seahawks

The Cincinnati Bengals are simply not going to have too many victories in 2011—they're just a bad football team. 

However, the Bengals could walk into the league's toughest place to play, Qwest Field in Seattle, and steal a victory away from the Seahawks. 

Cleveland Browns

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 2 at Indianapolis Colts

I am a big believer in Colt McCoy and I really do believe that the Cleveland Browns are going to win some games this year—and one of them will be against the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts.

I have already stated it before, but without Manning, the Colts are a bad football team. 

Dallas Cowboys

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 16 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The NFC East is arguably the NFL's most competitive division and it seems that year in and year out every team in that division beats up on each other—so it's really not that far-fetched that the Dallas Cowboys will upset the Philadelphia Eagles during Week 16.

Denver Broncos

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 1 vs. Oakland Raiders

I'm going to put it this way: the Denver Broncos are not ready to win, it's plain and simple. 

However, John Fox is still an above average coach and should out-coach first-year head coach, Hue Jackson, during the team's Week 1 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. 

Detroit Lions

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 16 vs. San Diego Chargers

The Detroit Lions are going to have a lot of upset victories this year as I'm predicting that they'll make a legitimate run at the playoffs—as long as Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.

The San Diego Chargers are one of the NFL's better teams, as they had the league's best offense and defense just a year ago, however I'm pulling for the Lions to have an upset victory on Christmas Eve. 

Green Bay Packers

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 5 at Atlanta Falcons 

How are the Green Bay Packers supposed to have any upset victories in 2011? They're the reigning Super Bowl champions! They should win every game! 

Although I do believe that the Atlanta Falcons are a very good football team and could be a tad bit better than the Green Bay Packers, the Packers will walk away with an "upset" victory during Week 5. 

Houston Texans

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 3 at New Orleans Saints

After watching the New Orleans Saints defense be torn apart by the Green Bay Packers Thursday night, I don't see why Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans can't do the same thing during Week 3.

The Texans are going to be a very good team in 2011, and if they want to make the playoffs then they're going to have to win games against teams like the Saints. 

Indianapolis Colts

Predicted Upset Victory:  Week 14 at Baltimore Ravens

Without Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts are not going to win very many games. 

If Manning is healthy and ready to play by Week 14, then I can see him leading the Colts over the Baltimore Ravens—that is, if he's playing. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 10 at Indianapolis Colts

Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars released their starting quarterback in David Garrard, I do believe that they'll be an average football team in 2011—they always seem to find a way to come close to .500. 

If the Indianapolis Colts are still without Peyton Manning in Week 10, then the Jaguars could walk away with a win. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 5 at Indianapolis Colts

I can't believe this, but the Indianapolis Colts are being slotted in for yet another loss—that is, if Peyton Manning is unable to play Week 5.

The Kansas City Chiefs are a pretty good football team, considering that they made the playoffs a year ago, and should stomp the Colts if they are without Manning. 

Miami Dolphins

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 8 at New York Giants

If the Miami Dolphins are able to put pressure on Eli Manning, then they could steal a victory away from the New York Giants during Week 8.

The Dolphins have a sold pass-rush led by Cameron Wake and could force Manning to throw some ill-advised passes. 

Minnesota Vikings

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 7 vs. Green Bay Packers

The NFC North is one of the toughest divisions in football, and the Minnesota Vikings are going to prove it during Week 7.

I may be predicting the Vikings to be at the bottom of the NFC North, but they're still a solid football team that could split with the Green Bay Packers. 

New England Patriots

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 12 at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 12 could feature a possible Super Bowl preview with the New England Patriots visiting the Philadelphia Eagles—however, the "Dream Team" will walk away as losers.

Some may not consider the Patriots to be underdogs in this one, but some will as the Eagles are the most hyped team in the league. 

New Orleans Saints

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 10 at Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons posted the NFC's best regular season record at 13-3, however the New Orleans Saints will be able to prove that they're still a Super Bowl contender, despite being two years removed from their Super Bowl triumph.

The Saints and Falcons are two playoff contenders and the Saints will certainly help themselves out tremendously with an upset victory in Atlanta. 

New York Giants

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 16 at New York Jets

This will be one of the year's best games, the battle of New York as the Jets will battle the Giants.

Many believe that the Jets will make a deep playoff run in 2011 and that the Giants won't even make the playoffs—however, in a end of the year critical matchup, the Giants will walk away with an upset victory. 

New York Jets

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 10 vs. New England Patriots

Many believe that the New York Jets are a better football team than the New England Patriots entering 2011, as they're coming off of an impressive playoff victory over their hated rivals.

The Jets' success will continue against the Patriots as they'll knock out the reigning AFC East champions, the New England Patriots.

Oakland Raiders

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 10 at San Diego Chargers

The Oakland Raiders may have swept their division in 2010, but they're still an average team—however, their success against the San Diego Chargers will continue in Week 10.

The Chargers are a very talented football team, but the Raiders will steal a game on the road. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 15 vs. New York Jets

On paper, the Philadelphia Eagles may be better than the New York Jets, but I believe that they'll enter Week 15 as underdogs against the Jets—but will come away as victors.

This is definitely going to be an interesting matchup as Rex Ryan will try to develop a defensive game-plan that will stop Michael Vick. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 4 at Houston Texans

Believe it or not, I have a feeling that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be underdogs coming into Week 4 against the Houston Texans and their high-flying offense.

Despite being underdogs, the Steelers will prove why they were AFC Champions a year ago. 

San Diego Chargers

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 9 vs. Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers may be reigning Super Bowl champions, but the San Diego Chargers had the best offense and defense in the NFL last season. 

If the Chargers can improve their lousy special teams and continue their offensive and defensive success, they could take down the defending champs. 

San Francisco 49ers

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 12 at Baltimore Ravens

Week 12 will feature an interesting matchup between the Harbaugh brothers: Jim and his San Francisco 49ers will travel to matchup against John and his Baltimore Ravens.

John may have the experience in the NFL, but I'm feeling that Jim will get a little lucky this time and beat up on his older brother. 

Seattle Seahawks

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 15 at Chicago Bears

The Seattle Seahawks may have been a playoff team last year, but let's face it, they're a below average football team—considering their losing 7-9 record from last season.

However, the Seahawks will not be losers against the Chicago Bears during Week 15 as they'll walk away from Chicago as victors. 

St. Louis Rams

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 7 at Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are definitely a talented team, but I have a strong feeling that Sam Bradford will prove why he's an emerging quarterback in the NFL during Week 7.

Bradford will lead his St. Louis Rams to an upset victory over Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys in the Big D. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have failed to beat the Atlanta Falcons last season, but will achieve a nice upset victory during Week 3.

The Buccaneers are a young and talented team on the rise, and if Josh Freeman plays well against the Falcons, then Tampa Bay could steal one against their division rivals. 

Tennessee Titans

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 17 at Houston Texans

The Houston Texans should be a playoff team in 2011, but the Tennessee Titans will find a way to beat up on their division rivals during Week 17. A lot of it could be because Houston is resting their starters, but either way it's an upset. 

Washington Redskins

Predicted Upset Victory: Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Washington Redskins have to win some games, no matter how bad they are. 

The NFC East is always a tough division and the teams always seem to play hard against each other, so that's why I'm picking the Redskins to upset the Dallas Cowboys—also, I believe that Tony Romo and his Cowboys are a bunch of frauds.