1.) Green Bay Packers (10-6
-The Packers stuck with their motto of address needs through the draft and not indulge in Free Agency. They addressed their need for a return man with Randall Cobb, they added another young OL in Derrek Sherrod, and they get Morgan Burnett, Jermichael Finley, and Ryan Grant off the IR. Sounds like a good offseason to me.
2.) New England Patriots (14-2)
-The Patriots made some great additions in the offseason by acquiring Chad Ocho Cinco and disgruntled DT Albert Haynesworth for srap picks. They also went out and added former Jet Shaun Ellis to their Defensive Line. Tom Brady is headed for another great year, and the Patriots should be the favorites in the AFC.
3.) Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
-The Eagles are this years Free Agency Champions. They signed top CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who will be a shutdown CB on one side. They also brought in Vince Young as their backup in the case Michael Vick gets hurt. Are they the new favorites in the NFC, or will all the hype and ego's sink the ship and get Andy Reid fired.
4.) Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
-The Steelers have all the same pieces in palce from last years Super Bowl run. Ike Taylor one of the most underrated CB's in the league re-signed, and Big Ben went an entire offseason without making headlines. James Harrison called out his QB and RB in the offseason, which could cause some friction. The big question here is will they suffer the 2nd place hangover.
5.) Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
-This is more a projection of where I think the Ravens can be this year. Ed Reed will be back at full strength hopefully for a full 16 games, and Joe Flacco is looking to prove that he can be a big time QB in the NFL, and lead his team to a Super Bowl. They were one of the worst against the run last year, and I expect them to improve in that area as well.
6.) Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
-The Falcons made two huge moves in the offseason, trading up for Julio Jones in the draft, and signing young pass rusher Ray Edwards, Both were good moves for a young improving team. In a tough division playing against the Saints and Buccaneers, can the Falcons repeat their success from 2010.
-After a humiliating loss to the 7-9 Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs, the Saints are looking to turn it around. Adding veteran Olin Kreutz, and upgrading from Reggie Bush to Darren Sprolles will only help this offense get better. They boosted their Defensive line by drafting Cam Jordan in the 1st round, but questions on defense still remain.
8.) Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
-Peyton Manning is still recovering from neck surgery he had during the Lockout. He has already missed several weeks of Training Camp, leaving the offense to run through Nate Davis and Curtis Painter. The Colts made some nice additions in the offseason, adn they get Dallas Clark back, but how will missing time effect Peyton and the Colts.
9.) New York Jets (11-5)
-The Jets seemed to be the favorites to land Nnamdi, until the Eagles swooped in after it was discovered the Jets, were no longer in the running. They lost Braylon Edwards, Brad Smith and lockerroom favorite Jerricho Cotchery. While they did bring in veterans Derrick Mason and fresh out of prison Plaxico Burress, they downgraded at WR. Rex Ryan gaurantees a Super Bowl this year (again), but if the Jets fall short, how much longer will that last.
10.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)
-The Bucs are on their way to being a strong contender in the NFC thanks to young QB Josh Freeman. The young trio of Freeman, Legarette Blount, and WR Mike Williams have the Bucs set up to be dangerous on offense. Rahim Morris has a plan for this team, and they might just win the NFC South.
11.) San Diego Chargers (9-7)
-The Chargers were primed for a great season in 2010, until Ryan Matthews failed to live up to expectations as a rookie, and Vincent Jackson held out for msot of the season. Now with Jackson back, and Mathews possibly ready for a strong year, the Chargers could be back to being a strong contender in the AFC, but will they dissapoint fans again.
12.) Houston Texans (6-10)
-This may finally be the year the Texans get over the hump, make the playoffs and possibly even win the AFC South. Their offense has always been one of the best in the NFL, and now their defense is taking shape. Brian Cushing will paly a full 16 games, and they now have a good CB in Jonathan Joseph to boost their secondary. The Texans may finally get to experience what the playoffs are like.
13.) New York Giants (10-6)
-Before training camp started, it looked like the Giants could have a decent shot at making the playoffs this year. Then they lost Prince Amukamara for 2 months with a foot injury, Kevin Boss left for Oakland, and Osi wants out. Tom Coughlin can find a way to make it work, and they are getting Steve Smith back to help their offense. But if the Giants don't make the playoffs, Coughlin might be on his way out.
14.) Chicago Bears (11-5)
-The Bears likely had one of the strangest offseason this year. They traded away Jay Cutlers favorite target Greg Olsen, even though he was seldom used in mike Martz offense. They brought in Dallas castoffs Roy Williams and Marion Barber, and they let longtime Bear Olin Kreutz go. Kreutz was the glue to the Bears locker room, and Barber and Williams aren't exactly thrilling options.
15.) St. Louis Rams (7-9)
-Sam Bradford showed last year that he has the talent to be one of the top QB's in this league. He has a very good RB in Steven Jackson, but who does he have to throw to. The Rams added some targets through the draft but remained focused on building their defense. The Rams should be the favorites in the NFC West.
16.) Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
-The Cowboys failed miserably last year thanks in part to bad coaching, bad defense, and Tony Romo being hurt. They let Roy Williams and Marion Barber go, and managed to re-sign Doug Free. Romo should stay healthy this year and Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten are all great weapons. They will be much improved this year but, they could finish anywhere from 1 to 3.
17.) Detroit Lions (7-9)
-What once was an 0-16 team is now slowly turning into a powerhouse. The Lions have done well in past drafts adding guys like Suh, Jahvid Best, Matthew Stafford, and Louis Delmas. They have alot of talent that could lead them to the playoffs, but they still have one major problem. Injuries have already taken their toll, Nick Fairley is out 3-4 weeks, Mikel leshoure is gone for the season, and we still don't know if Stafford can stay on the field. How far this team can go will all depend on how many injuries they suffer during the season.
18.) Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
-The Chiefs surprised everyone last year winning 10 games, and taking the AFC South crown. QB Matt Cassel looked like a elgitmate starting QB, and Jamall Charles showed his skills as a RB. While they did boost their WR core in the offseason they lost OC Charlie Weis, and Cassell fell back to earth late in the season. The Chiefs may be in for a rough year.
19.) Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
-The team everyone said shouldn't even be in the playoffs, shocked the world when they knocked off the Saints in the 1st round. This year however 7-9 won't be good enough to win the division and even with the additions of Sidney Rice and Zach Miller, Seattle still has problems on offense. Tarvaris Jackson is their starting QB, and besides that playoff run can you remember anything Marshawn Lynch has done. They won't be bad enough to get Luck, but they won't be good enough to win the division
20.) Miami Dolphins (7-9)
-The Dolphins did a great job bringing the national media out to training camp. First they traded for Reggie Bush to start at RB, then the rumor spread they wanted Brett Favre. Despite the fact Chad Henne is their QB, the Dolphins have some very nice pieces. They have a very good secondary with Vontae Davis and Sean Smith (breakout alert!) and Jason Taylor is coming back for one more year. The offense is nothing to brag about, but atleast the defense will be fun to watch.
21.) Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
-The Cardinals amde the big move in the offseason and traded Rodgers-Cromartie and their 2nd round pick for Eagles QB Kevin Kolb. To say they believe in Kolb is an understatement, giving him a 60 million dolalr contract before he even threw a pass for them. He does give them the best QB they have had since Kurt Warner, and that will make Larry Fitzgerald happy. Their defense is still atrocious however even with rookie playmaker Patrick Peterson on the team.
22.) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
-The Jaguars may finally have their QB for the future, amd he doesnt even have to cut his hair. Blaine Gabbert will get a chance to compete for the starting job right away, but even if he loses they still have a nice option with David Garrard. Their O-Line will be healthy again, and MJD should have a bounce back year. Their WR core is still weak, and the defense abmissal, but the future is starting to look brighter, just not for Jack Del Rio.
23.) Oakland Raiders (8-8)
-The Raiders achieved a rare feat last year, sweeping their division and nearly and finishing (.500) on the season. The problem, that is very unlikely to happen again and they went 2-8 against the rest of the NFL. Darren McFadden stayed healthy last year and proved he was worth the 5th overall pick. Can Jason Cambell play well enough to keep the team near .500, and can Darren McFadden stay healthy. Expect the Raiders to fall of a bit in 2011
24.) Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
-The Brett Favre experiment failed, so the Vikings decided to go after another old QB. Donovan McNabb is the Vikings hope to lead them to a winning recprd, and after a miserable season in Washington a fresh start may help him. He will be the benefactor of handing off to the best RB in the NFL, Adrian Peterson and he will have a good defense to support him. The Vikings did lose Ray Edwards and Sidney Rice however, both were signifcant pieces on the team. McNabb will bring more to the table then rookie Christian Ponder.
25.) Tennessee Titans (6-10)
-Vince Young is out, Jeff Fisher is out, Randy Moss was rarely there, and Chris Johnson is holding out. The Titans are beginning an overhaul and it begins with Jake Locker. Locker will need several years to develop his game into a NFL starter, and while that takes place Matt Hasslebeck will handle the reigns. He has up and comer Jared Cook to throw to, and possibly Kenny Britt (if he does not get suspended) so he should have a decent year. Unfortunately for the Titans, Chris Johnson will hold out for as long as it takes, and they will remain the worst team in their division
26.) Cleveland Browns (5-11)
-It turns out Colt McCoy could be a decent QB in the NFL, and a starter at that. Then again, that could jsut be the sad state the Browns are in. The Browns were shocked last year when Peyton Hillis busted out for 1,177 yards and 11 TD's. He isn't likely to repeat that success, but Montario Hardesty will be healthy, Brandon Jackson will provide support and Greg Little could be this years Mike Williams (TB). The Browns could suprise some people this year and win 7 games.
27.) San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
-The 49ers got the most coveted colelge coach on the market in Jim Harbaugh from Stanford. He will bring a fire and devotion the 49ers have lacked since Mike Singletary, but they are hoping this one turns them into actual "winners". Alex Smith is still their QB, and Frank Gore is coming off a broken hip. Maybe this will be the year Alex Smith proves himself, or maybe he will help get the 49ers Andrew Luck, we will see.
28.) Denver Broncos (4-12)
-Who is going to be the Broncos signal caller in Week 1, that still remains the question. Many thought Kyle Orton would be gone by now, but he is still throwing passes in Denver, and keeping Tim Tebow off his heels. Tebow desperately wants the job and will do whatever it takes to get it, but regardless of who is startig for them this season 6 wins is their highest potential.
29.) Carolina Panthers (2-14)
-After finishing last in the NFL last year, the Panthers were quick to make moves during the offseason. They signed all their big name free agents, they drafted Cam newton 1st overall, and they traded for Bears TE Greg Olsen. Now with new head coach Ron Rivera at the helm, you can expect a improved performance from the defense. The team could have a fairly decent year, it just all depends on how well Newton does.
30.) Buffalo Bills (4-12)
-The Bills fans haven't had alot to be excited about over the years. C.J SPiller dissapointed in the limited carries he had, and the defense was hard to watch. Stevie Johnson broke onto the seen and left the question "Why So Serious? My question, do the Bills have a chance to get Andrew Luck.
31.) Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
-The Bengals are finally without Chad Ocho Cinco, and it is a shame to because he was one of the few players worth watching. They now have A.J Green to replace him a potential Pro Bowl WR in a few years. Andy Dalton is their starting QB due to Carson Palmers "retirement" which will stay in the headlines all season long. Oh and Adam Pac Man Jones got arrested again as did Cedric Benson.
32.) Washington Redskins (6-10)
-The Mike Shannahan/Donovan McNabb/Albert Haynesworth plan failed miserably. After training camp Shannahan essentialy set out to defame Albert Haynesworth and expose him for what Shannahan believed he was "a lazy, heartless player" and weeks into the season Shannahan pulled McNabb in the 4th quarter saying he did not know the 2 minute offense. Now Haynesworth and McNabb are gone, John Beck is their QB and things are not looking bright. The Redskins could very easily be the worst team in the NFL.
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