Riding Vick: Del Picks Eagles Over Chargers in Super Bowl
Hear that? Depending on where you are reading this from, that is probably the sound of absolutely nothing. It might even be the same sound you heard last Sunday, and the Sunday before that, and the Sunday before that. Not to worry: The excitement will soon be returned to your life as we kick off the NFL season in less than 12 hours. Hallelujah.
Loyal LBS readers will be happy to hear that Doc Brown and Del are back this season and looking to be better than ever, bringing you expert predictions and picks against the spread every week of the NFL season. If you were with us last season, you may recall that Del — a.k.a. Steve DelVecchio — picked the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl. Remember how that turned out? Enough bragging. The important thing is we’re here once again to bring you our AFC and NFC predictions for the 2011 NFL season, so let’s get right to it. Remember to check back for Doc Brown’s 2011 predictions later today.
1. New England Patriots: At this point it looks like Chad Ochocinco will need some time to conquer the offense, but the Patriots will be fine in the meantime. When he does catch on they’ll be that much more dangerous. Bill Belichick stockpiled defensive linemen and will switch his defense to a 4-3, which should help New England create more pressure on the quarterback than they have the past two seasons. The question is can they remember how to win in the playoffs?
2. New York Jets: The Jets are pleased they have made two consecutive AFC Championship games, but that has set the bar high and this year it will be Super Bowl or bust for Gang Green. Rex Ryan spent the offseason making his typical guarantees, but none of that will matter if Mark Sanchez can’t take the next step. The defense will be among the best in the league again, but is a full year of Santonio Holmes and another year of experience for Sanchez enough to propel the offense to the next level?
3. Miami Dolphins: This will be a season of last chances for a few players in Miami, starting with Chad Henne and Reggie Bush. If Henne continues to allow Dolphins fans to get under his skin and cannot use it as motivation, he will be out as the starter by Week 5. Bush has been nothing shy of a bust since he was drafted by the Saints, but with a rookie running back sharing the carries he’ll be leaned on heavily and given plenty of touches early in the season.
4. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, and Fred Jackson have proven they can be viable weapons and give Buffalo a balanced attack on offense, but major questions remain on defense — particularly in the middle. Can Shawne Merriman still contribute and will Nick Barnett remain healthy? If the answer to either question is “no,” the Bills will have more trouble on defense this year than they had a year ago.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: This was an extremely difficult call, as part of me feels the Ravens will take a huge step this season. But the defending AFC champs have done nothing but lock up their defensive backbone which should keep them happy and ready for another Super Bowl run. They made the playoffs with ease last season despite Ben Roethlisberger missing the first four games of the season.
2. Baltimore Ravens: If the Ravens can somehow get the best of the Steelers in their two match-ups, they’ll win the division. Joe Flacco should become a big-game quarterback this year with the help of Anquan Boldin now in his second year with the team. The defense is aging, but they have shown few signs of slowing down.
3. Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy brought hope to a franchise in peril last season, as Cleveland put up a fight against some of the toughest teams in the NFL (Patriots, Saints, Jets, Falcons) over a short span of the season. People want to assume Peyton Hillis won’t stay healthy, but you can’t assume an injury that has yet to happen. Colt McCoy should feel more comfortable and — at the very least — keep the Browns from embarrassing themselves.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Youth on offense will kill the Bengals in this division. Rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will be looked upon to do too much too soon and teams like the Steelers and Ravens will feast on their inexperience. Marvin Lewis has been able to keep his job despite never getting it done, so why should this year be any different?
AFC South
1. Houston Texans: Peyton Manning’s injury opens a huge window for the Texans, who have been on the rise despite last season’s 6-10 record. Unless Arian Foster’s injury turns out to be something serious, their offense will put up plenty of points. The addition of DanieaTl Manning can only help a secondary that was the NFL’s worst a season ago. Hiring Wade Phillips should serve to iron out some defensive issues.
2. Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning. With him, you assume the Colts win this division every year. Peyton would not be breaking his consecutive games played streak Week 1 if his injury were less than serious, and he has already been ruled out for the game. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Colts’ season depends on how much time Manning misses and how effective he can be when he comes back.
3. Tennessee Titans: A happy Chris Johnson will give the Titans an effective run game, but likely not an above-.500 record. Matt Hasselbeck is certainly an upgrade at quarterback on paper, but he has been in one system for a long time and will have to learn to operate in a new one. Don’t expect a quick start like the one they had in 2010. If anything, Tennessee will start slow and improve as the season goes on.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars David Garrard is no hero, but releasing him less than a week before the season will not help the Jaguars offense in the immediate future. With Luke McCown handling the quarterbacking duties it is only a matter of time before Blane Gabbert’s number is called. Gabbert could have a bright future, but we all know how rookie quarterbacks tend to fair in the NFL on poor teams.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers: Will the Chargers ever live up to their potential? If they can stay healthy — and that’s a huge if — this should be a great season for San Diego. Philip Rivers is as good as any quarterback in the league and the holdouts of Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson were an unnecessary distraction at the beginning of 2010. Bringing back Eric Weddle was a must. Don’t be surprised if San Diego dominates this division.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs should not surprise the league this year, as we should be expecting a solid record with their relatively weak schedule. If Todd Haley uses Jamaal Charles enough and he can stay healthy, he could turn into the top fantasy running back this season. Eric Berry and Glenn Dorsey should only improve with another year under their belts and anchor a solid defense.
3. Oakland Raiders: The emergence of Darren McFadden in 2010 should be big for the Raiders in 2011. A quarterback like Jason Campbell cannot be effective without the threat of an explosive running game, and that’s exactly what McFadden provides. Their defense will be average, but if one of Darrius Heyward-Bey or Jacoby Ford can turn into a play-making receiver Oakland should win its fair share of games.
4. Denver Broncos: Josh McDaniels blew this team up before he collected his last paycheck. Kyle Orton brings stability at quarterback and the duo of Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee should make a formidable backfield, but this is a defense with a ton of question marks. The addition of Ty Warren could have been big but there is no telling when he will return from an arm injury. Champ Bailey is not getting any younger.
Wild Card Winners: Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets
AFC Championship Game: San Diego Chargers over New England Patriots
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are the popular pick in this division and why shouldn’t they be? Enough talk of Michael Vick getting injured. What if he doesn’t? LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Vick make up the best offensive trio in the NFC. When Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie won’t even be on the field in certain packages, you know you have a solid secondary.
2. Dallas Cowboys: Jason Garrett is probably getting too much credit for the Cowboys’ strong finish last season, but there is no question this team is in for a much better year. Felix Jones looks poised for a breakout and Tony Romo should be determined to bounce back and prove he can still be a top quarterback in the NFC. If this team starts slow after the way it started last year they just don’t have enough heart to compete in a tough division.
3. New York Giants: Losing two cornerbacks for the year before the season started was not an ideal way to go through the preseason for the Giants, but at least they have time to get over it and move on. Their front seven should be effective as usual. Nothing new here, but Eli Manning needs to stop throwing interceptions. His touchdown numbers are there, but if he cut his turnover total by about 10 it would be huge for the G-Men offense.
4. Washington Redskins: The Donovan McNabb experiment was clearly a failure, and it has left the Redskins with a big hole at quarterback. Can Rex Grossman or John Beck really be trusted? Tim Hightower has been a pleasant surprise this preseason, but he will only be effective if Washington can get some stability at quarterback.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl hangover or not, the Packers should win the NFC North. Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk anchor one of the best defenses in the league and their offense needs no introduction. If Jermichael Finley can return to his pre-injury form their offense will be even more dangerous.
2. Detroit Lions: There is no team in the NFL more determined to start winning than the Detroit Lions, and they finally have the tools to do it. Matthew Stafford is poised for a breakout season and we know what Calvin Johnson brings. Consistency in the running game will be a major wild card for Detroit. Defensively, Ndamukong Suh is leading a crew that looked possessed in the preseason.
3. Chicago Bears: The Bears defense seems to never age and remains solid year after year, but their offense is still a question mark. The Bears have holes along their offensive line and Matt Forte has not shown he can be a consistent runner. Roy Williams would need a serious resurgence to contribute to the Bears passing attack.
4. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan McNabb didn’t work in Washington, so something tells me he won’t work in Minnesota. Having the best running back in the league could take some pressure off the passing game, but this is a 6-10 team that hasn’t improved in many areas.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons: Del’s bold prediction of the 2011 season: Matt Ryan will have a huge season. We all know the Falcons like to run the ball — especially when they have a lead — but early indications point to Ryan being unleashed in 2011. Julio Jones will add to a potent offense and Atlanta should continue to come up with big plays on defense.
2. New Orleans Saints: If you had the means to swap Reggie Bush for Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram, you would do it too. The Saints defense will do enough and their offense will be explosive as usual. Sean Payton is clearly one of the best in the game and has found a winning formula.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It may come as a surprise to a lot of people, but Josh Freeman finished the season last year with 25 touchdown passes and a passer rating of 95.9. That’s not bad for a guy whose main weapon was supposed to be his legs. LeGarrette Blount is in for a full workload and if he can handle it the Bucs could make some noise.
4. Carolina Panthers: Let the Cam Newton project begin. It may not be a failure in the long run, but certainly won’t succeed in 2011.
NFC West
1. St. Louis: This division is still garbage overall, but it will take a better record than 7-9 to win it this season. The Rams offense could get a quiet boost from Mike Sims-Walker and Sam Bradford will benefit greatly from another year of experience. Most importantly, St. Louis is guaranteed six games against below-average competition.
2. Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Kolb is an upgrade at quarterback and should thrive with the newly-extended Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald should come alive again after having to tough it out last season with a horrible situation. An injury to rookie Ryan Williams will give Beanie Wells a great opportunity to show he can bring more to the table.
4a. Seattle Seahawks: Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer. There will be no turning heads this year or Marshawn Lynch trucking four people in a home playoff game.
4b. San Francisco 49ers: How is Alex Smith still the quarterback of this team?
Wild Card Winners: Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints
NFC Championship Game: Philadelphia Eagles over Green Bay Packers
AFC Championship Game: San Diego Chargers over New England Patriots
SUPER BOWL: Philadelphia Eagles over San Diego Chargers
Individual Awards:
Offensive MVP: Philip Rivers
Defensive MVP: Ndamukong Suh
Offensive Rookie of the Year: A.J. Green
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jimmy Smith
Coach of the Year: Jim Schwartz
