My Fearless League Predictions

 

It is time again for my fearless attempt (note:  no dart boards were injured during this exercise) to predict the outcome of the 2011 NFL Season.  I know that some of you will doubt my crystal ball but it seldom fails me (except when it needs repair which happens around this time every year).

AFC East

1. Pats –
   This team has struggled in the playoffs but always has a great regular
   season.  This year it will get to the AFC
   Championship game.
2. Jets – I wonder how good the O will be because I
   am not sold on QB Sanchez.
3. Dolphins – This team is without a QB and it will
   show.  Daboll is the OC which is good
   news for the TE’s.
4. Bills – This team is going to be in the running
   for the 1^st pick QB Luck.  But
   will they be willing to pay enough to sign him if they get the 1^st
   pick.

AFC North

1. Steelers – They have a D older than the “over
   the hill gang” of Redskin fame and the window to winning is closing because of
   it.
2. Ravens – They just can’t seem to find a way beat
   the Steelers and they will not this year.
3. Browns – They can be 8-8 or better IF they can
   keep QB McCoy healthy.  Otherwise 3-13.
4. Bengals – This team is in serious trouble with a
   new QB and questions about their D.

AFC South

1. Texans – The team has a great running game to go
   with an outstanding passing attack.  The
   only question is their D.  Williams as
   OLB?
2. Colts – The latest on QB Manning is that he will
   be out for a couple of months.  They
   could end up with a top 5 draft pick in 2012 without him.
3. Titans – RB Johnson is the key.  The O line has to give him just a step and he
   can go all the way.  The D and passing
   attacks keep them from contending.
4. Jags – Look for this team to be the first choice
   to move to LA.  The city is in a
   financial hole and the team is bereft of talent.

AFC West

1. Chargers – This team can not possibly get off to
   as bad a start as they have for the last couple of years.  Any improvement in their start will vault
   them into the playoffs.
2. Chiefs – QB Cassel is hurt and the running game
   alone can not make up for a porous D.
3. Raiders – I am the only one they did not call to
   play QB.  Key losses cannot be overcome.
4. Broncos – This team has a long way to go to
   become competitive.

 

NFC East

1. Eagles – The team has gone all out to win this
   year.  QB Vick will not have as good a
   year as 2010 but the D is better and this is the year.  If not, HC Reid is gone.
2. Giants – QB Manning is not as good as most think
   and that again prevents them from getting far in the post season.
3. Cowboys – Owner Jones is still looking for a HC
   that can win.  The problem is JJ is the
   GM and this team is not that good.
4. Redskins – Another team without a QB.  McNabb was not the answer.  If HC Shanahan doesn’t find the answer soon
   he will be gone as well.

 

NFC North

1. Packers – Despite a flurry of injuries last year
   the team made the playoffs and won it all.
   Those wounded players are back and the team is better than last year.
2. Lions – No one is going to want to face the D
   front this season.  If QB Stafford stays
   healthy this team can get into the playoffs.
3. Bears – HC Smith will likely be replaced if they
   slip below the Lions.  Bye Lovie.
4. Vikings – The window is now closed on this team
   contending.

 

NFC South

1. Saints – They will lose game 1 vs the Pack but
   still win the division.  Sproles will
   help this team.
2. Falcons – Their time will come next year but
   they still have some issues on D.
3. Bucs – This is the best 3^rd place
   team in the league.  They will challenge
   the Falcons next season.
4. Panthers – They had the top pick and I am not
   sure they used it wisely.  While QB Newton
   will improve this year will he ever be willing to pay the price to become a top
   QB?

 

NFC West

1. Rams – The D is much better and the O behind QB
   Bradford will flourish.
2. Cardinals – QB Kolb will make this team better
   but not enough to overtake the Rams.
3. 49ers – QB Smith is a white flag indicating this
   team might be looking to bring Stanford QB Luck to the team next year.
4. Seahawks – This is a bad team without a QB.  Jackson couldn’t make it in MN with the best
   RB in the league so how will he do here?
   It won’t be pretty.

That’s what I think.  Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio forcollege football and basketball and has scouted talent.

He is asenior writer forand editshttps://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on

and a non-fiction work athttp://www.merriam-press.com/.

He edits .
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