NFL Free Agency and off-season trading has really reformed a lot of teams. The impact led me to writing updated NFL division predictions for the 2011 NFL season.
NFC North: Green Bay Packers (predicted record: 13-3). Green Bay had the biggest upside of the lockout because everybody else had to revitalize their teams in a short week. Instead the packers just cut a few salary cap eating players. I would definitely say that the packers should be back at the big dance this season. Detroit has a good chance with an awesome defensive line too. They should have a shot at wild card if QB Matthew Stafford can have a good year.
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals (predicted record: 10-6). The cardinals made a lot of bold moves in the off-season so far. They acquired Kevin Kolb, a superstar in the making from the Eagles, signing of 2-time pro bowler TE Todd Heap, and signing of LB Stewart Bradley. They also did very well in the draft filling most of their needs with CB Patrick Peterson (#5 overall pick), RB Ryan Williams (#38 overall pick), and TE Robert Housler (#69 overall pick) to name a few. Look out for Seattle too, they made some bold moves but lost out on their starting QB Matt Hasselbeck which I think drops them to 2nd in this division.
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (predicted record: 12-4). The Eagles by far have the best free agent class with pro bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha, pro bowl DE Jason Babin, DE Cullen Jenkins, and backup QB Vince Young. They also acquired pro bowl CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the Kevin Kolb trade to the Cardinals. This division will give Eagles good competition but since the Eagles have the best secondary in this division, they should be able to shut out opponent wide receivers limiting big plays.
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons (predicted record: 12-4). The Falcons traded their whole draft this year for superstar in the making WR Julio Jones getting oohs and awes in practice. This will make for a deadly big play wide receiver duo that no corner back in the NFC South can stop. They also strengthened their pass rush with DE Ray Edwards playing opposite of pro bowl DE John Abraham. The Saints will pose the biggest threat with draftees and signings of RB Mark Ingram, RB Darren Sproles, and CB Fabian Washington.
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (predicted record: 11-5). With Pittsburgh rolling over them in the playoffs they will look to make a splash in the competitive AFC North. They signed pro bowl FB Vonta Leach and got some good talent in the draft including a needed CB Jimmy Smith and WR Torrey Smith to summarize. The Steelers are the #1 threat to the Ravens but with Hines Ward declining in his old age they should look to capitalize.
AFC West: San Diego Chargers (predicted record: 12-4). Last year, the Chargers had a down year by not making the playoffs. They were hit with injuries and promising rookies having poor years. They should be able to get back up again with Vincent Jackson drama cleared up and him having a good year. The great QB Philip Rivers aimed for the moon last season and he got it with a career high in passing yards of 4,710 which probably will be duplicated this year. The Chiefs had a successful year last year but with Matt Cassel at QB, they won't be able to challenge San Diego.
AFC East: New England Patriots (predicted record: 14-2). Tom Brady won the MVP last season over scrambling Michael Vick with a TD to INT ratio at a historic level. The Patriots went big by trading for Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth which strengthen a poor ranked defense and gives them more depth at wide receiver. They looked like a contender last season but it proved too much pressure. The Jets threatened then slightly last season but not enough to make them feel pressured. The Jets will probably not threaten them at all this year losing out on some valuable free agents and with the emerging Dolphins going big this off-season also.
AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars (predicted record: 11-5). With Peyton Manning at age 35 and having a new 5 year/$90 million deal leaving no cap space to get new players. The Jaguars should be able to gain on the aging Colts with power house RB Maurice-Jones Drew, 2 QB options of Blaine Gabbert and David Garrard, pro bowl TE Marcedes Lewis, and many good defensive players. Jacksonville may be able to get back on the road of success starting with this season.
To conclude, The AFC champ should be New England and the NFC champ should be Green Bay as both teams have good parts to win this season. I hope you are looking forward to this season as much as I am.
