NFL 2011 Preview: Awards and Week 1 Picks
All the predictions are in and it's time to play some football, well almost all of them.
The season can't start without forecasting award winners for 2011 and of course my Super Bowl pick. I've previewed all the teams and now it's time to predict the players who will make the most impact this NFL season and who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Indianapolis, February 5th.
2011 Awards
Most Valuable Player: QB Tom Brady, Patriots
This one is tough. I really see Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers having great seasons, but Tom Brady will find some way to win MVP, again. All three have good offensive lines and great playmakers to get the ball too, but Brady has the best head coach and is on the best team.
Runners-Up: QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers
QB Philip Rivers, Chargers
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Philip Rivers, Chargers
Brady may win MVP, but Rivers could put ridiculous numbers in San Diego, including a 5,000-yard season and 30 plus TD.
Runners-Up: QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers
QB Tom Brady, Patriots
Defensive Player of the Year: LB DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys
DeMarcus Ware will be rushing the passer even more in 2011 under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, which will give opposing offensive coordinators nightmares.
Runners-Up: DT Ndamukong Suh, Lions
S Troy Polamalu, Steelers
Coach of the Year: Jim Schwartz, Lions
The Lions are a major sleeper in the NFC if QB Matthew Stafford stays healthy and if the defensive line is as good as advertised, Jim Schwartz will have the Lions in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Runners-Up: Jason Garrett, Cowboys
Steve Spagnuolo, Rams
Offensive Rookie of the Year: WR Julio Jones, Falcons
With the Falcons high flying offense and Roddy White getting most of the attention from opposing secondaries, Jones could have a great rookie season in Atlanta.
Runners-Up: RB Mark Ingram, Saints
QB Cam Newton, Panthers
Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Von Miller, Broncos
Offensive lines will be poised to stop the Broncos best pass rusher, Elivs Dumervil, resulting in many one-on-ones for Von Miller. And it's going to take more than one blocker to stop Miller from getting to the quarterback.
Runners-Up: CB Patrick Peterson, Cardinals
DE J.J. Watt, Texans
Comeback Player of the Year: QB Matthew Stafford, Lions
Matthew Stafford missed much of last season due to a shoulder injury, but if he stays healthy and with all the talent the Lions have, he could lead Detroit to the playoffs.
Runners-Up: DE Albert Haynesworth, Patriots
TE Jermichael Finley, Packers
Super Bowl XLVI Champions
First off, let's review my 12 playoff teams. From the NFC, St. Louis, Green Bay, Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta and New Orleans. And from the AFC, San Diego, New England, New York Jets, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Whether you want to believe it or not, all of these teams have a chance to win the Super Bowl if they get to the playoffs. As we've seen in the past, just get to the playoffs and anything can happen.
When all the games have been played and the seasons comes to a close February 5th, 2012, in Indianapolis, the team that I seeing win Super Bowl XLVI are the...New England Patriots. And here's why.
In order to get to the Super Bowl, I believe a team must have the following things, a very good quarterback, a good offensive line, solid defense and a good coaching staff. Now there have been exceptions over the years, but I truly believe an NFL team must meet these criteria, among other things, in order to win a Super Bowl. Let's go through each of the 12 playoff teams and i will explain why the Patriots will be the champions of the NFL.
First, eliminate the St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions because of their youth. The Rams and Lions both have a lot of good, young talent, but their quarterbacks, Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford, are very young and inexperienced. Ben Roethlisberger got to the Super Bowl in his rookie season, but the Rams and Lions don't have the defense the Steelers had. Within the next couple of years I think fans could see the Rams or Lions in the Super Bowl, but not in 2011.
Next, eliminate the Jets and Ravens because of their quarterbacks. Mark Sanchez and Joe Flacco have both been improving since they got to the NFL and both have tremendous supporting casts around them, especially on defense. However, neither one has played well enough to this point in their career to prove to me they can lead a team to the Super Bowl. So, sorry Rex, maybe next year.
New Orleans is removed from the playoffs next because of their defense. The Saints have a great quarterback, good coaches and a high powered offenses, but their defense isn't Super Bowl caliber. New Orleans won Super Bowls two years, but the Saints defense let them down big time in the playoffs last year and questions still surround them this year.
Now for the Colts. Indianapolis has a lot of aging talent and that, combined with an above average, but not great defense, could keep them from reaching the Super Bowl. But the main reason the Colts will not be reaching the Super Bowl, however, is the loss of QB Peyton Manning. Manning will miss significant time due to a second neck surgery and the Colts will struggle just to make the playoffs in his absence. If Manning is gone most of the season, the Houston Texans become the favorites in the AFC South.
As for Pittsburgh and Green Bay, both have the teams to get back to the Super Bowl, but as history shows us that rarely happens. Since Super Bowl XXX, only Green Bay, Denver and New England have reached the Super Bowl in back-to-back years. So, I would say the odds are against the Packers and Steelers, but don't be stunned if they get back to the big game. I just don't see it happening.
Four teams are left and these are the four teams I see playing in the conference championship games, San Diego vs. New England and Atlanta vs. Philadelphia. In the AFC, San Diego will have to travel across the country from sunny Southern California to snowy Foxborough, which gives the Patriots a huge advantage. Tom Brady does enough against the Chargers defense and Bill Belichick finds a way to stop Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense on their way to Indianapolis.
In the NFC, Atlanta travels to Philadelphia in a battle of the birds. A high scoring game will likely ensue, as both teams are stacked on offense, and Michael Vick will out duel Matt Ryan. Vick and the Eagles are expected to reach the Super Bowl and I think the "Dream Team" overcomes the pressure to get there. Winning it however, will be a different story.
In a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX, the Eagles battle the Patriots for the Lombardi Trophy and I think the Eagles fate has already been written by what happened in NBA Finals. In my preview of the Philadelphia Eagles, I said that the Eagles would be the NFL's version of the Miami Heat and how it would be interesting to see if they could handle the pressure surrounding their star studded roster.
Miami was able to get to the NBA Finals and even though they had the better talent, the Heat still lost to the Dallas Mavericks. Miami had the best group of players on any NBA team, but Dallas played the best as a team. I think the same exact thing will happen to the Eagles.
Football is the ultimate team game and although the Eagles have a more talented roster than the Patriots, New England plays the best team game, just like the Mavericks. It doesn't matter how good your players are, it matters how good they play together. Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots win their fourth Super Bowl ring, cementing their legacy as one of the league's all-time great franchises.
Week 1 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
GREEN BAY over New Orleans: Packers raise their championship banner and beat the Saints at Lambeau on the NFL's opening night.
Atlanta over CHICAGO: Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense gets the best of Brian Urlacher and the Chicago defense.
KANSAS CITY over Buffalo: Bills keep it close, but lose to the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
Cincinnati over CLEVELAND: Cincinnati won't have many chances to win this season and they need to take advantage of this opportunity against in-state rival Cleveland.
Detroit over TAMPA BAY: The Lions show they are for real with a solid win against a good Buccaneers team.
Tennessee over JACKSONVILLE: Matt Hasselbeck gets his first win in a Titans uniform, as Jacksonville cut QB David Garrard this week to save $9 million dollars and starts Luke McGown.
HOUSTON over Indianapolis: Pretty simple, the Colts will struggle without their most important player, Peyton Manning.
Philadelphia over ST. LOUIS: The "Dream Team" starts the season off with a win against up and rising St. Louis.
Pittsburgh over BALTIMORE: Pittsburgh wins 14-13 in a slugfest.
SAN DIEGO over Minnesota: Chargers put up a ton of yards and points on the Vikings.
NY Giants over WASHINGTON: Giants win an emotion game in the nation's captial 10 years after 9/11.
ARIZONA over Carolina: Kolb wins his first game as the Cardinals quarterback against rookie Cam Newton and the Panthers in the desert.
SAN FRANCISCO over Seattle: Jim Harbaugh wins his coaching debut in San Francisco.
NY JETS over Dallas: Rex out coaches his brother Rob, as the Jets and Giants both win games for the City of New York on 9/11.
New England over MIAMI: Brady and the Pats take their talents to South Beach and beat up on Reggie Bush and the Dolphins Monday night.
DENVER over Oakland: Orton leads Denver past arch rival Oakland on Monday night.
The season can't start without forecasting award winners for 2011 and of course my Super Bowl pick. I've previewed all the teams and now it's time to predict the players who will make the most impact this NFL season and who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Indianapolis, February 5th.
2011 Awards
Most Valuable Player: QB Tom Brady, Patriots
This one is tough. I really see Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers having great seasons, but Tom Brady will find some way to win MVP, again. All three have good offensive lines and great playmakers to get the ball too, but Brady has the best head coach and is on the best team.
Runners-Up: QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers
QB Philip Rivers, Chargers
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Philip Rivers, Chargers
Brady may win MVP, but Rivers could put ridiculous numbers in San Diego, including a 5,000-yard season and 30 plus TD.
Runners-Up: QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers
QB Tom Brady, Patriots
Defensive Player of the Year: LB DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys
DeMarcus Ware will be rushing the passer even more in 2011 under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, which will give opposing offensive coordinators nightmares.
Runners-Up: DT Ndamukong Suh, Lions
S Troy Polamalu, Steelers
Coach of the Year: Jim Schwartz, Lions
The Lions are a major sleeper in the NFC if QB Matthew Stafford stays healthy and if the defensive line is as good as advertised, Jim Schwartz will have the Lions in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Runners-Up: Jason Garrett, Cowboys
Steve Spagnuolo, Rams
Offensive Rookie of the Year: WR Julio Jones, Falcons
With the Falcons high flying offense and Roddy White getting most of the attention from opposing secondaries, Jones could have a great rookie season in Atlanta.
Runners-Up: RB Mark Ingram, Saints
QB Cam Newton, Panthers
Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Von Miller, Broncos
Offensive lines will be poised to stop the Broncos best pass rusher, Elivs Dumervil, resulting in many one-on-ones for Von Miller. And it's going to take more than one blocker to stop Miller from getting to the quarterback.
Runners-Up: CB Patrick Peterson, Cardinals
DE J.J. Watt, Texans
Comeback Player of the Year: QB Matthew Stafford, Lions
Matthew Stafford missed much of last season due to a shoulder injury, but if he stays healthy and with all the talent the Lions have, he could lead Detroit to the playoffs.
Runners-Up: DE Albert Haynesworth, Patriots
TE Jermichael Finley, Packers
Super Bowl XLVI Champions
First off, let's review my 12 playoff teams. From the NFC, St. Louis, Green Bay, Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta and New Orleans. And from the AFC, San Diego, New England, New York Jets, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Whether you want to believe it or not, all of these teams have a chance to win the Super Bowl if they get to the playoffs. As we've seen in the past, just get to the playoffs and anything can happen.
When all the games have been played and the seasons comes to a close February 5th, 2012, in Indianapolis, the team that I seeing win Super Bowl XLVI are the...New England Patriots. And here's why.
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| Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have won three Super Bowls together and they will win a fourth this season. (Elsa/Getty Images) |
First, eliminate the St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions because of their youth. The Rams and Lions both have a lot of good, young talent, but their quarterbacks, Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford, are very young and inexperienced. Ben Roethlisberger got to the Super Bowl in his rookie season, but the Rams and Lions don't have the defense the Steelers had. Within the next couple of years I think fans could see the Rams or Lions in the Super Bowl, but not in 2011.
Next, eliminate the Jets and Ravens because of their quarterbacks. Mark Sanchez and Joe Flacco have both been improving since they got to the NFL and both have tremendous supporting casts around them, especially on defense. However, neither one has played well enough to this point in their career to prove to me they can lead a team to the Super Bowl. So, sorry Rex, maybe next year.
New Orleans is removed from the playoffs next because of their defense. The Saints have a great quarterback, good coaches and a high powered offenses, but their defense isn't Super Bowl caliber. New Orleans won Super Bowls two years, but the Saints defense let them down big time in the playoffs last year and questions still surround them this year.
Now for the Colts. Indianapolis has a lot of aging talent and that, combined with an above average, but not great defense, could keep them from reaching the Super Bowl. But the main reason the Colts will not be reaching the Super Bowl, however, is the loss of QB Peyton Manning. Manning will miss significant time due to a second neck surgery and the Colts will struggle just to make the playoffs in his absence. If Manning is gone most of the season, the Houston Texans become the favorites in the AFC South.
As for Pittsburgh and Green Bay, both have the teams to get back to the Super Bowl, but as history shows us that rarely happens. Since Super Bowl XXX, only Green Bay, Denver and New England have reached the Super Bowl in back-to-back years. So, I would say the odds are against the Packers and Steelers, but don't be stunned if they get back to the big game. I just don't see it happening.
Four teams are left and these are the four teams I see playing in the conference championship games, San Diego vs. New England and Atlanta vs. Philadelphia. In the AFC, San Diego will have to travel across the country from sunny Southern California to snowy Foxborough, which gives the Patriots a huge advantage. Tom Brady does enough against the Chargers defense and Bill Belichick finds a way to stop Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense on their way to Indianapolis.
In the NFC, Atlanta travels to Philadelphia in a battle of the birds. A high scoring game will likely ensue, as both teams are stacked on offense, and Michael Vick will out duel Matt Ryan. Vick and the Eagles are expected to reach the Super Bowl and I think the "Dream Team" overcomes the pressure to get there. Winning it however, will be a different story.
In a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX, the Eagles battle the Patriots for the Lombardi Trophy and I think the Eagles fate has already been written by what happened in NBA Finals. In my preview of the Philadelphia Eagles, I said that the Eagles would be the NFL's version of the Miami Heat and how it would be interesting to see if they could handle the pressure surrounding their star studded roster.
Miami was able to get to the NBA Finals and even though they had the better talent, the Heat still lost to the Dallas Mavericks. Miami had the best group of players on any NBA team, but Dallas played the best as a team. I think the same exact thing will happen to the Eagles.
Football is the ultimate team game and although the Eagles have a more talented roster than the Patriots, New England plays the best team game, just like the Mavericks. It doesn't matter how good your players are, it matters how good they play together. Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots win their fourth Super Bowl ring, cementing their legacy as one of the league's all-time great franchises.
Week 1 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
GREEN BAY over New Orleans: Packers raise their championship banner and beat the Saints at Lambeau on the NFL's opening night.
Atlanta over CHICAGO: Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense gets the best of Brian Urlacher and the Chicago defense.
KANSAS CITY over Buffalo: Bills keep it close, but lose to the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
Cincinnati over CLEVELAND: Cincinnati won't have many chances to win this season and they need to take advantage of this opportunity against in-state rival Cleveland.
Detroit over TAMPA BAY: The Lions show they are for real with a solid win against a good Buccaneers team.
Tennessee over JACKSONVILLE: Matt Hasselbeck gets his first win in a Titans uniform, as Jacksonville cut QB David Garrard this week to save $9 million dollars and starts Luke McGown.
HOUSTON over Indianapolis: Pretty simple, the Colts will struggle without their most important player, Peyton Manning.
Philadelphia over ST. LOUIS: The "Dream Team" starts the season off with a win against up and rising St. Louis.
Pittsburgh over BALTIMORE: Pittsburgh wins 14-13 in a slugfest.
SAN DIEGO over Minnesota: Chargers put up a ton of yards and points on the Vikings.
NY Giants over WASHINGTON: Giants win an emotion game in the nation's captial 10 years after 9/11.
ARIZONA over Carolina: Kolb wins his first game as the Cardinals quarterback against rookie Cam Newton and the Panthers in the desert.
SAN FRANCISCO over Seattle: Jim Harbaugh wins his coaching debut in San Francisco.
NY JETS over Dallas: Rex out coaches his brother Rob, as the Jets and Giants both win games for the City of New York on 9/11.
New England over MIAMI: Brady and the Pats take their talents to South Beach and beat up on Reggie Bush and the Dolphins Monday night.
DENVER over Oakland: Orton leads Denver past arch rival Oakland on Monday night.
With everything that has happened this off-season, 2011 could be one of the most exciting seasons of the NFL fans have ever seen. Let's play some football.
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