After a frustrating lockout and a historically hectic August, the 2011 season is nearly here. With Kickoff Sunday a mere few hours away, it's time for some predictions for the 2011 season. I'll go division-by-division, concluding with the NFC West.
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| With an emerging quarterback with a new offensive coordinator, the Rams won't come up short to the Seahawks this season. |
1. St. Louis Rams
Why They’ll Be Better – I don’t know which of Josh McDaniels’ accomplishments in New England was more impressive: masterminding a record-breaking offense in 2007, or making Matt “I haven’t started since high school” Cassel look like a Pro Bowler. He’ll do wonders for Sam Bradford’s development.
Why They’ll Be Worse – Earlier this week, my friend Matt pointed out that the Rams' opening schedule is brutal. Five of St. Louis’ first seven games are against teams that were over .500 last season. The Rams are a young team, and a poor start could demoralize them beyond repair.
My Prediction – The NFC West was the worst division in football history last season, and it won’t be much better this year. If Bradford and Steve Spaguolo’s defense can get the Rams to 3-4 entering November, they have a cakewalk to get to eight wins and the division title.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Why They’ll Be Better – Pop quiz: What was the Vikings’ record with Tavaris Jackson the year before Brett Favre invaded Minnesota? It was actually 10-6, which might surprise you given all the criticism Jackson has received since then. He gives the Seahawks a much better chance than Charlie Whitehurst ever would.
Why They’ll Be Better – I don’t know which of Josh McDaniels’ accomplishments in New England was more impressive: masterminding a record-breaking offense in 2007, or making Matt “I haven’t started since high school” Cassel look like a Pro Bowler. He’ll do wonders for Sam Bradford’s development.
Why They’ll Be Worse – Earlier this week, my friend Matt pointed out that the Rams' opening schedule is brutal. Five of St. Louis’ first seven games are against teams that were over .500 last season. The Rams are a young team, and a poor start could demoralize them beyond repair.
My Prediction – The NFC West was the worst division in football history last season, and it won’t be much better this year. If Bradford and Steve Spaguolo’s defense can get the Rams to 3-4 entering November, they have a cakewalk to get to eight wins and the division title.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Why They’ll Be Better – Pop quiz: What was the Vikings’ record with Tavaris Jackson the year before Brett Favre invaded Minnesota? It was actually 10-6, which might surprise you given all the criticism Jackson has received since then. He gives the Seahawks a much better chance than Charlie Whitehurst ever would.
Why They’ll Be Worse – Sidney Rice would’ve received my vote for Comeback Player of The Year if he didn’t go to Seattle, where good receivers go to die. As their only elite weapon on offense, the Seahawks better hope he doesn’t follow in the footsteps of Deion Branch and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
My Prediction – Pete Carroll confuses me. First he gives up significant draft picks for Charlie Whitehurst, and grooms him behind veteran Matt Hasselbeck. Then they try to resign Hasselbeck anyway. Then he leaves, and they import Jackson and immediately throw their full support behind him. Either way, their offensive line is too in-flux to give them any consistency this year.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Why They’ll Be Better – On one hand, I don’t believe in Kevin Kolb. On the other hand, the Cardinals’ best quarterback highlight last year was from a press conference. The bar could not be much lower for Kolb.
Why They’ll Be Worse – Arizona is fortunate that the NFC West has the weakest collection of quarterbacks in the league, because their secondary is paper-thin. After trading Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and losing starting cornerback Greg Toler for the season, they’ll have to push rookie Patrick Peterson into starting duty earlier than they’d hoped.
My Prediction – The disaster at quarterback last year gave the impression that Arizona just needed a replacement for Kurt Warner to return to respectability. But you can’t forget that they also lost Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston in the past two years. Even with a franchise quarterback, this team is a far cry from their 2008 Super Bowl squad.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Why They’ll Be Better – I am a fan of signing Braylon Edwards to a make-or-break deal. I’d rather have him than Plaxico Burress. If Michael Crabtree ever gets healthy, San Francisco could have it’s first legitimate receiver corps of the 21st century. Better late than never.
Why They’ll Be Worse – I’m convinced that the lockout was the only thing that extended Alex Smith’s seemingly endless stay with the 49ers. Without a full offseason to work with Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh knew that he would need a bridge quarterback before turning to the rookie.
My Prediction – Every August, I predict that the 49ers core of Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis and Justin Smith will capitalize on a weak division. And by every October, they’re inevitably doomed by poor quarterback and offensive line play. I like Harbaugh, but the lockout-delayed transition from college to the pros will give him a long adjustment period.
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