2011 NFL Predictions

With the 2011 NFL season getting underway Thursday night with a very entertaining game between the Packers and Saints, it seems only fitting to put my 2011 predictions out tonight.

The fact that the NFL's opening game was able to take place on time wasn't necessarily a miracle, but two months ago, seemed almost unlikely.  Once the lockout was resolved, teams were able to get their business in order, sign the appropriate players, and start training camp on time, only without any of the other off-season workouts.

As a result, 2011 seems as though it will be as cut and dry as they come.  The "haves" will be those teams that have led the pack for a while, teams like the Patriots, Packers, Saints, and Eagles.  The "have nots" will be those teams with younger cores, who, with the lockout affecting spring and summer workouts, were unable to get their younger players the reps necessary to become viable challengers.  The Titans, Panthers, Bengals, and Seahawks come to mind.

More so than in years past, the 2011 season should see no real surprises.  With the news Thursday that Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning will be sidelined for most, if not all, of the 2011 season after undergoing a second surgery on his neck, the only thing that's seemed to shift is the balance of power in the AFC South.

With that said, below are my picks for the 2011 season:

	NFC West				AFC West
1	Cardinals	9-7		1	Chargers	8-8
2	Rams	8-8		2	Broncos	7-9
3	49ers	4-12		3	Raiders	5-11
4	Seahawks	3-13		4	Chiefs	5-11
	NFC North				AFC North
1	Packers	13-3		1	Ravens	13-3
2	Lions	9-7		2	Steelers	13-3
3	Bears	8-8		3	Browns	5-11
4	Vikings	6-10		4	Bengals	4-12
	NFC East				AFC East
1	Eagles	13-3		1	Patriots	13-3
2	Cowboys	8-8		2	Jets	12-4
3	Giants	8-8		3	Dolphins	8-8
4	Redskins	5-12		4	Bills	5-11
	NFC South				AFC South
1	Saints	13-3		1	Texans	11-5
2	Falcons	12-4		2	Colts	5-11
3	Bucs	12-4		3	Jaguars	4-12
4	Panthers	4-12		4	Titans	2-12

NFC Championship: Packers vs. Saints
AFC Championship: Ravens vs. Patriots

Super Bowl: Packers vs. Patriots