Clubber puts his reputation as sportsnet.ca's "football guru" on the line with his 2011 NFL predictions.
The only prediction that is sure to be right this season in the NFL is that Super Bowl 46 will be held Feb. 5, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
That being said, we will attempt to predict what will happen this season. Last year at this time, I picked the Green Bay Packers to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl 45. Oh well, half right beats being wrong on both accounts.
As always, feel free to agree or disagree as these predictions blogs are never scientific and your input is always greatly appreciated.
Most Valuable Player
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. Working with one of the finest core of receivers in the NFL, Rodgers will pick up where he left off in the playoffs last year and put up huge numbers in 2011. Not only does Rodgers have a healthy Jermichael Finley to work with this year, the Packers will also unleash an almost unstoppable no-huddle offence on opposing defences throughout the year at key times in the game.
Defensive player of the year
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions. Suh is the anchor of one of the nastiest defensive lines in the NFL and will be even tougher for offences to deal with now that he's in his second year in the league. Whether you think he's dirty or not, every offensive lineman in the NFL knows that when they line up against Suh, they are in for a long day of physically-intimidating football.
Rookie of the year
Receiver Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons and Saints running back Mark Ingram are both poised to have big years with their respective teams. If he wasn't working with a rookie quarterback, Bengals receiver AJ Green might have a shot at rookie of the year. Look for Jones to make enough plays and score enough touchdowns to edge out Ingram for the rookie award.
Defensive rookie of the year
Linebacker Von Miller of the Denver Broncos. With sack master Elvis Dumervil healthy and drawing double teams on the other side of the Broncos 3-4 defence, the lightning-quick Miller will feast on opposing quarterbacks. Defensive lineman Marcel Dareus likely won't win any awards, but he instantly makes the Bills' front seven tougher to deal with.
Division winners
NFC
East: Philadelphia Eagles -- Despite their issues along the offensive line, the Eagles are still the best team in the division.
North: Green Bay Packers -- They are simply the best team in the NFC right now.
South: Atlanta Falcons -- The Falcons are on a mission to prove that they belong with the big boys in the NFL.
West: St. Louis Rams -- An 8-8 record might be enough for them to win a bad division.
Wild card
New Orleans Saints -- The Saints are determined to be the same dominant team that ran the table in 2009. Not sure if they have the defence to do it, but they're still a darn good team.
Chicago Bears -- I can't think of a playoff-caliber team that has a worse offensive line than the Bears. If the Bears can survive their first three games (Falcons, Saints and Packers), they should be alright.
On the bubble
Detroit Lions -- Nobody knows if Matthew Stafford can stay healthy for an entire season. But they do know the Lions have a scary front four.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- A great young team that has the misfortune of playing in the same division as the Falcons and Saints.
AFC
East: New England Patriots -- The Patriots are borderline obsessed with snapping their current three-game playoff losing streak.
North: Pittsburgh Steelers -- The Steelers didn't win the AFC by accident. They have a great defence and Ben Roethlisberger has some talented receivers to work with again.
South: Houston Texans -- The combination of Peyton Manning's neck injury and the improvements in the Texans' defence will allow Houston to finally earn their first playoff berth.
West: San Diego Chargers -- The AFC West isn't quite as bad as the NFC West, but it still isn't great. Philip Rivers is far and away the best quarterback in the division.
Wild Card
New York Jets -- Rex Ryan has all the confidence in the world in his team. Until Mark Sanchez takes his game to the next level, the Jets won't be able to beat out the Patriots for the AFC East.
Baltimore Ravens -- Joe Flacco will find out in a hurry if he can handle the Steelers' defence when they face each other in week 1.
On the bubble
Kansas City Chiefs -- The season-ending injury to tight end Tony Moeaki hurts. Matt Cassel starts the season with a painful rib injury.
Indianapolis Colts -- Peyton Manning's ongoing issues with his neck injury will cost the Colts a playoff spot this year
NFC Championship game
Packers over the Falcons -- The Falcons are a good team, but their defence is still not good enough yet to stop Aaron Rodgers.
AFC Championship game
Patriots over the Jets -- Rex Ryan might talk a good game, but this is the game Tom Brady and the Patriots get their revenge for last year's bitter playoff loss.
Super Bowl 46 winner
Packers over the Patriots. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are so good that they cancel each other out. The difference will be Clay Matthews and the Packers' superior defence. Meanwhile the Patriots' lack of a consistent pass rush will allow Rodgers to have too much time to make plays downfield.
