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The Best of the NFL 2011 by Jim Feist
The pro football season kicks off this week when the Saints travel to the defending champion Packers, a battle of the last two champs. Despite the fact that the NFC has won two in a row, the AFC has won 9 of the last 14 Super Bowls. Here is a look at some of the best of the NFL.
NY Jets: The Jets do a lot of talking, but when are they going to get to their first Super Bowl since 1969? The bombast of sexy Rexy Ryan and the influx of talent (and characters) have made this another fascinating team to watch. On the plus side, they had the No. 3 defense in the NFL, the No. 4 ground attack and add WR Plaxico Burress.
On the cautious side, QB Mark Sanchez left school early and is only in his third year. He had a poor rookie campaign with 12 TDs and 20 interceptions and improved to 17 TDs, 13 picks last season in a run-first offense.
There are 10 returning starters on defense, nine of whom have two years experience in Ryan’s system. Outside linebacker Calvin Pace will be in the opening day lineup. Pace, their best pass rusher, missed the first month of the 2009 and 2010 seasons because of a league suspension and a broken foot. “Will we end up being the best defense in football? I think so,” the Jets’ coach said last week. Despite what you might think, the Jets were 12-4 over the total last regular season.
Cowboys: A bounce back year after a train wreck in 2010? Who wouldn’t want all the talent on this team? 31-year old QB Tony Romo was lost with an injury which wrecked their season, but in 2009 he cut down his turnovers with 4,483 yards, 26 TDs and 9 picks. New Coach Jason Garrett has replaced laid back Wade Phillips and brought a tougher edge to training camp. He didn’t hesitate to cut flaky WR Roy Williams, sending a message to many players.
The ground game is deep with Felix Jones and WR Dez Bryant is in his second season. Anthony Spencer and Demarcus Ware (15.5 sacks) lead a dynamite defense that gets after quarterbacks. So when are they going to win a big playoff game? That’s the question Jerry Jones must be wondering, adding some pressure on the new coach. The Cowboys bring a 12-1 run over the total into the new season.
Saints: Remember us? We were champs two years ago! The rules changes the NFL made over the last seven years was designed to help offenses, so it’s no surprise that the Saints have benefitted with a great QB, fast wide outs and a wide-open spread offense. The Saints are again loaded on offense, led by QB Drew Brees (33 TDs, 22 INTs) and a revamped backfield that adds Darren Sproles and rookie first round pick RB Mark Ingram. The defense is attacking and aggressive under fiery Greg Robinson and 2-1 SU/ATS their last three times as a dog.
Steelers: Teams that lose the Super Bowl have a recent history of not even making the playoffs the next season, but that’s a trend Pittsburgh is likely to defy. The Steelers have exceptional balance on offense, 14th in passing yards last season, 11th in rushing behind QB Ben Roethlisberger (17 TDs, 5 INTs), RB Rashard Mendenhall (1,273 yards), WRs Mike Wallace and Hines Ward, plus TE Heath Miller.
The defense was No. 2 in the NFL in yards and tops in points, surrendering just 14.5 ppg. Their linebacker depth is outstanding as they get after the QB with their zone blitz schemes. They are on an 8-1 SU, 6-3 ATS run on the road and there is plenty of talent for this team to return to the postseason.
Patriots: Bill Belichick loaded up with defense this offseason, bring in veterans to help the D-line in Albert Haynesworth, Andre Carter and Mark Anderson. That’s a plus as this defense was leaky, with no pass rush and a suspect young secondary that was the worst in the NFL on third down. The offense gives the coach nothing to worry about behind QB Tom Brady (3,900 yards, 36 TDs, 4 picks) and adds WR Chad Ochocinco and first round pick OT Nate Solder (Colorado). Re-signing Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins was a huge move, as well, but their success comes down to the new-look defense.
Packers: Green Bay may have snuck into the playoffs last season, but it was no fluke they won the Super Bowl. They were a preseason favorite to be one of the top teams and struggled in midseason only because of a rash of injuries. Despite those setbacks and without much of a running game, the Packer depth was outstanding, finishing 9th in yards offensively and 5th in total defense.
QB Aaron Rodgers (28 TDs, 11 INTs, 3,922 yards) leads this high-octane passing attack while talented defensive coordinator Dom Capers mixes game plans up and loves to bring the heat on opposing quarterbacks. They are the NFC favorites in Las Vegas, but will carry the bulls-eye burden of defending champs.
You can get all of Jim Feist’s FREE NFL winners right here at www.aasiwins.com.
