NFL Preview: Who We Like in 2011

The NFL season is here and there will be some interesting races throughout the season. But keep in mind, things will change between last season and this year. At least five playoff teams from 2010 will not be there for the 2011 final tournament.

For years, Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, has built his team using free agency. With Mike Shanahan’s deft touch, will 2011 finally be the breakout season that Dan Snyder and the rest of the Redskin’s faithful have been seeking for so long?

Here’s our thoughts on who will win and who will drastically differ in 2011.

AFC East: No surprises here at it’s New England’s division to lose and the Jets will likely be a wildcard team.

AFC North: Just like last season, Pittsburgh and Baltimore will duke this one out until the end but Cleveland could make some noise.

AFC South: The big question is whether Houston can take advantage of Peyton Manning’s injury and get a quick leg up on the Colts. It just may happen but by season’s end the Colts will be back in charge with Houston a close second.

AFC West: The Chargers should be the only team worth watching this season as KC slips from last year’s surprise finish.

NFC East: It’s the Eagles division to lose but don’t be surprised if the Redskins sneak up on some people. While all the focus has been on Andy Reid and Michael Vick in Philly and wondering if Tony Romo can rebound his Cowboys in Dallas, Redskins owner Dan Snyder and coach Mike Shanahan have a team that might look ugly on paper but will take a few surprises. In fact, in 2011, Dan Snyder and the Redskins seem intent on changing their modus operandi, holding onto their draft picks and building for the future.

NFC North: Detroit will make some noise but not more than six games while the Bears and Vikes fade. The Packers have a host of players returning from the IR – a trough of talent that missed much of last year’s Super Bowl run. Round two might be in order for Green Bay.

NFC South: The Bucs are due to fall off a bit and could land at 8-8, but the Falcons and Saints should hold true to form and duke it out all year for supremacy in the division.

NFC West: Let’s see, Seattle’s a trainwreck, so is San Francisco’s QB situation, the Rams are looking at 9-7 at best, which might be enough to win it pending Arizona’s speed at acclimating new QB Kevin Kolb. If Kolb clicks fast, it’s Arizona’s division to lose.

The bottom line: the sands of NFL teams are ever shifting in the league with aggressive player turnover and profit sharing. No one stays on top for long in this league. It will undoubtedly be an interesting season to watch. As far as Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins, we believe they will be significantly better in 2011 than their 6-10 record in 2010. Our scouts tell us that they will have a decent defense that’s strong enough to overcome an offence that lacks firepower through the air.

Albert Rhythm is the author of this article on Dan Snyder. Find more information on Daniel Snyder here.