EAST
Adding defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to the already formidable roster, New England is looking like the team to beat, but the Jets and Dolphins will compete with their better defenses. If cornerback Darrelle Revis and the 3-4 his colleagues employ can take on Tom Brady AND the Jets get a lot more 6’s than 3’s in their red-zone offense, look for New York to be in the mix.
Albert Haynesworth
Miami’s defense (ranked sixth in total defense last season, allowing 309.3 yards per game) will be led by tackle Paul Soliai, now the highest paid defender in franchise history, and the veteran end Jason Taylor, returning for his third stint in Miami after a season with the Jets. Is Chad Henne good enough to run the Dolphin offense? It is hoped that his job will be made easier with the arrival of running back Reggie Bush from New Orleans. Poor Buffalo faced what turned out to be the league’s most difficult schedule, and it showed. The Bills started things off by losing their first eight games. This year’s slate is nearly as tough.
NORTH
No other NFL division has consistently featured two dominant heavyweights slugging it out year-in and year-out and 2011 will be no different. Pittsburgh (six) and Baltimore (five) have accounted for 11 of the division’s 14 playoff berths and seven of the nine division titles since 2002. The storyline will be no different in 2011.
With its combination of clutch defense (the Ravens allowed just 16.9 points per game last season — third-lowest in the NFL) and Joe Flacco not only has a bevy of solid runners behind him, but add receiver Lee Evans to his aerial arsenal and this is the year they get past Pittsburgh, after having lost to the Steelers in the playoffs twice in the past three years.
Certainly the Steelers will be right in there wreaking havoc with their league-leading sack unit with outside linebackers James Harrison (team-best 10½ sacks in 2010) and LaMarr Woodley (10 sacks). Safety Troy Polamalu is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Experience counts for a lot and Ben Roethlisberger has won it all.
WR Lee Evans Will Help Ravens Fly Past Pittsburgh
The young Browns will feel the affects of a short training season as much as anyone, including quarterback Colt McCoy. Baylor tackle Phil Taylor, Cleveland’s first-round pick will get every chance to help shore up the porous rush defense.
Bengal scoring will have to come from fresh faces with quarterback Carson Palmer, receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens and coordinator Bob Bratkowski all gone.
SOUTH
With Indianapolis main wheel Peyton Manning’s return timetable from neck surgery uncertain, all eyes are on Texas. Of any recent super bowl team, Houston most resembles the New Orleans Saints. Lots of firepower of offense and hoping new coordinator Wade Phillips can breathe some fire into the defense especially Mario Williams now as a standup rusher. So look for that Saints-esque powerful aerial trio of Pro Bowl players at quarterback (Matt Schaub), wideout (Andre Johnson) and tight end (Owen Daniels) to lead Texas to the promised land, at least the playoffs.
The Colts, with Kerry Collins coming out of retirement and taking the snaps, have a tough schedule but a defense aggressive against the pass keep hopes alive that Peyton will return in time to get them a playoff spot.
Tennessee has one of the most dynamic players in recent history and speaking of history running back Chris Johnson just signed a four-year, $53.5 million extension. Matt Hasselbeck replaces Vince Young at quarterback, certainly a contrast in styles.
A pair of former UCLA Bruins guide the Jacksonville offensive fortunes as tight end Marcedes Lewis (who went to his first Pro Bowl last year) continues to develop as a dangerous target along with multi-purpose back Maurice Jones-Drew.
WEST
San Diego, after missing out on the playoffs last year, could be flying under the radar. But hey they had the league’s best defense AND offense and couldn’t reach January? They are hoping hungry veterans on defense like Bob Sanders and Takeo Spikes will fuel the flames to forget the slow start and horrible special teams play and hold opposing offenses while their colleagues on offense do the damage. And damage defenses is something they can do.
Ryan Matthews
Despite losing Darren Sproles to the Saints, San Diego has multiple weapons, enough to finally take them deeper into January and thus the possibility of a February in Indy as well. Though they don’t get the attention they deserve, the Chargers offensive line is one of the best, but in the end it will be the playmakers, notably quarterback Philip Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates, wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd, and running backs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert who will carry the fortunes of the team depending on their level of productivity, especially Mathews who needs to step it up.
The Oakland Raiders can run and they will run. Daren McFadden and Michael Bush are a productive tandem and a key reason why the Silver and Black went undefeated against division opponents. With shutdown cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha now playing in Philadelphia, the emphasis is dominating in the trenches where it is big and physical up front. Oakland also owns one of the best kicking duos in the league.
Like in Oakland, what they do best in Kansas City is run. The big-play man is the elusive Jamaal Charles (1,467 yards and 5 TDs on 230 carries) while veteran Thomas Jones (896, 6, 245) pounds it out yard-by-yard. Injuries, youth and a tough schedule will make it hard for the Chiefs to reach the playoffs this year.
The Broncos still have Kyle Orton getting the ball to Brandon Lloyd which usually results in a good thing and 2009 sacks leader Elvis Dumervil is returning after missing missing all of last season, but a lot of rebuilding is going on under new coach John Fox in the Mile High city. Don’t hold your breath for a playoff spot this year.
Look for the San Diego Chargers to edge out the Baltimore Ravens then defeat Green Bay February 5th at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. 
