As today's CBA meeting between the owners and the Player's Union was cancelled, it left many of us to ponder life without football. There is one thing to remember though - it is just February. The Super Bowl just happened 4 days ago. The two sides have plenty of time to come together on an agreement. The NFL is at an all-time high right now. The league as a whole would be foolish not to get an agreement done. I am optimistic that something will get done and we will have a full 16-game schedule (I did say 16 not 18) in 2011.
We have learned in recent years that the playoff landscape changes every year. In each of the last 15 seasons, there has been no less than 5 new teams make the playoffs. Expect the same next year. Much will change between now and next season but here is a look at the team that is in the best shape in each division as we enter the offseason. As well as a team from each division that could be the most improved.
AFC East
Best: New England will most likely be the favorite next year. They still have Tom Brady and Bill Belechick which makes them the favorite just about every year. What the Patriots accomplished during the 2010 regular season was nothing short of remarkable. They have a pair of 1st Round draft choices this year to add even more talent to their squad.
Most Improved: Buffalo should be the most improved team in the AFC East. They made significant strides throughout this season. After an 0-8 start they rebounded to play .500 ball in the second half of the year. Chan Gailey feels confident that Ryan Fitzpatrick is their guy at QB. Look for them to get an immediate impact from whoever they decide to draft 3rd overall.
AFC North
Best: Don't expect a Super Bowl hangover from Pittsburgh. They endured many ups and downs in 2010 to reach their third Super Bowl in 6 years. Big Ben should be around for the entire season next time around. The Ravens are very talented but must prove they can beat the Steelers when it matters. Until then, Pittsburgh remains the favorite in this division.
Most Improved: The Cleveland Browns will take a step forward in 2011. Pat Shurmur was hired as Head Coach, but team President Mike Holmgren will be pulling all the strings. The Browns discovered some nice pieces this year that will help them build for the future. Colt McCoy, Peyton Hillis, Joe Haden, and TJ Ward all showed signs of being very good NFL players. There are still plenty of holes to fill, so a playoff run is not likely. But the future looks to be headed in the right direction for the first time in a long time in Cleveland.
AFC South
Best: Nobody wants to knock the Indianapolis Colts off of the pedestal. Until it happens, they will remain the best team in the division. Peyton Manning may be on the decline, and the offense didn't look as explosive as years past, but the other teams in the AFC South don't look prepared to make a run at the Colts yet. This could be the Colts' division as long as Peyton sticks around.
Most Improved: For what seems like the 10th year in a row, Houston could very likely be the choice for most improved team. They have talent, but have not been able to put it all together. The offense has plenty of firepower with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Arian foster. There are pieces to build around on their defense, and this unit needs to step up foe the Texans to see the necessary improvement. Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, and Brian Cushing are some of the league's best at their respective positions. 2011 could finally be the year they get some help.
AFC West
Best: San Diego is without a doubt the best team out west. They must come out of the gates swinging into 2011. They showed this year that they can't have a lackluster start every year and still manage to win the division. Phillip Rivers is an elite QB, and they shouldn't have the distractions that they had with Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson last year. I think Norv Turner will get this team ready to play from the get-go and they will return to the top of the AFC West.
Most Improved: Oakland made a huge jump towards respectability in 2010. I expect them to continue this jump. They are left without a 1st Round draft choice, but they have some pieces in place. New Head Coach Hue Jackson helped improve this offense drastically. They focused on the ground game and it paid off with Darren McFadden having a breakout year. If the Raiders get consistent QB play and get solid play out of their D, they could sneak into the playoffs.
NFC East
Best: Micheal Vick exceeded every one's wildest expectation this year. He returned to the form of his former-self and lead Philadelphia to a division title. They ran into a buzzsaw in the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, but that doesn't diminish their accomplishments. The Eagles entered the first year of the post-McNabb era with all kinds of uncertainty. The only thing that is certain now is that Philadelphia's future is bright. They have an abundance of young talent that should lead another era of football in Philly.
Most Improved: This has got to be Dallas right? The Cowboys came into 2010 with wild expectations of being the first team ever to host a Super Bowl. They fell flat on their face. A horrific start got worse when Tony Romo's season ended prematurely. Dallas still has loads of talent though. New coach Jason Garrett lit a fire under them as they finished 5-3. I expect to see more of the 2nd half Cowboys in 2011.
NFC North
Best: There is talk of a potential dynasty in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers has catapulted himself more in 1 season than I have ever seen. Rodgers is widely considered the heir apparent to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the league's top QB. There is young talent all over the field too. Clay Matthews has established himself as possibly the game's elite pass rusher, and BJ Raji is becoming a superstar. Mike McCarthy has many reasons to believe that the Pack can repeat as champs.
Most Improved: The Lions played fantastic football down the stretch in 2010. No that wasn't a misprint. Detroit fields two of the league's brightest young stars on each side of the ball. Calvin Johnson is almost impossible to cover, and Ndamakong Suh is an absolute beast. Jim Schwartz's squad will take a 4-game winning streak into next season. This should only be aided by a healthy Matthew Stafford. Look out for the Lions in 2011.
NFC South
Best: This was a toss-up but New Orleans still has the explosiveness to make them capable of doing great things. Drew Brees is one of the best and he has tons of weapons to help him out. The defense was not as good as they were during their Super Bowl run a season ago. Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams is determined to fix this. The Saints should rebound from their early playoff exit this year and emerge as the team to beat in the NFC South.
Most Improved: The Baby Bucs almost pulled off the unthinkable and reach the playoffs this year. Next season they should be primed to make another run. Josh Freeman proved to be an up and coming star. He discovered playmakers around him in Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, and Kellen Winslow. If the defense continues to improve and LaGarrette Blount builds off of a solid rookie year, the Bucs will certainly challenge for the division crown.
NFC West
Best: Is this a trick? Am I going to get suckered into calling one these teams the best? While none of them are very good, I think the best of the bunch is San Francisco. From top to bottom they have the most talent. I don't think they would sniff a division title in any other division, but in this one the presence of Frank Gore on offense and Patrick Willis on defense gives them the nod as the best team heading into the offseason.
Most Improved: Saint Louis will continue to improve. The schedule should stiffen up a bit this year though. If Sam Bradford can avoid the sophomore jinx, they could very easily find themselves in the playoffs. Bradford needs to help establish some playmakers on the outside. Steve Spagnuolo has done a great job, and he needs to continue molding this defense into what he once had as Defensive Coordinator with the Giants.
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