Lions:
I don't really know if this counts as a surprise considering how bright Detroit
's future is. The Lions really proved to the football world that they are ready to compete when they destroyed the New England Patriots 34-10 last night. The strength of the Lions will be their Defensive Line, nicknamed the "Silver Crush". Offensive Lines will have a tough time dealing with Pro Bowlers Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosech, also expect major contributions from youngsters Cliff Avril and Nick Fairley, who is currently out with a foot injury. Suh was a Pro Bowler last season, notching 10 sacks on his way to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. When Nick Fairley returns from injury, he is expected to be one of the better rookies this year, he will also benefit greatly from playing next to Suh. However, it's not the D-Line that will determine if Detroit makes the Post-Season. The health of QB Matthew Stafford will be the main factor in determining how far the Lions can go. Stafford, a former #1 Overall Pick, has missed considerable time over the past two seasons which has limited Detroit offensively. Stafford has played phenomenal in the Pre-Season and looks to have built a lot of chemistry with Pro Bowl WR Calvin Johnson. Besides Johnson, Stafford will also have a lot of targets to work with including TE Brandon Pettigrew and pass catching RB Jahvid Best. The Lions have all of the talent needed to make the playoffs. However, the Lions will only go as far as Matthew Stafford can take them.
's future is. The Lions really proved to the football world that they are ready to compete when they destroyed the New England Patriots 34-10 last night. The strength of the Lions will be their Defensive Line, nicknamed the "Silver Crush". Offensive Lines will have a tough time dealing with Pro Bowlers Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosech, also expect major contributions from youngsters Cliff Avril and Nick Fairley, who is currently out with a foot injury. Suh was a Pro Bowler last season, notching 10 sacks on his way to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. When Nick Fairley returns from injury, he is expected to be one of the better rookies this year, he will also benefit greatly from playing next to Suh. However, it's not the D-Line that will determine if Detroit makes the Post-Season. The health of QB Matthew Stafford will be the main factor in determining how far the Lions can go. Stafford, a former #1 Overall Pick, has missed considerable time over the past two seasons which has limited Detroit offensively. Stafford has played phenomenal in the Pre-Season and looks to have built a lot of chemistry with Pro Bowl WR Calvin Johnson. Besides Johnson, Stafford will also have a lot of targets to work with including TE Brandon Pettigrew and pass catching RB Jahvid Best. The Lions have all of the talent needed to make the playoffs. However, the Lions will only go as far as Matthew Stafford can take them.Titans:
If Peyton Manning misses a few games, then the AFC South is wide open. Even if Peyton returns Week 1, chances are he will not play at his usual level to begin the season due to effects of neck surgery. The Titans, and the rest of the AFC South will have a chance to gain ground early on the Colts and the team who can take advantage of that is Tennessee. The Titans had a disappointing season last year, starting off the season with a 5-2 record, and struggled down the stretch while going through th
ree starting QBs. In the off season, the Titans dumped long time starter, Vince Young, and fired the longest tenured coach in the NFL, Jeff Fisher. The Titans are beginning the rebuilding process, but already have a lot of talent on their roster. The offense is run through the most explosive RB in the game, Chris Johnson. Johnson is in the midst of a hold-out, but when he returns, he will give newly acquired Matt Hasselbeck a top notch weapon out of the back field, something he hasn't had since Shaun Alexander. Tennessee also has one of the best young receivers in the game in Kenny Britt. Britt was on his way to a 1,000 yard receiving season and most likely double-digit TDs before he was side-lined with a hamstring injury. Kenny Britt gives Matt Hasselbeck a tall receiving weapon, something that Hasselbeck has never had the luxury of having. The Titans brought in Matt Hasselbeck in free agency to stabilize the QB position. Hasselbeck has played well in the Pre-Season, but 1st Round draft pick Jake Locker has looked incredible. Locker has displayed a good combination of arm strength and accuracy, something that he was criticized for in college. No matter who starts in Tennessee, the Titans have a chance at contending in the AFC South.
ree starting QBs. In the off season, the Titans dumped long time starter, Vince Young, and fired the longest tenured coach in the NFL, Jeff Fisher. The Titans are beginning the rebuilding process, but already have a lot of talent on their roster. The offense is run through the most explosive RB in the game, Chris Johnson. Johnson is in the midst of a hold-out, but when he returns, he will give newly acquired Matt Hasselbeck a top notch weapon out of the back field, something he hasn't had since Shaun Alexander. Tennessee also has one of the best young receivers in the game in Kenny Britt. Britt was on his way to a 1,000 yard receiving season and most likely double-digit TDs before he was side-lined with a hamstring injury. Kenny Britt gives Matt Hasselbeck a tall receiving weapon, something that Hasselbeck has never had the luxury of having. The Titans brought in Matt Hasselbeck in free agency to stabilize the QB position. Hasselbeck has played well in the Pre-Season, but 1st Round draft pick Jake Locker has looked incredible. Locker has displayed a good combination of arm strength and accuracy, something that he was criticized for in college. No matter who starts in Tennessee, the Titans have a chance at contending in the AFC South.Cardinals:
This one may be a bit of a stretch, but that's why they call it a surprise. The Cardinals had a very interesting free agency period, acquiring QB Kevin Kolb and dealing Pro-Bowl CB Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie. The NFC West is a wide open division and most likely the team with the best record outside of the division will win. Newly acquired Kevin Kolb isn't exactly a proven QB. Traded from Philadelphia, Kolb has started 7 games, throwing 11 TDs and 14 interceptions. However, in 2009 Kolb displayed tremendous ability in two starts, passing for a total of 741 yards in 2 games. The Cardinals did not select a QB in the draft, so they needed to get a QB in free agency and they decided that Kolb was their guy. To call the Cardinals QB situation a disaster last year, is an insult to disasters. Arizona cut starter Matt Leinart at the beginning of the season, and the trio of Derek Anderson, Max Hall, and John Skelton produced the worst passer rating as a team in the NFL. Kolb should stabilize the QB problem and succeed in Arizona with Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was a star when he had a QB that could get him the ball, going to the Super Bowl in 2008 with Kurt Warner leading the show. Kolb has already displayed great chemistry with Fitzgerald in the Pre-Season, connecting for many long completions. Larry Fitzgerald was able to catch 90 passes last season with the worst QB situation in the league. Those numbers and the Cardinals wins should increase with Kolb running the show.
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