The 2011 NFL season kicks off with a bang on September 8th when defending Super Bowl XLV Champion Green Bay takes on Super Bowl XLIV Champion New Orleans. This game shapes up as something of a grudge match with the Saints looking to make up for a disappointing season last year and the Pack looking to pick up where they left off last year and show a big divisional rival who's top dog these days.
Despite a great deal of acrimony and harsh words on both sides throughout the spring and summer, the NFL players and owners managed to compromise enough to bring the off season lockout to an end just in time to keep the season on schedule. Training camps were extremely short, less than a week, but the NFL did manage to get in all four preseason games. Coaches and fans alike were pleasantly surprised to see a high level of play in both conferences relatively quickly, making it obvious that almost everybody had worked hard to stay in shape and that players had been participating in private workouts/practices together.
Here's a look at the 2011 NFC top contenders and a preseason NFC Championship and Super Bowl XLV prediction.
Green Bay Packers
The Pack is back. And last year's 31-25 win over Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl made that fact clear to everybody. Aaron Rodgers has truly come into his own, and is surrounded by talented players in the trenches and in the skill positions.
But defense is what got Green Bay to the Super Bowl last year, and this year's version is a little banged up. All-Pro linebacker Clay Matthews will be back to start the opener after taking a couple of games off for a sore knee. But the defensive line is a question mark right now. Pass-rush specialist Cullen Jenkins left for Philadelphia, and an already thin defensive line starts the season with tackles Mike Neal and CJ Wilson still questionable.
Green Bay came up strong to win its last two preseason games, and will have the psychological edge in their matchup with New Orleans, playing in front of the rabid Lambeau Field crowd.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are flying high with big hopes this year. Philadelphia made some big off-season moves to upgrade its defensive line and secondary and is looking to reap the rewards with a deep playoff run this year. Throw in two explosive quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Vince Young, along with a bevy of talented young receivers and running backs, and you've got the makings of a top NFC contender.
Like Green Bay, Philadelphia posted a 3-1 preseason record. The Eagles have a tough Week 1 matchup at St. Louis.
New Orleans Saints
2010 was a disappointment for the Saints. Their 11-5 record and less than stellar playoff performance should serve to motivate New Orleans this year. The Saints added Alabama's stud running back Mark Ingram to their stable of running backs this year. With Drew Brees healthy and a strong offensive line, New Orleans is likely to put some points on the board in 2011. The defense is a little suspect, and did not get much help in the off season, but still has the tough, hard-hitting attitude of head coach Sean Payton.
New Orleans had a 2-2 record in preseason and has a big matchup with Green Bay in the first game of the season September 8.
Other Contenders
Atlanta had a breakout season last year, and looks to continue improving this year. But the Falcons, like the Saints', schedule looks a bit daunting. Dallas and the New York Giants both have a shot in the NFC East, and the Cowboys especially have something to prove this year. Chicago and even Detroit may challenge Green Bay in the Central Division, but it will not be easy to topple the defending champion Packers.
2011 NFC Championship Prediction: Green Bay vs. Philadelphia with Philly winning in OT to get back to the Super Bowl.
Clayton Browne - Clayton Browne has a BA and an MS in Anthropology, and has been writing professionally since 1994. He worked for many years in both ...
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