NFL Preview: Super Bowl and Regular Season Award Picks
By Josh Hill
(Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE)
Biggest Bust
PA: Mike Vick. Vick wasn’t great last year but with the expectations so high for the Eagles I think it could end up being an aging Vick that holds them back.
JH: Robert Griffin III. I’m not afraid of a little controversy but I’m also not one to drink too much kool-aid. Andrew Luck was the best QB in the draft, but RGIII got way more hype. Yeah, he’s athletic and has a cannon for an arm, but after Cam Newton’s explosion onto the scene and Michael Vick’s return, defense’s are once again prepared to defend against a mobile quarterback. RGIII dazzled against guy who are probably engineers now while at Baylor, the big boys are ready for him because he’s not the first of his kind.
JS: Russell Wilson. He took the NFL by storm this preseason but you’d have to expect the glory could be short lived. Wilson took the starting quarterback job because of his ability to quickly learn an offense but Matt Flynn will be able to catch up and Wilson will take a few steps back when the games really matter and the defenses really bring the heat. I’d expect Wilson to lose the starting job by midway through the season and cause a big letdown for the Seahawks fans who are buying in to his hype.
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Most Improved Team
PA: Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs should be better than they were in 2010 when the won the AFC West. They’ve added back Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki and free agent pickups Kevin Boss, Peyton Hillis, Stanford Routt and Eric Winston should help them contend for the division crown.
JH: Buffalo Bills. They were on their way to being a playoff team last year, but sputtered out late in the season. This year, with the addition of Mario Williams on defense and the return of a healthy Fred Jackson, the Bills are going to make a serious run at the playoffs and could end up being the third best team in the AFC behind the Patriots and Texans.
JS: Indianapolis Colts. The Colts front office has done an amazing job this offseason. Adding Andrew Luck instantly improves the team and he will have a lot of speedy options on the outside. On the defensive side of the ball, Indy managed to go out and acquire cornerback Vontae Davis from the Miami Dolphins. Davis could be a shutdown corner for the Colts and bring the defense exactly what they need. This Colts team is set up to shock people and they could very well find themselves in second place in the AFC South.
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Team That Takes a Step Back
PA: San Francisco 49ers. I think the 49ers will still be good but they won’t sneak up on anyone this season. I could see them struggling.
JH: Detroit Lions. Yeah last year was cute, but the Lions are going to have the pressure on them for the first time since a guy named Sanders led them back in 1991. Just like two years ago, the Lions may end up falling just short of wins as they’re still a young team. It won’t be an abysmal season but they’re not a lock to make the playoffs and they could struggle if Stafford goes down.
JS: Baltimore Ravens. While Corey Graham looks like a breakout player in 2012, that won’t be enough to keep the Ravens headed in the right direction. Joe Flacco has not shown that he is able to take the team to the level they want to reach and the defense is only getting older. With the Cincinnati Bengals improving at a rapid pace, Baltimore needs to keep an eye in the rear-view mirror. It is very possible for this team to miss the playoffs altogether this season.
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Super Bowl
PA: Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens. I think the time has come for both of these teams.
JH: San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans.
JS: Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans. The Bears are one of the most talented teams in the league and could have made a Super Bowl run last season if it were not for injuries striking them right when they were about to get rolling. For the Texans, they have one of the best rushing attacks in the league and were able to make a run with TJ Yates running the show. With a healthy Matt Schaub, this team should finally break through to the big game.
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Super Bowl Winner
PA: Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens prove once again that defense wins championships. They find a way to contain what will be a high-octane Falcons attack.
JH: Houston Texans. They’re just going to be too good, and like as was stated, they won with something called T.J. Yates under center. Arian Foster is the next superstar back in the NFL and the defense is largely still intact from last year. They’ve only been around for 10 years but the Texans time to win a Super Bowl is now.
JS: Chicago Bears. The Bears defense is a force to be reckoned with and Jay Cutler and company have a versatile offense that will be able to score from everywhere on the field. The Bears special teams also bring an added dynamic as there is no kick returner as explosive as Devin Hester. If this team is firing on all cylinders, it is hard to imagine them ending the season without hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.