2011 PPP, part 4

The Season Kickoff game is on so I guess I better get this posted right away.

Two Minute Drill through the AFC NORTH

Steelers are a solid, deep, physical team with a good coach, quarterback, and defense. Of all the teams heading into a season after no real offseason, they are set up to succeed. Their most important player is Troy Polamalu.
Forecast = 13-3

Ravens are another solid team. The offense replaced Derrick Mason with Lee Evans, and while Todd Heap is gone they have a Cougar Dennis Pitta that ought to see some good action. They picked up fullback Vonta Leach from the Texans, who helped lead the way for Arian Foster to lead the league in rushing and touchdowns so this bodes well for Ray Rice. If Joe Flacco improves this could be a Super Bowl team.
Forecast = 11-5

Colt McCoy is showing signs that he can be a great NFL quarterback. Unfortunately, he plays in Cleveland and the Browns don't have many weapons for him. Their best player is Joshua Cribbs who returns kicks, so the new rules will negatively affect the Browns. Peyton Hillis has the best biceps in the NFL and showed that this team can even abuse the Patriots, so if he can stay on the field it bodes well for this team. Browns will be competitive.
Forecast = 6-10

Bengals will not be competitive. Rookie quarterback with a rookie wide receiver, 2nd year receiver and 2nd year tight end, and one of the worst starting running backs in the league. The defense is terrible. The only question will be whether they draft Andrew Luck or if Andrew Dalton shows them enough to pass on Luck.
Forecast = 3-13

Two Minute Drill through the AFC SOUTH

Texans coach Gary Kubiak is under the most pressure of anyone in the NFL this season. The team hired Wade Phillips as DC, Peyton Manning may miss the season, Titans got a new coach and QB, and the Jags cut their starting quarterback a few days ago. That being said, this is the most talented team in the division with the most playmakers on both sides of the ball. This team ought to win 11 games, but Kubiak is an underachiever.
Forecast = 10-6

A team with one of the best running backs, a good offensive line, a good veteran quarterback, and some quality receivers sounds like they ought to be pretty strong offense. That's the Titans. There is bust potential, however, as this is one of those teams going with a new coach and new quarterback and a star receiver and running back that missed the whole preseason, and the defense will probably not be very good. I see some surprise potential, especially since they get the vulnerable Jags in Week 1 and Peyton won't torment them.
Forecast = 8-8

Everyone familiar with the NFL will say that Peyton Manning is the most valuable player to his team in the league. Without him (and I expect him to either miss the whole season or at least half and be less effective in the other half), the oldColts just doesn't have enough talent. Manning makes Clark, Collie (go Cougars!), Garcon, and Wayne the playmakers they have been. Dwight Freeney is one of the best defensive players in the league.
Forecast = 7-9

Maurice Jones-Drew is coming off knee surgery, his backup is out for the year, they are going with a new quarterback (Luke McCown and probably rookie Blaine Gabbert later), and they lost their best receiver before the season. I'm not optimistic about the Jaguars. MJD says he is healthy and can possibly be his explosive self, but the other defense will be waiting for him. Jack Del Rio is on the hottest seat.
Forecast = 4-12