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| The New York Giants seek a repeat Super Bowl title, something that hasn't been achieved since New England won two straight in 2003 and 2004. |
The NFL season is upon us. Amidst a season of drama and excitement that marred last season, the new season promises to feature more of the same, with even better plays and results on the stat sheet. With new rookies coming to the fold, and with top players switching teams, this season hopes to exceed the hype and excitement that 2011 generated.
Here are the storylines that will follow all 32 teams throughout the season, to cut the story short. We conclude with the National Football Conference.
NFC East
1. New York Giants
2011 record: 9-7, NFC East Champions
Won Super Bowl XLVI
Just like in 2007, the Giants head into the playoffs as underdogs before pulling off an unbelievable run to the Super Bowl title. A lot is expected again of the Giants, retaining much of the same cast from last year. However, any Super Bowl hangover may be costly, so focus will be the Giants' foray this year.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
Super Bowl was their goal last year but they fell way short. This year, with lower expectations, Philadelphia looks to build upon last year's 8-win mark. They headed into the new year carrying last year's momentum of winning their final four games, so much will be expected of Michael Vick and co. to turn it into a playoff berth.
3. Dallas Cowboys
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
One of the most scrutinized teams last year, Dallas was in contention for the NFC East title before losing to the Giants on New Year's Day to miss out on it. Now it is up to maligned quarterback Tony Romo to lead an underachieving team back to the playoffs, and hopefully sustain a deeper run.
4. Washington Redskins
2011 record: 5-11
Missed playoffs
Robert Griffin III is now the top dog in D.C. The Redskins pin their hopes on this top rookie to lead them back to prominence. However, it may take awhile before Griffin III's talents will lead them back to the playoffs.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
2011 record: 15-1, NFC North Champions
Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs to Giants 37-20
15-1 and fail to even win a playoff game, that sums up the Packers' unfulfilling 2011 season. Now that their monkey's off their backs, they hope to recapture the form that made them the league's best offense last year. Aaron Rodgers is still the best QB, but his days atop were numbered.
2. Detroit Lions
2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner
Lost NFC Wild Card Game to Saints 45-28
Back to the playoffs after an 11-year absence regained both confidence and support among Lions fans. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh are developing into Pro Bowl-caliber players, and any hope of keeping the playoff streak will depend on the threesome's health and form.
3. Chicago Bears
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
Losing Jay Cutler to injury ended the Bears' chances last year, but with him back, and with the addition of former Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall, Cutler is hopeful that his form will return, as well as the Bears' winning ways.
4. Minnesota Vikings
2011 record: 3-13
Missed playoffs
Former Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb failed in the Twin Cities. Now the Vikings will pin on untested QB Christian Ponder in carrying the team. Another rebuilding season looms for the Vikings, as well as the possible move out of the Metrodome.
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
2011 record: 13-3, NFC South Champions
Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs to 49ers 36-32
The bounty scandal forced coach Sean Payton out for the season, which means Aaron Kromer and Joe Vitt will share coaching duties. Still, Payton's trusted lieutenant Drew Brees will keep the team together in its worst of times, and even with their coach out, the playoffs are still possible for this intact Saints unit.
2. Atlanta Falcons
2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner
Lost NFC Wild Card Game to Giants 24-2
The Falcons have been in the playoffs three of four times since Matt Ryan and Mike Smith took over as starting QB and coach, respectively. However, they haven't won a playoff game, which makes their jobs a lot harder this year. Improving on their 10-6 mark in the first priority, winning a playoff game is the second.
3. Carolina Panthers
2011 record: 6-10
Missed playoffs
Cam Newton was as good as advertised, becoming the offensive rookie of the year and first-time Pro Bowler while setting various offensive records for rookies. The next step is the addition of veteran players to complement Newton, so for now it remains a rebuilding season for Carolina.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 record: 4-12
Missed playoffs
The Bucs have a new coach in Greg Schiano, who replaced Raheem Morris after losing their last eight games. Still, even with a new coach, it remains a rebuilding period, so expect little for this year's Bucs. The playoffs are out of the question, as they focused on player development on players such as young QB Josh Freeman.
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers
2011 record: 13-3
Lost AFC Championship to Giants 20-17
Back in the limelight after missing the last eight playoffs, the 49ers look to build upon the success of last year's accomplishments. Jim Harbaugh, like his brother John of the Ravens, has built a playoff team in his first year alone, and Alex Smith regained confidence after a scrutinized 2010 campaign. Now if they can build that into a Super Bowl title.
2. Arizona Cardinals
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
John Skelton will start on Week 1, but don't expect him to start any longer. With Kevin Kolb returning soon, and coming so close to a playoff berth, the Cardinals look to improve upon the eight wins they had last year. However, they are on the bubble between the playoffs and an early offseason, so nothing is safe.
3. Seattle Seahawks
2011 record: 7-9
Missed playoffs
It's a surprise that they will start Russell Wilson at QB. But expect no surprises for Seattle. The playoffs are possible, but if Wilson does not become comfortable in his new role, it may put Seattle out of the running early and may not make it.
4. St. Louis Rams
2011 record: 2-14
Missed playoffs
St. Louis had a golden opportunity to draft Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck, but traded it to the Redskins. With Sam Bradford still at the controls even after a sophomore slump, their decision to trade the second pick may either end up as a blessing or a curse. Jeff Fisher will be their new coach, but it remains to be seen whether his coaching magic will help the team.
NFC East
1. New York Giants
2011 record: 9-7, NFC East Champions
Won Super Bowl XLVI
Just like in 2007, the Giants head into the playoffs as underdogs before pulling off an unbelievable run to the Super Bowl title. A lot is expected again of the Giants, retaining much of the same cast from last year. However, any Super Bowl hangover may be costly, so focus will be the Giants' foray this year.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
Super Bowl was their goal last year but they fell way short. This year, with lower expectations, Philadelphia looks to build upon last year's 8-win mark. They headed into the new year carrying last year's momentum of winning their final four games, so much will be expected of Michael Vick and co. to turn it into a playoff berth.
3. Dallas Cowboys
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
One of the most scrutinized teams last year, Dallas was in contention for the NFC East title before losing to the Giants on New Year's Day to miss out on it. Now it is up to maligned quarterback Tony Romo to lead an underachieving team back to the playoffs, and hopefully sustain a deeper run.
4. Washington Redskins
2011 record: 5-11
Missed playoffs
Robert Griffin III is now the top dog in D.C. The Redskins pin their hopes on this top rookie to lead them back to prominence. However, it may take awhile before Griffin III's talents will lead them back to the playoffs.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
2011 record: 15-1, NFC North Champions
Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs to Giants 37-20
15-1 and fail to even win a playoff game, that sums up the Packers' unfulfilling 2011 season. Now that their monkey's off their backs, they hope to recapture the form that made them the league's best offense last year. Aaron Rodgers is still the best QB, but his days atop were numbered.
2. Detroit Lions
2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner
Lost NFC Wild Card Game to Saints 45-28
Back to the playoffs after an 11-year absence regained both confidence and support among Lions fans. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh are developing into Pro Bowl-caliber players, and any hope of keeping the playoff streak will depend on the threesome's health and form.
3. Chicago Bears
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
Losing Jay Cutler to injury ended the Bears' chances last year, but with him back, and with the addition of former Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall, Cutler is hopeful that his form will return, as well as the Bears' winning ways.
4. Minnesota Vikings
2011 record: 3-13
Missed playoffs
Former Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb failed in the Twin Cities. Now the Vikings will pin on untested QB Christian Ponder in carrying the team. Another rebuilding season looms for the Vikings, as well as the possible move out of the Metrodome.
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
2011 record: 13-3, NFC South Champions
Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs to 49ers 36-32
The bounty scandal forced coach Sean Payton out for the season, which means Aaron Kromer and Joe Vitt will share coaching duties. Still, Payton's trusted lieutenant Drew Brees will keep the team together in its worst of times, and even with their coach out, the playoffs are still possible for this intact Saints unit.
2. Atlanta Falcons
2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner
Lost NFC Wild Card Game to Giants 24-2
The Falcons have been in the playoffs three of four times since Matt Ryan and Mike Smith took over as starting QB and coach, respectively. However, they haven't won a playoff game, which makes their jobs a lot harder this year. Improving on their 10-6 mark in the first priority, winning a playoff game is the second.
3. Carolina Panthers
2011 record: 6-10
Missed playoffs
Cam Newton was as good as advertised, becoming the offensive rookie of the year and first-time Pro Bowler while setting various offensive records for rookies. The next step is the addition of veteran players to complement Newton, so for now it remains a rebuilding season for Carolina.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 record: 4-12
Missed playoffs
The Bucs have a new coach in Greg Schiano, who replaced Raheem Morris after losing their last eight games. Still, even with a new coach, it remains a rebuilding period, so expect little for this year's Bucs. The playoffs are out of the question, as they focused on player development on players such as young QB Josh Freeman.
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers
2011 record: 13-3
Lost AFC Championship to Giants 20-17
Back in the limelight after missing the last eight playoffs, the 49ers look to build upon the success of last year's accomplishments. Jim Harbaugh, like his brother John of the Ravens, has built a playoff team in his first year alone, and Alex Smith regained confidence after a scrutinized 2010 campaign. Now if they can build that into a Super Bowl title.
2. Arizona Cardinals
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
John Skelton will start on Week 1, but don't expect him to start any longer. With Kevin Kolb returning soon, and coming so close to a playoff berth, the Cardinals look to improve upon the eight wins they had last year. However, they are on the bubble between the playoffs and an early offseason, so nothing is safe.
3. Seattle Seahawks
2011 record: 7-9
Missed playoffs
It's a surprise that they will start Russell Wilson at QB. But expect no surprises for Seattle. The playoffs are possible, but if Wilson does not become comfortable in his new role, it may put Seattle out of the running early and may not make it.
4. St. Louis Rams
2011 record: 2-14
Missed playoffs
St. Louis had a golden opportunity to draft Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck, but traded it to the Redskins. With Sam Bradford still at the controls even after a sophomore slump, their decision to trade the second pick may either end up as a blessing or a curse. Jeff Fisher will be their new coach, but it remains to be seen whether his coaching magic will help the team.
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