Predicting breakthrough teams in definitely an inexact science. How many people thought the Seattle Seahawks would win a playoff game against the reigning Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints after going 7-9 in the regular season? Well there are two teams I've looked at this year and feel like will not only make the playoffs, but could actually win a game or two once in... 1) Houston Texans - The past four years, all the NFL experts seem to pick the Texans. Unlike in years past, however, it seems as though their defense might be primed to play close to as well as their offensive counterparts. The Texans brought in Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator to shore up what has been a pourous defense. Typically the first year a team switches defensive schemes (as the Texans will be switching to a 3-4 from a 4-3 base), there's a learning curve and some bumps in the road. But with the additions of former Wisconsin DL J.J. Watt, CB Jonathan Joseph and FS Danieal Manning and a promising linebacking corps including DeMeco Ryans and former 4-3 DE Mario Williams, this team has the talent (at least on paper) to take a step forward. While Williams doesn't exactly have the elite speed for a rush-OLB, he'll do a great job of setting the edge against the rush, and cause matchup nightmares for opposing TE's assigned to block the 6'6", 290 pound stud. Then there's the offense, with Arian Foster (the league's leading rusher in 2010), Perennial All-Pro Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels now being 100% healthy and solid in QB Matt Schaub and you can start to see why Texans fans believe big things could be on the horizon. 2) St. Louis Rams - Despite finishing one win away from a playoff berth last season, the Rams were hardly what most would consider a playoff caliber team, finishing 7-9, expect the Rams to take another step forward this year, in both record and on-field performance. The addition of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (the O.C. for New England, which set the NFL record for scoring in a season at 36.8 points per game), will no doubt help second year quarterback Sam Bradford, who had an excellent rookie year in spite of playing with a patchwork group of receivers. Surrounded by new offensive weapons including former Jacksonville Jaguar WR Mike Sims-Walker, rookie TE Lance Kendricks, rookie receivers Austin Pettis and Greg Salas, as well as veteran RB additions "Cadillac" Williams and Jerious Norwood (who will both see time behind perennial stud Steven Jackson), and this offense seems primed to take off. Their defense will also look different, as the signings of LB Brady Poppinga, CB Al Harris and DT Justin Bannan should help shore up what was a middle of the pack defense. Also there is former North Carolina DL Robert Quinn, who should also help alleviate some of the attention fellow DE Chris Long (8.5 sacks in 2010) will surely receive. This team definitely be the class of the NFC West in 2011, and if the new additions can gel quickly, could make some noise in the playoffs. |
Honorable Mention: Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings
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