Dark horses in 2011?

[thumper]

Every season one or three teams seemingly come out of no where
to make the post season. Last year we had KC do it. Miami went
from a 1-15 one year to make the playoffs the next.

Then there are those teams who many think will become one of
the dark horses who don't improve, like the 49ers last year.

Some teams I think have shot of making the post season who
haven't been that good lately?

Bills - As long as they have some semblance of leadership, I
think the Bills could make a splash soon. They have been collecting
some decent talent and, as long as they don't pull a "Cleveland" and
just having to start over every season. I could see them "come out
of no where" to become a good team.

Just in this year's draft, they did well. Marcell Dareus, DT out of
Alabama, is not human. He is a beast. But will they use him
right? That is the question. Let him roam in a 4-3, and he will
destroy teams. Use him as a 3-4 NT to gobble up bodies? A
waste of talent in my opinion. CB Aaron Williams from Texas is
a player who I wouldn't have minded us using our 1st round on.
And they got him in the 2nd. He is big, fast, solid. Will he ever be
a shutdown CB like Revis? Doubt it, but he can still be damn good.
And 3rd-round pick Kelvin Sheppard will be a steal for ILB. He
is a natural and has a nose for the ball. Watch - this kid is going
to do well.

Adding Dareus and Sheppard to the middle of that D will do wonders.

And don't got to sleep on 2010 #1 pick, CJ Spiller. He showed flashes
that he is the play maker they thought he was. He is just this short
of being a Chris Johnson. Along with Stevie Johnson, Buffalo is collecting
some play makers. And Fitzpatrick may never remind anyone of Dan
Marino, but I don't think he is bad. He is smart, unflappable and
determined. And he has leadership qualities.

Raiders - If Al Davis is so old now, that he can't meddle with the team
due to too many naps, then this team is on the verge. If Jason Campbell
is ready to break out, like they say he is, this team could make the play
offs. Even with all their horrible #1 draft picks recently, they have added
some serious talent that's ready to break out. McFadden is ready to
become one of the top 10 backs in all of football. And they got depth
at RB too.

And on D? They have assembled some nice pieces. McClain, Seymour,
Huff, Wimbly et al? Watch out for this D.

Lions - could be a dynasty in the making. Their interior D-line is going
to be sick. They got play makers, top talent at WR and RB now. All they
need is for Stafford to stay healthy, and they are seriously on the rise.

Who is your dark horse? I don't think KC can count, as they already
made the play offs last year. Houston? They are supposed to break
out every season, but their passing D is pathetic and can't even close
out games. I mean, they are REALLY bad.

[steelerchad]

Bills? I doubt it. The best they could do is 3rd in that division IMO. Still too many holes.
Raiders? Winable division. They proved that by going 6-0. Need a passing game. solid at RB.
Lions? Should impove. Defense could be much better. Probably not this year in the same division as the Pack, but could be tough to beat in 2 or 3 years. Need to have Stafford stay healthy.

As far as teams who didn't make the playoffs last year that will this year. Give me the Raiders and Rams.

[SH-Rock]

Lions in my opinion. If they can sign Nnamdi and have Matthew Stafford healthy, they can make a deep playoff run.

[55BaileyFan]

I think the Lions should be better, the 49ers will be a lot better and depending on the QB situation the Cards should be better.

[zulater]

What's this got to do with the Steelers? Isn't there a seperate forum for NFL related posts?


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