Previewing the 2011 NFL season

On Friday morning at 10:30am AEST the NFL season that almost wasn’t will kick off. Nearly seven months after talks between the NFL players union and the clubs over a new collective bargaining agreement moved from the meeting room to the courtroom, the 92nd season of the NFL will start.

“You can commence your fantasy football drafts now” gleefully declared TIME magazine in early August when it was announced that the lockout was finally over.

As amusing as that quip might be, herein lies the essence of American football and what makes the NFL so special.

A complex, detailed and tactical game in which the “right way” to play can be interpreted differently, the money rich NFL is a league with no shortage of glamour.

Oh, and it’s also a sport which is as ideal for playing fantasy football as it is to enjoy beer while watching (in fact most do both).

As the finishing touches are put on the one-yard line markings at 31 different venues around the US, this season, even taking into account the disrupted pre-season, looks set to be a fascinating one.

In fact, the lockout adds another dimension to the competition. The question will be who has handled a set of rather unique circumstances the best?

What it should mean on the park is a lot of offenses will only begin to find their feet after the season is well under way. Therefore, teams with an offense and defence that has mostly remained unchanged from last season should dominate the opening weeks.

In terms of who will challenge for the Superbowl, many are tipping last season’s champions the Green Bay Packers to be up there once again.

Coming out of a relatively middle-ground NFC they’re certainly a strong chance, with only the New Orleans Saints also looking to have enough championship quality to win the Conference.

The AFC on the other hand looks much more competitive with elite quarter back Tom Brady and the New England Patriots leading the way ahead of a group that includes the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.

Meanwhile bubbling away just below the surface is a crop of dark horses including the San Diego Chargers and the Detriot Lions.

As ever, the biggest fish of them all the Dallas Cowboys.

Oh yes, pre-season is over, the rosters have been cut to 53-men (with Aussie punter Ben Graham now a free agent after being released by the Arizona Cardinals) and the NFL is back.

Predictions:

Superbowl: Patriots over the Saints

NFL MVP: Tom Brady – All the talk is about the Packers Superbowl winning quarter back Aaron Rodgers but this has only served to paint a target on the back of the 27-year-old’s head. You just know a consistent champion quarter back like Brady will be plotting to take back his crown.

Best offense: New Orleans Saints – With Drew Brees pulling the strings in the hole and an improved running game, the Saints will be back to their best this time around.

Best defence: Green Bay Packers – They’ll give up yards but getting through the Packers redzone will be no easy task.

Surprise packets: Detroit Lions – With Matthew Stafford leading the charge on offence and a serious defensive unit, after a torrid few years the Lions’ passionate fan base look set to have a rewarding season.

Toughest division: NFC North – Containing the Superbowl champions, contenders Chicago and a resurgent Detroit, NFC North will be one heck of a dog fight. Throw in a couple of the hardest away trips in the NFL (Detroit and Greeny Bay) and you’ve got a very tough division.

Weakest division: AFC West – Any division that is going toe to toe with the NFC West must have serious depth issues. San Diego is the only bright light in a division riddled with question marks.

One to watch: After jumping ship from the Bengals in the off-season, will controversial wide receiver Chad Ochocinco cause the Patriots dressing room to implode on itself?