Top 10 Storylines Heading into the NFL Season -- Part II

This is Part II of my look at the Top 10 Storylines heading into the 2011 NFL season. See yesterday’s post for the first half (Nos. 10-6).

5. Lead Lion: Will Matthew Stafford actually make it through an entire season? – Stafford has been highly regarded since being drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009. He set all kinds of passing records at the University of Georgia and has shown flashes of greatness since joining the league, but the problem has been keeping him on the field. He’s only played 13 games in two seasons, and his health is one of the keys to Detroit’s season. If he stays healthy, the Lions will make this year’s playoffs as a wildcard.

4. Show-Me Schedules: Can upstart teams like the Chiefs and Rams maintain their success in the face of tougher schedules? – These Missouri teams were two of the real surprises of the 2010 season. The Chiefs went 10-6, and made the playoffs as the AFC West division champs; the Rams finished 7-9, coming up one game short of the NFC West division title. The question for this upcoming season is whether the teams have improved enough to maintain their ascent in the face of tougher schedules. St. Louis faces the Eagles, Ravens, Packers, Saints and Steelers. Kansas City’s tough games include Colts, Chargers (twice), Patriots, Steelers, Jets and Packers. I see both teams battling down to the wire for division titles.

3. Kick-off Kraziness: How will the new kick-off rules affect offenses? – Through two weeks, the results are clear. The changes in the kickoff rules (moving it from the 30 to the 35 yard line) has significantly reduced teams’ opportunities for return yardage. The percentage of touchbacks has basically doubled from last season (jumping from 15 to 30 percent) and the most exciting play in football has basically been neutered. Offenses are definitely going to suffer, being forced to start drives at the 20-yard line or worse. It might be safer, but it’s definitely less exciting.

2. Houston’s Hurdle: Will this year be the year the Texans finally break through? – Year after year after year, the Houston Texans tease the football world with promises of this year being the year. And then every year they seem to come up short. Over the past five years, the team has finished 6-10, 8-8, 8-8, 9-7 and 6-10. The offense is always good, but the defense has been weak. With the addition of some secondary help and new Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips, that is expected to change. They’ll make the playoffs this year, finally.

1. Hoodie Magic: Can Bellichick add Ocho and Albert to his list of rehab projects? – The Patriots latest shots at career reclamation projects are Chad Ochocinco (Bengals) and Albert Haynesworth (Redskins). Coach Bill Bellichick has previously turned around the troublemaker careers of such guys as Corey Dillon and Randy Moss. Ocho is probably going to be fine. He’s older, a step slower and his attitude seems to be a little more subdued this year. Haynesworth is another subject all together. I doubt he is even going to make the team.

BONUS – Who will win (or lose) the Andrew Luck sweepstakes? – Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck is the consensus No. 1 pick for next year’s NFL Draft. So as we look at the season ahead, what team is lining up to be in the hunt to get him? I’m angling toward two franchises with the inside track: Buffalo and Denver. Either team will take him, no doubt.  The real interesting situation would be Denver. If they were to get him, Orton would move to No. 2 and Tim Tebow would be traded. That would the best thing possible for the team and for Tebow.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you think are the hot topics as we wait for the season to start.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Steve