This Year’s Arizona Cardinals Will Be…

The Arizona Cardinals came out of nowhere last season to make a surprise Super Bowl run. This doesn't happen every year, but here are four teams that are capable of making a similar run:

1) New Orleans Saints: This offense came close to setting many NFL records last season and this team only finished 8-8. The defense of the Saints was the main reason the Saints didn’t make the playoffs and this year the Saints will have one of the most improved defenses in the NFL. Even though he was a horrible head coach with the Buffalo Bills, Gregg Williams has always been known as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. Williams comes to New Orleans with a whole new scheme and he will be helped by another former Buffalo player in Jabari Greer. The former Tennessee cornerback is about as short as Gary Coleman, but he has some of the best catch-up speed in the NFL and has done well against receivers like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens in the past. With this improved defense, expect Drew Brees to have no problem leading the Saints to the playoffs. If this team gets rolling late, don’t be surprised if the Saints go on a run like the Arizona Cardinals did last season.

2) Green Bay Packers: Could you imagine what the NFL North would look like this season if Jay Cutler and Brett Favre weren’t in the division? Those two players are the two main reasons that I don’t think the Packers will make the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant and Greg Jennings form one of the best trios in the NFL, but the Packers need more touchdowns from Grant and need more from the defense. In order for the Packers defense to become one of the best in the NFL, the Packers need more out of A.J. Hawk. There has been some talk that Hawk could lose some starting snaps at linebacker, but this defense still has a strong secondary with Charles Woodson and Nick Collins leading the way. The Packers are this year’s sexy pick to go on a Super Bowl run and Rodgers is the perfect quarterback to make sure that happens.

3) Houston Texans: This is another sexy pick to make the playoffs, but it all depends on the health of quarterback Matt Schaub. Many analysts are in love with Schaub, but he has never thrown for more than 15 touchdowns in one season. The former Virginia quarterback is surrounded by plenty of weapons in receivers Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and running back Steve Slaton. The key here is the health of Slaton as there is no depth behind the former West Virginia running back. If Slaton approaches 1,400 yards in his second season, this offense will lead the Texans to the playoffs. The defense will once again put pressure on opposing quarterbacks with Mario “I’m better than Reggie Bush” Williams and DeMeco Ryans leading the way. This defense needs Brian Cushing to have a strong rookie season and needs defensive tackle Amobi Okoye to finally start living up to the hype that surrounded him when he was drafted out of Louisville.

4) Cincinnati Bengals: This is the one shocker on the list as the Bengals only finished 4-11 last season. Carson Palmer’s health still scares me, but it looks like he is ready to go as the season starts. Palmer will be happy to be teamed with the reemerging Chad Ochocinco and Chris Henry. We already listed Henry as one of the breakout players for this season and Henry helps form one of the best groups of receivers in the NFL. Lavernanues Coles was a very good addition to this offense and the Bengals had one of the best drafts in the NFL. Rookies Chase Coffman, Jonathan Luigs, Michael Johnson and Ray Mauluga will all make an impact this season with the Bengals.