The NFL 2011 Recap: Disappointments, Surprises, & Everything In Between

With the Superbowl underway, and only four teams left in it, it only seems right to look back on yet another fantastic year of the National Football League.

There have been ups and downs, from battles of words to heartbreaking missed opportunities. It has been a unique year, with the usual twists and turns. And always, it has been a blast to follow.

Surprise Team of the Year: The Kansas City Chiefs

Many had predicted the Chiefs to win between three and five games.

Coming off an underwhelming season, the team looked young and promising, but was expected to be in a re-building phase.

Instead, Matt Cassel threw the offense on it’s back, and hooked up with Dwayne Bowe for an impressive 15 touchdowns.

Jamaal Charles rushed with vicious intentions, for an incredible 6.4 yards per carry.

The team went from last place in the division to division champs with a 10-6 record, despite losing the final game of the year to the Oakland Raiders.

Comeback Player of the Year: Michael Vick

Vick went from prison to league MVP. With more yardage than some running backs, as well as deadly accuracy and playmaking ability, Michael Vick is one of the most unique and dangerous football players on the field. And to think he started the season on the bench behind Kevin Kolb…

Biggest Disapointment: The San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were almost unanimously predicted to win their division. Instead, they fell to third place, starting 0-5, until managing to defeat the Oakland Raiders for their first win more than a month into the season.

They finished 6-10, behind the 7-9 Seahawks (division winners who managed to shock the world by beating the Saints in the playoffs) and the Rams.  The Patrick Willis-led defense was incredibly weak against the pass, and instability and disappointment at quarterback caused this team to fall apart.

Clutch Play of the Year: Desean Jackson’s muffed punt return for a touchdown

This was an easy call. With 14 seconds left in the game, the Eagles had managed to tie-up the game from a 28 point deficit.

The Giants were preparing to punt the ball, make the tackle, and prepare for overtime. But Desean Jackson had other plans.

Jackson bobbled and dropped the punt, picked it back up, and cut through the field, racing 65 yards for a touchdown to win the game

Rookies of the year:

Offense: Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams. Bradford set NFL rookie records for completions (354) and passed for 3,512 yards, second most ever for a rookie.

Defense: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions. Suh had a monstrous year. He recorded 10 sacks (most by a defensive tackle), had an interception, and returned a fumble for a touchdown

Special Teams: Jacoby Ford, Oakland Raiders. Jacoby was a sparkplug for the Oakland Raiders, returning three kickoffs for touchdowns in limited playing time. The speedy receiver was the fastest man at the combine, and consistently torched opposing defenses and coverage teams.