The 2011 NFL season has allowed fans and bettors alike to witness a changing of the guard, as many surprise teams have shown up to the playoff party this season. Whether it is the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills or Cincinnati Bengals, 2011 is the year that sports betting enthusiasts are able to see a changing of the guard. Today for your price per head wagering pleasure, we will be looking at a few different teams we believe could go far in the Super Bowl playoffs this season. San Francisco 49ers – Entering week seven of the 2011 season, the San Francisco 49ers have quietly put together one of the best starts in the franchise’s illustrious history. This year’s team, still led by the Alex Smith and Frank Gore tandem has jumped out to a five and one start through the first six games of the season. Many of our bookie software colleagues, believe that San Francisco is for real. But then again, when you play in a weak division such as the NFC West, it is easy to make the playoffs when you have a winning record. As of this writing, the 49ers are sitting comfortably atop the NFC West, with a two and a half game lead over Seattle. The big story coming out of the 49ers early success is the play of quarterback Alex Smith. Originally drafted first overall in 2005, Smith up to the 2011 season, was considered a bust by most fans and analysts alike. However, this season, Smith has made fans who stuck with him, look like geniuses as he is finally living up to his first overall NFL pick potential. In order for the 49ers to continue their successful campaign, Smith will have to keep elevating his game. If he fails to do so, expect a second half collapse. Detroit Lions – We have been Lions fans since the 2008 16 loss season. This year, the Lions are five and one which is one of the best starts in the franchise’s long history. Sunday, the Lions loss was luckily overshadowed by the post game altercation between the team’s coaching staff and San Francisco’s coaching staff. Once fans get past the theatrics of Sunday’s incident, they will see a team in Detroit that should by all accounts make it to the Super Bowl. Led by the duo of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, the NFL hasn’t seen a duo as exciting, since Joe Montana and Jerry Rice in the late 1980s. On paper and on the field, the Lions have all the tools on both offense and defense to not only win the Super Bowl, but also be a dynasty for the next couple of seasons. With upcoming games against the Green Bay Packers, the Lions can make a statement, if they can beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers defense.
