The Green Bay Packers fielded one of the youngest teams in the NFL last season. One of the deepest teams, too. Also the best team.

Those Packers, whose average age was less than 26, managed to overcome the loss of a league-high 91 games by starters to injury in capturing their first Lombardi Trophy in 14 seasons.

Five rookies wound up starting games for Green Bay, including three in that Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers: halfback James Starks, offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and linebacker Frank Zombo.

That youth, that depth and a new-found playoff swagger establishes the Packers as the favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2011.

Green Bay may be the NFL team best suited to repeat since the 1992 Cowboys, who fielded both the youngest and healthiest team in the NFL in winning the first Lombardi Trophy of the Jerry Jones era. Those 1993 Cowboys did repeat as champions - and went on to win a record three Lombardi Trophies in four seasons.

That's the type of team Packers general manager Ted Thompson has built in Green Bay.

Despite losing starting running back Ryan Grant, tight end Jermichael Finley and right tackle Mark Tauscher during the opening five weeks of the 2010 season because of injury, the Packers still finished in the top 10 in the NFL in yards and points.

Despite losing starting linebackers Nick Barnett and Brad Jones and safety Morgan Burnett because of injury, the Packers allowed the fewest points and second-fewest yards in the NFC.

Green Bay added to its youth and depth in 2011 with a 10-player draft class, highlighted by a blocker in the first round (tackle Derek Sherrod) and a couple of playmakers in rounds two (slot receiver Randall Cobb) and three (halfback Alex Green).

Having a franchise quarterback in Aaron Rodgers only enhances Green Bay's chances of repeating if and when the NFL plays the 2011 season. So pencil in a Green Bay-San Diego Super Bowl for February.

1. Green Bay

It all starts with QB Aaron Rodgers. But then, NFL success always starts with a franchise quarterback. Rodgers was magnificent in 2010 in winning his first NFC passing title. He threw for 400 yards against the Giants and had six other 300-yard games, including the Super Bowl against the Steelers. He passed for nine touchdowns and only two interceptions in the postseason, hitting the road to knock off four consecutive division champions (Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago and Pittsburgh). Green Bay's defense supports him with the NFC's best pass rush. This team is built to win multiple Super Bowls.

Final 2010 rank: 1

2. San Diego

The Chargers have a franchise quarterback in Philip Rivers and finished first in the NFL in offense and defense last season. That's a trifecta that usually delivers championships - but it couldn't even deliver San Diego a playoff berth in 2010. The Chargers finished a disappointing 9-7. The special teams collapsed during a 2-4 start and the Chargers could not recover. So coach Norv Turner hired a new special teams coordinator, luring Rich Bisaccia away from Tampa Bay. The Chargers also drafted three defenders in the first two rounds to add muscle to their 2011 Super Bowl express.

Final 2010 rank: 14

3. New England

There was no better NFL team from September to December last season than the Patriots, who won 14 of 16 games. But for the second consecutive postseason, New England lost its opening game at home. And for the second consecutive postseason, Tom Brady was knocked around by an opposing pass rush. So Bill Belichick claimed the best left tackle in the 2011 draft (Nate Solder). The Patriots also drafted a power (Stevan Ridley) and speed (Shane Vereen) running-back combo to slow the assault on Brady.

Final 2010 rank: 3

4. New Orleans

The Saints were struck down last season by a Super Bowl hangover. That contributed to a 4-3 start that cost them the chance to win the NFC South and defend their title at home. New Orleans is still one of the league's most talented teams, finishing in the top six in offense and defense in 2010. The Saints upgraded the defense by signing former Pro Bowl DT Shaun Rogers and drafting DE Cameron Jordan in the first round. The Saints upgraded the offense by drafting 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, also in the first round.

Final 2010 rank: 10

5. Atlanta

The Falcons earned the NFC's top seed last season with a 13-3 record but couldn't hold serve, losing at home in the NFC semifinals to Green Bay. Atlanta believes it is one player away from the Super Bowl - and believes that player to be WR Julio Jones. That's why the Falcons made a quarterback deal for Jones on draft day, trading two first-round picks, two seconds and a fourth. If the Falcons win the Super Bowl, the deal will have been worthwhile.

Final 2010 rank: 6

6. Philadelphia

The 12th-ranked defense was good enough to win the NFC East but not good enough for an extended playoff run. So coach Andy Reid fired coordinator Sean McDermott and, in a risky move, replaced him with offensive line coach Juan Castillo. Reid compensated by hiring the game's two best line coaches, Howard Mudd (offense) and Jim Johnson (defense). The talent is there to contend with QB Michael Vick, WR DeSean Jackson, DE Trent Cole and CB Asante Samuel.

Final 2010 rank: 9

7. Baltimore

The Ravens are drawing to a close one of the great defensive eras in NFL history - the Ray Lewis era. They have finished in the top 10 in 11 of 12 seasons, and Lewis has been a Pro Bowler in all 11. But he's 36 this season. The offense is soon going to have to carry the defense. QB Joe Flacco and HB Ray Rice have to produce better than a 22nd-ranked offense in 2011. Adding rookie WR Torrey Smith should help.

Final 2010 rank: 7

8. NY Jets

The Jets have yet to win a division title under Rex Ryan but have reached back-to-back AFC title games. The Jets need the home field to take the next step - and they'll have to figure out a way to overtake New England in the East for that to happen. New York continues to play dominating defense under Ryan, finishing third in the NFL in 2010. The Jets need Mark Sanchez to blossom into a franchise quarterback.

Final 2010 rank: 5

9. Pittsburgh

The Steelers won the AFC with the NFL's second-oldest starting lineup. Eight starters were over 30, including six on the NFL's No. 2-ranked defense. Age has slowed the Steelers - and that lack of speed was magnified in the Super Bowl loss to the Packers. Pittsburgh needs to get younger and faster and took steps in that direction by selecting four defenders with its first five draft picks.

Final 2010 rank: 2

10. Tampa Bay

The Buccaneers won 10 games last season playing in the NFL's toughest division with one of the league's youngest teams and no pass rush. Tampa Bay will get even younger in 2011 but should be better in the pass rush with the selection of elite college DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers with its first two draft picks. With 25 TDs and only six interceptions in his first full season as a starter, Josh Freeman is a franchise quarterback in waiting.

Final 2010 rank: 12

11. Houston

It's now or never for the Texans. They enter their 10th season still looking for their first playoff berth. The offense is there with QB Matt Schaub, RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson, and coach Gary Kubiak brought in old friend Wade Phillips to fix the defense. The Colts are vulnerable. If they can't get there in 2011, it'll be time for the Texans to start over.

Final 2010 rank: 22

12. Indianapolis

Peyton Manning is 35. The last quarterback his age to win a Super Bowl was John Elway (38) in 1998 - and Elway spent that season handing off to Terrell Davis. Manning doesn't have a 2,000-yard rusher in the backfield with him at Indianapolis. He also doesn't get much help from his defense, which allowed 388 points in 2010.

Final 2010 rank: 8

13. Detroit

In two games with the Super Bowl champions last season, the Lions outscored the Packers, 33-31, to earn a split - and Detroit played both games with a backup quarterback. If QB Matthew Stafford can stay healthy for 16 games, the Lions will contend for a playoff spot. Jim Schwartz is building one of the NFL's best defensive lines.

Final 2010 rank: 20

14. NY Giants

Four teams finished in the top 10 in offense and defense in 2010 - two were wild cards (Packers and Saints) and two missed the playoffs (Chargers and Gaints). Contention in 2011 is in the hands of QB Eli Manning. He cannot repeat his league-leading 30 turnovers and expect his team to play into January.

Final 2010 rank: 13

15. St. Louis

The Rams played for the NFC West title on the final day of the season with a rookie quarterback and no receivers. St. Louis lost that day to finish 7-9, but brighter days loom in the not-too-distant future. The Rams drafted WRs Austin Pettis and Greg Salas in the middle rounds to give QB Sam Bradford some down-the-field playmakers.

Final 2010 rank: 18

16. Oakland

The Raiders finished 8-8 and swept the two teams ahead of them in the AFC West standings, Kansas City and San Diego. They appeared to finally have it going - then fired coach Tom Cable at season's end, replacing him from within with Hue Jackson. The talent is there to contend. The Raiders finished 10th in offense and 11th in defense.

Final 2010 rank: 15

17. Chicago

The home loss to the Packers in the NFC title game might have been the Bears' last gasp at dominance in the division. Green Bay has passed the Bears, and Detroit is building a head of steam. Chicago needs more from QB Jay Cutler, whose only 300-yard game in 2010 came in the opener. He threw for fewer than 200 yards in seven of 17 starts.

Final 2010 rank: 4

18. Kansas City

The Chiefs were the healthiest team in the AFC a year ago, losing 18 games by starters to injury, and led the NFL in rushing. But this is a passing league, and Kansas City ranked among the worst in 2010, finishing 30th. Matt Cassel needs to take the next step as a quarterback, and WR Jon Baldwin needs to be an impact rookie.

Final 2010 rank: 11

19. Dallas

The Cowboys have a chance every week with Tony Romo taking the snaps. But he's 31 with only one playoff victory to his credit. Troy Aikman and Tom Brady both won three Super Bowls by 30 - and none after. The clock is ticking on Romo to brand himself as a franchise quarterback. He needs a ring, not more stats.

Final 2010 rank: 21

20. Jacksonville

The Jaguars gave themselves a future by trading into the top 10 to draft QB Blaine Gabbert. But David Garrard remains the present at quarterback, and the offense will continue to revolve around RB Maurice Jones-Drew. The concern is defense. Jacksonville finished 28{+t}{+h} in defense and 30{+t}{+h} in sacks in 2010, and there's no remedy in sight.

Final 2010 rank: 16

21. Buffalo

The Bills passed up all the quarterbacks in the draft and spent their picks getting bigger and more physical on defense with DT Marcel Dareus, CB Aaron Williams and OLB Kelvin Sheppard. Buffalo realizes it can't compete for playoff spots with the NFL's worst run defense.

Final 2010 rank: 31

22. Miami

If you can't win at home (1-7), can't win in your division (2-4), and your quarterback throws more interceptions (19) than touchdowns (15), you aren't going to compete for a playoff spot. The Dolphins hope to re-establish a ground game with rookie Daniel Thomas.

Final 2010 rank: 19

23. San Francisco

New 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh performed one miracle in the Bay Area, coaching Stanford to a top-five finish in the 2010 final college football poll. Resurrecting the 49ers will be his next challenge. The once-proud franchise has not managed a winning season since 2002.

Final 2010 rank: 25

24. Seattle

The Seahawks became the first team since the AFL-NFL merger to capture a division title with a losing record (7-9). With QB Matt Hasselbeck a free agent, Seattle might be hard-pressed to match that mark with Charlie Whitehurst (two career starts) taking the snaps.

Final 2010 rank: 17

25. Minnesota

The Vikings went 6-10 in 2010 with the most prolific quarterback in NFL history. Now Minnesota turns the offense over to rookie Christian Ponder. If he can commit fewer than the 24 turnovers of Brett Favre, the Vikings will have a chance to compete with their top-10 defense.

Final 2010 rank: 26

26. Denver

After 16 years under the direction of offensive- minded coaches - Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels - the Broncos hired a defensive-minded coach: John Fox. He inherits the NFL's 32nd-ranked defense and a muddled quarterback situation with Tim Tebow and Kyle Orton.

Final 2010 rank: 30

27. Cleveland

The Browns hired Pat Shurmur as coach to fix the NFL's 29th{+-}ranked offense and took defenders with their first two draft picks (DT Phil Taylor, OLB Jabaal Sheard) to fix the 22nd-ranked defense. Cleveland hopes Shurmur can do for Colt McCoy what he did for Sam Bradford with St. Louis in 2010.

Final 2010 rank: 28

28. Cincinnati

The retirement of QB Carson Palmer leaves the offense in the hands of rookie Andy Dalton of TCU. The Bengals have a new offensive coordinator (Jay Gruden) and also drafted the best receiver in college football (A.J. Green of Georgia). Cincinnati remains in dire need of pass rushers, though.

Final 2010 rank: 29

29. Washington

Redskins fans were excited last summer with the prospect of Donovan McNabb quarterbacking their team. They aren't as excited this summer with the prospect of John Beck at the helm. He has started four games in four NFL seasons. Washington also has the 31st{+-}ranked defense.

Final 2010 rank: 23

30. Carolina

The Panthers are one of two teams that enter the 2011 season with a first-time coach (Ron Rivera) and new quarterback (rookie Cam Newton). Carolina is in the wrong division to be rebuilding, with three top-10 teams.

Final 2010 rank: 32

31. Tennessee

The Titans are the other NFL team with both a first-time coach (Mike Munchak) and new quarterback (rookie Jake Locker). Both will lean on RB Chris Johnson to get them through the season. The defense needs to be rebuilt.

Final 2010 rank: 24

32. Arizona

The Cardinals were the only NFL team to finish in the bottom five in offense and defense. Arizona did not draft a quarterback April and apparently will go with John Skelton, who has started four career games.

Final 2010 rank: 27

Rich Gosselin | DallasMorningNews wrote: