Tuesday, September 4, 2012

2012 NFL Predictions

AFC


AFC East

*New England Patriots 12-4
-Easiest schedule in the league makes New England a Super Bowl favorite again

New York Jets 9-7
-The offense looks historically bad but the defense will be much improved with a revamped defensive line and secondary

Buffalo Bills 7-9
-Mario Williams is a great addition but Ryan Fitzpatrick is too limited and the offensive line is still a question mark.

Miami Dolphins 4-12
-A rookie quarterback throwing to arguably the worst group of wide receivers in the league is a recipe for disaster.

AFC North

*Baltimore Ravens 11-5
-It looks like they are handing the team to Joe Flacco. He finally played well in the postseason last year so he may be ready to take that next step.

*Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
-The defense is getting old but the offense is full of play makers. Don't write them off just yet.

Cincinnati Bengals 6-10
-The young Bengals will take a big step back in 2012. They didn't beat any teams with a winning record last season.

Cleveland Browns 4-12
-It's rebuilding time in Cleveland...still

AFC South

*Houston Texans 12-4
-On paper, they have the best roster in the league. Can Matt Schaub finally win some big games?

Indianapolis Colts 7-9
-Andrew Luck looked better then advertised in the preseason. Expect the defense to be much improved.

Tennessee Titans 7-9
-There will be growing pains for Jake Locker. The Titans simply don't have enough elite talent.

Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12
-Maurice Jones-Drew won't be the same after his long holdout. What else do they have?

AFC West

*Denver Broncos 10-6
-The schedule is brutal but Peyton Manning is the greatest regular season quarterback of all time. It's all about him staying healthy.

*Kansas City Chiefs 9-7
-The Chiefs have a ton of talent. All the question marks surround Matt Cassell.

San Diego Chargers 8-8
-The window looks like it has finally closed on this underachieving franchise. There is no way Norv Turner returns in 2013.

Oakland Raiders 5-11
-Carson Palmer is a turnover machine and the team lacks experience. Don't be surprised if Terrelle Pryor gets a few starts in 2012.

NFC


NFC East

*New York Giants 10-6
-The Super Bowl champs are rewarded with the league's toughest schedule. Eli Manning is as clutch as any player in sports and the Giants have the best pass rush in football. Don't buy the Eagles/Cowboys hype.

Philadelphia Eagles 8-8
-Michael Vick can't stay healthy and their backup is a rookie. Could this be Andy Reid's last year in Philly?

Dallas Cowboys 8-8
-The talent is there but the schedule is brutal. Until Dallas proves they can win big games people will always have doubts.

Washington Redskins 4-12
-A rookie quarterback coupled with a sub par offensive line and below average running backs? Another long year in the nation's capital.

NFC North

*Green Bay Packers 11-5
-They won't duplicate last year's 15-1 record but they will still be an NFC powerhouse.

*Chicago Bears 10-6
-Jay Cutler finally has some weapons at wide receiver. If Forte can bounce back then watch out.

Detroit Lions 8-8
-The Lions are young and undisciplined. They will take a step back.

Minnesota Vikings 4-12
-Hard to imagine the Vikings competing any time soon. Hopefully Adrian Peterson can recover from his horrific knee injury.

NFC South

*Atlanta Falcons 10-6
-It's put up or shut up for Matt Ryan. His play in the postseason has to improve.

*New Orleans Saints 9-7
-We'll find out how good Drew Brees is without Sean Payton

Carolina Panthers 7-9
-They didn't make enough improvements in the offseason. Cam Newton is great but the division is too tough.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10
-It's amazing that Josh Freeman doesn't take more criticism. If he doesn't perform this season it may be time for Tampa to move on.

NFC West

*San Francisco 49ers 11-5
-It's simple. Alex Smith can't screw it up.

Seattle Seahawks 7-9
-Russell Wilson is one of the NFL's most intriguing storylines this season.

Arizona Cardinals 6-10
-No quarterback means no chance.

St. Louis Rams 3-13
-The Rams are going through one of the worst stretches in the history of American sports.

AFC Championship
Houston Texans over Denver Broncos

NFC Championship
Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl XLVII
Chicago Bears over Houston Texans


Other Predictions

1. Barring injury, Mark Sanchez will start every game for the Jets this season

2. Tom Brady will win the league MVP

3. Andrew Luck will be the offensive rookie of the year

4. Maurice Claiborne will be the defensive rookie of the year