NFL Season Preview
Last season's prediction of an Eagles vs Chargers Super Bowl did not pan out (http://cdstarrzfb.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/chargers-vs-eagles-for-super-bowl.html) although I went 160-96 for the 2011 regular season. The bar has been set higher this season so I will pick more with my brain as opposed to blind loyalty.
That being said, here we go with my predictions for the 2012 NFL season.
AFC
(2012 record in parentheses)
AFC East:
New England Patriots (13-3) www.patriots.com
Somehow New England got themselves to the Super Bowl again last season and again as favourite were beaten by the NY Giants.
This season, the team should win the AFC East once again and once in the playoffs, anything can happen.
Staying healthy through the early weeks will be a key to how far the Pats may go this season. they face a Week 3 trip to Baltimore and host Mr. Manning's Broncos in Week 5.
The Patriots should take the division again and maybe advance through one round of the post season.
Prediction: 10-6
NY Jets (8-8) www.newyorkjets.com
Will a .500 record be an aspiration in the first year of the Jets Tebow Experiment?? Seems to always be something on the Ryan side of the city. The sudden lack of a running game, the severe lack of a passing game and relying too much on the defense will keep the Jets in the news for sure but headlines alone do not guarantee playoff spots. Oh, there is the Wildcat threat!! Hmmm...did we not see most teams abandon the scheme a few seasons ago.
Prediction: 6-10
Miami Dolphins (6-10) www.miamidolphins.com
The Dolphins showed glimpses last season but will not catch anyone by surprise this year. They have improved the roster slightly and drafted wisely but still may be a year or two away from a major playoff challenge.
Prediction: 7-9
Buffalo Bills (6-10)
For most a 6-10 record would not mean improvement, but for Buffalo, it may be a step in the right direction.The Bills are hoping wise draft picks and some key free agent pick ups will take them further along the road to a playoff appearance. Consistency and improvement from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will be welcomed additionally. On the way but maybe not just yet.
Prediction: 8-8
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (12-4) www.baltimoreravens.com
A missed field goal from glory, and injury to Terrell Suggs and questions as to the ability of Ray Lewis to still be a factor have all been put forward to this seasons Baltimore team. The Raven will again be near the top of the AFC and with continued improvement from Joe Flacco, the team may have to rely less on their vaunted defense.
At seasons end...look for the Ravens to be a threat for the title again if the cards fall right.
Prediction: 11-5
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) www.steelers.com
The Steelers will again challenge in the AFC and hopefully not be upset in the first round of the postseason. The team has added a new offensive coordinator but the cast remains relatively unchanged. The division title will be settled between the Steelers and the Ravens again this season. There seems to be something missing with the Steel Curtain but they are still way above most AFC teams.
Prediction: 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) www.bengals.com
The Bengals will not be a surprise this season and teams will be more prepared for them. The question is whether or not Andy Dalton and A.J. Green go through sophomore slumps.The schedule will not do the young Bengals any favours either as they face the NFC East along with the AFC West.
Prediction: 7-9
Cleveland (4-12) www.clevelandbrowns.com
Youthful enthusiasm can only go so far and in the case of the Browns, it seems to be a recurring theme. Again this year, there has been an injection of new draftees to the mix but the rebuilding continues!!!
Prediction: 3-13
AFC South
Houston Texans (10-6) www.houstontexans.com
The Texans will again be the trendy pick to go all the way to the Super Bowl but again they will be one injury away from just another playoff team.
The Houston team will benefit from having Indianapolis and Jacksonville in the same division along with a healthy Matt Schaub to lead the attack.
They will play in the postseason...how far they go depends on health come that time of year.
Prediction: 10-6
Tennessee Titans (9-7) www.titansonline.com
Tennessee was just squeezed out of the postseason last year but with a rejuvenated Chris Johnson and cast, they could make the next step this season. The division should be easy with the Texans the only real threat. Interconference play will be tough as they will face the NFC North this season. The Titans will need to pick up a few road wins to assure a postseason bid.
Prediction: 12-4
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) www.jaguars.com
Matching last season's 5-11 record could be tough for Jacksonville. While they will pull a few surprises, they will not be much better than last season.
Prediction: 2-14
Indianapolis Colts (2-14) www.colts.com
The Andrew Luck era begins in Indy!! While Luck enters to "NFL Ready" plaudits, the team is still not ready to go much better than last year. There will be improvement but it there will need to be more fine tuning in the off season. Check back in three seasons or so.
Prediction: 4-12
AFC West
Denver Broncos (8-8) www.denverbroncos.com
The Tebow experiment has run its course in Denver ...now it is time for the "does Peyton still have it?" conundrum. The Broncs signed future HOFer Peyton Manning in the offseason ending Tebow time in the Mile High City. While the team will definitely have a different look, the will not surprise many people this year. that being said, the Bronco defense will be a tough test for any opponent. The schedule is tough and an improvement over last seasons record may not be seen. Nevertheless, in the AFC West, anything could happen.
Prediction: 6-10
San Diego Chargers (8-8) www.chargers.com
My beloved Chargers enter the season once again under a cloud of uncertainty and potential, I will not tip them for Super Bowl glory this season and hope that they prove me wrong. Was Phillip Rivers' season last year an anomaly or is he going to throw more interceptions again this year. There has been some fresh blood infused to the defensive unit and hopefully the team will find the consistency they need to get back to the postseason.
Prediction: 10-6
Oakland Raiders (8-8) www.raiders.com
Another regime takes over in Oakland and the Raiders could surprise people this year, they have speed of course and in Carson Palmer, a QB with a cannon for an arm. Additionally, the can chew up clock time when needed with their running game. Will be a tough win for anyone on any given Sunday.
Prediction: 6-10
Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) www.kcchiefs.com
Hopefully healthy, the Chiefs will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2011 campaign. The team is solid and still has speed if nothing else. A key win here or there and the Chiefs could sneak into the playoffs.
Prediction: 7-9
AFC Division Champs:
New England 10-6
Baltimore Ravens 11-5
Tennessee Titans 12-4
San Diego Chargers 10-6
Wildcard Teams:
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
Houston Texans 10-6
NFC
NFC East
NY Giants (9-7) www.giants.com
The Giants did not fare well defending their Super Bowl title previously and this season will have the proverbial target on their backs. Defense will again be the strong suit of the Giants. On the offensive side of the ball, the game management of Eli Manning may be put to the test against AFC North foes Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The overall improvement of teams in the NFC East may see the division winner going 9-7 once again. The Giants will again go down to the final weeks of the season before knowing their playoff fate.
Prediction: 10-6
Philadelphia (8-8) www.philadelphiaeagles.com
After a very disappointing season last year, Philadelphia is looking to live up to the hype surrounding them this year. The Eagles fate hinges in staying relatively injury free, especially Mike Vick. The defense is solid but can at times give up too many points. If the offense can take care of the ball and eat the clock to close out games, the Eagles will be back in the playoff picture.
Prediction: 11-5
Dallas Cowboys (8-8) www.dallascowboys.com
Ok Cowboy fans, yes I know a lot of you are family and friends...but this is an intervention of sorts...reality check if you will....you have not won a playoff game in 17yrs....your owner is not a GM....your team is becoming dysfunctional....hmm...ok..all of that being said, Dallas may improve on last seasons break even record but they are in a division where there will likely only be one team advancing to the playoffs. Barring total collapses in New York or Philadelphia, Dallas may be looking a re-tooling again in the offseason.
Prediction: 7-9
Washington Redskins (5-11) www.redskins.com
The RGIII regime in Washington will be an interesting on....again though a lot of the above Cowboy story to the Skins.The team will be interesting to watch but the front office could be their downfall over the long term
Prediction: 4-12
NFC North
Green Bay Packers (15-1) www.packers.com
Such an epic season, yet such an epic demise was the lament of Packer fans last season. Green Bay again returns a potent offensive unit and have started to shore up the defense. The NFC North is a bit tougher this year with a maturing Detroit and healthy Chicago but overall consistency will win it for Green Bay who will be chomping at the bit to reverse last years playoff fortunes. They may be in for a Super Bowl visit but will need to stay healthy and get more from their running game.
Prediction: 11-5
Detroit Lions (10-6) www.detroitlions.com
The Lions will need to keep off-field distractions to a minimum this year in order to make another foray into the postseason. Just a little more from the ground game could go a long way in keeping the Lions on the improve. The schedule will be tougher for Detroit but they may go to the playoffs again.
Prediction: 11-5
Chicago Bears (8-8) www.chicagobears.com
A healthy quarterback will go a long way in deciding how far the Bears travel this season. With the tandem of Matt Forte and Michael Bush in the backfield, the ground game will be solid allowing the Bears to mix in a bit of ground£ wit the vertical passing game. The health of Brian Urlacher could have an effect on the defensive unit but overall they will be a tough act.
Prediction: 10-6
Minnesota Vikings (3-13) www.vikings.com
Minnesota has a few pieces but the puzzle is too big to solve in one season....keep putting the pieces together.
Prediction: 2-14
NFC South
New Orleans Saints (13-3) www.neworleanssaints.com
After the turmoil of Bounty-Gate, the Saints will be happy to just get on the filed. With the team being coached by committee, it will be interesting to see where they end up. The offense will be solid enough to cause waves in a division where Atlanta and Carolina are looking to take the next step.
Prediction: 9-7
Atlanta Falcons (10-6) www.atlantafalcons.com
Another solid season followed by another collapse in the playoffs for the Falcons last year has led to questions about the legitimacy of the team as a contender in the NFC. With uncertainty in New Orleans, this could be the year of the Falcon but they will need to get past the early rounds of the playoffs.
Prediction: 11-5
Carolina Panthers (6-10) www.panthers.com
Cam Newton will need to put together a solid season for the Panthers this year. He had a relatively good season last year but had his moments. Carolina could surprise a few teams but may still be a year or two away from post season play.
Prediction: 4-12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) www.buccaneers.com
New faces, new coaches and hopes of a better season in Tampa this year. Josh Freeman will need to rebound from the horrors of last season for the youthful Buc's to improve. Similar to Carolina, they may need a season or two.
Prediction: 2-14
NFC West
San Fran benefited from a weak division along the way to a solid season last year which saw them nearly reach the big one. Expect the same this year from the 49ers. it will be interesting to see how Randy Moss fits into the the scheme of things by the bay as they look to improve the passing game. San Fran could just take that next step this season.
Prediction: 14-2
Arizona Cardinals (8-8) www.azcardinals.com
Again the Cardinals seem to be just about there but with questions at the quarterback slot...they could be passed by the Seahawks for a playoff spot. Larry Fitzgerald will be solid, the defense is improving and the running game is serviceable but they may need to fine tune things a bit.
Prediction: 6-10
Seattle Seahawks (7-9) www.seahawks.com
Pete Carroll has the Seahawks playing a better brand of football and they will be looking to make waves this season. The team will be neck and neck with the Cardinals for a second place finish in the division but may miss out on the playoffs.
Prediction: 7-9
St. Louis Rams (2-14) www.stlouisrams.com
The Rams will be better even though the record may not show it straight away...not a lot else to report here...tune in next season...
Prediction: 4-12
NFC Division Champs:
Philadelphia 11-5
Green Bay 11-5
Atlanta 11-5
San Francisco 13-3
Wildcard Teams:
Detroit Lions 11-5
NY Giants 10-6
Super Bowl Prediction:
Baltimore vs. San Francisco
Yep...picking Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh....right where I left off last season!! LOL!!
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