As everyone knows, the New York Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions. The season, after they defended their last championship in the 2008 season, the Giants won the NFC East with a record of 12–4 and were the number one seed in the NFC. They would go on to lose to the Philadelphia Eagles, 23-11, in the divisional round of the playoffs. That season, the Giants were the NFC favorites to play in the Super Bowl, but they couldn’t repeat as champs. We will see if they can be repeat Super Bowl champions for the first time in their team’s history. These are my predictions for the 2012 season:
AFC East
1. New England Patriots: 14-2
The schedule is very favorable for the New England Patriots in 2012. Their two toughest opponents are the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. They also play the AFC South and NFC West this year. There’s no reason why this team can’t win 14 or 15 games.
2. New York Jets: 9-7
There are a lot of questions surrounding this team. Most of the talk is about Tim Tebow, but the Jets’ defense will be the key for them being successful in 2012. Expect Mark Sanchez to have his best season as a pro.
3. Buffalo Bills: 8-8
The Bills got off to a great start early last year, but faded late. The play of Ryan Fitzpatrick will be key, but so will the defense. Mario Williams will provide an upgrade, but I don’t think it’s enough to get the team to the playoffs in 2012.
4. Miami Dolphins: 6-10
I really like the Dolphins new head coach, Joe Philblin. Miami also drafted a new quarterback in Ryan Tannehill, but I don’t expect him to see the field in 2012. Can Chad Johnson return to playing like the old Chad Johnson? There are a lot of question marks with this team, but they are headed in the right direction. However, it’s too soon to expect them to be contenders in the AFC East.
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens: 11-5
The Ravens were a Lee Evans touchdown away from going to the Super Bowl last season. While their window for a championship is closing, they still are the team to beat in AFC North even though the defense, led by Ray Lewis, is a year older.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 11-5
The Steelers say they want to be a smash-mouth football team, but that will be hard to do without Rashard Mendenhall. He may miss the entire season with an ACL injury he suffored last season. Team has questions about Mike Wallace, James Harrison’s knee injury. A lot will be on the plate of Big Ben in 2012. I never count out the Steelers under Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 8-8
The Bengals surprised everyone last season, especially considering they were a young team. Cincinnati didn’t have a winning record last season, but they still made it to the playoffs. If they want a return trip to the playoffs this season, they will have to have a winning record. The schedule is a lot more difficult being that they were a playoff team a year ago. The Bengals’ defense, which was ranked seventh in the NFL last season, will have to be even better if they expect to contend in the AFC North.
4. Cleveland Browns: 4-12
While the Browns drafted both a running back and a quarterback, they still have questionable areas on offense. Cleveland’s defense did finish tenth in the league last year, so that’s a positive. However, the AFC North is a tough division, so I don’t expect too much from the team in 2012.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans: 11-5
The Texans are loaded on offense as everyone knows and the defense shouldn’t skip a beat without Mario Williams. I expect the Houston to run away with the AFC South.
2. Tennesse Titans: 8-8
The quarterback position will be the key factor in whether the Titans are a success for or not in 2012. If Matt Hasselbeck starts, they have an outside chance of making the playoffs. If Jake Locker starts, it is unlikely.
3. Indianapolis Colts: 4-12
Out goes Peyton Manning and Bill Polian, in comes Andrew Luck and Ryan Grigson as general manager. Times sure have changed in Indianapolis. Now starts the rebuilding process.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-13
Jacksonville has a very young team and I’m not sure Blaine Gabbert is the answer at quarterback. They did draft Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State, but the Jaguars still could end up being the worst team in the NFL in 2012.
AFC West
1. Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6
The Chiefs finished 7-9 and one game out of first place despite all of their injuries last season. Jamaal Charles is back from injury, as is Matt Cassel. Head Coach Romeo Crennel takes over an ideal situation in Kansas City. I expect the defense to carry the Chiefs to a division title in 2012.
2. San Diego Chargers: 10-6
Philip Rivers had a down season last year. I expect to see the Philip Rivers from 2009-10 and not the one that threw 27 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. The Chargers defense, which looked suspect at times last season, will have to improve. They were a mediocre, middle-of-the-road team last year (16th in the NFL), but I believe the Chargers will win the wild card in 2012.
3. Denver Broncos: 8-8
Most people believe the Broncos will win the AFC West this season, but I’m not one of those people. Peyton Manning will make a difference on the field, but he doesn’t have much help on that offense. The old Peyton could carry a team, but can he still be expected to carry a team after the neck surgery? Brian Dawkins, the leader of the defense, retired, so it will be up to future hall-of-famer Champ Bailey and Von Miller to carry it.
4. Oakland Raiders: 6-10
There’s a lot of talent on offense in Oakland. Carson Palmer will be better in year two with a full training camp under his belt. Having Darren McFadden back always helps a quarterback. McFadden is one of the keys for the Raiders ending their nine-year playoff drought. The other key is defense. The Raiders defense is the main reason they were sitting at home in January and not playing the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. The Raiders haven’t done anything to improve the defense and, until they do, they will be at the bottom of the division.
NFC East
1. New York Giants: 10-6
The Giants don’t have a lot of holes. New York’s running game and offensive line are questions, but they did address the line in the NFL draft. The team had the worst running attack in the NFL in the regular season last year. If they want to repeat as Super Bowl champions, this cannot happen again. On defense, cornerback is their weak spot. Prince Amukamara is the guy the team needs to fill the second corner spot opposite Corey Webster. The schedule is difficult, especially later in the season, but I still believe in this team and I think they will win the NFC East again.
2. Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
It wouldn’t shock or surprise me if the Cowboys won the NFC East. Their schedule is much more favorable than the Giants’. Morris Claiborne, a rookie from LSU, should help in their secondary immediately. Claiborne is my early-season pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The two keys for the Cowboys are health, especially at the running back position, and the play of Tony Romo. Romo had an outstanding season if you look at his numbers, he just throws interceptions at the wrong time. While everyone is picking the Eagles to bounce back this year, don’t sleep on the Cowboys. I have them making the playoffs.
3. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7
Some people have picked the Eagles as a dark horse in the NFC, but I’m not one of those people. This team still has some question marks on that offensive line. While I do believe Philadelphia can make the playoffs, I just can’t pick them to win the NFC East. Michael Vick has to stay 100 percent healthy if they have any shot.
4. Washington Redskins: 6-10
I liked what the Redskins did this off-season (aside from the Kirk Cousins draft pick). Robert Griffin III has all the talent in the world to become a successful NFL quarterback. Washington also addressed the offensive line in the draft, which will help Griffin. The Redskins have a good defense and that will also help them win games. I think the ‘Skins are going in the right direction.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers: 13-3
While I don’t believe the Packers will only lose one regular season game like last year, I do believe this is the team to beat in the NFC. Green Bay addressed the defense in the draft by taking defensive players in their first six picks. Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy are players that could help the Packers immediately. The question mark for me is the running game. Ryan Grant, who split carries with James Starks last season, is gone. Can Starks carry most of the load in 2012? The Packers are a passing team, so I expect Aaron Rodgers to have another MVP-type season.
2. Chicago Bears: 11-5
This is your dark horse in the NFC. The Bears went out and finally added a big play wide receiver to their roster. Brandon Marshall will be that go-to guy Jay Cutler can rely on. Chicago also drafted Alshon Jeffery from South Carolina, who provide Cutler another big-time target. The addition of Michael Bush will help take pressure off Matt Forte. If healthy, the Bears could make a Super Bowl run. Remember, they did make it to the NFC Championship in 2010.
3. Detroit Lions: 8-8
Lions fans finally had something to cheer about for the first time since 1999 – a playoff berth. The bad news is they have a tougher schedule this season. Detroit has had a number of off-field arrests in the off-season, but I believe a healthy Bears team will be a better team than the Lions this season.
4. Minnesota Vikings: 5-11
How will Adrian Peterson play after his ACL injury? Can Christian Ponder progress? Can the Vikings defense improve from being ranked 26th against the pass last season? There are a lot of questions with this team and not too many answers.
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers: 11-5
Cam Newton surprised people last year with his play and knowledge of the offense right away. In year two, I’m expecting much bigger things from Newton and this offense. Their headed rushing attack is always their staple of this team. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart I expect will have another big season. The Panther defense is the key. They lost a lot of games for them last season. They will have to improve from 24th against the run and 25th against the pass. I believe they will and that’s why I have the Panthers winning the NFC South.
2. Atlanta Falcons: 9-7
This is a make or break season for quarterback Matt Ryan and head coach Mike Smith. They both have shown the ablity to help get the Falcons to the playoffs, but have unable to win a game. Falcons did get some offensive line help in the draft, so that may help Ryan. Their secondary has been a problem for years but the Falcons went out and traded for Asante Samuel. Some people believe he is past his prime. Others like myself at age 31, he still has some game left. He need to help that secondary if they want to make the playoffs this season.
2. New Orleans Saints: 9-7
The commissioner came down hard on the Saints in the off-season. No Sean Peyton for the entire season, No Jonathan Vilma for the entire season and their interim head coach Joe Vitt will sit out the first six games of the season. Can quarterback Drew Brees handle all the responsibilities with this team. I think they will have some struggles.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-12
Let me just say, I loved the hire of Greg Schiano. I believe he will be a great head coach and won’t allow this team to quit like it did last season. The Bucs are a young team and it will take them some time to improve.
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers: 11-5
The 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh shocked everyone last season by getting to the NFC Championship. The best thing going for the 49ers is the fact that they play in the worst division in football. They do play the Patriots, Packers, Lions and Giants, which were all playoff teams last season. We will see if Alex Smith can do a repeat of what he did last season.
2. Seattle Seahawks: 8-8
The Seahawks will be a much better team than people think. It is always tough to go to the 12th man and win on the road. The big question is Seattle’s quarterback situation. Will it be Matt Flynn, Tarvaris Jackson or Russell Wilson?
3. Arizona Cardinals: 5-11
This is Kevin Kolb’s job to lose. If he doesn’t produce this season, the Cardinals will be looking for other options in 2013.
4. St. Louis Rams: 4-12
Sam Bradford really has a lot to prove and not a lot of weapons around him. The Rams still have Steven Jackson, but they have a terrible run defense.
NFL MVP: Tom Brady
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Robert Griffin III
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Morris Claiborne
Defensive Player of the Year: Julius Peppers
Super Bowl: New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl Champions: New England Patriots
Discussion
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