2012 NFL Predictions

AFC East

New England Patriots 13-3* : Their schedule is so easy. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if TFB and the gang went 15-1 but I dislike them so I gave them three losses. All the AFC teams better be ready to go to New England in January because they will be the one seed.

Buffalo Bills 9-7* : People forget that the Bills started the season 5-2 last year. They made a big improvement to their defensive line by adding Mario Williams and Ryan Fitzpatrick can put up some points. I think the Bills circle the wagons and get into the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

New York Jets 7-9 : Their defense will keep them in games and win them a few by themselves because the offense might not score. Nacho Sanchez has a tremendous amount of pressure on him to succeed now since Tim Tebow is waiting on the bench. The idea to go back to ground and pound makes sense but it hasn't worked out too well in the preseason.

Miami Dolphins 4-12 : It could be a long season in Miami. Ryan Tannehill already has a weak set of receivers but that doesn't even worry me. The main problem is that he thinks the Kansas City Chiefs play in the NFC East. It's mind boggling that he doesn't know the divisions.

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5* : Their O-line is shaky at best and only Todd Haley knows what the offense is going to look like but they will benefit from an easy schedule. If they get to the playoffs I hope it goes better than their last two appearances. Tebow's miracle last year and Super Bowl XLV didn't go so well.

Baltimore Ravens 10-6* : Losing Terrell Suggs for the season will definitely hurt their ability to get to the QB. That could lead to Ravens relying more on the offense and Joe Flacco. Last year Flacco's completion percentage was the worst of his career and he tied his career high in interceptions. If the Ravens rely on Ray Rice they will be fine.

Cincinnati Bengals 7-9 : Last year the Bengals went 9-7, however they went 0-7 against teams with a winning record. Their schedule features 6 games against last years playoff teams. Meanwhile the previous two times the Bengals made the playoffs they followed up with an 8-8 season and a 4-12 season. Failing to meet expectations is one of Marvin Lewis' strongest features.

Cleveland Browns 4-12 : Oh Brownies. Another rookie QB. Tim Couch, Brady Quinn, Colt McCoy, and now Brandon Weeden. The first three names didn't work out very well. Everyone loves Trent Richardson, but a rookie running back isn't going to take a team very far. Their defense is decent a could keep them close in some games but they will find ways to lose it because they are the Brownies.

AFC South

Houston Texans 11-5* : You can give them the AFC South title right now. The Texans are the best of this weak division and will be a tough team to eliminate from the playoffs if Matt Schaub can remain healthy for the entire season.

Tennessee Titans 8-8 : Their first six games of the season are brutal (New England, at San Diego, Detroit, at Houston, at Minnesota, Pittsburgh). Add in the fact that they are starting basically a rookie in Jake Locker and you have the makings of a 1-5 start. However if Chris Johnson can run like the old Chris Johnson then they will be in most games and could have a chance to surprise a few teams.

Indianapolis Colts 7-9 : Last year the Colts were terrible with Curtis Painter and former UConn great Dan Orlovsky (who won their only two games) but this year they have Andrew Luck. I think he's going to be very good right away. Colts fans won't miss Peyton too much after they see Luck win a few games for them this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars 3-13 : They have the worst quarterback in the league in Blaine Gabbert. Maurice Jones-Drew just got back to the team after skipping training camp so he likely won't be at his best for a few weeks. Their defense isn't awful but they will need to be great to even avoid not losing 10 games.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs 9-7* : Everyone forgets that the Chiefs won the division two years ago. Last year they were devastated by injuries, Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki, and Matt Cassel all went down. This year they are all back with a head coach they like and respect in Romeo Crennel. The division contains four good but not great teams, so I'll take the Chiefs in the west.

San Diego Chargers 8-8 : The Chargers never seem to be able to put it all together. I think it starts with the coach Norv Turner, who somehow still has a job. Philip Rivers is one of my favorite quarterbacks but he did throw 20 interceptions and fumbled 7 times last season. If the Chargers want to win the west, those numbers need to go way down.

Denver Broncos 8-8 : I know Peyton Manning is so great, he always wins 10 games, yada yada yada. He didn't play last year. He's on a new team that barely threw the ball last season (except against the Steelers in the damn playoffs). He has to play outdoors in Denver. And his weapons are nothing compared to the arsenal he had for his entire career in Indianapolis. I think they will be in the playoff hunt but I don't think they get there.

Oakland Raiders 7-9 : The Raiders have gone 8-8 the past two seasons and expectations should be pretty high since they think they have a quarterback now. The only problem is Carson Palmer is nothing special and he will throw away at least two or three games this year due to interceptions and a few pick six's.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles 10-6* : Mike Vick will get hurt and miss a few games like he did last year when Vince Young came in and went 0-3. If they can rely on Shady McCoy in those games without and win some of them, the Eagles might actually be the dream team this year...well not championship dream team but playoffs at least.

New York Giants 9-7 : I'm not picking the defending Super Bowl Champs to make the playoffs. I just think that since Tom Coughlin won't be on the hot seat for at least a few weeks the Giants might not have the urgency right away. Plus last year their record was only 9-7 so they could just miss the last wild card spot.

Dallas Cowboys 7-9 : The Cowboys have enough talent to make the playoffs but they have to remain healthy which they couldn't do last season. If DeMarco Murray can come back to help the offense score they could be tough to beat because there defense will be very solid.

Washington Redskins 5-11 : It's Robert Griffin III and not much else. There is a lot of excitement in Washington about RGIII but I think they still have the wrong owner and coach to be successful. Dan Synder has never done anything good for the Skins and Mike Shanahan hasn't done anything since he had Elway.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers 13-3* : They are the most complete team in the NFC if not the entire league. Aaron Rodgers will want to come back even better to avenge their playoff loss to the Giants. The Packers shouldn't have too much trouble winning the north even though it's a tough division.

Chicago Bears 10-6* : The addition of Brandon Marshall should be a huge benefit to Jay Cutler and the offense. They should be able to put up points but if Brian Urlacher isn't fully healthy or gets injured again the Bears might finish below the Lions again.

Detroit Lions 9-7 : Madden Curse. No seriously that's why I'm picking the Lions to just miss the playoffs. Well that and half the team will probably get arrested during the season to go along with the countless personal fouls they receive.

Minnesota Vikings 3-13 : Sort of the same as Jacksonville. A lot of questions remain about Christian Ponder, who threw as many TD's as he did INT's in his rookie season. If Adrian Peterson is not ready to go for the Vikings the offense could be in some serious trouble early in the year.

NFC South

Carolina Panthers 10-6* : No team has ever repeated in the NFC South. Last year the Saints won the division and had the bounty problems this summer. So I think the Panthers have an opening to win this division, especially since they have Cam Newton playing QB. I love Cam. Also they have improved their defense by getting Jon Beason back and drafting Luke Kuechly.

New Orleans Saints 10-6* : It's hard to say the Saints won't make the playoffs since they have Drew BREEEEEESSSSS as their quarterback. But it won't be too easy with Sean Payton on the sidelines for the year. Its could take a little time to adjust to the interm interm head coach.

Atlanta Falcons 9-7 : I'm not to sure why I don't think the Falcons are going to make the playoffs. Maybe it's how they got crushed 24-2 by the Giants in the Wild Card round last year. I'm not sure but I don't see it happening for Matty Ice this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-9 : The Bucs will improve from their 4 win season last year. In 2010 they went 10-6 and Josh Freeman was about to be the next big thing. I think the coaching change will help but they still play in an extremely tough division so it's hard to see them being better than 500.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers 11-5* : Even if Alex Smith doesn't have the year he did last year their defense will win them a bunch of games. Aldon Smith is going to get at least 20 sacks. I honestly think he may break Michael Strahan's record of 22.5 sacks.

Seattle Seahawks 8-8 : There is a lot of hype about Russell Wilson being the starting QB but it's hard for me to pick them to win more than 8 games after looking at their first 8. Games against the Cowboys, Packers, Panthers, Patriots, 49ers, and Lions could have them at 2-6 or 3-5 start which wouldn't be the easiest thing to recover from.

Arizona Cardinals 7-9 : How far can they honestly go with John Skelton as their starting QB? I think their defense is going to be very good but it's going to be tough to get into the playoffs without a franchise QB.

St. Louis Rams 6-10 : In 2010 the Rams when 7-9 and just missed winning the west when they had a healthy Sam Bradford. With new head coach Jeff Fisher they might be very competitive if they keep Bradford on the field. They won't make the playoffs or anything but they won;t be as terrible as last year, winning only two games.

Offensive Rookie of the Year : Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Defensive Rookie of the Year : Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers

NFL MVP : Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Defensive Player of the Year : Aldon Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Coach of the Year : Romeo Crennel, Kansas City Chiefs



Playoffs


AFC Wild Card Round
Pittsburgh Steelers over Buffalo Bills
Kansas City Chiefs over Baltimore Ravens

NFC Wild Card Round
Philadelphia Eagles over New Orleans Saints
Chicago Bears over Carolina Panthers

AFC Divisional Round
Houston Texans over Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots over Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Divisional Round
Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears
San Francisco 49ers over Philadelphia Eagles

AFC Championship : New England Patriots over Houston Texans

NFC Championship : Green Bay Packers over San Francisco 49ers


SUPER BOWL XLVII : Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots
This was my Super Bowl pick last year and I'm going with it again. Only three teams have won the AFC Championship since Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots, Steelers, and Colts) so I think the Pats will be able to keep that streak going by returning to the Super Bowl. I think the Packers have been the best team in the league since they won the Super Bowl two years ago. They only lost two games last season and they could do that again this year. Aaron Rodgers will add to his resume another Super Bowl MVP as he hands TFB his third loss in the Super Bowl.