2012 NFL Predictions

With the 2012 NFL season just around the corner, here are my predictions . . .

AFC East

1. New England Patriots
The Pats offense will once again dominate and lead them a fourth straight AFC East title.
2. New York Jets *
The defense will shine with the additions of Landy, Bell, and Coples, carrying the Jets to a wild card.
3. Buffalo Bills
The Bills will be a .500 team, as Mario Williams will not be enough to lead them to the playoffs
4. Miami Dolphins
There is not nearly enough talent on Miami for them to be a threat. The Dolphins will be near the bottom of the NFL this year.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will overcome Terrell Suggs's injury, and win the AFC North once again.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
The return of Mike Wallace really helps the Steelers, however they will fall short of the playoffs.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
In one of the toughest divisions, the Bengals will not have enough to return to the postseason.
4. Cleveland Browns
With a rookie quarterback and running back, the Browns are in for another dreadful season.

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning and the Broncos will overcome a difficult schedule to win the west.
2.San Diego Chargers *
The Chargers will rebound this year with the help of rookie Melvin Ingram, returning the playoffs.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
With the best rushing game in the league and an underrated defense, the Chiefs are capable of making some noise in this division
4. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders will be the league's best last-place team . . . if that is any encouragement.

AFC South

1. Houston Texans
With big-time weapons on offense in Foster and Johnson, plus an excellent defense, the Texans are Super Bowl contenders this year.
2. Tennessee Titans
The Titans will be fun to watch with Locker and Johnson, but will just fall short of a wild card spot.
3. Indianapolis Colts
I expect improvement from the Colts this year who have a very bright future with Andrew Luck at QB.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags were bad with MJD, how bad will they be without him?

AFC Complete Standings

1. Houston Texans
2. New England Patriots
3. Denver Broncos
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. New York Jets
6. San Diego Chargers
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Tennessee Titans
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. Kansas City Chiefs
11. Buffalo Bills
12. Oakland Raiders
13. Indianapolis Colts
14. Cleveland Browns
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
16. Miami Dolphins

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles
The "Dream Team" will rebound in 2012, leading the NFC's most talented team to an NFC East title.
2. New York Giants
The Giants will be a solid team, but the extremely difficult schedule will keep them out of the playoffs.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas will be a tough opponent with a better than .500 record, but fall short of a wild card spot.
4. Washington Redskins
RGIII will make the Redskins watchable, but are still a few years away from contending.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers
The defensive will live up to its standard unlike last season, making the Packers serious contenders again. 
2. Chicago Bears *
The Jay Cutler - Brandon Marshall chemistry from 2008 will return, making the Bears a playoff team.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions will need to win some big games against Green Bay and Chicago in order to return to the postseason.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Jared Allen will need some help on defense if the Vikings want to win at least 6 games this year.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers
The best defensive team added some key offensive talent this summer in Jacobs, Manningham, and Randy Moss, making the Niners contenders in the NFC.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle actually has a great defense, and has the chance surprise everyone by sneaking into the playoffs in a weak division.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Who is playing quarterback? When you have to ask that on August 30th, your team needs help.
4. St. Louis Rams
The Rams did not make any significant acquisitions this offseason to improve on their 2 win total.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints
The Saints' offense is too good to have a let down after a troublesome offseason to say the least.
2. Atlants Falcons *
The Falcons will post similar number to last year, returning to the playoffs.
3. Carolina Panthers
Carolina will see more improvement in 2012, but are still one year away from the playoffs
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After a busy offseason headlined with the signing of Vincent Jackson, I don't think Tampa has enough to finish with a better record than Carolina.

NFC Complete Standings

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Chicago Bears
6. Atlanta Falcons
7. New York Giants
8. Detroit Lions
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Seattle Seahawks
11. Carolina Panthers
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13. Washington Redskins
14. Arizona Cardinals
15. Minnesota Vikings
16. St. Louis Rams

Playoffs

Wild Card

3. Broncos over 6. Chargers
4. Ravens over 5. Jets

6. Falcons over 3. Niners
4. Saints over 5. Bears

Divisional Round

1. Texans over 4. Ravens
3. Broncos over 2. Patriots

1. Packers over 6. Falcons
2. Eagles over 4. Saints

Championships

1. Texans over 3. Broncos

2. Eagles over 1. Packers

Super Bowl

Texans over Eagles, 27 to 23


These are my predictions for the 2012 NFL season. Comment with your opinions . . .