2012 NFL Preview

We interrupt ESPN's coverage of their new deity, the most famous backup in the history of sports, mr. Timothy Tebow, to remind you that there will be football games played this fall!

Even their previous deity, Michael Jordan, will be watching FOOTBALL, and not TEBOW. But I digress.

The following are my previews and predictions for the 2012 NFL Season!

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

Expect anything different with Brady and Belichick running the show? Some football "experts" predict another undefeated season. I won't go that far, but with a new weapon for Brady in Brandon Lloyd, and another year of Gronk, Hernandez, and Welker patrolling the passing lanes, it is possible the Pats can be better than last year. Plus, after another heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Giants, you know Brady and Belichick are licking their chops. If their defense is improved, this team will be scary, if that's even possible.

2. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo made the splash of the offseason by signing the best free agent available, pass rush extraordinare Mario Williams. But will it translate to their first playoff berth since 1999? He certainly makes them better, but Ryan Fitzpatrick will have to recapture his first half magic from last season and translate it to a full season. I say an 8-8 season, but they fall just short.

3. New York Jets

Ok, Tebow worshippers, here's your dose of truth. There is too much drama with his presence in this organization for not only Mark Sanchez to succeed, but for the rest of the team as well. GM Mike Tannenbaum did NOTHING to address the team's shortcomings. Trading Wayne Hunter to improve the O-Line was too little, too late. They also lack a playmaking reciever and a legit #1 running back. Even Tebowmania can't save them, regardless of whether he starts Week 2 or Week 10. Buckle up for a long season, Jet fans. Oh, and one touchdown in the entire preseason IS a cause for concern.

4. Miami Dolphins

The post-Sparano era begins with yet another potential Dan Marino "replacement", Ryan Tannehill, under center. It is also the first year under new head coach Joe Philbin. But what else do they have to succeed? Don't tell me David Garrard or Matt Moore can save them if Tannehill fails. Long rebuilding year in South Beach.

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Many question marks smother over the black and gold this season. How will they respond to the loss of major veteran leaders such as Hines Ward and James Farrior? Can Rashard Mendenhall and Issac Redman stay healthy? Can their defense be great again? How will new offensive coordinator Todd Haley affect their offense? And of course, the biggest one, can Big Ben Roethlisberger stay healthy? If he isn't, the Steelers have no chance. If he is on his game, however, and his rotator cuff doesn't affect his throwing ability, expect another 10-12 win season.

2. Baltimore Ravens *(wildcard)

Sorry, Raven fans, but I have to give the Steelers a slight edge here because Terrell Suggs may miss half the season. Plus Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are becoming ancient, and their title window may have shut completely with last year's heartbreaking AFC title game loss. If the Ravens are to take the next step, however, Joe Flacco must join the elite ranks of quarterbacks. If he doesn't, do not expect another Super Bowl win in the Lewis/Reed era.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Will Andy Dalton suffer a sophomore slump after last year's unexpected sensational rookie campaign? Will the loss of Cedric Benson in the running game hurt? The two elite teams in this division are too good for Cincinnati to take the next step forward. I expect a 7-9 or 8-8 year.

4. Cleveland Browns

No one mistook Colt McCoy as the second coming of Otto Graham or Bernie Kosar. But did they give up on him too soon? Is Brandon Weeden, at 28, really the answer? Regardless, Cleveland probably boasts the worst offense in football. Only if Trent Richardson is the real deal can this team take a step forward.

AFC South

1. Houston Texans

I will say this once. Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, and Andre Johnson MUST stay healthy. If they do, they may be the best team in the AFC not named the Patriots. Losing Mario Williams will hurt, but the defense is still talented enough to carry the load. Their time is here, and health permitting, they are ready for great things.

2. Indianapolis Colts *(wildcard)

My sleeper pick of 2012. It's easy to forget the talent this team has besides Peyton Manning. Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis, and Dwight Freeney remain in the fold. Andrew Luck looked NFL ready in preseason. And of course, he will take his lumps along the way, but how often do we see rookie quarterbacks take their teams to the playoffs? It's Luck's turn.

3. Tennessee Titans

The Jake Locker era begins in Nashville. If Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson are healthy, they will make the transition from Matt Hasselbeck to Locker a smoother one. This is a team that surprised folks last year, but won't sneak up on anyone this time.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

May be the worst team in the NFL. So what if Mo-Jo Drew ended his holdout? Blaine Gabbert still leads this team under center. And he showed no signs of being a legit NFL QB last year. Maybe they should play ALL their home games in London. Would the city of Jacksonville notice?

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning at 70% is still better than half the starting quarterbacks in the NFL. As long as he is healthy, pencil in any team he leads for 10 or more wins. Plus, he has one of the best defenses in the NFL behind him. Sorry, ESPN, but Tebowmania will be long forgotten in the Mile High City very soon.

2. San Diego Chargers

I'm going to say it. Their championship window closed. Is it too late for Philip Rivers, the best quarterback to not win a Super Bowl, to win a Super Bowl? How much longer can Charger fans tolerate Norv Turner? Without a healthy Ryan Mathews, it may not matter. Another disappointing season is on the horizon.

3. Oakland Raiders

They will have a full season under Carson Palmer, and a new organizational philosophy and structure is in place in the post Al Davis era. I expect another 8-8 season, but to fall just short of the playoffs again.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

I, for one, believe Matt Cassel is overrated. But this year, he will have several weapons at his disposal. Dwayne Bowe ended his holdout, Peyton Hillis will compliment Jammal Charles, but of course, they have to stay healthy. If Cassel can use these weapons properly, they will be successful.

NFC East

1. New York Giants

Other than Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham, the champs' roster pretty much remains intact. The biggest question for this team is, can they stay consistent all year long, or will it take another miracle run to win a Super Bowl? Jason Pierre Paul and Victor Cruz won't take anyone by surprise this year, but they will be better. Rookie running back David Wilson looked electric in preseason. Can him and Ahmad Bradshaw form a lethal 1-2 punch? Expect them to be better than last year.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (*wildcard)

This team was the biggest disappointment in the NFL by far last season. The key, of course, is keeping Michael Vick healthy. And his O-line did a horrible job of protecting him this preseason. I expect a big bounce back year from Nnamdi Asomugha, and I predict LeSean McCoy will be the NFL's leading rusher. If Vick his healthy, expect a return to the playoffs.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Yes, the defense is much improved. But what else about this team suggests they are elite? Tony Romo will put up his big numbers but once again disappear in big spots. Can DeMarco Murray regain the magic he had for a few games as a rookie? Can Dez Bryant behave? All in all, another typical Cowboys season in Jerryland is on the horizon.

4. Washington Redskins

Well, they finally have a legit franchise quarterback for the first time since, well Mark Rypien I guess. What, did you think I'd say Gus Frerotte? But, like Andrew Luck in Indy, the success of the Skins rests on the right arm of Robert Griffin III. If he succeeds, so do the Skins. If he doesn't, it will be the same ol' Skins.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers

It's debatable whether or not Aaron Rodgers is now the best quarterback in the NFL. But one thing that is not debatable is that the Pack are once again the NFL's best team. If they show up in the playoffs last year, is there any doubt they repeat as champs? They will win 13-15 games, but they just need to bring their A game in crunch time. That's all.

2. Detroit Lions (*wildcard)

If the defense improves, and Ndamukong Suh can stay away from Roger Goodell's wrath, this team will improve by 1-2 wins. Again, the key is keeping Matthew Stafford healthy. And Megatron will only get better over the next few years. And that's scary.

3. Chicago Bears

Is  Jay Cutler happy now that he is reunited with his favorite Denver target, Brandon Marshall? If Matt Forte stays healthy and Brian Urlacher continues to compete at an elite level, they will be a playoff contender. Again, the key is keeping Cutler happy.

4. Minnesota Vikings

If Adrian Peterson does not come back healthy, this will be a really long season in Minny. Christian Ponder showed some promise last year. Can he improve? Either way, it's another rebuilding year.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints

I, for one, do not believe all the suspensions and bountygate drama will deter NOLA from making another Super Bowl run. Why? Drew Brees still quarterbacks them. And they have a lethal backfield with Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, and Pierre Thomas. If the defense plays at a high level, we may see a home game in February for this team.

2. Carolina Panthers

They will be the most improved team in the NFC this year. They have a solid running game, and the presence of Cam Newton rejuvenated Steve Smith. If Newton puts up big numbers again, they will contend for a playoff spot.

3. Atlanta Falcons

The window is closing on the Matty Ice era. After another playoff disappointment, the pressure is on. The problem is, in a division with the Saints and the resurgent Panthers, it will be difficult to even get there. This is a make-or-break year for this franchise.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There is a new sheriff in town, and he means business. Will Greg Schiano's disciplinary style translate to the NFL, especially with the least accountable team in the league? Can Josh Freeman lead this team to the next level?

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers

This team came one play away from making the Super Bowl last year. They have the best defense in the NFL, and Alex Smith has new weapons in Randy Moss and Mario Manningham at his disposal. Can he take them to the promised land? Jim Harbaugh definetely believes so, and the organization does, too.

2. Arizona Cardinals

John Skelton gets the starting quarterback job over Kevin Kolb. Does it really matter. Either will waste Larry Fitzgerald's talent. However, in this uber-mediocre division, anything can happen.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson over Matt Flynn? Interesting. What was Flynn signed for, then? Well, at least T.O. won't be around to distract them.

4. St. Louis Rams

Sam Bradford can't stay healthy. Steven Jackson's window as an elite runner is closing. Yes, Jeff Fisher is a much better coach than Steve Spagnolo, but this team is still a couple years away.



Playoff Predictions

First Round

Denver 27, Indianapolis 14
Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 14
New Orleans 33, Philadelphia 24
Detroit 27, San Francisco 24

Divisional Round

Green Bay 30, Detroit 27
New Orleans 27, NY Giants 23
New England 28, Pittsburgh 13
Houston 27, Denver 17

Conference Championships

Houston 24, New England 20
Green Bay 35, New Orleans 28

Super Bowl XLVII

Green Bay 31, Houston 20