NFL Preview

It's that time again, time for a 2012 NFL Season Preview

AFC

New England Patriots: 12-4. Just another consistent season from Tom Brady and co. The defense should be much improved from last season's anemic defense.

Buffalo Bills: 10-6. Defense adds Mario Williams. Ryan Fitzpatrick should be more consistent. I see the Bills starting off slowly, but rolling it on in the 2nd half.

New York Jets: 6-10. Too many distractions with Tim Tebow. I just don't think this team is that great. Could this be Rex Ryan's last year as coach?

Miami Dolphins: 4-12. Too many holes, not much excitement in this team

AFC East Standings

Patriots 12-4

Bills 10-6

Jets 6-10

Dolphins 4-12

Tennessee Titans: 10-6. The Jake Locker era begins. If Chris Johnson is back to his old self, then the Titans could make a push for the playoffs.

Houston Texans: 12-4. Is this finally the time for the Texans? They saw their run to the playoffs derailed by QB injuries, despite an AFC Wildcard Round win. 

Indianapolis Colts: 6-10. Exit Peyton Manning, Enter Andrew Luck. The start of the Luck era won't be a disaster, but a mediocre year.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-13. Will Matt Barkely be on his way to Jacksonville? Besides Maurice Jones Drew, really nothing to be excited about here in Jacksonville.

AFC South Standings

Texans 12-4

Titans 10-6

Colts 6-10

Jaguars 3-13

Baltimore Ravens: 10-6. A fairly standard Ravens year. They have a fairly reasonable schedule, but I don't see them capitalizing on it. They'll be fighting it out for a wildcard spot.

Cleveland Browns: 5-11. Colt McCoy takes a back seat to 1st rd Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden. Along with Trent Richardson at RB, this offense could make some noise…..in the future, not necessarily now.

Cincinnati Bengals: 7-9. I foresee a bit of a sophomore slump for Andy Dalton, along with a tough schedule.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3. Steelers were ravaged by injuries throughout 2011. Under Todd Haley, Big Ben could have a career year, along with the growing presence of Antonio Brown, and the end of the holdout by Mike Wallace.

AFC North Standings:

Steelers 13-3

Ravens 10-6

Bengals 7-9

Browns 5-11

Kansas City Chiefs: 7-9. A mixed bag with the Chiefs. They looked at the end of 2011 under Romeo Crennel, but you just never know what Chiefs team you'll get from year to year.

San Diego Chargers: 9-7. Another up & down year for the Chargers. Could this be Norv Turner's final year?

Oakland Raiders: 8-8. First full year under Carson Palmer, and yet another new head coach. This will also be the first full year without owner Al Davis.

Denver Broncos: 11-5. A Broncos D returns with a capable QB, Peyton Manning, trying to prove that he is back in full form since missing all of 2011 with a neck  injury.

AFC West Standings:

Broncos 11-5

Chargers 9-7

Raiders 8-8

Chiefs 7-9

AFC Playoffs:

1) Steelers (AFC North) - Bye

2) Patriots (AFC East) - Bye

3) Texans (AFC South)

4) Broncos (AFC West) 

5) Ravens (AFC Wildcard)

6) Titans (AFC Wildcard)

AFC Wildcard Round:

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans.

Being that Matt Schaub is healthy, Texans 24 - Titans 10

Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos.

Tough game to judge, but I think the Ravens D just outweighs the Broncos, Ravens 13 - Broncos 10

AFC Divisional Round:

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Another barn-burner, one of best rivalries in football, maybe all of sports. After a recent down-turn against the Ravens, the Steelers get the better of them. Steelers 17 - Ravens 10

Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

Could this be a complete opposite type of game than the other? I see Texans missing Mario Williams here. Patriots 28 - Texans 17

AFC Championship Game:

New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Maybe the Steelers top non-division rivals, these teams have faced each other many a time in the playoffs. Patriots D may be improved, but the Steelers D is still the Steelers D (when healthy). Steelers 24 - Patriots 20

NFC

Dallas Cowboys: 10-6. An aging Cowboys defense is getting some young talent, particularly with 1st CB Claiborne. The secondary was one of the biggest issues. If Dez Bryant can stop his off the field antics, this offense could be something special.

Philadelphia Eagles: 8-8. Much like 2011, just another average year. Michael Vick is too fragile at QB. Only a matter of time before they will have to turn to rookie Nick Foles.

New York Giants: 11-5. I don't see a super bowl slump for the Giants. Eli Manning is finally living up to his name, and is among the ranks of the top tier QBs.

Washington Redskins: 7-9. There's a lot of excitement with 1st RD Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, but it will take time in a tough division and with a formidable schedule. Watch out for the redskins in the future though.

NFC East Standings:

Giants 11-5

Cowboys 10-6

Eagles 8-8

Redskins 7-9

Atlanta Falcons: 11-5. Seems like every year will be the Falcons and Matt Ryan's year. Will this year be the case they finally break out and make a run through the playoffs? Their defense must improve.

New Orleans Saints: 8-8. Without Head Coach Sean Payton, and the bounty scandal hanging over their heads, this could be a very mediocre year for New Orleans.

Carolina Panthers: 11-5. This could be a breakout year for Cam Newton and the Panthers. Newton put up the numbers last year, but can he put up the wins?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-10. Tough to gauge this Buccaneers team. They have a formidable running game with Blount and Martin. But can Josh Freeman bounce back?

NFC South Standings:

Falcons 11-5

Panthers 11-5

Saints 8-8

Buccaneers 6-10

Minnesota Vikings: 4-12. The Ponder era could continue to stall. Adrian Peterson could be questionable coming off a knee injury towards the end of last year, and there is just nothing intriguing by this team.

Chicago Bears: 10-6. Matt Forte finally has his contract extension. The question is the Bear's offense, and the reliability of Jay Cutler.

Green Bay Packers: 12-4. Packers had a great 2011 regular season, but flamed out in the playoffs. Can their defense improve?

Detroit Lions: 11-5. It is tough to judge the Lions. What will young their running game look like? Can they stave off their off-field arrests? Will Stafford stay healthy? If all of these are positive, then I can see another positive season, but still a nudge behind the Packers.

NFC North Standings:

Packers 12-4

Lions 11-5

Bears 10-6

Vikings 4-12

Seattle Seahawks: 7-9. Surprisingly, the Russell Wilson era will begin in Seattle. Can he continue his pre-season success into the regular season? Their running game should still be strong under Marshaun Lynch, but this team will experience some ups & downs.

Arizona Cardinals: 5-11. Kevin Kolb hasn't worked out, so now they turn to John Skelton. Besides Larry Fitzgerald, there really aren't any other offensive playmakers. 

San Francisco 49ers: 12-4. Can Alex Smith continue his 2011 success? He will certainly have more offensive weapons, such as Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs, who should take the pressure off of Frank Gore. Their defense should continue to be one of the best in the NFC.

St. Louis Rams: 6-10. Tough to judge this team. It seems like we are always waiting for Sam Bradford to break out, but will this year be that year? Not necessarily.

NFC West Standings:

49ers 12-4

Seahawks 7-9

Rams 6-10

Cardinals 5-11

NFC Playoffs:

1) Packers 12-4 (NFC North) - Bye

2) 49ers (NFC West) - Bye

3) Giants (NFC East)

4) Falcons (NFC South)

5) Panthers (NFC Wildcard)

6) Cowboys (NFC Wildcard)

NFC Wildcard:

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

A division rivalry for the wildcard round. This could be a break out game for Tony Romo. Cowboys 21 - Giants 17.

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, will one finally live up to his draft selection, or will a sophomore QB prove his critics wrong? Panthers 24 - Falcons 17

NFC Division:

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers

The Packers will be looking to avenge their 1 and done bouncing last year from the Giants. They'll take that out on the Cowboys. Packers 31 - Cowboys  17

Carolina Panthers @ San Francisco 49ers

This may be a breakout season for Carolina and Cam Newton, but they won't get it all at once. 49ers 20 - Panthers 10

NFC Championship:

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers

Great defense, Great offense. One will have to overpower the other. 49ers 23 - Packers 20 - OT

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49ers

2 storied franchises. A battle of defense vs. defense. The Steelers offense will take the edge over the 49ers. Steelers 17 - 49ers 13