2012 NFL Predictions Thread

[rubecube]

Can you tell I'm itching for football? We're less than 3 weeks away from opening kickoff. Let's have some predictions!

NFC East

Philadelphia (11-5)
New York (8-8)
Dallas (8-8)
Washington (6-10)

Analysis: I truly believe the Giants overachieved last year. They got hot and healthy at the right time. That and they had Eli Manning carry them on his back for pretty much the entire season. The offensive line is okay in pass-protection, but they have no ground game to speak of. On paper, the Eagles have the most talent in the division, but we'll see what happens in action.

If Michael Vick plays like 2010 Michael Vick, they're Super Bowl contenders. If he plays like 2011 Michael Vick, they won't make the playoffs.

The Cowboys' offensive line is god-awful. They have poor depth at WR and their safeties are below-average at best. I really don't see them winning more than 8 games

The Skins will be a hard team to play this year, but there's still not enough talent on the offense to get them into the playoffs. Next year will be their breakthrough year.

NFC North

Chicago (12-4)
*Green Bay (11-5)
Detroit (8-8)
Minnesota (5-11)

Analysis: My god, do the Bears have an easy schedule. If they can keep Jay Cutler healthy, they have a good shot at winning the division. A solid defensive line should mask some of their deficiencies in the secondary.

Green Bay has as good a shot as the Bears to win the division, but we need to see a more ferocious pass-rush and better secondary play this year. Also, there needs to be some semblance of a run-game.

Sadly, I think the Lions regressed on defense this year. That secondary, outside of Delmas, is still a mess. Their offense should keep them in almost every game this year but I don't see them getting more than nine wins.

The Vikings are still rebuilding, and are stuck in a tough division to boot. Need to see improvement from Ponder this year before we can say they've turned the corner.

NFC South -

New Orleans (10-6)
*Atlanta (9-7)
Tampa Bay (8-8)
Carolina (6-10)

It's really a coin flip between Atlanta and New Orleans for me. It really depends on which team plays better on the road this season, as both of them seem to enjoy pretty good homefield advantage. I think Tampa will be much better than they were a year ago, under a new coach. Carolina still has a lot of questions on defense.

NFC West

San Francisco (11-5)
Seattle (6-10)
St. Louis (6-10)
Arizona (3-13)

Analysis: San Fran by default? Still the worst division in football by a wide margin. The sad thing is that all of these teams have pretty decent defenses, but the offenses are a trainwreck. St. Louis could surprise if they get decent offensive line play. For Seattle it all depends on what kind of play they get from Matt Flynn. Arizona is a mess.

AFC East -

New England (11-5)
*Buffalo (10-6)
Miami (9-7)
New York Jets (6-10)

Analysis: I don't know if New England is the best team in the division, but they certainly have the best schedule (again). I don't know if I trust Buffalo. They seem to be the cute sleeper pick, which usually doesn't end well, but they have some favourable matchups and a revamped defense. I think Miami could end up being better than everyone expects if they get better secondary play, but they have huge questions at WR. The Jets continue to slide with Sanchez at the helm.

AFC North -

Baltimore (11-5)
*Pittsburgh (10-6)
Cleveland (7-9)
Cincinnati (6-10)

Analyisis: Pittsburgh still hasn't fixed their offensive line issues (or the secondary for that matter) but the offense will keep them in a wildcard spot. I'm expecting better play from Flacco and the Ravens this year, even with the Suggs injury. Marvin Lewis has a history of beating up on easy schedules to inflate his record, and then fading the next year when the schedule gets harder. The Browns should be slightly better than last year.

AFC South -

Houston (12-4)
Tennessee (9-7)
Jacksonville (5-11)
Indianapolis (4-12)

Analysis: This is Houston's division, and they should be the favourites to win the AFC if they stay healthy. Tennessee's defense keeps them out of the playoffs, and could cause them to fall down the division if Blaine Gabbert progresses this season, or gets any help from WRs we've actually heard of. Andrew Luck will be good, but the rest of the Colts won't be.

AFC West:

San Diego (10-6)
Kansas City (9-7)
Denver (8-8)
Oakland (7-9)

Analysis: I think this division is pretty mediocre. The Chargers look the best on paper. I think Carson Palmer is terrible at this point in his career, and the Raiders' secondary is awful. Peyton Manning can't fix the problems with Denver's defense. KC will be better with everyon healthy.

Playoffs -

Wildcard:

San Francisco over Atlanta
New Orleans over Green Bay

San Diego over Pittsburgh
Buffalo over New England

Divisional:

New Orleans over Chicago
Philadelphia over San Francisco

Houston over Buffalo
Baltimore over San Diego

Conference

Houston over San Diego
Philadelphia over New Orleans

Super Bowl

Houston over Philadelphia

Yeah I went homer. Oh well.

League MVP - Drew Brees

Offensive POY - Calvin Johnson

Defensive POY - Patrick Willis

[saskflames69]

NFC
NFC East
x-New York Giants (11-5)
y-Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Dallas Cowboys (5-11)
Washington Redskins (3-13)

NFC North
x-Chicago Bears (13-3)
y-Detroit Lions (10-6)
Green Bay Packers (9-7)
Minnesota Vikings (2-14)

NFC South
x-New Orleans Saints (12-4)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Carolina Panthers (5-11)

NFC West
x-San Francisco 49ers (10-6)
Seattle (9-7)
St. Louis Rams (5-11)
Arizona Cardinals (2-14)

AFC
AFC East
x-New England Patriots (15-1) HOMERALERTHOMERALERTHOMERALERT
Buffalo Bills (9-7)
Miami Dolphins (8-8)
New York Jets (0-16) SUCK IT LIKE A FOOT, REX

AFC North
x-Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
y-Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
The Cleveland Show (5-11)
Cincinnatti Bengals (3-13)

AFC South
x-Houston Texans (14-2)
y-Tennessee Titans (10-6)
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Indianapolis Colts (4-12)

AFC West
x-San Diego (10-6)
Denver (9-7)
Kansas City (8-8)
Oakland (4-12)

Playoffs
Wildcard:
NFC: 49ers over Eagles; Lions over Giants
AFC: Steelers over Titans; Ravens over Chargers

Divisonal:
NFC: Bears over Lions; Saints over 49ers
AFC: Patriots over Ravens; Texans over Steelers

Championship: Saints over Bears, Texans over Patriots

Super Bowl: Texans over Saints.

League MVP: Tom Brady
Offensive POY: Arian Foster
Defensive POY: Julius Peppers

[Flickered Flame]

nm

[Sylvanfan]

I'll attempt to give it a go here.

NFC East
Giants 10-6
Eagles 10-6
Cowboys 7-9
Red Skins 7-9

The teams in this Division play a tough schedule as they go against the NFC South and AFC North. I like the Giants here because Eli is very proven at being able to play a full NFL season without missing ant games. Eagles have talent, but I still think Vick misses time, and their backups won't be able to pick up the slack. The Cowboys always boast about talent, but I don't like their depth at receiver, and Austins hamstring require them to need it. I also don't think Jason Garret is up to the challenge here. The Skins could be a sleeper here if they can get a productive running game. But I think RG3 will make some rookie mistakes at QB, and the Red Skins aren't going to ask him to be a caretaker so with the upside, they'll deal with some growing pains.

NFC South
Saints 10-6
Falcons 10-6
Bucs 8-8
Panthers 6-10

This is the Division to shop for your fantasy team. All of these teams should have good offences that rack up yards, and put points on the board. But it will be the ability to limit opponents and create turn overs that separate these teams. The Saints will miss Sean Payton, but the players have a chip on their shoulder. The offence won't run as good as it did last year...but it will still be a top 3 offence. The Falcons seem to have nice balance, but I think their playoff ghosts haunt their confidence a bit. The Bucs could be a big rebound team, as they've upgraded the weapons for Josh Freeman, and a new culture should help. The Panthers spiked last year, and I think reality will get them this year. Teams know what to expect from Cam Newton, and I don't think the defence improved enough to deter other teams from putting up a lot of points.

NFC North
Green Bay 11-5
Chicago 9-7
Detroit 9-7
Minnesota 3-13
This is a pretty good Division too, and I expect the Vikings will play better than their record. But Green Bay is still the most dynamic offence here, and I expect their defence to rebound. Their focus will be about playing their best at the end of the season, not trying to be undefeated. The Bears will benefit from the addition of Brandon Marshall. But you can't hide from father time, and the Bears defence is aging. The Lions could put it together and be better than I expect...but they have a Bengals feel to me given the off field stuff. Until they buy into better discipline, I think they'll hold themselves back. The Vikings are in a rebuild, and this is a tough division to do it in. If Christian Ponder plays well, and they stop the run a bit, they could spoil a few teams playoff aspirations in December

NFC West
San Francisco 10-6
Seattle 8-8
St.Louis 7-9
Arizona 5-11
Well this is probably the poorest Division in the NFL in terms of QB's. San Fran was the team last year that I thought they'd be two years ago. But they face a tough schedule, and when a team returns all it's starters...sometimes that indicates age, and means injuries will hit you hard. Still well coached, and should be better in the passing game. Seattle should have a pretty good defence, but I'm not sold on them offensively. Lynch won't be as good as he was last year. St.Louis could be a spike team if Bradford has a Stafford like breakout third season. I still don't think their package of weapons on offence will get them through a full season. If they start out well, the confidence early will really help them. Arizona...I don't think they did enough to improve in the offseason, and the QB situation will hang over them.

Playoffs
Wild card round
San Francisco 20 Philly 17
New Orleans 31 Atlanta 13
Division round
Green Bay 24 San Francisco 16
New Orleans 30 New York 27
Conference Championship
Green Bay 35 New Orleans 34

[Sylvanfan]

AFC East
New England 14-2
Buffalo 9-7
New York 6-10
Miami 5-11
The Patriots must have realized Tom Brady can't live forever, and finally moved to address specific needs in the draft. If they protect Brady the offence will operate very effectively, and I expect a better defence. The Bills spent money upgrading their defence. But I have my doubts about Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, and Fred Jackson all with new contracts. The Jets have a really good defence. They'll need it with their offence. Too much volatility with this team for it to not melt down. The Dolphins need playmakers, and I don't think they'll recover from a rough start this year.

South
Houston 12-4
Tennessee 8-8
Jacksonville 5-11
Indianapolis 5-11
Houston benefits from a pretty soft division, but they are a solid team. If they can keep their QB healthy, they should end up in the AFC Championship game. I'd pick the Titans to be better if I could trust Kenny Britt to obey the law. I also think they want Jake Locker to take the starting job, but that he'll struggle to hold it. The Jags might surprise me...but I think the defence won't be as good, and with the MJD holdout I don't see that being good for the offence. Andrew Luck is the real deal, but even Peyton Manning had a tough first year. Too many changes in Indy for this to not be a painful season.

North
Baltimore 11-5
Cincinnati 9-7
Pittsburgh 9-7
Cleveland 3-13
I think the guard is going to change a bit here. Baltimore is still solid, but the injury to Suggs and no Jarret Johnson will impact the defence. The Bengals finally follow up a playoff season with another playoff season. Daulton gives them a stable QB, and they do have some good coaches on that staff. Two words why the Steelers struggle this year...Todd Haley. Yes it's my Chiefs biased here, he'll have Roethlisberger wanting to get himself suspended by week 8. Injuries at running back, and age on defence are a factor here too. The Browns...well if Joe Haden doesn't get suspended and Trent Richardson's knees hold up could be better. But there is still a lot of work required to fix this team.

West
Denver 11-5
San Diego 8-8
Oakland 6-10
Kansas City 6-10
Not a great deal to choose between the teams in this Division. The Chargers and Bronco's are a cut above at QB. Manning I think won't be as good as he was pre injury...you don't age two years, go through that surgery, and change teams and come out better. That said he's still a huge upgrade he helps them win the Division despite a brutal schedule. My Chiefs have pieces, but without the big one they'll be able to stay in the mix, but not be much of a threat to win against playoff calibre teams. Injuries are already taking out Charger players, so this might finally spell the end of Norv. Oakland made some moves last year that hampered the team. They need more time to correct things. But if McFadden can stay healthy all year...than they'll be competitive for sure.

Playoffs
Wild Card Round
Baltimore 20 Buffalo 10
Denver 24 Cincinatti 10
Division Round
New England 38 Denver 27
Houston 20 Baltimore 13
Conference Championship
Houston 27 New England24


The Superbowl
Green Bay 30 Houston 24

[transplant99]

NFC East
x-New York Giants (10-6)
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
Washington Redskins (5-11)

NFC North
x-Green Bay Packers (12-4)
y-Chicago Bears (11-5)
Detroit Lions (10-6)
Minnesota Vikings (4-10)

NFC South
x-New Orleans Saints (12-4)
y-Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Carolina Panthers (7-9)

NFC West
x-San Francisco 49ers (11-5)
St. Louis Rams (9-7)
Seattle (8-8)
Arizona Cardinals (4-12)

AFC
AFC East
x-New England Patriots (13-3)
x-Buffalo Bills (11-5)
New York Jets (10-6)
Miami Dolphins (3-13)S

AFC North
x-Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
y-Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
Cleveland Browns (5-11)
Cincinnatti Bengals (5-11)

AFC South
x-Houston Texans (13-3)
Tennessee Titans (4-12)
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)
Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

AFC West
x-Kansas City (11-5)
Oakland (10-6)
San Diego (10-6)
Denver (9-7)


Playoffs
Wildcard:
NFC: 49ers over Bears; Falcons over Giants
AFC: Bills over Chiefs; Patriots over Steelers

Divisonal:
NFC: Packers over Falcons; 49ers over Saints
AFC: Ravens over Patriots; Texans over Bills

Championship:

Packers over 49ers,

Ravens over Texans

Super Bowl: Packers over Ravens.

League MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Offensive POY: Calvin Johnson
Defensive POY: Von Miller

[troutman]

Same old:

Packers over Patriots.

[Displaced Flames fan]

No W-L records from me, too much effort required!

NFC East

1. NYG
2. Philadelphia
3. Washington
4. Dallas

NFC North

1. Green Bay
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota

NFC South

1. New Orleans
2. Atlanta
3. Carolina
4. Tampa

NFC West

1. San Francisco
2. Seattle
3. St Louis
4. Arizona

NFC Champion Green Bay

AFC East

1. New England
2. Buffalo
3. NYJ
4. Miami

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh
2. Baltimore
3. Cincinatti
4. Cleveland

AFC South

1. Houston
2. Tennessee
3. Indianapolis
4. Jacksonville

AFC West

1. KC
2. Denver
3 San Diego
4. Oakland

AFC Champion-Pittsburgh

Super Bowl Champ-Packers

[Sylvanfan]

Changed a couple of predictions here.

In the NFC I have the Eagles doing a bit better and taking the Bears out. I think they can play 500 if Vick is out for 4 games. They could be really good if Vick can stay healthy.

In the AFC, Chiefs to last place...their defence looks bad, and I still think they have too many players on that side of the ball who underachieve. I hope I'm wrong. Buffalo takes their place for the other wild card. Even that feels dicey...but I have a feeling with the Steelers that it's just going to be one of those years for them.

[Drake]

NFC East:
Philadelphia
NY Giants
Dallas
Washington

NFC North:
Green Bay
Chicago
Detroit
Minnesota

NFC South:
New Orleans
Atlanta
Carolina
Tampa Bay

NFC West:
San Fransisco
Seattle
St.Louis
Arizona

NFC Champion: Green Bay

Other wild predictions, Matt Ryan shows again why he is so terribly overrated as he chokes in the playoffs and gets off with a free pass from the media.

AFC East:
New England
Buffalo
Miami
NY Jets

AFC North:
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Cleveland

AFC South:
Houston
Tennessee
Indianapolis
Jacksonville

AFC West:
Kansas City
San Diego
Denver
Oakland

AFC Champion: Houston

Superbowl Winner: Houston

[nik-]

I'm not doing predictions, I just hope Buffalo doesn't suck me in again.

One prediction actually: Buffalo totally sucks me in.

[Rhettzky]

I think Chicago has a good year and goes into the post season healthy and mops up. Really like some of the changes they made and think it will put them over the top.

[Cheerio]

NFC
NFC East
x-New York Giants (10-6)
y-Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
Washington Redskins (5-11)

NFC North
x-Green Bay Packers (14-2)
y-Detroit Lions (10-6)
Chicago Bears (9-7)
Minnesota Vikings (2-14)

NFC South
x-Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
New Orleans Saints (9-7)
Carolina Panthers (7-9)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)

NFC West
x-San Francisco 49ers (10-6)
Seattle (7-9)
Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
St. Louis Rams (2-14)

AFC
AFC East
x-New England Patriots (12-4)
y-Buffalo Bills (10-6)
New York Jets (8-8)
Miami Dolphins (3-13)

AFC North
x-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)
Cleveland Browns (3-13)

AFC South
x-Houston Texans (12-4)
Tennessee Titans (7-9)
Indianapolis Colts (6-10)
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)

AFC West
x-San Diego Chargers (10-6)
y-Denver Broncos (9-7)
Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)
Oakland Raiders (6-10)

[troutman]

ESPN Superbowl Predictions:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/preview12/sto...ii-predictions

[Montana Moe]

NFC East

1. New York
2. Dallas
3. Philadelphia
4. Washington

NFC North

1. Green Bay
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota

NFC South

1. New Orleans
2. Atlanta
3. Carolina
4. Tampa

NFC West

1. San Francisco
2. Seattle
3. St Louis
4. Arizona

NFC Champion New Orleans

AFC East

1. New England
2. Buffalo
3. NYJ
4. Miami

AFC North

1. Baltimore
2. Pittsburgh
3. Cincinnati
4. Cleveland

AFC South

1. Houston
2. Tennessee
3. Indianapolis
4. Jacksonville

AFC West

1. San Diego
2. Kansas City
3. Denver
4. Oakland

AFC Champion-Houston

Super Bowl Champ-Saints win it at home, of course!

[troutman]

SI predictions:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...sct=nfl_t11_a0

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by troutman

SI predictions:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...sct=nfl_t11_a0

Any "expert" who thinks the Cowboys will make the Super Bowl is a idiot.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Any "expert" who thinks the Cowboys will make the Super Bowl is a idiot.

An all-Texas Superbowl would be sickening.

[The Big Chill]

The Texans are getting a lot of love this year. Hopefully we can live up to expectations.

[DropIt]

NFC East

1. New York
2. Philadelphia
3. Dallas
4. Washington

NFC North

1. Chicago
2. Green Bay
3. Detroit
4. Minnesota

NFC South

1. New Orleans
2. Carolina
3. Atlanta
4. Tampa

NFC West

1. San Francisco
2. St. Louis
3. Seattle
4. Arizona

NFC Champion New Orleans

AFC East

1. New England
2. Buffalo
3. NYJ
4. Miami

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh
2. Baltimore
3. Cincinnati
4. Cleveland

AFC South

1. Houston
2. Tennessee
3. Jacksonville
4. Indianapolis

AFC West

1. San Diego
2. Denver
3. Kansas City
4. Oakland

Superbowl Winner: Chicago defeats Houston