With the kickoff to the 2012-13 NFL season just hours away, it’s time to get the predictions down just so I can look like a total idiot later…
AFC East
1. New England Patriots
2. Buffalo Bills
3. New York Jets
4. Miami Dolphins
The New England Patriots may as well be crowned the AFC East Champions today because there is no one in this division that is really worthy being mentioned in the same sentence as them. In fact you’ve got two teams in New York and Miami that may be better suited competing in a circus (the Jets) or a freak show (Miami). The Bills, will make some progress as they continue to get back to respectability but the Patriots are still without a doubt the class team in this division.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Cleveland Browns
Surprised? I kind of am too. The AFC North is definitely going to be one of the more competitive divisions in the NFL this upcoming season with the Bengals, Ravens and Steelers vying for the top position. However look out for Cincinnati as Andy Dalton and A.J. Green may emerge as the top QB/WR duo in the AFC North. The Bengals’ defense will also be on the rise while the Steelers and Ravens continue to age.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans
2. Tennessee Titans
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Much like the AFC East, there’s simply no other team in this division that’s going to be able to compete with the Houston Texans. The Titans should begin to develop some promise under Jake Locker while Indianapolis Colts fans are in for a long but productive year with rookie QB Andrew Luck. As for the Jacksonville Jaguars, we’re counting down the days until it’s announced that they’re moving to Los Angeles or London, England.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Oakland Raiders
4. Kansas City Chiefs
If the Denver Broncos could make it to the playoffs last year in this division with Tim Tebow under center, surely they can do it with Peyton Manning calling the shots… That’s if he can remain healthy all season which I think he will.
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. New York Giants
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Washington Redskins
There’s two coaches in this division that are definitely on the hot seat, Andy Reid of the Eagles and Jason Garrett of the Cowboys. If either one of them doesn’t win the division or go to the playoffs expect the Eagles and/or Cowboys looking for new head coaches for next season. However the Eagles may have the most pressure on them in the division this season as players have basically been told if you don’t make it happen this year, it will never happen because the team will be blown up. It just seems like there’s too much to play for in Philly for them not to take the top seed in the NFC East.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Chicago Bears
3. Detroit Lions
4. Minnesota Vikings
The story in this division isn’t going to be the Green Bay Packers running away with things, it’s whether or not the Chicago Bears can manager to put things together and make a run at the playoffs as that window of theirs slowly closes. Furthermore the Lions will continue to develop but after doing nothing to remedy that godawful secondary don’t expect to see any improvements record wise this year.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lookout! The NFC South all of a sudden got a lot more competitive with the bounty penalties set upon the New Orleans Saints this offseason. Even though there’s still going to be a lot of good pieces still in place for New Orleans, especially on the offensive side of the ball, the absence of Sean Peyton will definitely be felt on Bourbon Street. With that said, this is the year Matt Ryan (despite him being overrated) and the Atlanta Falcons take the NFC South.
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. St. Louis Rams
Only in the NFC West could Alex Smith be the starting QB of a team and actually win the division. If St. Louis was able to get some talent around Sam Bradford things might be different while Pete Carroll and the Seahawks are kidding themselves in thinking that Russell Wilson is actually a serviceable NFL QB.
AFC Playoff Picture
1. New England Patriots
2. Houston Texans
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Denver Broncos
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Not a lot of surprises here aside form the Bengals considering the AFC is going to be terrible once again. Look for New England and Houston to have a nice competition for that top seed with the Patriots taking it in the end simply because their division is more screwed up than the AFC South.
NFC Playoff Picture
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Chicago Bears
Much like the Patriots and Texans in the AFC, look for Green Bay and San Francisco to battle it out all year for the top seed in the NFC. I like the Packers though with the No. 1 seed simply because they have a better QB, a more balanced offense and a respectable defense. I also like the Bears to just edge out the Lions and Panthers for that final Wild Card spot.
Super Bowl Prediction
Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots
Unlike last season, this year we have the two best teams in each conference represented in the Super Bowl. The Packers who are without a doubt the best team in the NFC take on a New England team that saw Tom Brady simply out duel Matt Schaub. In this game however we almost see a passing of the torch as Aaron Rodgers claims the undisputed best QB in the league title over Tom Brad and is named the Super Bowl MVP.
Super Bowl Champion: Green Bay Packers
