Looking for a lengthy explanation of why teams will finish with what record in the 2012 NFL season? Well, look elsewhere. This ‘Quick Hit’ hammers each of the 32 NFL teams right at the heart of the matter, explaining in plain English why they will succeed or go down in flames.
Arizona Cardinals: Predicted Finish – 6-10
The Cardinals have a good defense but have an extremely volatile quarterback situation. They need to do better at running back than what Beanie Wells can offer them.
Atlanta Falcons: Predicted Finish – 10-6, wild card
Matt Ryan could have his best professional season at quarterback thanks to a awesome duo at wide receiver (Julio Jones and Roddy White) and the team has Jacquizz Rodgers to compliment veteran Michael Turner at running. They have just enough defense to suffice.
Baltimore Ravens: Predicted Finish – 9-7, wild card
There is Torri Smith at wide receiver but little else to like about the Baltimore pass attack. Ray Rice will run wild which make them a solid ground team. The defense is in transition between injuries and defections.
Buffalo Bills: Predicted Finish – 6-10
Same old Bills – not enough offense or defense to succeed. Both the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins will be better in 2012, making their season even more daunting.
Carolina Panthers: Predicted Finish – 5-11
Another team that can run at will, they forgot to get additional hands for Cam Newton in the NFL Draft. The defense is lackluster and they simply play in the wrong division for that.
Chicago Bears: Predicted Finish – 9-7
Can Jay Cutler stay healthy? Sure there is a lot to like about the Chicago offense, especially with the addition of Michael Bush to compliment Michael Forte, but this team has so many ‘ifs’ at too many areas on the offense. Nonetheless, the Bears will come with an intimidating defense in 2012.
Cincinnati Bengals: Predicted Finish – 9-7
After A.J. Green, there isn’t a lot to get excited about on the Cincinnati offense. Don’t expect a healthy upgrade at running back with BenJarvus Green Ellis in the backfield. With a slightly better defense than in 2011, they will stagger their way to a respectable season.
Cleveland Browns: Predicted Finish – 3-13
Can you really believe in a team with a 28 year old rookie quarterback, a starting running back with two knee injuries in less than a year, and a receiving core that has Greg Little and relatively little help elsewhere?
Dallas Cowboys: Predicted Finish – 8-8
No matter what position, this teams lacks depth. There’s Tony Romo at quarterback, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin at wide receiver, and DeMarco Murray at running back. That’s great. But an injury to any of those players could be devastating. Morris Claiborne makes this secondary worlds better but as a group the defense is average.
Denver Broncos: Predicted Finish – 9-7, First in the AFC West
The defense will continue to frustrate in Denver but this team should succeed in feasting on divisional foes in the weakest division in football. Peyton Manning will provide an offensive spark and Erik Decker (wide receiver) will be the breakout star of the AFC.
Detroit Lions: Predicted Finish – 10-6, wild card
Matthew Stafford should pass for 5,000 yards. Calvin Johnson should eclipse 1,500 yards receiving while it wouldn’t be a shock for Titus Young to catch 75 passes for 1,000. The running back situation is elusive while the defense will disappoint. Add it all together and they are still a significant step behind the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay Packers: Predicted Finish – 12-4, First in the NFC North
The New England Patriots may have a better record in 2012 but this will be the best team in all of football. Aaron Rodgers will surpass 5,000 passing yards and Alex Cobb will be the team’s breakout offensive star. They will need the defense to be better this campaign than last. The Packers will bitterly disappoint is they can’t win the division and go to the Super Bowl.
Houston Texans: Predicted Finish – 10-6, First in the AFC South
If, and it’s a big if, Andre Johnson can stay healthy for just 12 to 14 games, the Texans should easily win this division. Either way, Arian Foster and Ben Tate are the best one-two running combination in the league and enable the Texans can control the ball efficiently on offense. Their defense should be menacing.
Indianapolis Colts: Predicted Finish – 5-11
By adding quarterback Andrew Luck and tight end Coby Fleener, the Colts have a bright future. But the key word is ‘future’. The ‘d’ is porous and Luck’s best receiving option is the soon to be 34 year old Reggie Wayne.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Predicted Finish – 7-9
They will compete but there just isn’t enough big name talent on this team. Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings are a formidable twosome in the backfield. Nonetheless, quarterback Blaine Gabbert will simply be asked to do too much with too little. The defense could be worse than in 2011 which takes them from a better performing group in 2011 to average.
Kansas City Chiefs: Predicted finish – 6-10
The defense will shine in Kansas City and the running game could be good. But does anyone really believe in Matt Cassel after a disastrous 2011 season which ended in injury? They scored just 212 points last season.
Miami Dolphins: Predicted Finish – 5-11
The Dolphins will be a very good in…in 2013 or 2014. All indications are that quarterback Ryan Tannehill will need considerable NFL seasoning and he simply doesn’t have the receiving core to help immediately. The defense will keep them in a number of games but don’t look for too many fourth quarter comebacks.
Minnesota Vikings: Predicted Finish – 2-14
They play in the same division as the Bears, Packers, and Lions. They have no idea what they will get out of running back Adrian Peterson this year. The fact they just sent draft picks to Arizona for A. J. Jefferson only highlights how desperate they are at defense. This team is in big trouble.
New England Patriots: Predicted Finish – 13-3, First in the AFC East
Everyone knows they have a great offense, but the Patriots have their best ‘d’ in years thanks to key additions in the 2012 NFL Draft, specifically Dont’a Hightower. The roll over division opponents in a softer than expected schedule.
New Orleans Saints: Predicted Finish – 11-5, First in the NFC South
The offense will hum but how much will suspensions hurt on defense? They will pound opponents into mercy with their ability to throw but there could be a few of the 42-35 variety of losses that could plague them.
New York Giants: Predicted Finish – 9-7
With all the changes on this team, they pretty much look the same as they did last year. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will work swimmingly with Eli Manning and they will do enough damage with a two running back system. The big question is on the corners where the Giants need depth. The schedule is brutal for this team.
New York Jets: Predicted Finish – 9-7
Yes, they are better but only marginally with a majority of the improvement on defense thanks to the addition of Quinton Coples. Frankly, this team needs Tim Tebow for his legs, not arm, and would be wise to use him more than less.
Oakland Raiders: Predicted Finish – 9-7
Carson Palmer may have been inconsistent during the preseason but he is a crafty veteran who has weapons in wide receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore. If the brittle Darren McFadden can stay healthy, they could challenge the Broncos for the division title. However, history suggests otherwise.
Philadelphia Eagles: Predicted Finish – 10-6, First in the NFC East
If Michael Vick can play 16 games, they will shine. If he plays eight or less, it will cost Andy Reid his coaching job. Here’s betting Vick plays 13 or 14 games and they squeak into first when all is done.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Predicted Finish – 10-6, First in the AFC North
Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace will shine as Ben Rothlisberger is more the perfect passer to exploit their down field abilities. The offensive line got a tremendous boost with the selection of David DeCastro in the 2012 NFL Draft. Despite change, the defense will gel.
St. Louis Rams: Predicted Finish – 4-12
It will be slightly better in St. Louis as the Rams will have a healthy Sam Bradford (quarterback) and Danny Amendola (wide receiver) as the season starts. The offensive line can’t possibly be worse nor can the defense. They took a big hit to the defensive line when it was announced Michael Brockers could be lost for the first half of the season with a high ankle sprain.
San Diego Chargers: Predicted Finish – 6-10
Sorry Chargers fans, but the loss of wide receiver Vincent Jackson and fullback Mike Tolbert are devastating. This is the worst offense San Diego has possessed in years and the defense is not particularly special.
San Francisco 49ers: Predicted finish – 12-4, First in the NFC West
It won’t be quite as easy as 2011 but his team has a special defense that comes along only so often. There are some new additions on offense but all eyes will be on Vernon Davis to see if he finally reaches 1,000 yards in receiving this campaign. This is a physically dominant team at all ends of the game.
Seattle Seahawks: Predicted Finish – 8-8
With all the hoopla surrounding the Seahawks this season, it’s tough to see where they are much better than in 2011. They have a dynamic new quarterback in Russel Wilson but is their any evidence of a breakout star in this group on offense? A swarming defense gets this team to a .500 finish.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Predicted Finish – 8-8
Quarterback Josh Freeman will be better as the team added Vincent Jackson at wide receiver. Rookie running back Doug Martin was a steal in the 2012 NFL Draft. If they can find any kind of pass rush and rise to the occasions in the secondary they have plenty of potential to surprise.
Tennessee Titans: Predicted Finish – 10-6, wild card
Surprise! Look for running back Chris Johnson to rebound in a major way in 2012 while Jake Locker displays why this team is so excited about his passing ability. Damian Williams and Kendall Wright could thrive at wide receiver. They will need a surprise or two on defense.
Washington Redskins: Predicted Finish – 6-10
If nothing else, the Redskins will be exciting as quarterback Robert Griffin III breathes new life into this team. Better on both sides of the ball, Washington has the misfortune of playing in an improved division in 2012.
Super Bowl Prediction: New England Patriots versus Green Bay Packers
Sources: football-reference.com
