2012 NFL Preview

With the first game of the season in the books, and the first weekend of games upon us, it is time for my predictions for the year. I will break down each division, first based on standings, and then on each team's season outlook. I will ignore records, because- honestly- what's the point?

AFC

East
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins

Not much changes here from last year. The Bills and Dolphins are pretty interchangeable in their ability to get completely over-matched most of the time. In all likelihood, the Patriots will run away with the division, once again, and will have one of the best records in the league. They are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Jets? Not so much. The Jets will vie for a playoff spot, but I'm not so sure they get it. Their future will very much be determined by how they play in the last weeks of the season.

North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns

The Ravens are quickly becoming THE AFC North team. The Pittsburgh Steelers are falling apart with age, and they really are a shallow offense team. Hines Ward's retirement makes Mike Wallace the Steelers' main receiving threat, and teams with good corners will easily limit his action. The Ravens can only get better, and the rapport between Andy Dalton and AJ Green and Jermaine Gresham will be stronger. The addition of The Lawfirm (BenJarvis Green-Ellis) won't hurt, either. The Browns will be better than last year, thanks to Trent Richardson, but, they're still the Browns, and they're still in the North, which produced both Wild Card teams last season.

South
Houston Texans
Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars

After the Texans, this is one of the weakest divisions in the league. The Colts were terrible last year without a legitimate QB, and with Andrew Luck they will definitely improve. But, that doesn't make them better than anyone except the Jaguars, whose only real addition is Justin Blackmon, another TO-type, but without as much talent. The Titans will remain middle of the road, occasionally challenging legitimate playoff teams.

West
Denver Broncos
San Diego Chargers
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders

The West will once again be the tightest division in the AFC. Once again, the Broncos will come out on top. The Chargers are better than they seem, especially with the addition of Robert Meacham. If Ryan Matthews stays healthy, they could legitimately contend for the playoffs. I expect them to get a Wild Card spot. The return Dwayne Bowe and the addition of Patrick Hillis improves their offense, but they're still not a playoff team. Maybe next year. Oakland? Carson Palmer may be the best QB they've had in a decade, but they're still a few pieces away from being a playoff team.

NFC

East
Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins

The Dream Team comes together as a team this year, and the Eagles walk away with the division. They improved their defense and offensive line, and seem to have all the right pieces in place. If Michael Vick stays healthy, Philly is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The defending champs, the Giants, won't struggle, but they didn't dominate until the last few weeks last year. They will still make the playoffs, but don't expect a repeat. The Cowboys DID improve their secondary, a crucial move for this division, but they still lack the most important piece; a QB who works well under pressure. The Redskins drafted RGIII, and got Pierre Garcon, but they still need help on offense. Good thing RGIII can run, because they're going to need him to.

North
Green Bay Packers
Detroit Lions
Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings

Not much needs to be said here. The lack of Jahvid Best may hurt the Lions in the long-run, but they're in the   playoffs based on everybody else. This young team is only getting better; expect them to challenge for the division as soon as 2013. The Bears and Vikings will remain mostly irrelevant.

South
Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The sanctions against the Saints will hurt. Jonathan Vilma was a big part of their illegal bounty program that made up their defense, so his loss will be major. The departure's of Pierre Garcon and Robert Meacham lower Brees number of previously used receivers, but, being Drew Brees, he will find new ones. The Falcons will take this opporunity to win the division, although the Saints will still make the playoffs. The Panthers didn't get better enough to make the playoffs, but they may challenge for a Wild Card by 2013. The Bucs are still a few years ago.

West
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals
St. Louis Rams

There is no real description necessary for this division. The 49ers aren't Super Bowl contenders, but they're much better than every other team in the division. The Seahawks are on their way to being a playoff
challenge, but this year they won't make it.

AFC Playoffs

Wild Card Round
Broncos over Bengals
Ravens over Chargers

Divisional Round
Patriots over Broncos
Texans over Ravens

AFC Championship
Patriots over Ravens


NFC Playoffs

Wild Card Round
Giants over 49ers
Falcons over Saints

Divisional Round
Eagles over Falcons
Packers over Giants

NFC Championship
Eagles over Packers


Super Bowl
Eagles over Patriots 27-24