I am like millions of sports fans. I am an NFL guy. Football is king; everything else is a distant second. That is why this is such an important and exciting time of the year. The regular season started with the NFL Kickoff Special on Wednesday, September 5th when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the New York Giants, 24-17, at MetLife Stadium. Meanwhile, the rest of the league kicks off their 2012 this upcoming Sunday and Monday. After a wonderful summer with the 2012 Summer Olympics, an exciting IndyCar Series season, thrilling marquee UFC fights, and a baseball season full of historic accomplishments, it is nice to say that football season is finally back. As great as all of those sporting events are, none of them patch the excitement, drama, or punch of National Football League action.
As I have done since the beginning of The Highlight Reel, it is time for my annual preview of the upcoming NFL season. In the upcoming series of blogs, I am briefly going to preview all 32 teams for the upcoming 2012 season. In addition, I will be making predictions that you can take to the bank (if you want to lose all of your money). Still, it is very fun to make predictions about the upcoming NFL season and watch as they all ring false by Week 5. This is my preview of the 2012 NFL season - concluding with the NFC.
NFL Team Previews - The NFC
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Another year, another amount of lofty expectations. The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2012 season with quarterback Tony Romo entering his tenth season overall and sixth season as a starting QB in the NFL. Romo has the look of a star and the media backing to match. However, there is nothing about his play connecting Romo to the praise he receives. Romo is the biggest underachiever in the National Football League today. A new offensive line should keep Romo upright with plenty of time to find wide receivers Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and tight end Jason Whitten. Running back DeMarco Murray is among the league’s most promising backs. Plus, Dallas revamped their much-heralded defense through the acquisitions of cornerbacks Brandon Carr from Kansas City and Morris Claiborne via the #6 overall selection in the NFL Draft. Those two help improve the secondary on a defense already possessing defensive stars DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Sean Lee, and Jay Ratliff. There is no reason why the Dallas Cowboys should not play deep into January and threaten the NFC’s best for a berth in Super Bowl XLVII. Wait. There is one reason: quarterback Tony Romo. I am a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. That said, I have no faith in Tony Romo to bring anything to Dallas but another season of disappointment. Sadly, with the backup QB now Kyle Orton, Romo is literally the best shot Dallas has at the quarterback position so the Cowboys’ success rests solely on him. Dallas will stay in the thick of the NFC East hunt until late in the season. However, I do not see Dallas making the postseason. Also, I see Jason Garrett looking for work in January. A .500 record is probably too high an aspiration for these Cowboys. (Estimated number of wins: 7-9)
New York Giants - After last season’s Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, head coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning both solidified their status among the elite of the NFL. With that new clout, I believe the Giants are going to be a huge favorite for success again in 2012. New York is a team built for the postseason and it shows. Despite mediocre regular season stats and records, the Giants bring it when the lights are on bright and the stage is huge. Many forget Eli Manning when talking about the premiere quarterbacks in the league but Manning collects Super Bowl rings among the best. The emergence of Victor Cruz as a top receiver gave Manning the weapon he needed in 2011. Cruz will only get better in 2012 alongside fellow receiver Hakeem Nicks. The loss of Brandon Jacobs (now in San Francisco) means that Ahmad Bradshaw is the feature running back. However, the oft-injured Bradshaw still has many questions surrounding his durability. Meanwhile, the Giants bring one of the best defenses in the game to the field weekly. The defensive line includes two major stars in Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul while Michael Boley and Mathias Kiwanuka anchor a solid group of linebackers. The New York secondary has struggled to stay healthy for years but feature talent like Prince Amukamara and Antrel Rolle, who are among the league’s best when healthy. Personally, I do not believe the New York Giants are a Super Bowl team this year because of history. The Giants have historically struggled in the year after winning a Super Bowl and I believe 2012 will be no different. The Giants could win a very competitive NFC East. However, another lengthy march to Super Sunday is not in the cards for the G-Men. (Estimated number of wins: 8-10)
Philadelphia Eagles - Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles called themselves “the Dream Team” and missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record. Instead of playing the free agency game or living on hype this off-season, the Eagles stayed low-key. Philadelphia cut away some of the excess baggage of last season as they released Vince Young, Steve Smith, and Ronnie Brown while adding linebacker DeMeco Ryans in a trade with Houston. On paper, the Philadelphia Eagles look like a major threat. However, the big red flag continues to be star quarterback Michael Vick. Injured in two preseason games already this season, Vick is coming into another season banged up. If Vick can stay healthy, Philadelphia is among the league’s best. However, he cannot stay healthy with his playing style so I expect backup quarterbacks Trent Edwards and Nick Foles to get considerable playing time. Regardless of who is at quarterback, the Eagles have the offensive weapons to put a lot of points on the scoreboard weekly with running back LeSean McCoy and wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Riley Cooper. Meanwhile, the Eagles defense is among the best n the NFC. The addition of Ryans only adds to a powerful defensive front including defensive end Jason Babin and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins. Philadelphia‘s secondary is still among the league’s elite with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha roaming freely. One thing I believe will push Philadelphia to new heights is the emotion surrounding head coach Andy Reid. In his 14th season, Reid is coaching to keep his job while still mourning the sudden passing of his 29-year-old son Garrett during the preseason. While I would like to knock the Eagles because of Reid’s missed opportunities or Vick’s health, I just have a feeling that Philadelphia may put things together in a big way in 2012. The Eagles will be in the thick of a tough NFC East and will make the postseason either through a division title or a wild card. With destiny on their side, anything is possible once the postseason begins. (Estimated number of wins: 8-10)
Washington Redskins - Led by first-round draft pick (and #2 selection overall) Robert Griffin III, a new era is here for the Washington Redskins. While RGIII showed great talent and leadership at Baylor, this is the NFL. Griffin is playing for owner Daniel Snyder’s sinking ship known as the Washington Redskins. The Redskins added Pierre Garcon from Indianapolis to give their young QB another weapon at wide receiver alongside Josh Morgan and Santana Moss. Meanwhile, Washington’s defense includes a terrific linebacker in Brian Orakpo, outstanding cornerback in DeAngelo Hall, and not much else. For year, Washington has appeared talented on paper only to fail to achieve anything on a consistent basis. 2012 will not be any different in Washington. Despite all of the youthful enthusiasm coming with the arrival of RGIII, Washington’s coaching staff is old, tired, and dated. Plus, the defense is still a weakness and the running game is nonexistent. The Washington Redskins will play hard throughout the season. However, I do not see Washington doing anything special in 2012. The biggest victory Washington can have in 2012 will be to keep Griffin healthy and not prove to be another Washington draft bust. (Estimated number of wins: 3-5)
NFC North
Chicago Bears - I love the Chicago Bears this season. While Jay Cutler is a quarterback I question, I do not question the success Cutler has when passing to wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The two both achieved career-highs when together in Denver years ago. The addition of Marshall from Miami will help the Bears’ passing game greatly by adding a massive target that also alleviates the pressure on receivers Devon Hester and Earl Bennett. Running back Matt Forte is back with a new contract and ready to run through opposing defenses while the addition of Michael Bush will give Chicago a great receiving threat in the backfield. As good as the Bears offense looks, the Chicago defense looks that much better. Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is coming into the season with some nagging injuries. However, defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Lance Briggs lead a squad that is among the most dominant defenses in the NFL. Head coach Lovie Smith, entering his ninth season, has the experience to win. The Bears have the talent to win. While the NFC North is loaded with highly competitive football teams, I think Chicago will surprise some people and steal some attention from the loaded Packers and exciting Lions. If Chicago does not win the division outright, they definitely will be in the wild card picture and a threat when the postseason arrives. (Estimated number of wins: 9-11)
Detroit Lions - On paper, the Detroit Lions appear to on the cusp of a Super Bowl run. The Detroit Lions finally kept quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy for the duration of a season and the Lions went to the playoffs. With Stafford at the helm, Detroit has one of the top young quarterbacks in the game leading an offense with one of the league’s best receivers in Calvin Johnson. The Stafford-Johnson combination is one of the top duos in the game and reminds me of duos like Montana-Rice, Aikman-Irvan, and the other great QB-WR duos of all-time. Detroit will rely heavily on them again in 2012. One flaw in Detroit’s offense is that injuries have depleted Detroit’s backfield. I believe this will make the Lions too dependant on the passing game. As for their defense, Detroit brings about one of the most young, hungry, aggressive defenses in the game. Defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley lead a smash mouth defense that opponents will struggle to score on in 2012. Ultimately, I see only two things keeping Detroit from being a sexy pick for postseason success. First, Detroit is in a division with the Packers and Bears. Second, many of the Lions players have shown great immaturity in multiple run-ins with the law. Two arrests during the off-season led Detroit to release CB Aaron Berry. If Detroit can show some much-needed maturity, the league may not have to step in and intervene. As for the divisional woes, Detroit is going to be part of a three-team fight for the NFC North that will go down to the wire. I believe Detroit will struggle down the stretch simply because of the weak running game. If they make the postseason, it will be with a wild card berth at best. 2012 will be a good season but not as successful as the 2011 campaign. (Estimated number of wins: 8-10)
Green Bay Packers - How can a team who went 15-1 the previous season have something to play for the next season? When the team turns 15-1 into a one-and-done postseason appearance, there is something to play for in the next season. That is the story of the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers is among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. He had an MVP season in 2011 that went for nothing when the Packers fell to the New York Giants in the playoffs. The Packers bring back the stellar group of receivers from last season wide receivers Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, and tight end Jermichael Finlay will be at Rodgers’ disposal. Also, the Packers improved their running game over the off-season with the acquisition of Cedric Benson from Cincinnati and solidified their offensive line with the addition of center Jeff Saturday from Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s defense remained in tact from last season. Still young and powerful, the Packer’s defense showed up soft in crucial moments in 2011. 2012 will be a year of redemption for men like linebackers Clay Matthews and AJ Hawk, nose tackle BJ Raji, and cornerback Charles Woodson as they work to return the Packers defense to a place of dominance within the league. I do not believe Green Bay will go 15-1 in 2012. However, I believe this Packers squad will be better than last year’s team. Green Bay knows what it feels like to be the dominant team who wins nothing in the end. 2011 was a complete waste. Aaron Rodgers and company will not allow that to happen again. Locking in the very challenging NFC North, Green Bay will battle with Chicago and Detroit for the division title before ultimately coming out on top. The Packers real success will come in the postseason because Green Bay is a legit Super Bowl contender. 2012 is about redemption after the failures of last season. The 2012 Green Bay Packers are coming to dominate in the games that matter most. I believe they will do just that as the Packers make a trek towards New Orleans in February. (Estimated number of wins: 11-13)
Minnesota Vikings - The Minnesota Vikings just look ugly to me. Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder is back to lead a Vikings team with once-elite running back Adrian Peterson trying to come back from injury and a group of wide receivers that would complement any team’s number one receiver. If Percy Harvin can stay healthy and newly acquired Jerome Simpson from Cincinnati can stay out of trouble, Ponder could mature into a steady QB. While Peterson remains a question mark with health concerns, second-year running back Toby Gerhart should give Minnesota a solid running back nonetheless. Still, the offense is a major weakness for a franchise that has featured many of the most prolific offenses of all-time. As rough as the Vikings offense appears, their defense is not much better. Defensive end Jared Allen is an incredible player trapped on a squad where his talents are wasted. Minnesota will be in the cellar of the NFC North. I will not be shocked if head coach Leslie Frazier is looking for work by the end of this season. I just have no faith in the Vikings doing anything special in 2012. (Estimated number of wins: 3-5)
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - The Atlanta Falcons are quietly one of the sexiest picks to make it to Super Bowl XLVII and I can understand why. The Falcons have an incredible team on paper. Matt Ryan is quietly one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Ryan has a stellar duo of receivers in Roddy While and second-year star Julio Jones along with legendary tight end Tony Gonzales and a backfield including the versatile Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers. Also, the Falcons defense is loaded. While Atlanta lost linebacker Curtis Lofton to division rival New Orleans, they still bring a group including defensive standouts John Abraham and Jonathan Babineaux on the defensive line and Dunta Robinson and Asante Samuel in the secondary to the field every week. Atlanta is a team loaded with outstanding players. My main problem with the Falcons is a failure to close the deal in important games. Atlanta should have more to show for the last four seasons than early playoff exits. With New Orleans damaged by the bounty scandal suspensions, the NFC South has never been more open for the Falcons to reign supreme. If Atlanta can finally live up to their potential, the Falcons could make a Super Bowl run. However, Atlanta actually living up to that potential remains the question. I think Atlanta can make the playoffs but I will not believe in their Super Bowl aspirations until they actually win something meaningful. (Estimated number of wins: 10-12)
Carolina Panthers - I am so thrilled that I was wrong in questioning the selection of Cam Newton with last year’s #1 draft pick. Newton had the most prolific rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history while improving the Carolina Panthers from 2-14 to 6-10. In the second season of the Cam Newton Era, Carolina looks on the verge of great things with another rookie turning heads for the Panthers. The Panthers have a running game that most teams would dream of with the three-headed attack that is running backs DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and newly acquired Mike Tolbert from San Diego. Wide receiver Steve Smith is still among the league’s best when healthy while tight end Greg Olsen remains a big target for Newton. Carolina’s success, once again, will depend on the defense. If Carolina can keep their defense healthy, the Panthers could shock the world and really contend to win the NFC South. A playoff appearance is definitely not out of the question for the Panthers. Rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly from Boston College is already making waves while Jon Beason and Thomas Davis both return from injuries. If the injury bug bites the defensive again, Carolina will struggle. However, if Carolina can stay healthy on the defensive side of the ball for the first time in years, the Panthers could shake things up in a big way in the NFC. (Estimated number of wins: 8-10)
New Orleans Saints - The 2012 off-season was horrific for the New Orleans Saints. The scandal surrounding the New Orleans bounty situation has led to the Saints losing head coach Sean Payton for the entire season due to suspension. Without that leadership, New Orleans will depend on the leadership of quarterback Drew Brees more than ever before. I think that New Orleans will miss Payton tremendously. However, I do not think it will lead to a colossal freefall for the Saints. New Orleans still possesses an offense loaded with weapons for Brees. Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Mark Ingram make for a three-headed monster in the backfield for the Saints. Plus, Brees can spread the ball all over the field with wide receivers Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and elite tight end Jimmy Graham at his disposal. Initially suspended for the regular season, an appeals panel reinstated linebacker Jonathan Vilma for the regular season mere days before the regular season begins. This, along with the elimination of DE Will Smith’s four-game suspension from the bounty scandal, helps the Saints defense greatly. The addition of linebacker Curtis Lofton from Atlanta also adds to a defense already feared in the league. New Orleans is in the highly competitive NFC South. Atlanta is still strong and Carolina is emerging as a threat. New Orleans could be questionable because of Sean Payton’s absence. However, I think Drew Brees will make up for Payton’s loss with the leadership that comes from an elite QB. New Orleans is not going to have a home game in Super Bowl XLVII but they will make a lot of noise in the postseason before losing late in January. (Estimated number of wins: 10-12)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into 2012 amidst change. Under new head coach Greg Schiano, the Bucs hope to improve from last season’s 4-12 mark. Quarterback Josh Freeman is a terrific young talent with new weapons in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers acquired veteran wide receiver Vincent Jackson from San Diego and tight end Dallas Clark from Indianapolis. If he remains healthy, running back LeGarrette Blount is among the best young backs in the league. Meanwhile, the Bucs defense brings about both veteran leadership in safety Ronde Barber and youthful dominance in defensive end Adrian Clayborn. While Tampa Bay brings about a lot of talent and a fresh mindset in new coach Schiano, I do not believe things will change greatly for the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay is in a challenging NFC South with New Orleans, Atlanta, and Carolina. The Buccaneers can only hope to improve on the 4-12 2011 season. (Estimated number of wins: 3-5)
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - The Arizona Cardinals are a mystery to me. I do not like how Arizona is in a consistent quarterback controversy with John Skelton as starter one week and Kevin Kolb as starter the following week. The running game is a disaster in Arizona. Still, the Cardinals have a lot of receiving weapons that make them a dangerous team week in, week out. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best wide receivers in the league. He will bring out the best of whoever is playing at QB for the Cardinals. The addition of Michael Floyd from Notre Dame via the NFL Draft gives Arizona a terrific duo of receivers. Meanwhile, the Cardinals defense features some talented stars in defensive ends Vonnie Holliday, Darnell Dockett, and cornerback Patrick Peterson. If the stars align, the Cardinals could challenge San Francisco in the NFC West. I think Arizona will have an improved 2012. However, they are no good enough to be in the playoffs yet. (Estimated number of wins: 6-8)
San Francisco 49ers - Last season, the San Francisco 49ers were Kyle Williams’ botched kick return away from making the Super Bowl after a decade of futility. Their 13-3 record was the league’s biggest surprise by a mile. Head coach Jim Harbaugh brought a level of confidence to the team that turned perennial underachievers into stars. Quarterback Alex Smith developed into one of the best game managers in the NFL while the dominant 49ers defense finally won the close games they consistently lost under former coach Mike Singletary. Entering 2012, the 49ers have a lot of hope after coming so close during last year’s miracle run. Frankly, I believe the 49ers are going to regress in 2012. As much as I would love to see Alex Smith succeed, I believe his new thee-year contract will eliminate the fire for improvement that turned Smith around last season. Also, I do not see running back Frank Gore remaining healthy for an entire season again as his history normally includes a trip to the IR. San Francisco still has many bright spots on offense. Tight end Vernon Davis gives Smith one of the best weapons at that position in the game while the addition of running back Brandon Jacobs (from New York) and wide receiver Randy Moss (for a third of the league) add much-needed experience to the offense. That said, the 49ers offense will ultimately hurt the team. The 49ers defense is elite. From the defensive line through the secondary, the defense is the best in the league. Linebacker Patrick Willis leads a squad that impacts a game like only a handful of defenses have in league history. The 49ers defense will continue to make up for the offense’s struggles in 2012. San Francisco’s best hope for success is to continue playing the way they played last season: defense keeping the game close and offense doing just enough to win. This formula almost got the 49ers to their first Super Bowl since 1994. The 49ers can win a weak NFC West. However, I do not believe they have a real chance at returning to the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers will be good but not great and 2012 will not be as bright as 2011 in San Francisco. (Estimated number of wins: 9-11)
Seattle Seahawks - After a disappointing 2011 campaign full of quarterback instability, the Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Matt Flynn from Green Bay to a huge deal and drafted Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round to be Flynn’s backup. Wilson outplayed Flynn and earned the starting job in Seattle during the preseason. To me, this is a huge red flag on the 2012 Seattle Seahawks. As good as Wilson may be, the money paid for Flynn will lead many in the fan base and within management wanting Flynn on the field. The minute Wilson stumbles, Flynn will get the spot and controversy will cloud Seattle. This is not what a young Seahawks team needs. Running back Marshawn Lynch will carry a brunt of the load for the Seahawks on offense while young receivers Golden Tate and Sidney Rice, joined by veteran Braylon Edwards, will work hard for whoever is at QB. Still, Seattle just does not feel like a contender. Besides quarterback issues, Seattle has a defense that can be described as questionable at best. Pete Carroll can coach players to levels of success beyond their abilities. However, I do not see Carroll coaching this Seahawks squad to anything more than a below .500 record. (Estimated number of wins: 5-7)
St. Louis Rams - After going 2-14 in 2011, the St. Louis Rams fired head coach Steve Spagnuolo and brought in legendary Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher as the new leader of the Rams. I think St. Louis will improve greatly in 2012 from the leadership of Fisher. Also, quarterback Sam Bradford should rebound from a horrible sophomore season filled with injuries. The same is true regarding running back Steven Jackson as Jackson is one of the league’s premiere running backs when healthy. However, Jackson has suffered from many injures over the last two seasons. The Rams added receiver Steve Smith from Philadelphia to give Bradford a fresh weapon. Plus, the Rams defense looks to improve on a difficult 2011 with more improved play from young stud defensive end Chris Long and linebacker James Laurinaitis. The addition of veteran Courtland Finnegan to the secondary will only help the Rams defense. St. Louis could surprise many with their competitiveness in 2012. I do not think they have a chance at the division or postseason. However, the Rams could prove to be a tough out and play spoiler to some opponents late in the season. (Estimated number of wins: 4-6)
Division Predictions (w/ Division Winners and Wild Card Teams in Bold)
NFC East - Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins
NFC North - Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings
NFC South - New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West - San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
NFC Championship Game Prediction
Green Bay Packers 35 - New Orleans Saints 31
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| The Green Bay Packers will win the NFC Championship. |
Super Bowl XLVII Prediction
On February 3rd, 2013, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana will play host to Super Bowl XLVII. An overrated and aging music act will perform at halftime to ridicule and detestation while the eyes of the world will be on the biggest sporting event of the year. I predict that Super Bowl XLVII will be between the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens. As for who will win, I think Aaron Rodgers will officially bury the legacy of Brett Favre in Green Bay by bringing a second Lombardi trophy back to Wisconsin. The Packers will defeat the Ravens, 31-21, to win Super Bowl XLVII.
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| Green Bay will win their second Super Bowl in three seasons. |
GO GIANTS!!!
ReplyDeleteThey will wildcats in again, and limp to a Bowl appearance.