As another NFL season approaches, friends sit around attempting to make valid predictions for the future of football; “This is the Redskins year! RGIII is the best QB in team history.” How many times has this been heard at the office? NFL fans can justify why their team will make the playoffs, win a Superbowl, and even go 19-0. The league offers more parity than any other major professional sport, however, some applied logic can reveal which teams may truly have a special season.
Before compiling this conjecture, it was necessary to first review a few series in the NFL’s preseason. It seems as though every team “got better” in the offseason by house cleaning the coaching staffs and adding missing pieces. Anyone can claim a ‘potential dynasty’ on paper, but the worst news of the summer can come when a star player wraps their vehicle around a tree while drinking and driving. However, there is no better proof than having the best 11 picks line up, nose to nose, against 11 other men who have been dying to hit somebody for 6 months (with something other than their SUV). The following divisions are broken-down and followed-up by bold playoff predictions.
NFC South:
Atlanta Falcons:
Courtesy: Associated Press
At a quick glance, the Falcons’ schedule looks soft as they open the season in AFC West with Kansas City. However, KC has one of the toughest home field advantages, while also facing the brutal NFC East this season. As Matt Ryan has proven to be strong in the regular season, while surrounded by firepower players like Jones, White, and Michael Turner, there’s no reason the Falcons can’t put up 25+ points per game. However, the defense will need to step-up from their 2011 season when they allowed nearly 22-points each week. Momentum is king in pro football and Atlanta’s odd-patterned scheduling could slow them down as they play every other week on the road, which prevents any advantage a solid home stand could offer.
Record: 10-6 (including big wins at home against Dallas and New Orleans, and on the road against NFC foe Detroit)
Carolina Panthers:
All eyes will be on Cam Newton as he looks to provide an encore to his record-breaking rookie season in 2011. The Panthers will need their defense to stay healthy if they are looking to improve on last year’s average of allowing 26+ points per game with more than 375 yards of offense. DE Charles Johnson was the highest paid player in the NFL last season ($35M in total comp.) and it’s time for him to step-up and lead the young Carolina defense. During certain weeks, the offense will be fun to watch, but a playoff-run for the Panthers is unexpected in the 2012 season.
Record: 7-9 (they’ll have a tough time squeezing out wins at home hosting Dallas, N.Y.G, and Denver, in addition to N.O and ATL.)
New Orleans Saints:
After enduring the most scrutinizing offseason an NFL team has been through, the Saints will look for redemption early and often in 2012. Losing the head coach and defensive leader to suspensions may be painful, but slowing down Drew Brees is most certainly unexpected as he runs this high-powered offense. Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, and the Saints’ studded receiving core will provide plenty of options for the All-Pro QB. It should be anticipated that this pass-first offense, with a chip on its shoulder, will replicate its production from last year (34 points and 467 yards per game), pleasing the fans and fantasy owners alike.
Record: 12-4 (with losses coming at Green Bay, Atlanta, N.Y.G, and at home against SF)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Courtesy: ESPN
A few experts made bold predictions that Tampa was headed in the right direction this season. However, judging by their preseason performance thus far, having a total of 4 wins (like 2011) would be a good year for this team. In week 2 of the preseason, against an average Tennessee defense, Tampa Bay produced 81 yards of total offense, including -.1 total passing yards. This is Josh Freeman’s year to prove himself as a starting QB, or he can expect to watch football from the sidelines wearing a headset for the next decade. The TB Defense got a great addition in its secondary with 1st Rd pick Mark Barron from Alabama. With that said, the team is still a couple years (and free agents) away from being anything but the worst defense in the NFL; last year alone, they allowed over 30 points per game.
Record: 2-14 (beating San Diego at home, and St Louis in late December, once Steven Jackson has been knocked out for the season)
