Playoff Prediction (1 Viewer)

[Zimm]

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NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are in one of the toughest divisions in football, but will look to get past the dreaded "dream team" label of last season. The Eagles have the talent and a much improved defense this year, look for them to lead the NFL in sacks this season. If Mike Vick can stay healthy and cut down the turn-overs the offense is very dangerous.

NFC North

Detroit Lions

The Lions have one of the best passing games in the NFL, With the Stafford to Johnson hook up being nearly impossible to stop, i believe that will be a huge factor in holding off the Packers for the division title. The Lions have one of the NFL's best pass rushes and i look for that to continue in the 2012 season.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

No Saints? I do have to go against the Saints here, because i believe the Falcons have a better overall team, and have installed a high up tempo offense that will thrive in the 2012 season. Look for Ryan to Jones to be almost as exciting as the Stafford to Calvin connection.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

Defense wins championships, and well when you play in the weakest division in football that makes things easier. If Alex Smith can manage the game and keep the turnovers to a minimum the 49ers should cruise to the division title.

Wildcard (NFC)

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay's high powered offense, led by Aaron Rodgers it will be nearly impossible to keep the Packers out of the playoffs. I do think the questionable running game could send them to the playoffs with the wildcard in the 2012 season.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL with Drew Brees will keep them in every single game. The Saints also have a questionable running game and some question marks at Wide Receiver and a shaky defense will cost them the division title.

AFC East



New England Patriots

The Patriots will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, but the Pats will bounce back to win their 4th straight division title. Along with Tom Brady, a much improved defense will keep them in the hunt to reach the Super Bowl yet again.

AFC North



Baltimore Ravens

The smash mouth AFC north division is always a tough division to win, But the Joe Flacco led Ravens will hold off the Steelers and Bengals to win another division title.

AFC South

Tennessee Titans

The Titans have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL, lead by Chris Johnson! Look for Jake Locker to manage the game, and lead his team to the playoffs. With the addition of Kendall Wright and getting Kenny Britt back, teams will have trouble keeping 8 in the box to stop the former rushing title champion.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

The Broncos were a playoff team last year with Tim Tebow leading the charge, I think the new look Mannings will take charge of the AFC west, and with a power running game and dangerous receiving weapons, Manning will lead the Broncos back to the playoffs.

Wildcard (AFC)



Kansas City Chiefs

With a power running game and a stingy defense lead by Eric Berry the Chiefs will surprise a lot of teams this season. Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis will be a tough 1,2 punch to stop in the running game. If Matt Cassell can manage the game, the Chiefs could be tough to stop.

Indianapolis Colts

I think Andrew Luck has a chance to be very special, and in his rookie season he will lead his team to the playoffs where the Colts are used to being. With Chuck Pagano adding a toughness to the team with the 3-4 defense and power running scheme will give teams something to think about besides number one overall pick Andrew Luck.

 

[Donnybrook]

Wow. I think the Texans are going to walk away with the AFC South. It is beyond me how you can have them coming in third or worse. They are the most balanced team and arguablly have the most talent at each individual position.

 

[Zeff]

Your blog?

 

[CapnJB]

You seem to be a big fan of the superfluous comma.

 

[Zeff]

You seem to be a big fan of the superfluous comma.

Why do you say, that?

 

[flysack]

This man is an idiot.

He sounds like an idiot, and his predictions are idiotic. It smacks of someone trying to say something against-the-grain for the sake of attention, and making an ### of himself in the process.

The Titans over the Texans?

The Eagles over the Cowboys or Giants?

The Colts? A 2-14 team starting a rookie QB and transitioning to a 3-4 defense with 4-3 personnel?

The Lions have one of the NFL's best pass rushes?

 

[runner06]

Colts fan here. I'd like to think the Colts have an outside chance of making the playoff. The AFC is much weaker then the NFC right now. Ultimately I think the Colts will be better the a lot of people think. We really didn't lose many contributors from last year (really just Garcon, Saturday, and Diem) and picked up quite a few guys who will probably contribute. I think they will win 5 to 8 games but not quite enough to make the playoffs.

 

[Zimm]

This man is an idiot. He sounds like an idiot, and his predictions are idiotic. It smacks of someone trying to say something against-the-grain for the sake of attention, and making an ### of himself in the process.The Titans over the Texans?The Eagles over the Cowboys or Giants?The Colts? A 2-14 team starting a rookie QB and transitioning to a 3-4 defense with 4-3 personnel? The Lions have one of the NFL's best pass rushes?

I bet you had the Bengals going to the playoffs last year didn't you? Your just an ### keep your comments to yourself....This is why the shark gets worse and worse is because of idiots like yourself. High school is over champ no need to look in the mirror and pat yourself on the back everyday because you are awesome on a message board.... Yes, I do think the Eagles are a better team then the Cowboys and Giants...I guess that is a huge stretchI don't believe in the Texans one bit, but hey that's just me.The Lions were 10th in the NFL in sacks last year

 

[Donnybrook]

I don't believe in the Texans one bit, but hey that's just me.

I have to ask: What do you dislike about the Texans?

 

[Zeff]

We really didn't lose many contributors from last year.

You didn't have any contributors from last year.

 

[Zimm]

I don't believe in the Texans one bit, but hey that's just me.

I have to ask: What do you dislike about the Texans?

I am not a fan of Schaub for one i think his time has run its course, And an aging injury prone Andre Johnson is the focal point of the passing offense. I like Lestar Jean as a prospect but what can be expected of him in his 2nd year in the league when he sat out all of last season. The whole south division has gotten a lot better this year and Houston has a very tough schedule this year playing the AFC East this year (I know so does the rest of the Div).

 

[CapnJB]

The whole south division has gotten a lot better this year

Is this the division that lost four more games than the 'weakest division in football' last year?

 

[Donnybrook]

I don't believe in the Texans one bit, but hey that's just me.

I have to ask: What do you dislike about the Texans?

I am not a fan of Schaub for one i think his time has run its course, And an aging injury prone Andre Johnson is the focal point of the passing offense. I like Lestar Jean as a prospect but what can be expected of him in his 2nd year in the league when he sat out all of last season. The whole south division has gotten a lot better this year and Houston has a very tough schedule this year playing the AFC East this year (I know so does the rest of the Div).

Preseason is preseason but I was impressed with the way the Texans offense kept pace with the Saints. The defense is too strong not deserve a mention. They have youth and depth at linebackers. Barring injury I don't see them losing the division tittle. I sure there is going to be a few teams that surprise like San Franciso did last season but that was in a division that had no strong favorite. Houston has to be the favorite in AFC South. Frankly, I don't get all the Locker love. All he has proven so far is that he is inconsistent as hell. He is just as likely to stifle his wide receivers as he is to promote them.

 

[runner06]

We really didn't lose many contributors from last year.

You didn't have any contributors from last year.

Meh. To many smart ### people on this board and not enough people interested in ever having an actual discussion. This team isn't void of talent. There are decent to very good players returning:

Returning from last year:

Offense: LT Anthony Castonzo, WR Reggie Wayne, RB Donald Brown, and RB Austin Collie

Defense: OLB Dwight Freeney, OLB Robert Mathis, ILB Pat Angerer, FS Antonine Bethea, and CB Jerraud Powers

Don't completely overlook (could contribute in 2012): ILB Kavell Conner, DE Fili Moala, DE Drake Nevis, OLB Jerry Hughes (looked good in preseason for the first time - did nothing last year though), and LG Joe Reitz.

Both Freeney and Mathis were elite undersized pass rushers. I say both are more likely to make a successful transition to OLB then not. Both Moala and Hughes could be better fits for the 3-4. This 4-3 to 3-4 transition stuff is overblown. The bigger question is whether or not they have enough talent on the defensive side of the ball. That answer is probably no.

Key Additions: QB Andrew Luck (huge), TE Dwayne Allen, TE Coby Fleener, CB Vontae Davis, DE Cory Redding, and C Samson Satele

Key Losses: C Jeff Saturday, RG/RT Ryan Diem (subpar in 2011 so Colts will be okay if they aren't awful at RG/RT but they could well be), and WR Pierre Garcon

NON-factor losses: Dallas Clark (buttercup hands in 2011), Peyton Manning (didn't play in 2011), Joseph Addai, Ben Ijalana (was hurt a lot of last season) , Gary Brackett, and Melvin Bullit.

Yes, the Colts were BAD, BAD, BAD last year. However, if you think Luck has a worst supporting cast then Manning did as a rookie then you're not paying attention. I would predict the Colts go 6-10 this season. That's far better then the 1 to 3 wins that many analysts have them pegged for (or at least did).

Serious questions for the Colts:

NT - Do they have anyone on the roster who can play the position efffectively?

Secondary Depth: The team's secondary is awful aside from Powers, Bethea, and Davis. These guys can't get hurt or teams will shred their secondary.

Talent on defense - I named a lot of guys who could be decent players on defense. The key word is key. These guys could give up 400+. Hopefully they don't.

Offensive Line - The line is shaky at best. It will probably be one of the worst offensive lines in the league this year.