NFL Predictions: Forecasting Every Team’s Record For 2012

The NFL season is just about to get underway, with the second week of preseason action already starting this week. Mid-August is about the right time to start making predictions for the upcoming season.In this article, I will be predicting the records of every team in the NFL, as well as postseason outcomes. I may even predict how some players fare in my reasoning for the teams record.

NFC East

Giants - 11-5

Eagles – 10-6

Cowboys – 9-7

Redskins – 6-10

This division is one of the hardest to predict in all of football. There’s three teams that could all be favored to win the division at different parts of the offseason. The giants are coming off a Super Bowl victory, the Eagles are one year removed from a “dream” offseason, and the Cowboys are still as talented as they’ve ever been. Even the Redskins were competitive last year with a solid defense and they added their franchise quarterback in the draft this past April. In the end, I went with the Super Bowl winners to win the division because the last time the Giants won it all they followed it up with a 12-4 season. I think Bradshaw will have a big year, Victor Cruz will still be a game changer, and Hakeem Nicks will be healthy all year. The Eagles will build on their 4-0 finish to last year, but I still don’t buy them to run away with anything because their competition at the end of last year was subpar and Michael Vick is always bound to miss a few games.

NFC North

Packers – 16-0

Bears – 10-6

Vikings – 6-10

Lions – 5-11

Alright, so these predictions will be pretty unpopular. However, the Packers went 15-1 last year with the worst defense of all time. I predict their defense will be much improved, with many additions made in the draft and free agency along the defensive line and line backing core. While they may lose some of the close games they had last year, they could also win those games by double digits if they can hold the other team to less than 35 points. I have the Lions going 5-11, but not because of their offense. While the defense was facing some injuries last year, they still played miserable down the stretch. I predict their defense to struggle a lot next year, and considering they went 5-7 to end the year in 2011, a 5-11 2012 would be a surprise but not a shock.

NFC South

Falcons – 11-5

Buccaneers – 10-6

Saints – 9-7

Panthers – 7-9

This is another division that features many talented teams that could make a run at the division title. I have the Falcons winning the division because they have a new OC that will try to feature the passing game early and often and try to let Matt Ryan air it out. While some people will think that’s a bad thing, I think a less heavy work load for Michael Turner will be good, and a more heavy passing attack will work because the Falcons have Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez. Also, no one is denying that Ryan has talent and has been an above average quarterback so far in his career. The Buccaneers acquired Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks in the offseason, and they drafted Doug Martin to improve their running game. I think the Buccaneers can continue the success they had with a 10-6 2010 and a 4-2 start to 2011 with an improved offense, better efficiency, a new head coach, and (hopefully) a defense that won’t quit for the last month of the season. The Saints are coming off a scandal that shouldn’t necessarily hurt their talent, but it could make the slightest difference for them in a very good division.

NFC West

49ers – 11-5

Seahawks – 10-6

Cardinals – 7-9

Rams – 3-13

The real surprise here is the Seahawks. I think Matt Flynn will be a good quarterback for the Seahawks, as long as he doesn’t lose his job to Russell Wilson. With Marshawn Lynch and an improved passing game, with a good defense, the Seahawks will surprise some people in 2012. The 49ers are still the best team in the division, and the Cardinals and Rams still are steps away from competing with the 49ers for the division title, injuries aside.

AFC North

Ravens – 11-5

Steelers – 9-7

Bengals – 6-10

Browns – 2-14

I feel like without Mendenhall and an unhappy Mike Wallace who has already missed all of camp, the Steelers will likely be a few steps behind the Ravens this year. They are both very strong teams, but one team has to finish better and right now it’s looking like Baltimore. Also, the Bengals are coming a surprise year where they made the playoffs, but I just don’t think that Andy Dalton will make a significant step in one offseason to improve on their record last year. I just think that they will be a team to fall back down this year, like the Buccaneers last year (but not as drastic). They still have a very bright future, and I may be wrong.

AFC East

Patriots – 13-3

Bills – 7-9

Dolphins – 4-12

Jets – 4-12

The surprise here is the Jets. I think with the Tebow mania, the messy locker room, and the overall quarterback situation (and offense situation in general), the Jets will disappoint in 2012. The only way they will get Tebow Magic is if he starts and that won’t be the case early. Once he does start (if he does, I guess) they will already be out of the playoff picture and his magic won’t come out (it shouldn’t come out, but I don’t know the rules).

AFC South

Texans – 12-4

Titans – 7-9

Colts – 3-13

Jaguars – 1-15

The Texans have a phenomenal defense, and with a healthy Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, and Matt Schaub, their offense should go back to being one of the best in the entire NFL. They are one of the most talented teams in the AFC and they should easily win their division. The Titans will have a better Chris Johnson (hopefully), but their quarterback situation is not one to like for a team wanting to win a division, but it is by no means bad. The Colts defense will likely still give up a ton of big plays, and the Jaguars are looking awful for this upcoming season.

AFC West

Broncos – 11-5

Chiefs – 9-7

Chargers – 9-7

Raiders – 7-9

The Broncos defense played extremely well in many games last season, and if they can either come up huge in bug games or be a more consistent unit in 2012, then the Broncos should win the division with the help of Peyton Manning. The Chiefs are really good sleeper picks with all of their talent, but Matt Cassel is the worst quarterback in the division and I don’t think they will overcome that to win their division. The Chargers will likely disappoint once again, but a 9-7 record should still be competitive for a wild card spot next year, and the Raiders will likely be a competitive team all year long.

Playoff Seeding

AFC

1 Patriots

2 Texans

3 Ravens

4 Broncos

5 Chiefs

6 Chargers

NFC

1 Packers

2 Falcons

3 Giants