It's baaaaaaaaaack!
The NFL season is officially upon us, and I couldn't be more excited. I have already missed week 1 of the college picks, but I will get to picking those as well. Last year I finished the season picking roughly 75% of the winners correctly, and am hoping to continue that this season. This post will be just for the overall season predictions, and my weekly picks will be up later this week. With no further ado, here are my 2012 NFL season predictions.
AFC EAST
1. Patriots (13-3)
2. Jets (10-6)
3. Bills (8-8)
3. Dolphins (8-8)
As much as I hate them, the Patriots are the best team in this division and will cruise to the division title and a bye in the playoffs. The Jets will be a lot better than people are making them out to be in the preseason. They have a very good defense, and whether you like him or not, Tebow will be playing a lot and helping the Jets have a very good rushing attack that will not have a lot of turnovers. They won't blow people out, but they will win a lot of games 20-17 ish I think. Moving on...
AFC NORTH
1. Steelers (13-3)
2. Ravens (11-5)
3. Bengals (7-9)
4. Browns (2-14)
This division won't be as close as it looks either because Ravens have a tougher schedule early and will fall behind by a couple of games in the first month, and will stay that way throughout the season. The Bengals fall back a little this year and miss the playoffs, and the Browns aren't even worth talking about. Next...
AFC SOUTH
1. Texans (14-2)
2. Colts (3-13)
2. Titans (3-13)
4. Jaguars (2-14)
Other than the Texans, this division is terrible. The only wins the other 3 teams will have will pretty much be against each other. No more is needed here...
AFC WEST
1. Chargers (10-6)
2. Broncos (8-8)
3. Chiefs (6-10)
4. Raiders (4-12)
I think the Broncos are a better team this year than they were last year. I think Manning helps them tremendously and will have a great year. The problem is they have in my opinion the toughest schedule in football, and they still don't have a very good defense. I know a lot of Broncos fans think I'm wrong on my pick of them, but i just don't see them being a super bowl favorite just because they added Manning. I am sure I will hear about it plenty if I am wrong, which is fine, but I think Denver will be sitting home come playoff time.
NFC EAST
1.Eagles (15-1)
2. Giants (11-5)
3. Cowboys (10-6)
4. Redskins (3-13)
Eagles are going to be a very good team if Vick stays healthy, which I am taking a huge leap and saying he will. The rest of the division will also be good with the exception of the Redskins. RG3 will make a few highlight plays, but overall that team is terrible and they will be sitting at the cellar again.
NFC NORTH
1. Packers (14-2)
2. Bears (10-6)
3. Lions (10-6)
4. Vikings (4-12)
Packers again will be the best team in this division, despite a lot of "experts" overrating the Bears. The Bears will be a good team, but nowhere near as good as the Packers. The Lions will still be good, but not quite good enough to make the playoffs, and the Vikings will just be bad.
NFC SOUTH
1. Saints (9-7)
2. Buccaneers (8-8)
3. Falcons (7-9)
4. Falcons (7-9)
This will be a close division race all year as no team is great but they will all be competitive. I am very biased with the Bucs because that is my team. They could easily finish 4-12 again but I am going to go out on a limb and say they finish 8-8. Even with all the Saints problems, Drew Brees is the 2nd best QB in the league right now and will be able to do just enough to sneak them into the playoffs.
NFC WEST
1. 49ers (14-2)
2. Seahawks (4-12)
3. Cardinals (2-14)
4. Rams (1-15)
The 49ers will again run away with this division. Enough said.
PLAYOFF SEEDINGS
1. EAGLES
2. PACKERS
3. 49ERS
4. SAINTS
5. GIANTS
6. COWBOYS
1. TEXANS
2. PATRIOTS
3. STEELERS
4. CHARGERS
5. RAVENS
6. JETS
WILD CARD WEEKEND
49ers over Cowboys
Saints over Giants
Ravens over Chargers
Jets over Steelers
DIVISIONAL ROUND
Eagles over Saints
Packers over 49ers
Texans over Jets
Ravens over Patriots
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Packers over Eagles
Texans over Ravens
SUPER BOWL XLVII
Packers over Texans
There you have it, those are my official picks for this season that are sure to be way off and everyone can make fun of me. For the individual awards, here are a few of my thoughts...
MVP - Michael Vick - Too easy to say Aaron Rodgers here, taking a gamble.
Comeback player of the year - Peyton Manning - nobody else even in the discussion
Coach of the year - Andy Reid
Offensive rookie of the year - Andrew Luck - RG3 could win just because he'll get more attention and is flashier, but Luck is by far the better player and will show it.
Defensive rookie of the year - Mark Barron - This is a complete homer pick for me, but I don't care, the fact that they have someone who could be in the running is all I need to pick him.
Til Next Time...
Dallas
