NFL Preview 2012

Well the season is literally about to start.  So I better get my predictions out there.  Who knows what will happen but the last two years I've picked at least one of the Superbowl teams.  Of course I picked the Packers to lose and they won.  And I picked the Patriots to win and they lost.  What about this year???

Regular Season Standings: 

AFC:

East:  Patriots 14-2, Jets 11-5, Bills 11-5, Dolphins 3-13

North:  Ravens 11-5, Steelers 10-6, Bengals 6-10, Browns 2-14

South:  Texans 11-5, Titans 6-10, Colts 5-11, Jaguars 2-14

West:  Chiefs 9-7, Chargers 9-7, Broncos 8-8, Raiders 8-8

NFC:

East:  Giants 10-6, Eagles 10-6, Cowboys 9-7, Redskins 3-13

North:  Packers 12-4, Lions 11-5, Bears 11-5, Vikings 4-12

South:  Falcons 10-6, Panthers 8-8, Saints 8-8, Buccaneers 7-9

West:  49ers 10-6, Seahawks 7-9, Cardinals 6-10, Rams 4-12

Playoffs:

Wild Card Round:

Lions 38 Falcons 35, Giants 20 Bears 9, Ravens 23 Bills 10, Chiefs 17 Jets 12

Divisional Round:

49ers 19 Giants 15, Lions 28 Packers 27, Patriots 34 Chiefs 3, Ravens 17 Texans 16

Championship Games:

Lions 24 49ers 13, Patriots 28 Ravens 6

Superbowl:

Patriots 34 Lions 31



Some crazy picks I know but also some easy ones as well.  Obviously I like the Lions.  They have made great progress over the last few years and I believe that will continue.  The Patriots have knocked on the championship door the last couple years and are only getting better.  There's a lot of young talent on both sides of the ball for them.  Unfortunately I don't see the Niners getting it done without a better offense.  Same goes for the Ravens.  While the Pack are great I think another great regular season is what I see out of them.  And why aren't the Broncos in the playoffs?  Well, I just don't see them winning a bunch of games with their schedule.  If Peyton is of old then I'm wrong, so we'll see.  While I like Houston, I truly believe they missed their championship chance by not signing Peyton.  He would have completed them.  And finally what about the defending champs???  Trust me I have all the respect for Eli and the rest of Coughlin's group after their postseason run last year.  So it wouldn't surprise me to see them win again in January.  However, there are a ton of great teams and the last team to repeat was in '04.  It will be sad to see but I believe that the Eagles will miss the playoffs and Reid will be fired.  He deserves better.  The Cardinals are just a couple pieces from a big season I believe and could challenge S.F. if Skelton gets the job done at QB.  The Seahawks will come on at the end of the season but their opening stretch is brutal.  The Jets have an easy schedule and I believe that Rex will get his guys to play for 10-11 wins.  The Bills schedule is soft too so I think they can sneak in to the dance but don't be surprised if they flop as well.  I completely respect Pittsburgh as well but just feel that they may not have enough to make the playoffs this year.  And the Saints...I can't see even Brees carrying this banged up ship into the postseason. 

Okay, there you go...the thrown together at the last minute thoughts and picks.  Enjoy the season and maybe I'll write some more observations as the season progresses! 

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