NFL Predictions

Okay, everyone, it's prediction time. All over television and the radio you see and hear analysts predicting each NFL teams record before the season starts. Then, at the end of the year, they go back and see how correct, or incorrect, they were. Below, I'm gonna do the same.

We'll go by division:

AFC East:

1. NE Patriots - The Pats have a relatively easy schedule, only facing good teams in Baltimore, Denver, Houston, and San Francisco. I think the Pats will finish the season at 12-4. I would say 13-3, but they usually find a way to lose to a division opponent (@Buffalo, @NYJ, even @Miami). The offense didn't seem to click in the preseason, but with a much better defense than last year, the Pats should be able to win at least 12.
2. Buffalo Bills - I think the Bills have a real chance this season to do something special. They had a solid defense last season (specifically in the first 8 games), and have added great pass rushers in Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. If RB Fred Jackson can have another stellar season, and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick can avoid throwing as many interceptions as TD's, the Bills could go a cool 10-6. However, I think they will go 9-7.
3. NY Jets - With all of the offseason drama, and the addition of unskilled QB Tim Tebow, I think the lowly Jets will continue their trend of talking big, and producing low. They will go 8-8 this season, if they're lucky. Maybe Tebow can pray for them when he's on the sidelines, or in between punts. Mark Sanchez is one of the worst QB's in the game, and it doesn't look like Tebow has helped his confidence any.
4. Miami Dolphins - Hard Knocks for the Dolphins doesn't actually start until this weekend. That's why they take the field and realize that being on TV doesn't mean you'll be good. They have a rookie QB in Ryan Tannehill, backed up by decent but not great Matt Moore. They don't have a great defense, and they'll have to rely heavily on fumble/injury prone RB Reggie Bush. Especially after losing Brandon Marshall, they have no threats at WR. I'll give them a break and say 6-10 this year, but that's if they get lucky. More like 5-11.

AFC West:

1. Denver Broncos - Not only did they add future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, but they got rid of special teamer Tim Tebow. I know, they won the division last year with Tebow, but that was just because the rest of the teams in the West were jokes. Not that they aren't this year, but they've had some more time to prepare and not be so horrible. I think the Broncos go 10-6 in their first year under the leadership of Peyton, but will probably lose in the first round of the playoffs.
2. Oakland Raiders - If RB Darren McFadden can stay healthy, and QB Carson Palmer can light up the air with WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, I think the Raiders can go a healthy 9-7. However, I think they'll end up at 8-8, because it is unlikely that injuries won't plague them (plus they don't have a great defense to make up for it).
3. KC Chiefs - It's looking like another long year for the Chiefs, unless the addition of RB Peyton Hillis can create the best tandem in football alongside the speedy Jamaal Charles. Although I'm a Matt Cassel fan, his only real options are Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston. While their running game should be fantastic, opposing defenses can stuff 8 in the box and force the Chiefs to play through the air...which is not their strong suit. I have them going 6-10.
4. San Diego Chargers - Well, I think the Chargers are also in for a tough year. I'll pick them to go 7-9, because they could have a very solid offense if it runs on all gears. They have a decent defense, but the team doesn't seem to click well and coach Norv Turner has been having some rough years lately. However, I wish them all the best in honor of NFL great Junior Seau.

AFC North:

1. Baltimore Ravens - If QB Joe Flacco can complement the running game of Ray Rice, the Ravens could go a solid 12-4 this year. While they do play in a very tough division (except the Browns...), they have a perennially great defense and a very solid offense. Look for big plays from Torrey Smith and quality production from Anquan Boldin, if he can stay healthy.
2. Cincinnatti Bengals - With the addition of the Law Firm BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the Bengals should have a prolific offense complemented by an underrated defense. The D will create turnovers and play the pass well, while stuffing the inside with linebackers Ray Maualuga and Manny Lawson. I think a safe pick is for them to go 10-6, but I'll 11-5 because I love an underdog.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers - I think the Steelers will play much better defense this year, but injuries will still be a problem for them. Big Ben tries so hard to continue plays, but he often takes huge hits in the process. I also don't think their running game is very good, although people would argue that Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman are a pretty good tandem. I don't see them having the power running game they used to have, which will cause them to resort to the air. While Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown will put up great numbers, the offense will sputter and rely on the D to support them. Steel City goes 10-6 this season.
4. Cleveland Browns - Even with the maturity of 28-year old rookie Brandon Weeden and rookie RB Trent Richardson, the Browns have no good receivers and an okay defense. While Romeo Crennel is a great defensive mind, there is only so much he can do with the talent he has. I expect the Browns to go 5-11 at best. I'll go 4-12 in a tough AFC North though.

AFC South:

1. Houston Texans - The Texans keep on getting better. Last season, they made the playoffs even while QB Matt Schaub, WR Andre Johnson, and RB Arian Foster missed a combined 18 regular season games. That's impressive. While they did lose star defensive end Mario Williams to the Bills, J.J. Watt had a great rookie campaign and you can expect an even better sophomore year. If the offense stays healthy, a foresee the Texans going 11-5, easily winning their division.
2. Tennesse Titans - Second year QB Jake Locker looked better this preseason. But that's just preseason. The Titans will have to hope that Chris Johnson has a comeback year, and they're praying he runs for over 2,000 yards again. I doubt that, but it's possible. WR Kenny Britt is only suspended for the first game of the season, which I'm predicting they lose to the Patriots anyway. They also added Kendall Wright through the draft, so Locker will still have a good receiver to look to while Britt is out (or double-covered). TE Jared Cook has some speed, and can go unnoticed to defenses after they cover up CJ and the two receivers. WR Nate Washington had a good season in 2011, racking up over a thousand yards, quietly. Still, I see the Titans going 8-8. If only they had Jeff Fisher....
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Blaine Gabbert looked more comfortable in the pocket this preseason, but that will be tested in Week 1 going against Vikings DE Jared Allen. While the Jags do have solid receivers in Mike Thomas and Laurent Robinson- plus outstanding rookie Justin Blackmon- they are a running team, and will have to rely on Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings to carry the offense. I don't think Gabbert is a star QB, but he is average. With Jennings starting over preseason holdout MJD in Week 1, look for MJD to split carries 70-30 with the young RB. I predict the Jags to go 5-11, mostly from the running of MJD.
4. Indianapolis Colts - Although I believe Andrew Luck could be a future Hall of Famer, I don't see the Colts improving much since last season. Reggie Wayne and Austion Collie are solid wideouts, and Luck played with rookie TE Coby Fleener at Stanford, so they have chemistry already. However, I don't see Donald Brown as a true premier back, and I personally wouldn't give him the ball more than 10-15 touches a game. I predict them doubling their win total, which still leaves them at 4-12.

NFC East:

1. New York Giants - The defending Super Bowl champs are still a great team. I don't think Ahmad Bradshaw can carry the load on his own however, so the Giants will have to steer away from the run game and more toward the passing game. Eli Manning has great receivers to throw to there. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz are two of the best in the game, so they'll have no problem converting 3rd and longs or scoring in the redzone. Their defense will be solid again, with a monstrous defensive line and solid back-end play. However, they have an extremely difficult schedule, and I predict them going...you guessed it...9-7. I could see them going 8-8, but I think they'll find a spot in the playoffs again, so above .500 is where they'll be.
2. Philadelphia Eagles - Although they lost cornerback Asante Samuel, their defense is still very good. And I know it's a lot to assume, but assuming that Mike Vick can stay healthy, the Eagles should go a cool 10-6. LeSean McCoy will be one of the best RB's in the league, and Jeremy Maclin plus Jason Avant are great supporters of the speed demon DeSean Jackson. Look for Jackson to have a comeback season, something like Chris Johnson in TEN will look to have. Final prediction, 10-6.
3. Dallas Cowboys - Initially looking at the Cowboys schedule, I could easily see them finishing 6-10 or 7-9. However, I think DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant will keep them afloat. I have no faith in Tony Romo to play well in the clutch, and we've already seen how owner Jerry Jones mouth can write checks that the team just can't cash (as in calling out the Giants...). I'll predict them at 8-8. They're lucky they play the Redskins twice and the Browns once....
4. Washington Redskins -  Although I think RGIII is a great player and an even better person, I just don't see the Skins having an offense to put up enough points to win games. Especially in the NFC East, they'll need to support their decent defense by scoring at 20+ a game. Roy Helu seems to be solid out of the backfield, but they won't have a great run game and the only option at WR are Pierre Garcon and Santana Moss. Sorry Washington, Skins goin' 4-12 this season.

NFC West:

1. San Francisco 49ers - The 9ers went 13-3 last season, and that's exactly where I see them again this year. They have a solid QB in Alex Smith, who did a lot to prove himself last year, especially in the playoffs. They have one of the league's best defenses (if not the best), and a great running game with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. They also added receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, both who have great potential and have shown it before. Watch out for the 49ers in the playoffs, I expect them to get to the NFC Championship game.
2. St. Louis Rams - The Rams have gotten better...but that still isn't enough to have a winning record this year. I see them going 6-10. Yes, Steven Jackson is a great runningback, and Sam Bradford is good when he's not injured. But they don't have good receivers and their defense is mediocre at best. How many years has it been since the Greatest Show on Turf? Too many.
3. Seattle Seahawks - Another "just okay" Pete Carroll team. Although they look much better than last year, RB Marshawn Lynch is out at least the first week with back spasms, which have caused him to miss games in the past. Robert Turbin is a solid rookie backup, but I don't see Russell Wilson having a breakout year. I'm predicting 7-9 in a weak division.
4. Arizona Cardinals - They have a below-average D, and a nonexistent QB. They paid Kevin Kolb millions to be the starter there, and John Skelton is actually starting. Beanie Wells is a solid RB, but with no good quarterbacking, I don't see a running game able to get going. At best 4-12, but I'll go 3-13 for good measure (unless they change up the starter mid-season).

NFC North:

1. Green Bay Packers - The Packers are once again going to be a great team, with a great chance at getting to the NFC Championship. However, they're in a tough division, so they'll get some losses there. I have them going 12-4, but they could do better depending upon the output of newly acquired RB Cedric Benson.
2. Detroit Lions - The Lions have a very tough defense, hunkered down with huge DT's. They were one of the better D's last season in getting turnovers, and I think the trend continues. Also, they added WR's to complement Calvin Johnson, and have a solid running game. If they can keep Matt Stafford healthy, look for another huge offensive season. I'm predicting them to go 11-5.
3. Chicago Bears - The Bears got Jay Cutler's favorite target, WR Brandon Marshall this offseason. While I personally think Cutler is awful, he definitely has the arm to throw the ball up in Marshall's area and Marshall has the speed, size, and hands to come down with it. With the addition of Michael Bush to Matt Forte, the Bears running game should be excellent once again. If the defense can play well, as they usually do, Da Bears should go 10-6.
4. Minnesota Vikings - Although Adrian Peterson is back, and Percy Harvin had a good year in 2011, I don't trust Christian Ponder at QB. I foresee the Vikings going 5-11, and that's mostly because of defensive pressure caused by Jared Allen and big runs by AP.

NFC South:

1. Atlanta Falcons - With the addition of CB Asante Samuel, the Falcons defense is very good. They should be able to stop opposing offenses, and put up points quickly. Michael Turner is a great runner, and Matt Ryan has a slew of targets at WR. Expect big numbers from Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez. Falcons to go 11-5 this year.
2. New Orleans Saints - Although the offseason was like a bad soap opera for the Saints, I expect them to use it as motivation, and to play harder for coach Sean Payton while he's suspended. I'm sure defensive captain Jonathan Vilma will give all the motivation and help to the D that he can, but Drew Brees will still throw for over 4,000 yards and around 40 TD's. Saints to go 10-6.
3. Carolina Panthers - I don't think any defense can slow down the still very young Cam Newton. He'll run for over 10 TD's, and have a better TD-INT ratio throwing. I don't know if he'll have the same production with passing yards, but he'll be more efficient. The defense is very solid, especially after drafting LB Luke Kuechly. With one of the best (if not the best) runningback tandems in the league, the Panthers will go 10-6.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - While Josh Freeman should play better, and they have a very good set of RB's, I don't think the Bucs will play the defense they did under Jon Gruden. I predict the Bucs go 6-10.

AFC Playoff Picture:

1. NE Patriots
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Houston Texans
4. Denver Broncos
5. Cincinnatti Bengals
6. Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC Championship Game: Ravens @ Patriots

NFC Playoff Picture:

1. GB Packers
2. SF 49ers
3. PHI Eagles
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Detroit Lions
6. New York Giants

NFC Championship Game: 49ers @ Packers

Super Bowl: Packers v. Patriots

WInner: Packers

I'm a Pats fan, but I just don't see Brady beating Rodgers in a QB duel. Sorry Patriot Nation, get with the times.