2012-2013 National Football League Predictions and Pre-season talk

[argentarius]

AFC looking really strong this year, with the Patriots looking like the best team. Patriots, Steelers, Ravens (my team), Broncos and Texans should grab a playoff spot each, leaving a mad scramble for the last one between the Jets, Bills, Bengals, Titans, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders. As for the Dolphins, Browns, Colts and jags, it's looking really bleak this year. I think out of those four teams only the Colts will have good QB play. Tannehill and Weedon have very few receiving options and Blaine Gabbert, well, he closes his eyes in the face of the blitz. If any team goes from worst to first in the AFC it's got to be the Chiefs, very complete offense and a defense that loves it's head coach and Eric Winston should prove a good offseason addition.

As for the NFC, the Packers have to be the favourites, but it also has lot of talented teams. Out west I think the 49ers should have it, while the hawks and cards should improve their play, but not their records (cards played like a 4-12 team last year but got bailed out on numerous occasions). I can't wait to see if Sam Bradford is as good a pick as Matthew Stafford was. I only see 1 team coming out of here. Similar story in the NFC east. Skins should improve, but not nearly enough to challenge. Giants are of course SB champions, but I have a hard time seeing past the Eagles, very possibly it's a 3-horse race all the way to the finish line. Cowboys offense looking awesome next year, but the question mark is always the defense. As for the North and South, my god I fear for the Vikings, if the other 3 stay healthy they will absolutely run riot in the passing game and have an improved defense, 3 teams could come out of the NFC north, or the NFC South. The Falcons could fall off the pace out of sheer frustration. This year is a big test of resilience. Despite all the controversy the Saints are still an absolutely incredible team and should power through to the playoffs. I don't think Josh Freeman is as good as he's made out to be, but surely it can get no worse than last year. The Panthers are looking unstoppable next year, relative to what they were before Cam Newton. The defensive line and secondary are average at best units, but the linebacker corps is unreal. I fancy Kuechly, Beason and Anderson to start, but have no idea where. They can all play every linebacker position with their athletic abilities. Davis could also be in with a shot at starting, but last year's unimpressive unit looks on the way out, bar Anderson. Best covering linebacker corps in the league, whilst also having 3 run stuffers. If Brandon LaFell can make the leap to being a good no. 2 WR the offense will be among the league's best, provided Cam has no sophomore slump.