01 September 2012

Predicting the 2012 NFL Playoff Teams


It’s that time of the year when all the so-called national experts and football pundits take their shot at predicting the field of NFL playoff teams for the upcoming season. It’s a pretty mixed bag, with most of the ”predictions sure to go wrong” as ESPN’s Mike & Mike have labeled it. That’s pretty much the case here.

So with all the know-it-alls giving it a shot here in the last few days of the pre-season, I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring. I spend a lot of brainpower thinking about it anyway, so I just as well share it with the sporting world and make a jerk out of myself like everybody else.  Here goes …

*Division winners
~Wildcard teams

AFC North – Baltimore*, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati
The Ravens finally ride their offense to the post-season as Flacco blossoms.
AFC South – Houston,* Tennessee, Jacksonville, Indianapolis
Texans are too talented to not take advantage of a weak division.
AFC East – New England*, Buffalo~, NY Jets, Miami
New England reloads on D finally. Buffalo takes a step forward.
AFC West – Kansas City,* Denver~, San Diego, Oakland
The Chiefs ACL crew returns with a vengeance. Peyton leads Broncos to a wildcard.

AFC playoff teams – Baltimore, Buffalo, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, New England

NFC North – Green Bay*, Chicago~, Detroit, Minnesota
Packers repeat at division champs, but the Bears are much improved.
NFC South – Atlanta*, Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay
The Falcons finally put it all together. The Saints are distracted. Carolina continues to climb.
NFC East – Philadelphia*, Dallas~, NY Giants, Washington
Can the Eagles play finally equal its talent? It all hinges on Vick’s health.
NFC West – San Francisco*, Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis
Harbaugh and gang fall back to the pack slightly, but still manhandle a weak division.

NFC playoff teams – ­Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Green Bay, Philadelphia, San Francisco

Super Bowl prediction: Baltimore v Chicago
The Ravens offense and defense put it all together in 2012, thanks to the arm of Flacco and Ray Rice’s all-around play. The D isn’t bad, either. Ray Lewis goes out on top.


As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come on … give it a shot. Who do you think will be the surprise and potential flop teams this season?

Until next time, thanks for reading.
Steve

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