NFL Preview 2012 (AFC Conference)

It does only feel like yesterday that we saw the New York Giants knock off the New England Patriots to win the SuperBowl, but the new season is upon us and I can't wait for the kick off.

I actually think the NFC is the stronger Conference of the two and I wouldn't be surprised if they pick up their fourth straight SuperBowl win and their fifth in the last six seasons. There are a number of teams that look capable of going all the way in the NFC, but that just makes it harder to pick a potential winner before the season starts.

Below I will have a brief look at all the teams in the AFC Conference and how I think their prospects are for the new season. Of course things are always likely to change with injuries being a major part of the sport and, depending on who is unfortunate to miss time, that can change the prospects of teams dramatically.

My forecast for how teams do is obviously based on how the teams look at this stage. For example, I think New England are going to win a bunch of games, but that would not be the case if Tom Brady was injured for the season as he was in 2008. So any forecast I have made for teams have to be taken with that pinch of salt in mind.

My preview of the teams in the NFC Conference can be found here.

AFC East

New England Patriots (13-3) Record last year in bracket

Last years SuperBowl Runners-Up remain one of the elite teams in the AFC and they look head and shoulders above the rest of their rivals in the AFC East as far as I am concerned.

Tom Brady has been given a new deep-threat with the signing of Brandon Lloyd, while I expect the two Tight End set to pose plenty of match up problems for Defenses they face. The running game will be governed by Steven Ridley since Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis was allowed to move on, but the key to their whole Offense remains Brady and I have no doubt they will continue racking up the points.

The biggest question mark on the team remains a Defense that finished 31 in yards per game last year, one that will now be missing the pass rushing ability of Mark Anderson, Andre Carter and Shaun Ellis. That means Number 1 Draft Pick, Chandler Jones, will be expected to fit straight on to the Defensive Line, but they definitely look a little weaker if trying to get to the opposition Quarter Back.

The Secondary are capable of turning the ball over, but they may have a hard time if there is a lack of pressure up front. However, this deficiency is unlikely to stop them winning the AFC East as I don't think any of the teams they face have a consistent passing game to take advantage, but they will need to improve play if they are to get back to the big game in February.

New England do not face a horrible schedule and only meet four teams that made the Play Offs last season, three of those coming at home. Looking through their schedule, I am expecting the Patriots to win at least 13 games, and they could finish with an even better record if the Defense improves a little from last year.

Buffalo Bills (6-10)

The Buffalo Bills haven't made the Play Offs since 1999, but they do look a team on the rise and may be in contention for a Wild Card spot with a bit of fortune and better health this season.

My biggest issue with the Bills is an Offense that struggled in the second half of last season after Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a huge contract extension. However, they do get Fred Jackson back this season and I think they will be capable of running the ball with either him or CJ Spiller coming out of the backfield.

My problem is the Quarter Back and the Receivers as I don't particularly rate them highly, but the Offensive Line should be improved and Fitzpatrick may get a little more time to make the right decisions. Stevie Johnson and David Nelson don't exactly get the blood rushing in the receiving areas, but they do seem to have some sort of chemistry with the QB and that can be enough to keep things ticking over.

While the Offense may struggle for consistency without the big play-makers at receiver, the Defense is vastly improved this year and could be one of the better ones in the NFL if they can maintain some health.

Mario Williams was the big off-season signing and he is going to help provide a stronger pass rush with Mark Anderson and their additions to the Defensive Line gives Buffalo one of the best in the NFL when teamed with Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. Stephon Gilmore will be a starter at Corner Back after being picked up as the first choice in the Draft and the Secondary may just be helped out by the front four that should be able to put plenty of pressure on the opposition Quarter Back.

The Buffalo Defense looks very capable as long as the front four can stay healthy and get the pressure on the opposition Quarter Back as I expect they can. The Linebackers have experience, while the Secondary will only be helped if the front four are as good as they look like they can be.

I would have projected Buffalo as a definite Wild Card team if the schedule had been kinder and if I had full faith their starting Defense can stay healthy. Their first nine games are tough, but if the Bills can get out of that at 4-5, there is a chance they can finish with a 10-6 record with full health and may possibly be enough to move into the Play Offs.

New York Jets (8-8)




The New York Jets fell apart from inside the dressing room last year and that saw them fail to make the Play Offs after getting to the AFC Championship Game in each of the previous two seasons.

Bringing in Tim Tebow to the mix looks like a move that will either bring these players together or one that will see the Jets fall apart and end the Rex Ryan era in New York.

Mark Sanchez is the current starting Quarter Back and Tebow is expected to run certain packages for the Offense. Sanchez has struggled for consistency in his three seasons in the NFL and it will be interesting to see how long the crowd give him before they start calling for Tebow to start.

The Offense struggled altogether last season and I don't see enough improvements to them this season. The Wide Receiver position looks weak, while Shonn Greene is inconsistent running the ball.

Last year the Defense struggled against the run, but they do look better equipped to deal with that this year, while the Secondary remains one of the better ones in the NFL. There will be hope that Quinton Coples can help generate a more effective pass rush from the Defensive Ends this season and I do expect the Jets to have one of the higher ranked Defenses in the League.

I don't particularly like their schedule, especially in the early weeks of the season, and it may be tough for them to make a return to the Play Offs. Personally I think they may end with the same record as last season and finish 8-8, but it could get worse if they have the same infighting as last season as I don't see them being better than 4-4 at their bye week.

On the other hand, if the Jets surpass expectations, their two games against Buffalo may decide which of these AFC East teams, if either, gets into the Play Offs as a Wild Card team.

Miami Dolphins (6-10)




It hasn't been the best few years to be a Miami Dolphins fan and I don't foresee too much changing in 2012 with plenty more questions than answers about their team.

In the off-season, Miami missed out on picking up Peyton Manning and then decided to deal Brandon Marshall just before the Draft. Ryan Tannehill was the Number 1 Draft Choice, but he looks like being kept out for the year to get up to speed with the NFL.

Miami look like a team that is going to have a hard time on Offense as they just don't have the receiving playmakers needed to be competitive in this tough Division. The Wide Receivers are Brian Hartline and Davone Bess with Anthony Fasano at Tight End, while there are serious questions over whether Matt Moore or David Garrard start behind the Offensive Line, which should be stronger than last year.

There is some hope that Reggie Bush can continue running the ball effectively and he will be joined by Daniel Thomas in the backfield.

The Defense remains the strength of the team and they were very effective against the run last season and I expect they will be the same again this year. However, there is a lack of depth in the Defensive Line and the loss of Jason Taylor will still be an issue. The Dolphins have a solid set of Linebackers, but they will want to get more pressure on the opposition Quarter Back and not just rely on Cameron Wake to get the job done.

Miami's Secondary could have been upgraded with the signing of Richard Marshall who will likely be the starter opposite Vontae Davis with Sean Smith backing them up.

The team have had just one winning record in the past six seasons and I don't think they are ready to have one this season as they are still rebuilding the Offense. The new Head Coach is Joe Philbin, who was the Offensive Co-Ordinator at Green Bay last season, so he should be able to get something out of the team, but they are limited in terms of talent on the Offensive side of the ball as far as I am concerned.

I initially thought Miami could at least get up to 6 wins in the Division, but moves since I first wrote this has changed my expectations completely, while they will be starting the rookie Ryan Tannehill at Quarter Back... There is every chance that the Fins may finish with the worst record in the NFL, but my heart is looking at a 4-12 record with a bit of luck.

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to win the AFC North last season, but they were the favourites to win their Wild Card game against the Denver Broncos before losing in a shocker to Tim Tebow in Overtime.

Pittsburgh remain one of the favourites in the AFC, but the defence is a year older after struggling at times last season and they did really have a hard time earning turnovers. However, they did finish as the Number 1 Ranked defence when it came to points per game and they remain a tough team to score upon.

The bigger question for this squad may be on the offensive side of the ball as they bring in Todd Haley as Offensive Co-Ordinator... This move has not been well received by Ben Roethlisberger as Bruce Arians, a good friend of his, was removed from that post for Haley and there could be a chance in how Pittsburgh attack defences with more emphasis likely to be on the running game.

Mike Wallace continues to be a hold out as he wants a much larger contract and that will take down the quality of the receiving corps if it is not resolved, while Rashard Mendenhall is expected to open the season on the PUP list.

The Offensive Line has at least been upgraded with a couple of Draft Picks and I expect the more balanced offense to protect Roethlisberger a little more as he takes far too many sacks and can be a little beaten up as the season draws into Play Off time.

I have pegged Pittsburgh to reclaim the AFC North title with them having a slightly easier schedule than Baltimore and I wouldn't be surprised if they can get back to the 12 win table after reaching that total in three of the last four years. The Steelers will need to win a couple of really tough road games if they are to reach that total (games at Denver, Tennessee, Cincinnati and Dallas).

Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Baltimore were literally a slip of a catch away from winning the AFC Championship Game at New England last season and playing in the SuperBowl (also missed a game tying Field Goal from around 27 yards at the end of regulation) and now they arrive into the 2012 season a year older on defence and missing a monster of a component in Terrell Suggs.

Suggs was the Defensive Player of the Year last season but tore his achilles in the off-season and is not due back before November at the very earliest, while the likes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are another year older (even if they haven't looked like missing a step). There will be some expectation on Courtney Upshaw, their top pick in the Draft, to come in and play immediately in place of Jarret Johnson who signed with San Diego in Free Agency, while Paul Kruger should start in place of Suggs.

The Ravens have also had to replace Defensive Co-Ordinator Chuck Pegano who has taken over as the Head Coach of Indianapolis, but Dean Pees is another internal promotion so I expect the defence to be as tough as ever.

Joe Flacco will be still be looking for a little more consistency in his Quarter Back play, but he showed he has the big game temperament with three solid games against Pittsburgh (twice) and New England in the AFC Championship Game. The Offensive Line remains strong, although the loss of Ben Grubbs to New Orleans could affect the run game as it did when he was injured last season and the Ravens will be using a rookie at Left Guard.

Ray Rice is still one of the most versatile backs in the NFL as he is a real threat in the passing game out of the backfield and he should be ready for a big season after signing a new contract. As long as the Ravens can adjust to running the ball without Grubbs, they remain one of the favourites in the AFC.

I have got them finishing behind Pittsburgh mainly because of the schedule as they have trips to Philadelphia, Houston, San Diego and a potentially improved Kansas City to deal with while also hosting both SuperBowl teams from last season as well as being in this tough Division. I still think the Ravens get into double-digit wins, but that may not be enough to retain their title from last season although I do think they will get into the Wild Card spots for the Play Offs.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

Not many people would have tipped Cincinnati to have finished with a winning record last season, and even fewer would have picked them as a Play Off team as they were set to start a rookie at Quarter Back and they were losing their best player in the Secondary (Jonathan Joseph).

It was a surprising season all around and the expectations have been raised as Andy Dalton and AJ Green (WR) move into their second seasons- Green may find it tougher as teams will be aware of his ability and had already began double-teaming him last season and there isn't another receiver opposite him that will take those away.

The defence may have given up 20.2 points per game last season (24th in the NFL), but they didn't give up many yards (7th) and are expected to be amongst the leaders again this season. It also has to be said that outside of Pittsburgh and Baltimore, only Denver (pre-Tebow) managed to score 24 points against the Bengals.

Cincinnati made some additions to the defence, particularly top pick in the Draft Dre Kirkpatrick, and they should be just as strong as last season if not improved.

Even with that in mind, Cincinnati may actually regress in terms of wins this season as they are in the tough AFC North that has to also play the NFC East which is one of the toughest, if not THE toughest, Divisions in the NFL. Their games before their bye week could see the Bengals as good as 5-2, but their schedule is very tough after that and I believe they will finish without a winning record this season.

Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Cleveland are still in a process of rebuilding and have also just been bought by Jim Haslem, a '1000 percent Steeler fan'.

They spent their first couple of picks in the Draft in bringing in an upgrade at Quarter Back, Brandon Weeden, and Trent Richardson at Running Back in a bid to get the offense going after failing to average more than 17 points per game in any of the last four seasons.

Richardson has had surgery on his knee, but is expected to start in the first game of the season. Weeden's accuracy at the QB position should at least get the likes of Mohamed Massaquoi, Greg Little and Benjamin Watson going.

There has to be better play from the Offensive Line who gave up 39 sacks last season and didn't open up the running lanes, but their improvement at QB and RB should help both of these numbers.

The Browns defence is perhaps a little under-appreciated, but they will be missing Phillip Taylor with injury, while Scott Fujita and Joe Haden are both likely to be suspended and will miss three and four games respectively.

Dick Jauron is the Defensive Co-Ordinator here and I expect them to be stronger in the second year in his system, but the team is unlikely to move out of the basement in this tough Division.

While I do think Cleveland are moving the right way, they still have some ways to go and their schedule has not done them any favours which means I think they struggle to surpass last seasons 4 wins. There are some winnable games on the schedule this season, but I can't see more than 3/4 wins without a couple of surprise results heading their way.

AFC South

Houston Texans (10-6)

It won't be a surprise to anyone that I am projecting the Houston Texans to win the AFC South for a second season in succession as they return some familiar players to the starting line up, although losing a couple of key pieces.

Matt Schaub actually missed the end of last season as Houston looked capable of really challenging for the AFC Championship and a place in the SuperBowl, and his presence will be key to once again powering this Offense that is capable of scoring plenty of points.

The Quarter Back play is pretty good, but is aided by playmakers like Andre Johnson, Arian Foster (as long as both can stay healthy) and Owen Daniels. The Offensive Line has lost Eric Winston this season and that leaves some question marks on them on that side of the ball, but there is too much talent to prevent them averaging more than the 23.4 points per game they managed last season.

Wade Phillips came in as Defensive Co-Ordinator last season and he worked wonders in helping them to the Number 2 defence in terms of yards per game and Number 4 in terms of points per game allowed.

He changed the formation into a 3-4 defence, although some may be concerned by losing Mario Williams in Free Agency. However, Brook Reeds managed 6 sacks as a rookie in place of an injured Williams last season and he will now be a starter opposite Connor Barwin, who had 11.5 sacks last season, at the outside linebacker positions.

Bradie James has been brought in to replace DeMeco Ryans as an inside linebacker and should fit in to the system having played for Phillips in Dallas and the defence looks capable of being one of the better ones again in the NFL as they continue to have the ability to rush the Quarter Back with their front 7.

The Texans are in a weak Division and look capable of reaching double-digit wins again as they are given a schedule that is similar in strength to the one they faced in 2011. They would have finished with more than 10 wins in 2011 if they hadn't started looking ahead to the Play Offs (losing their last 3 games), but I have them getting back to that total this time and hosting a Wild Card game in the Play Offs.

Tennessee Titans (9-7)



The Tennessee Titans were a surprise team to me last season as I didn't expect them to finish with a winning record, but it could be tough for them to repeat that in 2012 despite being in a Division with Jacksonville and Indianapolis.

I expect Chris Johnson to have a much better season after he just cracked 1000 yards for the season at an average of 4 yards per carry in 2011 a year after going for 1364 yards at 4.3 yards per carry and then being rewarded with a big contract extension.

A lot of the offense will go through Johnson with Matt Hasselbeck likely to keep his starting job despite the Titans making a big effort to bring in Peyton Manning in Free Agency. There is a chance that Jake Locker will take over as the starter at some point in the season, especially if the Titans are struggling.

Kendall Wright (WR) may be a bigger part of the offense in his rookie season than he might have expected with Kenny Britt once again in trouble with the law and likely to miss some time through suspension and he is also coming off a ACL tear that prematurely ended his 2011 season.

The defence was the real strength of this team, although they did struggle to get to the Quarter Back in 2011 and they have brought in Kamerion Wimbley from Oakland with that in mind. Cortland Finnegan CB) has moved on so they have got younger in that position, although they could have a tough time if there is not enough pressure from the front 7.

Tennessee face a really tough schedule on slate in 2012 and I can't see how they get back to a winning record- in fact, they may just struggle to even get back up to 8 wins and I foresee them having a losing record for only the second time in the last seven seasons.





Indianapolis Colts (2-14)


The Indianapolis Colts 'won' the chance to pick Andrew Luck in the NFL Draft and that means it is the end of the Peyton Manning era here as he was allowed to move on. There has been a total in-house clearance in Indianapolis as Jim Irsay got set to move onto this new era in the Colts history.

Chuck Pegano, Baltimore's former Defensive Co-Ordinator, has taken over as the Head Coach and the vast majority of the Coaches are in their first year at the Colts. This means a change in systems and getting new ideas across that will surely lead to a rebuilding year.

Andrew Luck will get Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and Donny Avery as potential receivers and he also has Coby Fleener at Tight End, his team-mate and safety blanket at Stanford last year. However, the Offensive Line is being rebuilt, while Indianapolis will look to their running backs to keep the pressure off their rookie Quarter Back.

The defence will now have to learn a new system as they move to a 3-4 formation, a situation that can only lead to more struggles following last season when they finished 29th in yards per game allowed and 28th in points per game allowed.

There have been a lot of goings from the roster, but the schedule will provide them an opportunity to maybe double the wins from last season as they get to play Jacksonville (twice), Tennessee (twice), Cleveland, Miami and Minnesota (all at home). That schedule may also see them finish above Jacksonville in the Division if they can get to 4 wins.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)



Shahid Khan took over as the new owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars last season and has promised to keep the franchise here and not move to Los Angeles, although he will be hoping they can attract fans to the stadium to support the team.

That won't be easy considering how bad they looked last season, despite the 5 wins, and the team with the worst offensive yards per game in the NFL are unlikely to have improved much this season. Maurice Jones-Drew is their main, and some would say only, weapon in this offense, but he has been holding out in the off-season as he wants a new contract and that may have set him back... How much will depend when he returns.

The Jaguars did try to increase their production by bringing in Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon as receivers for Blaine Gabbert, but the Quarter Back will really need to have upped his game in the off-season after a terrible rookie season when he looked lost at times.

Jacksonville do have a decent defence that can keep them in games and the signing of Aaron Ross (CB) in Free Agency will make their Secondary that little bit tougher. They are tough to run on having held teams to 3.8 yards per carry last season, but the pressure on the Jaguars will be in keeping games as close as they can and that will mean the offense at least finding a way to move the chains with consistency and giving the defence a chance to rest.

The schedule looks a tough one to negotiate and I think they will fall short of the 5 wins they managed last year and, if things fall a little badly, they may have their worst season since joining the NFL (4-12 record).

AFC West

San Diego Chargers (8-8)

The San Diego Chargers haven't won the AFC West in the last couple of seasons, but they are still the best team in this Division as far as I am concerned. They have had 6 seasons with a winning record in the last 8 years and it was only a collapse in the middle of the 2011 season that cost them a chance of making it back to the Play Offs for the first time since 2009 (the Chargers went 1-6 after a 4-1 start that saw them lose their way in the Division).

Philip Rivers is still the best Quarter Back in the AFC West even though the Denver Broncos have brought Peyton Manning into the mix. Rivers continually denied having an injury last season as he made a lot of mistakes, but I am sure there was something not right with him and he is someone that is still within the elite at this position in the NFL.

He no longer has the option of throwing to Vincent Jackson as he moved on in Free Agency, but the Chargers brought in Robert Meachem who will provide the deep threat, while Malcom Floyd is a huge target that may have his best season in the NFL as long as he can stay healthy. Antonio Gates is still a top receiving threat although there are some depth issues with Vincent Brown breaking his ankle in the pre-season.

Ryan Mathews will carry the workload from the running back position now Mike Tolbert has left in Free Agency, but he has to be a concern with numerous injuries affecting him in his first two years in the League.

The Defense has been upgraded in a bid to improve their form from a season ago and they have brought in Jarret Johnson from the Baltimore Ravens to provide another pass rusher opposite Shaun Phillips from the outside linebacker spot, while they also spent their first draft pick on Melvin Ingram who had 19 sacks in his last 2 seasons at South Carolina.

San Diego should also have a stouter Defensive Line and the players in the front 7 may just cover up the deficiencies in the Secondary, giving the Chargers the edge in the AFC West.

This is a tough Division, but the Chargers schedule has given them a chance to have a winning record and that may be enough for them to take it. San Diego need to make a fast start like last season and they will need to go into their bye no worse than 4-2. If they can get to there, I see them getting 9 or 10 wins this season and we have seen a winning record take this Division in 5 of the last 6 seasons.

The Chargers are also 5-1 against Peyton Manning in his career.

Denver Broncos (8-8)

Last season, the Tim Tebow story captured the imagination of the nation as he led the Denver Broncos into the Play Offs and through to the Divisional Round in the Play Offs. However, Tebow never sat well with John Elway, the Hall of Fame former Quarter Back of the Broncos and the current Executive V-P of Football Operations here in Denver, and it was no surprise when they made a play for Peyton Manning in Free Agency.

Manning turned down the chance to go to Tennessee and San Francisco to play here (I was very surprised he didn't pick the 49ers, but he didn't want to play in the same Conference as little brother Eli).

There are still a lot of question marks about Manning and his health and that is either going to make, or break, the Denver Broncos season.

IF Manning is healthy and get back to anything like his old self, the entire Denver offense has been upgraded and I expect better numbers from the Wide Receivers. The Broncos have been smart in bringing in two players that will know Manning's plays, and I expect the likes of Jacob Tamme and Brandon Stokley to have positive impacts on the rest of the receiving corps.

Willis McGahee should help keep Manning upright if he can run the ball as effectively as he did last season, but the Offensive Line does have some question marks and have to improve markedly from the 41 sacks they allowed last season if they are to help the Quarter Back avoid any serious hits.

Last season, Tim Tebow was getting all the attention, but the Defense was playing at a very high level down the stretch and keeping the Broncos in games and allowing the magical 4th Quarter comebacks to be made. While it is has been possible to use the running game against them, the hope will be that Peyton Manning can build leads and force teams to throw.

That will bring in to play the likes of Von Miller, DJ Williams and Elvis Dumervil who are all very capable at getting to the opposition Quarter Back in passing downs, while Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter can make plays in the Secondary.

Denver do face a really tough schedule and that is why I have projected the Chargers to finish above them in the AFC West and I also think the Broncos may just miss the Play Offs. They have a very difficult start as they host Pittsburgh and Houston while travelling to Atlanta (all Play Off teams in 2011) and I think it would be a real achievement for them to be better than 2-4 at their bye week as they also travel to New England and San Diego in that time.

The schedule is a little more manageable after the bye, but visits to Cincinnati, Kansas City and Baltimore are still on slate and it wouldn't be a massive surprise to me if they finish with the same 8-8 record as last season.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)

There have been a number of changes from 12 months ago as Todd Haley is no longer the Head Coach here having been replaced by Romeo Crennel. There is also a new Offensive Co-Ordinator and Special Teams Co-Ordinator, while the expectations are massively reduced after finishing with a losing record the year after winning the AFC West with 10 wins.

Injuries really took their toll on the Chiefs last season as Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki and Eric Berry were four of the big names that missed much of the season.

Cassel will once again be the starting Quarter Back for the Chiefs and will be expected to manage the game, while making a few big throws to the likes of Dwayne Bowe (who has signed his franchise tag tender) and Tony Moeaki.

Charles will share time at the running back position with Peyton Hillis as they look to replicate the one-two punch of a couple of seasons ago when Charles was paired with Thomas Jones. The running game should improve their numbers as the Offensive Line has also been upgraded with Eric Winston being signed as the new Right Tackle.

The Defense has lost a key component in Brandon Carr in the Secondary, but they did sign Stanford Routt from Divisional rivals Oakland to take over one of the Corner Back spots opposite Brandon Flowers, while Eric Berry's return from injury will strengthen the unit.

Kansas City have upgraded the Defensive Line by choosing Dontari Poe as their first pick in the Draft, and only 1 team scored more than 16 points against them in the last 5 games of the regular season in 2011.

There does look to be a lot of upside in the Chiefs this season and I have had a hard time separating them and the Denver Broncos if I am honest. If they are still in contention after their first 9 games, the games do get 'easier' down the stretch and they may just surprise everyone by taking the AFC West for the second time in three years.

I think they will surpass the 7 wins from last season, but they may have to settle for the same 8-8 record as Denver although there is a real possibility they do finish with a winning record if they are better than 3-6 after 9 games.

Oakland Raiders (8-8)

Oakland bet the house on Carson Palmer last season as they traded two Number 1 picks in the Draft and a Number 2 to bring him in from the Cincinnati Bengals, but they lost 3 of their last 4 games to lose control of the AFC West and ended with an 8-8 record.

Palmer has not had an off-season to work with the Oakland Raiders staff, but there has been a huge turnover in staff and new systems need to be put in place. There is some real speed in the Receiving areas and I think the off-season will have given them a chance to work on some real chemistry in this area.

And those receivers may just find a little more space to use their quickness as Darren McFadden will be back running the ball for Oakland after missing 10 games with an injury. McFadden has the ability to take the ball to the house from any position on the field and that threat is going to force defenses to respect the running game here and that should help the passing game no end.

While I do think the Offense will be improved, the Defense will be missing Kamerion Wimbley and Stanford Routt from a year ago, and there are some real depth issues which means they will have the pressure of staying healthy to keep the Raiders involved in the Division.

There are still some talented players on the Defense like Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly and Rolando McClain, but they have to have a lot more success in pressurising the Quarter Back in passing situations if they are to cover up a weaker Secondary, while also improving a rush Defense that gave up 5.1 yards per carry in 2011.

Oakland do not have the kindest schedule and I think they are unfortunate in playing the more 'winnable teams' on the road. The Offense has the capabilities of being really explosive this season so they may just surprise me, but they have a new Head Coach, Offensive Co-Ordinator and Defensive Co-Ordinator and that means I have them falling short of the 8 wins they recorded last season and I think they will get around 6 wins and have their first losing record since 2009.

I still think all roads in the AFC are going to pass through New England, although there are some credible threats in the Conference through Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston.

I do really like the Texans, but I wouldn't want to back them having to go to a cold New England in January and unfortunately I think the Patriots are going to have the best record in the Conference with the schedule on slate.

Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh could provide much sterner tests to the Patriots, even on the road, but I do think New England are the right favourites to win the Conference as we stand right now. However, they may have to beat both the powerhouses from the AFC North in consecutive weeks and that may be enough to see them knocked off before the SuperBowl.

These four teams do look the pick of the Conference and I expect one of them will be playing in the SuperBowl, although that is hardly pushing the envelope in making a prediction.

AFC Play Off Team Prediction: New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, San Diego, Baltimore and Buffalo

NFL Preview 2012 (NFC Conference)

The NFL season is now just days away from beginning and I have broken down both Conferences with my choices for the teams that will make it to the Play Offs.

You can find my look at the AFC here.

The NFC is the Conference I believe will provide the SuperBowl winner again this season and they have two of the toughest Divisions in the whole of football in the NFC East and NFC North.

I am sure there are going to be a couple of big teams that miss out again this season after the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears all failed to reach the post-season in 2011.

Below are my projections for the NFC this season.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) Record from last season in brackets

The last time any team managed to win back to back NFC East titles was back in 2004 and I project another winner this season. Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles loaded their roster with talent and Vince Young described them as the 'Dream Team', yet they flattered to deceive and had to win their final 4 games to avoid a losing season.

However, those wins have got the fans believing this could be a big season for them and they have kept most of their key players on the roster while adding in the likes of DeMeco Ryans (LB) to close some of the holes they had a year ago.

The biggest issue may be keeping Michael Vick healthy for the season, but we have seen how fragile he can be as he picked up a couple of injuries in the pre-season games. He will be good to go, but the Eagles need a full season out of him if they are to get to the SuperBowl.

A lot of that will be down to an Offensive Line that is most likely going to miss Jason Peters for the season, but they did look like an improving unit down the stretch in 2011.

The Defense finished in the top 10 in both yards per game and points per game last season and I think they may even improve on those numbers now that this unit has been together for a season. They get a lot of pressure on the opposition Quarter Back with their front 4, while the Linebackers should be improved with Ryans joining the team from Houston with his experience and leadership qualities.

The Secondary is talented and will be helped out by the pressure generated up front and the Eagles look a real threat in the NFC this season.

With the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys in the same Division, the schedule is always going to be tough, but Philadelphia have the easiest one of those three teams and that is why I believe they win the Division. After finishing 2011 with lots of momentum, I think the Eagles will push on this season and get around 3 wins more than last season to take their record to 11-5.

New York Giants (9-7)




When the New York Giants were swept by the Washington Redskins last season, they were left with a 7-7 record and knowing they would have to win 6 games in a row if they were to win their second SuperBowl in 5 seasons. The Giants won the battle of New York against the Jets, then beat Dallas to make it into the Play Offs and only saw their momentum keep building in wins over Atlanta, at Green Bay, at San Francisco and then knocking off the New England Patriots in the big game again.

However, the schedule makers have given the Giants no favours this season and that is why I believe they will actually fall down a position in the NFC East, although potentially getting back into the Play Offs.

Brandon Jacobs, Mario Manningham and Aaron Ross are some of the bigger names that have left the Giants this off-season and there are still some questions to address if they are to prove themselves a year after winning the SuperBowl.

The Offensive Line struggled to open up holes in the rushing game last season, while Victor Cruz is not the unknown player he was a year ago when becoming a top receiving threat for Eli Manning. The Defensive Line will also show the same level of play they got in the final 6 games and bring that for the whole season if the Giants are to improve in the yards per game and points per game they allow.

You don't win a SuperBowl without a lot of talent in the team so I don't want to do the Giants a disservice, but take away their final 6 games last season and I think there is a lot of inconsistency with their play and that may cost them the Division this season.

The schedule matches them with Philadelphia (twice), Dallas (twice), visiting San Francisco, Atlanta and Baltimore, while also hosting New Orleans, Green Bay and Pittsburgh... I have seen the Giants projected to win 11 games this season in some places, but I think they may be closer to their record from last season and go 9-7, although there are a couple of games that look really tight and could go either way.

It wouldn't be a huge surprise to me if they did manage up to 11 wins, but there is just as much a chance that they could go 7-9 with the games on slate so I am going to stick with my initial thoughts and say the Giants finish 9-7.

Dallas Cowboys (8-8)



One of my best friends is a Dallas Cowboy fan so this team has always been a 'second favourite' of mine behind the Miami Dolphins. They were close to making it to the Play Offs last season and would have made it if they hadn't had blown a big lead over the New York Giants in a home game earlier in the season, even if they did get another chance against the eventual SuperBowl Champions in New Jersey in Week 17 in a 'winner takes all' game.

The blowing of a big lead in the first game against the Giants was a symptom of the Cowboys season as they blew double-digit leads against the New York Jets and Detroit Lions as well as the Giants.

Dallas have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, although they need to maintain better health to get the full benefit of it. Miles Austin has a lingering hamstring injury that cost him games last season and continues to come up from time to time and there isn't the depth at Wide Receiver to have him missing for an extensive time.

Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are talented playmakers in the receiving areas for Dallas, but the Offensive Line will have to play better to protect Tony Romo after giving up 39 sacks last season. The line could be helped if DeMarco Murray can stay healthy as he looks a real threat with the ball in his hand and may force Defenses to just take a moment to think before getting after Romo, especially if Murray continues from where he left off last season at 5.5 yards per carry.

One of the poorest areas of the team last season was the Secondary that was badly exposed- Rob Ryan runs the Defense here and he uses his front 7 to pressure the opposition Quarter Back but the Secondary did not do a good job of limiting the big play. This is an area Dallas looked to strengthen and the signing of Brandon Carr from Kansas City and picking Morris Claiborne with their first pick in the Draft has seen that unit massively upgraded.

With a full off-season to work with Ryan, I expect the Defense as a whole will be an improved unit, but the schedule, like for the Giants, has not been Dallas' friend.

There are at least three or four games where I really think it could go either way, games where they are currently favoured or dogged by just 1 point. Much as I said with the Giants, Dallas could easily get into double-digit in wins, but may also end with a losing record for the second time in three seasons. I've projected the Cowboys in 3rd in the NFC East with an 8-8 record, but they could easily surpass this expectation.




Washington Redskins (5-11)



Washington have attached their future to Robert Griffin III by giving up a number of draft picks to move up to the Number 2 spot in the draft to take the Quarter Back. After years of uncertainty at this position RGIII is the man for Mike Shanahan and will decide whether the Head Coach is going to be here for the long term or not.

RGIII has been given some weapons like Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, but it isn't an overwhelming Offense around him and it does look a rebuilding year. There are big questions about the Running Back and the Offensive Line and it could be a rude awakening for Griffin in the NFL.

Looking at the Defense overall and I think they are a decent unit that should be able to keep Washington in games and give their new Quarter Back a chance to put some wins on the board. A lot will depend on whether the front 7 continue to get pressure and maybe improve on the 41 sacks that were recorded by the team last season.

The Secondary is inconsistent at best and are susceptible to the big play, especially if the opposition Quarter Back gets time to throw the ball. Brandon Meriweather comes in to play Strong Safety having spent a year in Chicago, but he is far removed from his performances that took him to the Pro-Bowl as a member of the New England Patriots.

They picked off the ball just 4 times last season, the worst record in the NFL, and will be heavily reliant on the likes of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan causing problems in the backfield ahead of them if the Secondary is to keep improving statistically.

Washington are another one of the NFC East teams that has a stinker of a schedule and I am struggling to see them reaching the 5 wins they got to last season (remember they had to sweep the Giants to get to that number) and, barring any more surprise results, I think they will finish with a weaker record than last season, but the fans have to be patient in a year where they are getting the pieces together for future success.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (15-1)

The Green Bay Packers looked like the best team in the NFL for the majority of last season, although the Defense was a big concern with the amount of yards per game they were giving up. That didn't stop people backing the Packers to once again win the SuperBowl, but they failed to win a Play Off game as they were knocked off by the eventual winners, the New York Giants.

This season, the Packers are once again the leading contenders in the NFC, although they are in the toughest Division in my opinion with three real Play Off calibre teams within the North.

I don't have too many concerns with the amount of points the Packers will score as they still have their key players in play on the Offense, while Greg Jennings is back having had injury problems last season. However, they will be looking to James Starks and the Offensive Line to create more holes in the running game as they do feel a better balance will only make Aaron Rodgers that much more productive.

With all the issues on the Defense in 2011, it was no surprise that the Packers spent their first five picks in the Draft on Defensive players and they took Nick Perry with their first pick. He should get playing time immediately, lining up opposite Clay Matthews in the Outside Linebacker position. Last season, they didn't get enough pressure on the opposite Quarter Back so Jerel Worthy may also be expected to have an immediate impact from the Defensive End position.

It is possible to pass on the Packers, but they do have some ball-hawking playmakers in the Secondary that may be able to continue creating turnovers as long as the front seven can get the pressure on the Quarter Back.

The schedule makes the Packers favourites to reach double-digits in terms of wins this season, although I don't think they get up to 15 like they did a year ago. I am projecting them to get up to 13 wins this season which should secure the Division as they take on teams from the weak AFC South and NFC West.

Detroit Lions (10-6)

There haven't been too many positive vibes going into a new season for the Detroit Lions fans in recent seasons and before last year they had ten losing seasons, nine of those with double-digit defeats. However, the end of the 2010 season had shown signs that the Lions were turning things around and that was the case in 2011 as they finished with 10 wins and also made the Play Offs for the first time since 1999.

Detroit may have lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round, but the positives of the season sees them enter 2012 as one of the top contenders in the NFC and another Play Off appearance is the least of their expectations.

As long as Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, this is an Offense that is going to score lots of points. He has a huge playmaker in Calvin Johnson and there is no doubt that the Madden 13 cover boy is the best Receiver in the game at this moment. Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew are great complements to Johnson and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Stafford reach 40 touchdown passes again.

The one element of the Offense that needs to improve is the running game as the Lions did become a little one-dimensional down the stretch. Jahvid Best has had a number of concussion issues, but Mikel Leshoure is back from a torn achilles and these two players can help the Lions move the chains on the ground. That should improve the Offensive Line play and keep Defenses from zoning in on attacking Stafford.

The Lions Defense was a little poor last season in terms of numbers, but there is a lot of upside here, particularly in the front seven. The Defensive Line has a number of big, powerful pass rushers and it will be down to them to protect a Secondary that still looks the weakest unit of this entire team. If they can get to the Quarter Back, the Lions should be able to improve their numbers, but no pressure will see them being ripped apart as they were by Matt Flynn and Drew Brees in their final two games last season.

I have found it hard to separate the Lions from the Chicago Bears, but their schedule does look like it will provide another double-digit win season as long as their key players on the Offense can stay healthy. 5 of their 8 road games are very tough, while they haven't won more than 5 home games in a single season in the last ten years. However, they have the look of a team that will be able to put up big points and I am projecting another 10-6 season.

Chicago Bears (8-8)

The Chicago Bears were sitting at 7-3 in 2011 before the season fell apart thanks to two big injuries on the Offense that saw them lose both Jay Cutler and Matt Forte for the season. They lost five straight games at that point to miss out on the Play Offs, but these two players are back this season and the Bears look like a Play Off calibre team that could potentially challenge the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North title.

Chicago have Cutler and Forte back this season, but were obviously spooked by what happened last season as they signed Jason Campbell and Michael Bush to add depth to those positions. The biggest revamping this off-season has been at the receiving positions as Brandon Marshall was traded from the Miami Dolphins and Alshon Jeffery was second round Draft pick.

Marshall and Jeffery will have a big impact in the passing game for the Bears and the Offensive Line looks a little better than it has been in recent seasons and they look a really good Offense with a lot of balance in the way they can move the chains.

The Bears have been known for a tough Defense and this season figures to be no different, although they are looking for improvements in the pass rush after picking Shea McClellin first in the NFL Draft to line up opposite Julius Peppers. Brian Urlacher was considered a doubt for the opening games of the season, but he is set to start in his usual Linebacker spot and you have to think there will be an improvement to their numbers from last season in both points per game and yards per game allowed.

Chicago can't be disappointed in their schedule this year and that makes me believe, with their added talent in key positions, that they will be the third team in this Division to reach double-digits in terms of wins. I really can't separate them and the Detroit Lions, and their game in Week 17 may be a 'Play Off' game in all but name, and they are currently favoured in 11 games so a 10-6 record is the minimum I am expecting.

Minnesota Vikings (3-13)


This is only the third season since the Minnesota Vikings were a play or two away from playing in the SuperBowl, but expectations of anything like that are long gone in what will be a transitional season.

Minnesota are just 9-23 in the last two seasons since reaching the NFC Championship Game and they have a number of question marks on the 2012 squad that makes me pretty sure they are going to have their third losing season in a row.

Christian Ponder is the second year Quarter Back, but he is playing behind an inexperienced Offensive Line that struggled to keep him upright last season, while Adrian Peterson is coming off an ACL injury and may be limited in the early part of the season. The receivers are decent, but outside of Percy Harvin there are not a lot of players that can heavily concern Defenses.

Jared Allen will continue leading the Defensive Line after racking up 22 sacks last season, but the Secondary and the Linebacker units are weak or inexperienced and it just seems the fans are going to have to be patient with their team.

Being in the NFC North means the Vikings have six games that are tough right off the bat, but there are some winnable games on the slate as they play Jacksonville, Arizona, Tennessee and Tampa Bay at home and also visit a rebuilding Indianapolis and Washington. However, I think they will do well to surpass the 3 wins they earned last season and I think Minnesota will be a unanimous pick to finish in the basement of the North everywhere except their locker room.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (13-3)


Where else can you start with the New Orleans Saints projections for the 2012 season than with the bounty-gate scandal that has seen them lose Head Coach Sean Payton for the season as well as Linebacker Jonathan Vilma, while other players are suspended for the early games as is Interim Head Coach Joe Vitt.

There are two ways this season can go for the Saints with all that in mind- either they rally together and have another big year, or they fall apart without their leader and fail to make the Play Offs.

With Drew Brees running the show from Quarter Back, I am backing the former to happen!

Brees was magical last season as he broke the NFL passing record that was formerly held by Dan Marino and also threw 46 touchdown passes. He has lost Robert Meacham in the passing game and Carl Nicks has moved to Tampa Bay from the Offensive Line, but there is still a lot of talent here and Ben Grubbs is an effective replacement on the OL.

They also have the balance of an effective running game that Green Bay would crave and have a number of players that will form a committee with Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles all offering different things from the backfield.

New Orleans biggest question is the Defense due to the bounty-gate scandal, but I actually think they will be able to cover the absentees. It has always been possible to pass against the Saints, but they are a Defense that causes turnovers and they can be comfortable attacking the Quarter Back as the Offense does give them leads to play with.

I won't be surprised if they continue giving up over 350 yards per game as a Defense, but I still believe they will come together over the suspensions they suffered and get the job done.

No team has ever retained the NFC South Division title since its inception, but I am projecting the New Orleans Saints to do that this year. The schedule is tough, but New Orleans are very good at home and I can see them splitting their eight road games to finish at 11-5 this season, slightly down on 2011.

Atlanta Falcons (10-6)


This is Mike Smith's fifth season as the Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons and he has led the team to the Play Offs in three of his previous four seasons... However, the pressure is now on Smith to lead them to a win in the Play Offs after losing all three of those appearances.

Atlanta have a very solid Offense that may have improved from last season now that Julio Jones has spent a season in the NFL, and there aren't too many weaknesses on this side of the ball. The Offensive Line will protect Matt Ryan enough so he can make plays and Michael Turner is still effective at running the ball to give them balance.

The bigger question for the Falcons may be the Defense which will now have Mike Nolan as the Defensive Co-Ordinator, a Coach who prefers a 3-4 system with what was a 4-3 Defense last season.

Atlanta will look to get more pressure on the Quarter Back from their front 3 or 4, but they have new starters in Linebacker positions and they have signed Asante Samuel to boost the Corner Back positions who is a player that can be burned as he likes risking moves for the Interception.

The Falcons could be a top team again in the NFC if they can get used to what Mike Nolan wants from them, particularly considering the success Nolan had with the Miami Dolphins last season (finished as the Number 6 Defense for points per game allowed).

Atlanta have a weaker schedule than the New Orleans Saints this season, but I think they are more likely to falter in games against Divisional rivals Tampa Bay and Carolina than the Saints so have projected them to finish below New Orleans. They have reached double-digit wins in three of the four seasons that Mike Smith has been in charge here, but I have them finishing 9-7, although only a surprise win or two away from winning the Division.





Carolina Panthers (6-10)


2011 was all about Cam Newton and all he achieved in his rookie season as a Carolina Panther, but that has increased the expectations in his second season.

All the doubts about whether Newton was the right choice with the Number 1 overall pick in the Draft were quickly erased when he took the field and all despite the lockout. Newton can run the ball as well as he can pass and there are enough playmakers on the Offensive side of the ball to think he can avoid the Sophomore Slump.

He is well protected by a decent Offensive Line and there is every chance they can finish in the top ten of both yards per game and points per game as they were a season ago.

The problem for Carolina remains the Defense which doesn't get enough pressure on the Quarter Back nor stops the run effectively. There remains issues in the Secondary and in the Linebacker position and it was no surprise they finished 27th or worse in yards per game and points per game allowed in 2011.

Depth is another concen for the Defense and they may need Frank Alexander and Luke Kuechly to come in and have an impact immediately (both chosen in the first three Rounds of the Draft).

There is a lot of expectation that Cam Newton can continue the upward curve for the Panthers who improved from 2 wins in 2010 to 6 wins last season, but the schedule isn't really conducive to that. The Defense is still rebuilding so Carolina will need to put up a lot of points to win games and I have them reaching the same 6-10 mark as last season with a potential to improve to 7-9 if the Saints have qualified for the Play Offs and rest starters in Week 17.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)


Raheem Morris was fired as the Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team crumbled down the stretch in 2011 falling from a 10 win team to a 4 win team. They now have had a complete overhaul of the Coaching staff, although much more is expected of this squad in 2012.

Josh Freeman struggled last season at Quarter Back, but he has been given some new weapons in the forms of Dallas Clark and Vincent Jackson. Doug Martin has also been picked up in the Draft to upgrade the Running Back position, while Carl Nicks was signed in Free Agency to improve the Offensive Line.

'Improve' is the word I have used a lot to describe the Offense and I expect that to be the case for a team that finished 27th in points per game last season.

Tampa Bay had the worst points per game allowed last season and were also 30th in terms of yards per game, but the Defense will be better if they can remain healthy. Mark Barron was their first pick in the Draft and Eric Wright was signed in Free Agency to improve the Secondary and these players will have to have an impact as the Buccaneers struggle to get enough pressure on the Quarter Back.

The coaching changes make it tough to evaluate how the Buccaneers will do this season, but the schedule does give them a chance to surpass last seasons 4 win year. They have improved units on the team that makes me think they can get up to as many as 6 or 7 wins this season, but it will depend on how they react to Greg Schiano in his first ever season as a NFL Head Coach.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

The San Francisco 49ers were the pick of the Division last season and there is nothing that has happened in the off-season to think that it will be any different in 2012.

Alex Smith is back to Quarter Back the team after their flirtation with Peyton Manning and he has been given some new weapons to work with as Mario Manningham and Randy Moss have signed to give him more options in the passing game.

Brandon Jacobs is in to help take the load off of Frank Gore's shoulders, but there have been a couple of changes to the Offensive Line, although nothing earth-shattering that will change the way they play the game.

The Red Zone efficiency of the 49ers was poor last season and led to David Akers hitting the most field goals in NFL history (and he had most attempts too at 52), but the arrival of someone like Moss may just open things up for Smith as he is a big body that will have to be respected by Defenses.

San Francisco's Defense remains one of the best in the NFL and they have exceptional talent on the Defensive Line and at Linebacker, units that just make the Secondary even better with the pressure they can create up front. As long as they stay healthy, I expect the 49ers may just finish in the top 5 of yards per game allowed and points per game.

The schedule is challenging at times for the 49ers, but they will get back into double-digits in number of wins this season and that will be enough for them to take the Division. I don't think the 49ers reach 13 wins though and are likely to be one of the teams involved in Wild Card Weekend.

Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

The Seattle Seahawks have finished 7-9 in each of their last two seasons, but it wasn't good enough to make the Play Offs in 2011 as it was in 2010. While they are still rebuilding the team to Pete Carroll's requirements, they may be one of the surprise teams in the NFC in the coming season.

I was very high on Russell Wilson after seeing the way he performed at Wisconsin last season, and I wasn't that surprised that someone took a chance on him in the Third Round as his leadership qualities and belief in his own game gave him every chance to make it in the NFL. However, I wasn't expecting him to be the starter when Seattle picked him up as they had signed Matt Flynn, the much sought after Free Agent Quarter Back, but Wilson has won the job and will go in Week 1.

He does have some good playmakers around him, but it is Wilson's mobility that might be his biggest asset as the Offensive Line is still inexperienced and gave up 50 sacks last season. Wilson will need the likes of Sidney Rice and Marshawn Lynch to stay healthy, but a rookie at Quarter Back behind this Offensive Line means they will have inconsistencies.

I am high on the Secondary in Seattle as they are the biggest in the NFL and do have the quality to match up with the big receivers we are seeing throughout the League.

It also seems to have been forgotten somewhere that this team finished 7th in Defense last year in terms of points per game allowed and 9th in terms of yards per game allowed. They made a surprise choice by picking Bruce Irvin with their first choice in the Draft, but he will help a team that only had 33 sacks last season.

That side of the ball looks like it has been upgraded this season on an already pretty productive unit and it will be down to the Offense to score enough points for them to protect.

Unfortunately for Seattle, they don't have a nice schedule and face FOUR games in the Eastern Time Zone. They also have a tough start to the season for Russell Wilson and the Offense and could be as bad as 1-7 at Week 8, but I still think they are an improving team that may just equal their 7-9 record for the third straight season with a little bit of luck and a couple of surprise results (remember they knocked off New York Giants in New York, Chicago in Chicago and also Baltimore and Philadelphia).

Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

The Arizona Cardinals were the SuperBowl runners-up in 2008, but the retirement of Kurt Warner in 2009 has left them in an uncertain state at Quarter Back and they are yet to have a winning season since his departure, something I don't expect will change this season.

John Skelton has won the Quarter Back job from Kevin Kolb as the Cardinals were another team that missed on the Peyton Manning sweepstakes. Skelton is a little inconsistent, but will have two big targets this season in Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd (first pick in Draft) and he will also be hoping to have a healthier Todd Heap back.

The Offensive Line remains a developing unit after they allowed 54 sacks in 2011 and they were reinforced with lower Draft picks so I still think that will be an issue for the team. However, Skelton may be able to get the ball out quicker with teams double-teaming Fitzgerald and Floyd being a 6 foot 3 target.

Arizona's Defense is still young and improving and were better in almost all key Defensive categories in 2011 than they were in 2010. Patrick Peterson could be a real shut down Corner Back in the Secondary that will have improved with his year of experience underneath him.

However, the uncertainty at Quarter Back will only take this team so far and that is one of their problems in the NFC West with San Francisco in the Division.

They haven't been given any favours in the schedule and that is why, coupled with the Quarter Back issues, that make have me projecting Arizona below Seattle and finishing with their second losing season in three seasons since Warner retired.

St Louis Rams (2-14)

After 'winning' the Number 1 pick in the NFL Draft in 2009, the St Louis Rams were only one more loss away from finishing in that position yet again last season as they had the joint worst record in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. They brought in Jeff Fisher as Head Coach, but the New Orleans Saints' bounty-gate scandal filtered to them as Gregg Williams, who had been picked to run the Defense, was suspended for the entire season.

The overhaul of the Coaching staff is going to cause some teething problems for the Rams, but they do have a franchise Quarter Back here in the form of Sam Bradford as long as they offer him some protection. Last season, they gave up 55 sacks, the most in the NFL, and Bradford missed 6 games as he took a bit of a beating behind the Offensive Line at times.

Unfortunately for Bradford, the Offensive Line is being rebuilt so it could be another tough year for him behind Center. The Rams did take a couple of Wide Receivers in the Draft this year, but they have lost Brandon Lloyd so it seems the Offense will rely on the running game provided by Steven Jackson.

Jackson is a top running back, but is now in his ninth year in the NFL and has had injury problems, although he only missed one game last season. A lot of the Rams Offense is likely to go through him if Fisher's previous Head Coaching roles are anything to go by.

The Rams picked up two players for the Defense in the first three rounds of the Draft this season and there is some talent on this side of the ball. The Defensive Line has players like Chris Long and Robert Quinn who will provide pressure from the Defensive Ends while Michael Brookers will come and play in his rookie season in the middle of that line.

However, I still think there are issues in the Secondary that can be exploited, despite the addition of Cortland Finnegan and it could be another tough season for St Louis (who are rumoured to be moving to Los Angeles so how will the fans respond if they start losing?)

St Louis should be improved from a season ago and the schedule does get easier after finishing in the basement of the NFC West, while they have a Division where they will feel they can take 2 of their 3 home games at the least. I have projected them to at least double last seasons 2 win total, possibly finishing as well as 5-11 in a transitional season.


The NFC looks to be the deeper, stronger Conference of the two in the NFL this season and I think they are going to pick up another SuperBowl winner.

Green Bay should be the team that finishes with the Number 1 seed in the Conference, but they have some ghosts to exorcise after being bounced in their first game last season. I have then projected the Philadelphia Eagles, with their easier schedule compared with the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, to finish Number 2.

New Orleans and San Francisco should round up the Division winners, but the Wild Card race could be really interesting all the way to Week 17 when Chicago visit Detroit and both the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants face Divisional rivals.

It is really difficult to pick a winner of the Conference as injuries and momentum are factors I just can't predict, but Green Bay have sounded plenty focused in the off-season and may just make home-field advantage count this time around.

NFC Play Off Prediction: Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and New York Giants