Early Predictions for 2012-13 NFL Season- Post Super Bowl

     Predictions are based off of teams current state and what I think each team will do in the offseason.


AFC East
1 New England Patriots      14-2- Two first and second round picks will bolster their depth on defense, the offense will continue to be electric, the schedule is similar to this past season
2 Miami Dolphins     9-7- They played very well down the stretch of 2011, I expect them to acquire Matt Flynn, the defense will continue to improve, they will fight for a playoff berth
4 Buffalo Bills     8-8- People forget how big of a loss Fred Jackson was, he's back, the defense still needs to improve, a free agent or two away from maybe being a wild card team
4 New York Jets     7-9- Major issues within the locker room, immense amount of pressure on Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan, you can start to see how next year might be a disaster unless they acquire Peyton Manning


AFC North
1 Pittsburgh Steelers     11-5- I can't imagine they could have more injuries than they did this year, the defense is still elite
2 Baltimore Ravens      10-6- Brutal schedule next year, defense is still very good but older, might need an addition or two to stay elite in the AFC
3 Cincinnati Bengals     6-10- Benefitted from a pretty weak schedule in 2011, don't necessarily see a step back in 2012 but the schedule is brutal for a team with a few weak areas
4 Cleveland Browns     4-12- Robert Griffin III has more ups than downs, but the Browns still have many, many weak areas going up against a very difficult schedule


AFC South
1 Houston Texans     13-3- Expect them to get healthy and have a breakout year, the defense is outstanding, the offense is as balanced as it gets
2 Tennessee Titans     7-9- The defense is unknown and underrated and depending on how Jake Locker does, they might be a playoff contender
3 Indianapolis Colts      4-12- The Andrew Luck era begins and he has does pretty well, but there are a ton of holes on this team that remain
4 Jacksonville Jaguars     2-14- The defense is pretty good, but the offense is truly miserable with the exception of Maurice Jones-Drew


AFC West
1 Oakland Raiders     10-6- People forget about Darren McFadden's absence last year, need to fill in some holes on defense, should contend again in 2012
2 Kansas City Chiefs     9-7- The Chiefs were bit by the injury bug, they have drafted well recently so that most likely will continue, the defense is underrated and very steady
3 San Diego Chargers     9-7- They seem to beat themselves every year, maybe they'll catch a break or two and won't shoot themselves in the foot
4 Denver Broncos     7-9- The Broncos benefitted from winning a really, really weak AFC West last year, Tebow needs to improve, the defense has holes to fill


NFC East
1 New York Giants     11-5- Defending Super Bowl Champs return most from last year, have many let down games, another brutal schedule in 2012
2 Dallas Cowboys     11-5- Balanced and prolific offense, good defense, key for them is to close out close games
3 Philadelphia Eagles     10-6- Defense was solid down the stretch, offense needs to protect the ball better, prolific enough to be a Super Bowl caliber team
4 Washington Redskins     9-7- I believe they will pick up Peyton Manning, worst case they get a guy like Robert Griffin III, the running game is underrated, the defense is pretty solid


NFC North
1 Detroit Lions     12-4- Many players return, young and energetic, bright future
2 Green Bay Packers     12-4- Defense has many questions, offense is top notch
3 Chicago Bears     9-7- Still need wide receivers and depth defensively, getting older defensively, play in a tough division
4 Minnesota Vikings     3-13- No Adrian Peterson for a significant portion of next year, many questions all over the field, rough season ahead on paper


NFC South
1 Atlanta Falcons     11-5- Look to take the next step in 2012, very good offensively with Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones
2 New Orleans Saints     11-5- Many questions to answer regarding free agency, still potent offensively, excellent playing at home
3 Carolina Panthers     7-9- Offense is dynamic, defensive is horrific, might be a surprise team and be a wild card contender
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers     2-14- A lot of issues everywhere you look, tough division, not an easy schedule, might be another rough season


NFC West
1 San Francisco 49ers     13-3- Play excellent defense, defense is improving, might lose a few impact players to free agency
2 Arizona Cardinals     7-9- Maybe Kevin Kolb could improve in 2012, the defense is pretty good, tougher schedule in 2012
3 Seattle Seahawks     7-9- Big question is at quarterback, defense is good, need another piece or two to contend with San Francisco
4 St. Louis Rams     5-11- Still a ton of weak spots, need Sam Bradford to play better


Playoff Seeding 
AFC
1 New England Patriots 
2 Houston Texans 
3 Pittsburgh Steelers 
4 Oakland Raiders 
5 Baltimore Ravens 
6 Miami Dolphins 


NFC
1 San Francisco 49ers 
2 Detroit Lions 
3 New York Giants 
4 Atlanta Falcons 
5 Green Bay Packers 
6 Dallas Cowboys 


Wild Card Round

5)Green Bay over 4)Atlanta     30-24
6)Miami over 3)Pittsburgh     27-23
6)Dallas over 3)New York     23-20
5)Baltimore over 4)Oakland     27-14


Divisional Round
2)Houston over 5)Baltimore     21-17
5)Green Bay over 2)Detroit     34-27
1)New England over 6)Miami     24-23
1)San Francisco over 6)Dallas     31-14


Conference Championships
5)Green Bay over 1)San Francisco     24-20
1)New England over 2)Houston     25-23


Super Bowl XLVII
New England over Green Bay     34-31