Ok, ok it's time for Serpenth's 2012 NFL Predictions! I have not gone through every single game of the schedule, my record predictions are based on how well I think each team will do so they some how mathematically may not work but you guys get the general idea.
(#) = playoff seed
AFC East
(1)New England Patriots 13-3
New York Jets 8-8
Buffalo Bills 7-9
Miami Dolphins 5-11
Analysis: Patriots have not changed much, if anything they have gotten better. Sanchez will continue to struggle and people will begin to ponder whether or not the Bills jumped the gun on giving Fitzpatrick a long term deal. Tannehill will struggle in his rookie season, a lot.
AFC North
(4)Baltimore Ravens 11-5
(5)Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5
Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
Cleveland Browns 4-12
Analysis: Pretty much the same story as last in this division minus the Bengals returning to the playoffs. I also predict Brandon Weeden will be this years Blaine Gabbert. Really horrible rookie Quarterback.
AFC South
(2)Houston Texans 12-4
Tennessee Titans 9-7
Indianapolis Colts 7-9
Jacksonville Jaguars 3-13
Analysis: Houston will be a very well balanced team and be a heavy favorite for the Lombardi Trophy. The Titans will start off slow but make a mid season playoff push. Luck will give the Colts fans some hope with some exciting wins but he will still make some rookie mistakes. Expect them back in the hunt in 2013. The Jaguars on the other hand are hopeless and speculation will be heavy for a move after the season. Kahn may be paying out the big bucks to break his clause with the former owner.
AFC West
(3)Denver Broncos 12-4
(6)Kansas City Chiefs 10-6
San Diego Chargers 8-8
Oakland Raiders 2-14
Analysis: I am firm believer that Peyton will make the Broncos a strong contender and they will disprove a lot of people conquering a tough schedule. The Chiefs will be a solid team with the Chargers going into the off season with very big questions on offense. The Raiders will be abysmal and likely have Matt Barkely on the top of their Draft Board - in October.
NFC East
(1)Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
(6)New York Giants 10-6
Washington Redskins 8-8
Dallas Cowboys 7-9
Analysis: The dream finally comes true in Philadelphia with them being the heavy favorite in the NFC. The Giants will play tough all year but I don't predict as much salsa dancing. The skins will show some promise but won't be able to win many games in the division to stay in the race. The Cowboys just won't be good. Like the skins did last year, I think they move up to get a promising QB in the draft to challenge Romo for the job in 2013.
NFC North
(3)Green Bay Packers 11-5
Chicago Bears 10-6
Detroit Lions 9-7
Minnesota Vikings 6-10
Analysis: WTF PACKERS 11-5????? Yup. The Bears will make some noise in the playoff hunt with the Lions starting out very strong like last year and self destructing mid season. The Vikings will still lack some major talent on defense but Ponder will show some promise that this team will make the NFC North that much tighter next year.
NFC South
(2)New Orleans Saints 12-4
(5)Atlanta Falcons 10-6
Carolina Panthers 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-9
Analysis: The Saints will be a remarkable story getting through this season with all that has happened. The Falcons will look really good but just lose some tight games while the Panthers show 1 man can't win a super bowl. The Bucs just aren't there yet and may have to figure out what's up with Josh Freeman.
NFC West
(4)San Francisco 49ers 10-6
Seattle Seahawks 8-8
St Louis Rams 7-9
Arizona Cardinals 4-12
Analysis: The 49ers take the division while the Seahawks are the Seahawks. The Rams show a lot of promise and make a lot of people believe that after the next Draft they will have all the pieces. Arizona will go back and forth between Kolb and Skelton for the first 5 weeks but after that nobody will care because they'll have won one game.
PLAYOFFS!
Wild Card Weekend Byes: New England, Houston, Philadelphia, New Orleans
(3) Denver Broncos defeat (6) Kansas City Chiefs
(4) Baltimore Ravens defeat (5) Pittsburgh Steelers
(6) New York Giants defeat (3) Green Bay Packers
(4) San Francisco 49ers defeat (5) Atlanta Falcons
Divisional Round
(1) New England Patriots defeat (4) Baltimore Ravens
(2) Houston Texans defeat (3) Denver Broncos
(1) Philadelphia Eagles defeat (6) New York Giants
(4) San Francisco 49ers defeat (2) New Orleans Saints
Conference Championships
(2) Houston Texans defeat (1) New England Patriots
(1) Philadelphia Eagles defeat (4) San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl
Philadelphia Eagles defeat Houston Texans
That was kind of fun. My Analysis' got a little lazy but whatever. Let me know what you think!