Off-Season Division By Division NFL Predictions

Will the Broncos be in the hunt for a third Lombardi Trophy in 2012?

Denver, CO – So the NFL Draft is over, most free agents have been signed, and it’s early May. That means it’s still football season, right? Yep. It never really ends, it just depends how long ago the Super Bowl was, and how close training camp is (only a little more than 2 months away!). The NBA playoffs are interesting and about to get really good, the NHL playoffs have been fantastic, and baseball is just a little over a month old. My point is, I don’t care what month it is, we can always talk football and what better time than now? The Avs didn’t make the playoffs, the Nuggets are mere hours from becoming roadkill, and the Rockies are already annoying me with underachieving play. So, here are my division by division predictions for the NFL in 2012!

AFC East
1. New England 13-3
2. Buffalo 9-7
3. N.Y. Jets 8-8
4. Miami 4-12

- The Patriots have added Joseph Addai and Brandon Lloyd, and added a ton of defense in the draft. Buffalo could contend for a wildcard as a surprise team. The Jets locker room will implode by October, and Tebow’s prayers will not be answered. Miami is just simply overmatched.

AFC North
1. Pittsburgh 11-5
2. Cincinnati 10-6
3. Baltimore 9-7
4. Cleveland 4-12

- Losing Terrell Suggs will be huge, as I just sense a down year for the Ravens. Cincinnati has been stockpiling young guys and last year was no fluke. Pittsburgh is still the class, but getting old on defense. Cleveland is Cleveland, but I like them adding Brandon Weeden at QB.

AFC South
1. Houston 11-5
2. Tennessee 9-7
3. Indianapolis 6-10
4. Jacksonville 5-11

- This division is bad, but getting better. Houston has better talent, and should win this division easily. Andrew Luck will have a good year and Indy will upset a few teams. Tennessee will just miss the playoffs, but will be a tough opponent all year. The Jaguars are basically a mess, and will move to L.A. in about three years.

AFC West
1. Denver 12-4
2. Kansas City 8-8
3. San Diego 7-9
4. Oakland 6-10

- Peyton Manning will be fantastic, and the Broncos offense will be a blast to watch. The Chargers lost Vincent Jackson, and always seem to disappoint. The Chiefs will get back Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry from injuries, but they can’t compete with Denver. Oakland is still dysfunctional, and can you really expect them to contend?

NFC East
1. Philadelphia 12-4
2. N.Y. Giants 10-6
3. Dallas 9-7
4. Washington 6-10

- Philly learned their lesson last year, and will come into 2012 very motivated. Michael Vick will be the 2012 NFL MVP. I still like the Giants, but the hunger won’t be there quite like last year. Dallas will miss the playoffs, and coach Jason Garrett will be fired. Robert Griffin III will be exciting, but Mike Shanahan will mess this up somehow.

NFC North
1. Green Bay 13-3
2. Chicago 10-6
3. Detroit 9-7
4. Minnesota 4-12

- The Packers will bounce back and emerge as a power once again. Chicago added some firepower in Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush, which will vault them above Detroit. The Lions will disappoint somewhat, with bigger expectations this year. Minnesota is in no position to compete in the NFL’s toughest division.

NFC South
1. Atlanta 11-5
2. Carolina 10-6
3. New Orleans 8-8
4. Tampa Bay 6-10

- New Orleans will struggle with all the turmoil they have to deal with. Losing Sean Payton for the year is a huge blow. Atlanta is money in the regular season, but winning in the playoffs has been the challenge. Carolina is my surprise team for 2012, as they will make the playoffs. The Bucs are rebuilding and just not quite ready.

NFC West
1. San Francisco 10-6
2. St. Louis 8-8
3. Seattle 7-9
4. Arizona 6-10

- This division is weak, but getting a little better. The defense should allow the Niners to win this division again. St. Louis is a year away from being dangerous. Seattle is too undisciplined behind coach Pete Carroll. Arizona still has too many holes.

Minnesota, Cleveland, and Miami will be vying for the #1 pick in next year’s draft. Michael Vick will be the MVP. Andrew Luck will be rookie of the year, and Peyton Manning will be comeback player of the year. No playoff picks yet, as that will come in August. Would love to hear your thoughts, so log in and comment below!

Denver Sports by J Simp