2011-12 NFL Season Predictions
(The Spread) – Who will win the 2012 Super Bowl? Ha! Like anyone knows. Here are our best guesses though, broken down division-by-division.
Here are our division-by-division predictions for the 2011-12 NFL Regular Season. Listed next to every team are their odds to win the 2012 Super Bowl as of this date. Check our NFL Futures Section for updated Super Bowl odds.
AFC East Predictions: 1. Patriots (13/2) 2. Jets (12/1) 3. Dolphins (55/1) 4. Bills (150/1)
The Patriots don’t come without their flaws but Bill Belichick will make the additions of Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco work, lifting New England to another division title. The Jets are legitimate Super Bowl contenders again this year thanks to their defense but Mark Sanchez will make or break them. After failing to acquire Kyle Orton this offseason, the Dolphins could struggle again this year with Chad Henne under center and the Bills have made marginal improvements from last year (if any).
AFC North Predictions: 1. Ravens (16/1) 2. Steelers (14/1) 3. Browns (80/1) 4. Bengals (100/1)
Joe Flacco is destined for huge things in his fourth year and I think this is the season it all comes together for the Ravens, whose window to win is now. The Steelers will once again be in the thick of things but thus far, they’ve failed to address their two biggest weaknesses: their offensive line and pass defense. Due to the lockout and the overhaul of their coaching staff, the Browns will struggle in the early going and likely be out of the playoff mix by midseason, while the Bengals could stumble with first-year quarterback Andy Dalton taking over for Carson Palmer.
AFC South Predictions: 1. Texans (25/1) 2. Colts (18/1) 3. Titans (75/1) 4. Jaguars (75/1)
Fans in Houston have been waiting three years for the Texans to overtake the Colts in the division and now this might be the year. The Texans still have a ton of question marks defensively but when Wade Phillips has the opportunity to focus solely on that side of the ball, he does wonders for a team. The signing of Jonathan Joseph should help the brutal pass defense, which will be key going against Peyton Manning twice a year. Assuming Matt Hasselbeck’s back is okay, the Titans should be better than they were a year ago but Tennessee and Jacksonville don’t have the overall talent and depth to match up with Houston and Indy in the division.
AFC West Predictions: 1. Chargers (11/1) 2. Chiefs (40/1) 3. Broncos (80/1) 4. Raiders (65/1)
As long as they don’t get in their own way, the Chargers should reclaim this division from the Chiefs, who surprisingly won the West in 2010. The Chiefs could take a big step back this year due to the fact that they won’t sneak up on opponents and they face a tougher schedule. Outside of his final year in Carolina, John Fox always gets his players to compete but he’ll need a year or two before he builds a winner in Denver. Oakland swept the division last season but losing Nnamdi Asomugha was a huge blow to the Raiders defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were competitive but Asomugha took half the field away for them defensively.
NFC East Predictions: 1. Eagles (15/2) 2. Cowboys (16/1) 3. Giants (25/1) 4. Redskins (65/1)
There’s no question that the Eagles are in win-now mode after loading up in the offseason. The addition of Nnamdi Asomugha will strengthen one of the biggest weaknesses for Philly last season and as long as quarterback Michael Vick stays healthy, the Eagles are legit Super Bowl threats. The Cowboys should be much improved this year and with Tony Romo back under center, their offense should see a revival under Jason Garrett’s guidance. The Giants are hamstrung with cap issues and potential distractions (Osi Umenyiora), while the Redskins are a total mess.
NFC North Predictions: 1. Packers (7/1) 2. Bears (28/1) 3. Lions (30/1) 4. Vikings (35/1)
The Packers are the class of the NFC until somebody proves otherwise. Don’t forget that Green Bay was ravaged by injuries last season and will be getting many of those key players (i.e. Jermichael Finely) back this season. The Bears’ defense will keep them in the playoff hunt this year, while the Lions could be the surprise of the NFC if their pass defense holds up and the Vikings will be competitive but the hopes rests on an aging Donovan McNabb.
NFC South Predictions: 1. Saints (16/1) 2. Falcons (14/1) 3. Bucs (30/1) 4. Panthers (150/1)
The Falcons won the division last year but they have depth issues at key positions, where as the Saints have addressed many of their shortcomings from a year ago. Expect Drew Brees to bounce back this year and for the Saints to resemble the Super Bowl team they were in 2009. The Bucs are a force to be reckoned with but it’ll be interesting to see how the Aqib Talib legal situation plays out and the Panthers are in complete rebuilding mode.
NFC West Predictions: 1. Cardinals (65/1) 2. Rams (40/1) 3. 49ers (50/1) 4. Seahawks (80/1)
The Rams will be everyone’s chic pick to win this division but they have an absolutely brutal first half schedule. The Cardinals, meanwhile, may have solved their issues at quarterback after trading for Kevin Kolb and the Seahawks could take a step back with Charlie Whitehurst (or Tarvaris Jackson?) running the show. The 49ers, meanwhile, are a complete mystery. Jim Harbaugh could have this team competing in Year 1 or Alex Smith could sink them. Who knows?
AFC Playoff Teams: Patriots, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Jets, Steelers
NFC Playoff Teams: Eagles, Packers, Saints, Cardinals, Falcons, Cowboys
AFC Title Game: Ravens over Jets
NFC Title Game: Saints over Packers
2012 Super Bowl Prediction: Saints over Ravens
At 16/1 to win the 2012 Super Bowl, it’s hard not to love the Saints this season. Brees had a down year but I expect him to bounce back and GM Mickey Loomis did a great job shoring up weaknesses this offseason on both sides of the ball. New Orleans plays in a tough division but as previously mentioned, Atlanta has depth concerns and Tampa Bay is still young as a whole. The Ravens were built to win last year but need to have a better regular season in order to avoid playing back-to-back road games in the playoffs. While the Patriots, Jets, Chargers and Texans will be tough, I like Baltimore to emerge in the AFC.