It’s that time of year again; time to take a look into the future and see how the 2012 NFL season will play out. As always, whether you agree or disagree, your comments and alternate predictions are always welcome.
AFC division winners
East — New England Patriots
Beyond Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the Patriots have two things working in their favour this year: the easiest schedule in the NFL and the most prolific offence in the AFC.
North — Baltimore Ravens
Even with the Steelers and Bengals standing in their way, the Ravens will find a way to win the division. Led by a great defence and multi-purpose back Ray Rice, Baltimore will be tough all year.
South — Houston Texans
The franchise’s first playoff berth last season was not a fluke. The Texans are on the verge of becoming one of the elite teams in the AFC. As long as Matt Schaub and Arian Foster stay healthy, and Wade Phillips’ defence continues to dominate, Houston should win their division with ease.
West — Denver Broncos
Denver won’t run away with the division, but the addition of future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning will be more than enough for the Broncos to win the usually unpredictable AFC West.
AFC Wild Cards
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are aging and halve already experienced some key injuries in the preseason. But that stifling defence and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be enough for Mike Tomlin’s crew to squeak into the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC North is the conference’s toughest division and will feature three playoff teams in 2012. Even with a killer final three games of the season — against the Eagles, Steelers and Ravens — the second-year duo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will emulate their rookie season, as the Bengals earn the final Wild Card spot in the AFC.
NFC division winners
East — New York Giants
I’m not sure why people aren’t giving the Giants more respect. The reigning Super Bowl champions still have the best defensive front four in the NFL. Add two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and the NFL’s leading receiver in 2011 Victor Cruz and that will be enough for them to win the NFC’s strongest division.
North — Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers and the array of weapons he has to work with make up the best offence in the NFL. After having the worst defence in the NFL last season, primarily against the pass, defensive coordinator Dom Capers will make sure it doesn’t happen again. More importantly, the addition of running back Cedric Benson will turn out to be a good one for the Pack.
South — Atlanta Falcons
In a normal year I would still be leaning towards the Saints. But with "Bounty Gate" still hovering over New Orleans and no permanent head coach, there will be nothing normal about 2012 for the Saints. The Falcons will use that to their benefit and steal the division. It also doesn’t hurt the Falcons that receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White are poised to have huge years behind the arm of Matt Ryan.
West — San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are lucky they play in a weak division, as it’s the only way they can get away with a starting quarterback like Alex Smith. That being said don’t be shocked if Randy Moss turns out to be the comeback player of the year in the NFL. The crown jewel of the 49ers, and the key to a successful season, is their outstanding defence, led by middle linebacker Patrick Willis.
NFC Wild Cards
Chicago Bears
Oh boy, Jay Cutler is healthy and gets to work with Brandon Marshall again every week? Watch out for the Bears. Versatile back Matt Forte is also healthy and, although their average age is rising, Chicago still has a tough defence. Add that all up and the Bears have what it takes to win a Wild Card spot with ease.
New Orleans Saints
Against all odds the Saints will end up grabbing the second Wild Card in the NFC. Beyond his excellent abilities as a quarterback, the leadership skills of Drew Brees will galvanize the Saints as they band together to overcome “Bounty Gate”. Despite instability at the coaching position, Brees still has tight end Jimmy Graham and a ton of other weapons to work with.
NFC playoff note: I understand the Lions and Eagles are the sexy picks in the NFC. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will lead the Lions to their fair share of wins. However the shortcomings in the Lions secondary and flux at the running back position will prove to be their undoing. The Eagles are a talented team but I have no faith that Michael Vick will stay healthy long enough for them to make the playoffs.
Playoffs
AFC Championship — New England Patriots over Houston Texans
In an epic affair at a freezing Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady and the Patriots offence will prove to be too much for the Texans’ top-ranked defence to handle.
NFC Championship — Green Bay Packers over New York Giants
On a snowy, windy day at MetLife stadium Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will get their revenge for last year’s NFC Divisional loss to the Giants.
Super Bowl XLVII — New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers
Defence will take a back seat in this one as the two best offences in the NFL will light up the scoreboard at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in a game for the ages. This time the Patriots will be able to muster up just enough defence, as Brady and Belichick will win their fourth Super Bowl together, avenging last year’s bitter loss to the Giants.
NFL Awards
MVP — Aaron Rodgers
The ringleader of the Packers offence, Rodgers threw 45 touchdowns and only six interceptions last year. Expect him to match those gaudy numbers and don’t be surprised if he exceeds them; he’s just that good.
Defensive player of the year — Jason Pierre-Paul
The 23-year-old Giants defensive end is on the verge of super-stardom. Last season Pierre-Paul had 16.5 sacks and was a key in the Giants’ Super Bowl win. This year, JPP will put up even bigger numbers as he enters the prime of his career.
NFC rookie of the year — Luke Kuechly
Robert Griffin III is a great player but Panthers linebacker Kuechly is going to have a huge year with the Panthers defence. Kuechly’s play and improvement of Carolina’s defence will overshadow anything RGIII does with the Redskins.
AFC rookie of the year — Andrew Luck
He won’t run for as many yards as Cam Newton did last year, but there’s little doubt that Luck will put up impressive passing numbers in his rookie season.