2012 St. Louis Rams Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 75-1

The Rams were awful last season so they fired Steve Spagnuolo and hired former Titans’ coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher has his work cut out for him though the Rams pulled off a blockbuster trade right before the draft that should help them get back to being competitive in the West. They had Washington’s first-round picks in 2012, ’13, and ’14 and also added Washington’s second round pick for the number two pick in the draft. The Rams spent their first pick (14th) on DT Michael Brockers from LSU, then added WR Brian Quick from Appalachian State in the second round. They also acquired CB Cortland Finnegan in free agency from Tennessee and added C Scott Wells from Green Bya to bolster this O-line.

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Offense:
The Rams were a mess last year on offense as they ranked 31st overall and 30th passing. The key is the healthy of QB Sam Bradford, who missed six games due to a high ankle sprain. Bradford threw for 2,164 yards with 6 TDs and 6 INTs (70.5 passer rating) in just 10 games. He also had to play for a new system under Josh McDaniels, which had an emphasis on deeper throws. Bradford is more of a rhythm passer who excels making quick reads. He will now play for OC Brian Schottenheimer, who should help his game. The other problem was lack of quality receivers. Danny Amendola was Bradford’s favorite target and caught five passes in the first game before dislocating his elbow. He’s back along with Brandon Gibson (36 for 431 yards). The Rams need Quick (6-3, 220) and fourth-round pick Chris Givens (5-11, 198) to produce early and often in the rotation. At tight end, Lance Kendricks (6-3, 243) is a work-in-progress, who had 28 catches for 431 yards last year. Steven Jackson (6-1, 236) should also benefit from the new offense. Jackson, now 29, amassed 1,145 yards on 260 attempts last year with five scores. The addition of 2nd-round pick Isaiah Pead (5-10, 193) should help as a change-of-pace back. The O-line returns RG Harvey Dahl (6-6, 305), the only offensive player to start all 16 games. Wells (6-2, 300) was a Pro Bowl center for the Packers last year and offers durability and intelligence. The key will be the tackle spot with Rodger Saffold (6-5, 318) and Jason Smith (6-5, 307). Saffold missed the last seven games with a torn pectoral muscle but he didn’t play well before the injury. Smith has played in just 29 games over three seasons due to injuries. The Rams need both to stay healthy to have a much better offense.

Defense:
The defense ranked 22nd in the NFL overall and were 31st against the run, allowing an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Gregg Williams was supposed to be the defensive coordinator but he was suspended in bountygate. So Fisher and assistant Dave McGinnis will likely handle the 4-3 scheme. DE Chris Long (6-3, 276) is coming off his best season, recording 13 sacks, while playing through nagging injuries. He also added 16 qb hits and 15 qb pressures. Last year’s first-rounder Robert Quinn (6-4, 265) started slow but ended up with five sacks and three blocked punts. At tackle, Kendall Langford (6-5, 295) is expected to be the new starter next to rookie Brockers (6-5, 322). Brockers is raw but a dominant run stuffer with great explosion. At linebacker, James Laurinaitis (6-2, 247) led the team in tackles (142) for the third straight season. He’s a physical player who should make more plays with better tackles in front of him. On the weak side, the Rams will have a competition between Rocky McIntosh (6-2, 238) and Justin Cole (6-3, 242), who appeared on special teams last year. On the strong side, Jo-Lonn Dunbar (6-0, 226) is the front runner to start. He was a full-time starter on the strong side and in the middle for the Saints. At cornerback, Finnegan (5-10, 188) comes over from the Titans to give the secondary experience and an edge. He also hits and set the tone against the run. The other corner could be rookie Janoris Jenkins (5-10, 193), a second-rounder from North Alabama who started his career at Florida. He’ll compete with Bradley Fletcher and third-round pick Trumaine Johnson for the other starting corner spot. At safety, FS Quintin Mikell (5-10, 206) finished second in tackles with 91, adding two picks. He’s a sure tackler and one of three Rams defender to start all 16 games. At strong safety, Darian Stewart (5-11, 216) and Craig Dahl (6-2, 209) will vie for the starting spot.

Special Teams
The Rams brought in sixth-round rookie Greg Zuerlein as the new kicker replacing Josh Brown (21 of 28). Zuerlein made 21 field goals in a row at Division II Missouri Western. P Tom Malone is the front runner for the starting job to replace Donnie Jones (44.3) who left in free agency. The return game was awful last year though Nick Miller, who averaged 21.5 ypr on kicks did returns a punt 88 yards and averaged 16ypr on just 8 returns. Pead and Austin Pettis should add some spice to the return game this year.

Outlook:
The Rams are rebuilding so expectations shouldn’t be high this year. They are in tough conference and face a tough, but not overwhelming last place schedule. Winning 6 or 7 games this year would be nice.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 Seattle Seahawks Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 50-1

The Seahawks were hoping to contend because they have a new quarterback in Matt Flynn, a free agent from Green Bay. He was expected to take over for the inconsistent Tarvaris Jackson, who was in the final year of a two-year, $8 million contract. Now they are paying Flynn, who has two career starts, $8 million in the first year of his contract. Jackson actually played well in the second half of the season, going 5-3 with a 85.3 passer rating. They traded Jackson away to Buffalo because of one player: Russell WIlson. They drafted Wilson from Wisconsin, who is just 5-foot-11 but has great smarts and leadership skills. They Seahawks had a pretty strong defense last year and they got better with the additions of DL Jason Jones (Tennessee), MLB Barrett Ruud (Tenn.) and first-round DE Bruce Irvin (West Virginia).

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Offense:
The offense finished just 28th last but the bigger disappointment was the running game, which finished 21st. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns (4.2ypc). He earned a Prowl invite and will get some relief when Robert Turbin (5-10, 222), a powerfully-built rookie from Utah State helps out. Flynn is known for his accuracy but he’s really had little time to prove himself. Jackson threw for 3,091 yards, 14 TDs and 13 INTs (79.2 passer rating). Wilson won the job because of a great preseason, while Flynn was injured. At receiver, Sidney Rice was the team’s top free-agent acquisition last year and was a disappointment, catching 32 passes for 484 yards in nine games due to shoulder and concussion issues. Doug Baldwin was outstanding out of the slot, catching 51 passes for 788 yards. WR Mike Williams (6-5, 235) has great size but had issues with dropping passes. At tight end, Zach Miller (6-4, 255) caught 25 passes for 233 yards and was forced into a blocking rule due to injuries on the offensive line. Speaking of the O-line, Seattle improved as a run-blocking unit as they rushed for at least 100 years in seven of their final eight games. They lost LT Russell Okung (6-5, 310) in Week 13 due to a torn pec after a cheap shot by Eagle DE Trent Cole. The right side lost OG John Moffitt (6-4, 319) and OT James Carpenter (6-4, 321) to season ending knee injuries in November. All are back though Carpenter will have to win his job from ex-Packer Breno Giacomini (6-7, 318). Paul McQuistan (6-6, 315) started three games at left guard, three at right guard and four at left tackle. He will likely start at left guard for the departed Robert Gallery.

Defense:
The defense finished 9th overall but they struggled some against the run (15th). They did re-sign DE Red Bryant (6-4, 323), an outstanding run-stuffer in the 4-3. He also had two picks and is very athletic for his size. DE Chris Clemons (6-3, 254) became the first Seahawks player to record at least 10 sacks in each of his first two seasons with the team. He had 11 sacks and 51 tackles last year. At defensive tackle, the Seahawks signed Jason Jones (6-5, 280) from the Titans to bolster the inside pass rush. They also drafted DE Bruce Irvin (6-3, 248) in the first round to improve the rush, though he’s a situational player at this point. Brandon Mebane (6-1, 311) is solid inside as the ranked first in the NFC with 56 tackles among interior linemen. At linebacker, they lose leading tackler David Hawthorne to the Saints. MLB Barrett Ruud (6-2, 241) had more than 100 tackles in four straight seasons with Tampa Bay and played under current DC Gus Bradley. Ruud started nine games for the Titans last season but was placed on the IR in mid-December. WLB Leroy Hill (6-1, 239) is back after recording 90 tackles with four sacks. SLB K.J. Wright (6-3, 246) amassed 65 tackles as a rookie and should continue to improve. The Seahawks’ secondary is very talented. Pro Bowl FS Earl Thomas had only two picks in 2011 but did have 97 tackles last year. SS Kam Chancellor is a hard-hitting, physical defender, who picked off three passes and recorded 97 tackles last year. At corner, Brandon Browner (6-4, 221), a former product of the CFL and Richard Sherman (6-3, 195) give the Seahawks the tallest duo in the league.

Special Teams:
The Seahawks have a solid punter in Jon Ryan, who averaged 46.6 yards per punt. Steve Hauschka made 25 of 30 kicks and converted at least one FG in 12 straight games. Return man Leon Washington was pretty good on kicks (25.2) and punts (11.1), but not as explosive as 2010.

Outlook:
The Seahawks will go as far as Wilson takes them. The defense is solid and underrated. The offense lacks weapons at wide receiver and tight end and that’s what separates them from the top teams.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 Arizona Cardinals Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 50-1

The Cardinals finished winning five of their last six games, giving some hope for the future. QB Kevin Kolb missed seven games due to injuries, while John Skelton did bring the team back in several fourth-quarter rallies. The Cards picked up CB William Gay and S James Sanders to help their defense. They drafted WR Michael Floyd, who should become a nice compliment to Larry Fitzgerald. Now the question is who will throw them the ball?

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Offense:
The Cards finished 19th in total offense and 24th in rushing offense. The key is the play of Kolb, who threw for 1,955 yards with 9 TDs and 8 picks (81.1 passer rating). Skelton’s numbers weren’t as good (54.9%, 1,913 yds, 11 TDs, 14 Ints, 68.9 passer rating), but he found a way to win. He finished well but he started games ou poorly. Kolb is still the starter if he can stay healthy, but Skelton and rookie Ryan Lindley (6-3, 232), a sixth-rounder from San Diego State could be in the mix. Fitzgerald (6-3, 218) caught 80 passes for 1,411 yards and eight TDs. Imagine if he played for a legit quarterback? Floyd (6-3, 220) is another big receiver who can make tough catches. This could turn out to be one of the top combos in the NFC. TE Todd Heap (6-5, 245) caught 24 passes for 283 yards and appears to be on the decline at 32. He might have on quality year left. Jeff King (6-5, 260) was more reliable and is a better blocker. At running back, Beanie Wells (6-1, 229) rushed for 1,047 yards (4.3ypc) and 10 TDs. Last year’s second-round pick Ryan Williams is a big-play back who missed the season with a knee injury (suffered in preseason). The running game should improve big-time with both players in the fold. The offensive line has to pick it up. They did add veteran Adam Snyder (6-5, 325) to play right guard, while fourth-round pick Bobby Massie (6-6, 316) could step in right away to play right tackle. Levi Brown (6-5, 324) was re-signed to play left tackle as he played well down the stretch.

Defense:
The Cards finished tied for 18th overall in defense but were just 21st against the run. They run a 3-4 defense led by Ray Horton. Players were not on the same page until around midseason. DE Calais Campbell (6-8, 300) came up big with 8 sack and 70 tackles. He’s an elite player as is DT Darnell Dockett (6-3, 290), who added 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks. NT Dan Williams (6-2, 327) has to get in better shape to become more effective. At linebacker, ILB Daryl Washington (6-2, 230) led the team in tackles with 105, adding 2 picks. He’s become a very good player, while Paris Lenon (6-2, 240), could be pushed by Stewart Bradley (6-4, 255). At outside linebacker, 34-year old Clark Hagans (46 tackles) will be pushed by O’Brien Schofield (6-2, 231), who had 37 tackles and 4 sacks last year. Sam Acho (7 sacks, 41 tackles) had a very solid season as a rookie, taking over as a starter at midseason-and excelled. The secondary loses CB Richard Marshall (77 tackles, 2 picks) is gone to Miami in free agency. The other side, Patrick Peterson has a chance to be special, while Gay and Greg Toler, who missed part of the season due to a knee injury, battled for the other spot. At safety, SS Adrian Wilson (6-2, 230) is built like a linebacker but doesn’t make a lot of plays in the air. FS Kerry Rhodes (6-3, 212) missed half the season but has never really produced despite having the size and speed.

Special Teams:
The Cards improved from the previous season on special teams. K Jay Feely made 19 of 24 kicks and is solid. P Dave Zastudil performed well (45.2ypk) when he wasn’t injured. On returns, Peterson (15.9) was amazing on punt returns, taking four back for touchdowns.

Outlook:
The Cards should be improved slightly as long as they get decent quarterback play. They could even push San Francisco for first if they had some production from that position.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 San Francisco 49ers Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 10-1

The Niners are coming off a dream season in 2012 as Jim Harbaugh helped lead them from a 6-10 team to a 13-3 powerhouse. The dream ended in the NFC Championship with a 20-17 overtime loss at home to the New York Giants. The defense led the way as they (along with the special teams) forced 38 turnovers, which tied for most of the league. The Niners were pretty vanilla on offense as they averaged 23.8ppg, and were helped by their defense and field position. The additions of RB Brandon Jacobs (NY Giants), WR Mario Manningham (Giants) and WR Randy Moss (FA) should help some.

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Offense:
The problem for the Niners came on offense as they finished 29th in passing and 26th in overall offense. The key will be the performance of QB Alex Smith, who is coming off his best season by far. He threw for 3,144 yards with 17 TDs and just 5 picks (61.3%). Smith didn’t have to be great; he just needed to manage the game. He had an excellent running back in Frank Gore, a workhorse-type of back who ran for 1,211 yards (4.3ypc) and six TDs. The addition of Jacobs (6-4, 264) will help take some pressure off of Gore (and also take some TDs for those Fantasy Football fans). Speedy rookie running back LaMichael James (5-8, 194) will help returns kicks but needs to work on becoming a third-down back since wasn’t used in that fashion at Oregon. The Niners desperately needed some help at receiver so they added Moss, Manningham and drafted A.J. Jenkins (6-0, 192) in the first round from Illinois. Moss apparently still has it even though he’s not the same player who caught 23 TDs in 2007. Jenkins caught 90 passes last year, but will likely be the fourth receiver. Michael Crabtree is the team’s top receiver, with 72 catches for 874 yards (12.1ypc). Manningham was the third receiver with the NY Giants and isn’t a burner, but is capable of making big plays. At tight end, Vernon Davis (6-3, 250) caught 67 passes for 792 yards with 6 TDs and is one of the best in NFC. The O-line is ranked 26th in sacks allowed per pass play. They have a hole at right guard where RT Daniel Kilgore (6-3, 308) will battle Mike Person (6-4, 299) and veteran Alex Boone (6-7, 300) for the job. Fourth-round pick Joe Looney (6-3, 309) could also be in the mix. LT Joe Staley (6-6, 315) is solid, while LG Mike Iupati (6-5, 331) and RT Anthony Davis (6-5, 323) figure to get better.

Defense:
The defense finished 4th overall and led the league in rush defense, allowing just 77.3 yards per game. The defensive line is led by a very powerful front three. NT Isaac Sopoaga (6-2, 330) and DT Ray McDonald (6-3, 290) are tough against the run. McDonald also added five sacks. DT Justin Smith (6-4, 285) went to the Pro Bowl for the third straight year. He finished with 6.5 sacks and 58 tackles with three forced fumbles. The Niners have one of the best linebackers in the league. OLB Aldon Smith (6-4, 258) led the team with 14 sacks and was just a part-time player. He gets the starting nod, while the inside due of NaVorro Bowman (6-0, 242) and Patrick Willis (6-1, 240) is the best tandem in the game. Bowman led the team in tackles with 141, while Willis added 97 tackles and four forced fumbles in just 13 games. The secondary retains CB Carlos Rogers, who had a career year with six interceptions. The key is the other spot where Tarell Brown is the other starter, who had four picks last year. FS Dashon Goldson added 67 tackles and six picks and like Rogers, earned a Pro Bowl berth. At strong safety, Donte Whitner is the leader of the secondary. He had 2 picks and 62 tackles, along with two fumble recoveries.

Special Teams
The Niners had an excellent special teams last year led by K David Akers, who set NFL single season records with field goals made (44), attempted (52) and points scored without a touchdown (166). P Andy Lee, who averaged 50.9 yards per kick, earned a Pro Bowl berth along with Akers. KR/PR Ted Ginn Jr. was outstanding on kick returns with 27.6 yds/return and one score and punt returns at 12.3ypr (1 TD).

Outlook:
The Niners are at Green Bay, at the NY Jets, at New Orleans and at New England so matching their 13-3 record will be difficult.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 Carolina Panthers Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 35-1

The Panthers went 4-2 in their final six games of the season, which means expectations are high for 2012. That’s because Cam Newton is heading into this second season and is about ready to go from good to elite. The Panthers made some moves in the offseason, but not many significant ones. RB Mike Tolbert will pair with DeAngelo Williams and LT Bruce Campbell could compete for a starting job.

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Offense:
The Panthers finished seventh overall in total offense and third in rushing thanks to Newton. The young qb, at 6-5, 250, threw for 4,051 yards with 21 TDs, 17 INTs, (84.5 qb rating), while completing 60% of his passes. He also ran for 706 yards and 14 TDs (qb record). He became the first player to throw for over 4,000 yards and rush for more than 500 yards. He just needs to continue to improve his reads but having better weapons would help. Steve Smith (70 for 1,394yds) is still an elite receiver, but they don’t have much around him. They did draft Joe Adams (Arkansas) in the fourth round and he could fit in the rotation. David Gettis (6-3, 217) is coming back from missing last season with an ACL tear. He has great size and vertical speed, which he showed in 2010. LaFell caught 36 passes for 613 yards and is a possession receiver. At tight end, Greg Olsen (6-6, 255) caught 45 passes for 540 yards, sharing time with Jeremy Shockey, who isn’t returning. On the O-line, they are led by Pro Bowl C Ryan Kalil (6-3, 295), a very athletic, hardworking cente.r LT Jordan Gross (6-4, 305) is a solid pass blocker who allowed just 3.5 sacks in 2011. At right tackle, the Panthers are looking for Jeff Otah (6-6, 330) to stay healthy. He has played in 29 games in four seasons. Rookie G Amini Silatolu (6-4, 311) was a second-round pick from Midwestern State and is raw, but could start at left guard.

Defense:
The defense struggled last year, finishing 28th in the league overall. They allowed 26.8 points per game and they weren’t good against the pass or run. Injuries did hamper the season, but that’s not the only reason they gave up the most points, yards and passing yards in the club’s 17-year history. DE Charles Johnson (6-2, 275) led the team in sacks with 9. He’s relentless and strong, though not that athletic. DE Greg Hardy (6-4, 281) showed flashes in his first year as a starter with 50 tackles and 4 sacks. Last year’s two top DTs Sione Fua (6-1, 310) and Terrell McClain (6-2, 291) ended up on injured reserve in December. They provided very little rush. Veteran Ron Edwards (6-3, 315) is a key player and should start at the nose after missing all of last season with a torn triceps. At linebacker, Jon Beason (6-0, 237) has started every game since he entered the league in 2007 before tearing his Achilles in Week One. That was a huge loss for the Panthers, as he sets the tone for the run defense. He could play the weak side now the first round pick Luke Kuechly (6-2, 243) in the fold. The Boston College linebacker is very active and intelligent. Thomas Davis (three torn ACLs) and James Anderson (6-3, 235), who led the team in tackles last year with 144, are back to man the strong side. In the secondary, the Panthers are led by CB Chris Gamble, who recorded 3 picks with 44 tackles. Captain Munnerlyn struggled last year and is better suited for nickle. S Charles Godfrey was second in tackles with 84 and added two picks. He’s a good open-field tackler but gets beat over the top too often. FS Sherrod Martin will be challenged by Haruki Nakakmura, a free agent pickup from Baltimore, who is a special teams ace but a liability in coverage.

Special Teams
The Panthers bring back 39-year old Olindo Mare, who will be challenged by Justin Medlock. Mare missed three field goals from 30-39 last year and lacks long accuracy. At punter, Brad Nortman was drafted to replace Jason Baker at punter. He has a huge leg. The return game was led by Kealoha Pilares, who averaged 25.7 yards per kick return with a TD but Armanti Edwards (5.5ypr) didn’t do much on punt returns.

Outlook:
The Panthers should improve defensively if they are healthy. Their offense will go as far as Newton can take them.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 Tampa Bay Bucs Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 75-1

The Bucs had big expectations after winning 10 games in 2010. Instead, they wound up losing 10 straight games. Head coach Raheem Morris went from candidate for Coach of the Year to losing his job. GM Mark Domnenik hired Greg Schiano from Rutgers, who winds up in a pretty good situation. Tampa Bay dug deep into the free agency market, picking up Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks from the Saints, WR Vincent Jackson and CB Eric Wright in free agency. The key will be the progress of QB Josh Freeman, who regressed last year.

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Offense:
The offense finished 21st last year overall and the running game was just 30th in the league. Freeman had 25 TDs and just 6 picks in 2010, but fell 16 TDs and 22 picks in 2011 with 3,592 yards (74.6 passer rating). Part of the problem is his lack of vertical weapons. The addition of Jackson (6-5, 230) will be a huge lift to the team. He’s a big-play threat, catching 60 passes for 1,106 yards (18.4ypc) with nine TDs. Mike Williams (6-1, 212) led the team with 65 catches for 771 yards, but averaged just 11.9 ypc. Arrelious Benn caught just 30 passes for 441 yards and never quite fully made it back from an ACL injury. At running back, LaBarrette Blount (6-0, 241) was supposed to be a star but regressed last year, rushing for 781 yards (4.2ypc) and missed two games due to a knee injury. The Bucs drafted Doug Martin (5-9, 223) from Boise State, a hard-rushing player capable of starting and taking away Blount’s starting job. At tight end, the Bucs let go of Kellen Winslow (75 for 763 yards) and picked up Dallas Clark to give them a quality intermediate threat, if he can stay healthy. The offensive line gets a huge boost with the addition of LG Nicks (6-5, 343). He has great athleticism for his size and teamed with RG Davin Joseph (6-2, 313), give Tampa Bay the league’s top guard tandems. The running game should improve dramatically. LT Donald Penn (6-4, 305) struggled last year and has issues maintaining weight. RT Jeremy Trueblood (6-6, 320) has long arms but is serviceable at best.

Defense:
The defense finished 30th overall as they were 32nd (5ypc) against the run. The Bucs set a franchise record for points allowed, giving up 40 or more points four times. They hired Bill Sheridan as the new DC and Butch Davis as special assistant. It starts up front where the Bucs have young players from the last two drafts. Unfortunately, DT Gerald McCoy (6-4, 295) has been hampered by a bicep tear in each of his last two seasons. He was missed badly last season. NT Brian Price (6-1, 303) can make some plays but is not consistent. At defensive end, Adrian Clayborn (6-3, 281) had an excellent rookie season with 7.5 sacks. They need more production from Michael Bennett (6-4, 274) and Da’Quan Bowers (6-4, 280). At linebacker, the Bucs spent two picks on this position so they were certainly not happy with what they had. Tackling was awful last year as LB Geno Hayes was benched and then gone. Mason Foster (6-2, 242) managed 83 tackles as a rookie with two sacks. He’ll play the middle and Quincy Black (6-2, 240) plays the strong side. He recorded 61 tackles last year but also missed a ton. Fifth-round pick LB Najee Goode (6-0, 244) could eventually push for the strong side job. Rookie LB Lavonte Goode (6-0, 244) out of Nebraska could eventually play weak side. In the secondary, the Bucs’ top pick was S Mark Barron (6-2, 213) from Alabama, who should start right away at strong safety. He is a physical, smart player who should help the pass and run defense. The other safety is now veteran Ronde Barber, who will use his intelligence and 1 ½ decades of experience. At 36, he did lead the Bucs in INTs last year. At corner, Aqib Talib was more disruptive off the field than on it. CB He finished the past two seasons on injured reserve. Veteran Eric Wright comes over from Detroit to stabilize the position that still isn’t stable.

Special Teams:
The Bucs have a very good punter in Michael Koenen, who averaged 45.1 yards per punt. He was also amongst the league’s best kickoff men. PK Conner Barth made 26 of 28 field goal tries and was 13-of-14 from 40-49 yards. The return games needs to get better. Preston Parker averaged 9.1 yards per punt return and 22 yards per kickoff return but lost two fumbles.

Outlook:
The Bucs should improve though 10 wins is probably not likely. The defense has to progress for them to have any shot at a winning record.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 New Orleans Saints Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 18-1

The Saints had a very tough offseason. Most of it involves “bountygate” as head coach Sean Payton and MLB Jonathan Vilma are suspended for the season for their roles. The head coach will be assistant Joe Vitt, who will be suspended the first six games. But the talent is still there, especially on offense with Drew Brees. The Saints lost G Carl Nicks but added OG Ben Grubbs, DT Brodrick Bunkley, MLB Curtis Lofton and OLB David Hawthorne.

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Offense:
Brees was sensational last season, throwing for a record 5,476 passing yards and 46 TDs. They amassed a league-record of 7,474 total yards of offense. Even the running game improved from 28th in 2010 to 6th in 2011. They averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 131.6 yards per game. Darren Sproles led the team with 603 yards, while rookie Mark Ingram added 474 yards and Pierre Thomas had 562 yards. The wide receiving corps loses Robert Meacham (40 for 620 yds) to San Diego. WR Marques Colston (80 for 1,143yds) and Lance Moore (52 for 627 yards) are solid and they added Nick Toon (6-2, 215) in the fourth round from Wisconsin. They don’t have any stars but Brees is productive because he also has TE Jimmy Graham (99 rec for 1,310yds, 11 TDs) and Sproles (86 for 710yds, 7 TDs) to throw to. The offensive lien is pretty strong, even with Nicks gone to Tampa Bay in free agency. They allowed just 24 sacks last season, which was an NFC low. The Saints sent three offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl. LT Jermon Bushrod (6-5, 315) allowed just three sacks last season and has good balance. At right tackle, the Saints will have a competition between Charles Brown (6-5, 292) or Zach Strief (6-8, 320) for that spot. LG Ben Grubbs (6-3, 315) comes over from the Ravens and is a solid pass protector though not overpowering.

Defense:
The defense finished 24th in overall defense and were 30th against the pass. That’s why they fell, 36-32 at San Francisco in the playoffs in overtime. They couldn’t stop the pass. With Gregg Williams gone (after
“bountygate”), the Saints brought in Steve Spagnuolo, the former Rams head coach. The Saints will likely blitz more, even more than Williams had them rushing the passer. The D-line didn’t provide much of a pass rushing, recording just 16.5 of the team’s 33 sacks. Will Smith (6-3, 282) finished with 6.5 sacks to lead the line. The Saints brought over Bunkley (6-3, 306) to star opposite of Sedrick Ellis (6-0, 307). He plays the run extremely well. Rookie DT Akiem Hicks (6-4, 324) was their top pick (third round) and should be able to play in the rotation, though he’s raw. At linebacker, with Vilma (53 tackles) suspended, Lofton (6-0, 248) takes over in the middle. He’s a strong run-stuffer with great instincts. He had 147 tackles and 2 picks for Atlanta last season. Hawthorne (6-0, 246) can play inside or out and is a potential starter on the weak side. Scott Shanle (6-2, 245) recorded 69 tackles last year at the strong side. In the secondary, they recorded just nine picks last year. The lack of a pass rush didn’t help. FS Malcolm Jenkins (77 tackles) is the leader but can be beat over the top. Roman Harper (96 tackles) also has issues about getting beat deep, though he’s very good inside the box. At corner, they lose Tracy Porter in free agency and 2010 first-round pick Patrick Robinson (4 picks last year) is expected to replace him. CB Jabari Greer (72 tackles) has good speed making up for his lack of size.

Special Teams
The Saints lost PK Garrett Hartley in the second preseason game and he was replaced by veteran Jahn Kasay (28 of 34), who did a solid job. P Thomas Morstead (48.3) had a net average of 43.1 yards. He also led the league with 68 touchbacks on kickoffs. Sproles replaced Reggie Bush and averaged 10.1 yards per punt return and 27.2 yars per kickoff return with long returns of 72 and 92 yards.

Outlook:
The Saints will battle the Falcons for the top spot in the NFC South all year. But the losses have to hurt the Saints overall with coaching changes and player personnel losses. The defense is still a question mark but as long as they have Brees and a healthy line, they will be a player.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 Minnesota Vikings Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 150-1

The Vikings are in a quandary. They could be a rebuilding team with a young quarterback but they have some talent surrounding Christian Ponder. Last year, they set a franchise record for losses in a season with 13 and failed to win a single division game for the first time ever. They hoped that they could still win with Donovan McNabb at quarterback, but that backfired. Injuries were a problem, espcially at corner, as Cedric Griffin was unable to return to form after returning from two ACL injuries.

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Offense:
Ponder (6-2, 229) started 10 games and threw for 1,853 yards, completing just 54.3% with 13 TDs and 13 INTs (70.1 passer rating). He played though a hip injury and a concussion and showed good wheels (219 yds rushing). But he will have to take another step forwards and improve his reads. RB Adrian Peterson (973yds, 12 TDs) is coming off ACL surgery and might not be ready for the start of the season. One of the most explosive runners in the game, Peterson was injured in December and against Washington and it remains to be seen how long it will take for him to be 100%. Toby Gerhart (531yds) is a bruising runner who lacks that speed and explosion. That’s where Percy Harvin comes in. Harvin not only led the team in receiving with 87 catches for 967 yards and six TDs (11.1ypc), but also had 342 yards rushing (6.7ypc). They badly needed a vertical threat so they signed WR Jerome Simpson, who will start the season out suspended for the first three games. WR Greg Childs (6-3, 219) and WR Jarius Wright (5-10, 182) are both from Arkansas and will enter the mix. At tight end, Visanthe Shiancoe (36 for 409) is gone so they will go with more two tight end situations with Kyle Rudolph (6-6, 259) and John Carlson (6-5, 251). The offensive line is trying to get younger with the release of veteran Steve Hutchinson. They drafted LT Matt Kalil (6-6, 308) will start right away, while Charlie Johnson (6-4, 305) moves inside to left guard. At right tackle, Phil Loadholt (6-8, 343) is huge but inconsistent.

Defense:
The defense finished 21st overall and were 26th against the pass. They are led by DE Jared Allen (6-6, 270), who is 30 and one of the best in the game. He recorded 22 sacks and still in his prime. DE Brian Robison (6-3, 259) added eight sacks on the other side. At defensive tackle, DT Kevin Williams (6-5, 311) did have five sacks last year but would be more productive if they had a better nose tackle. Letroy Guion (6-4, 303) could get the start. At linebacker, Erin Henderson (6-3, 244) was the team’s best linebacker with 70 tackles, adding two forced fumbles. They released his brother E.J. (108 tackles) so Jasper Brinkley (6-1, 252) takes over after missing last season due to a hip injury. SLB Chad Greenway (6-2, 242) led the team in tackles with 152 with 2 sacks who is read-and-flow hitter and playmaker whose lower interception totals didn’t show his pass instincts. He’ll fit better in new DC Alan Wilson’s new scheme. In the secondary, CB Antoine Winfield missed time with neck and collarbone injuries. He’ll be 35 in June but is still their team’s best corner. Chris Cook (6-2, 212) has the size to defend big receivers. At free safety, they drafted Harrison Smith (6-2, 213), who has a chance to start right away. At strong safety, Jamarca Sanford (5-10, 200) is adequate but doesn’t have great size.

Special Teams
The Vikes would like to limit Harvin’s touches in the return game. Rookie Jarius Wright has a chance to play right away if he can show he can handle the pressure. They also have to improve the kick coverage, which was a mess last year. P Chris Kluwe is the best punter in team history, averaging 45.7ypp. PK Ryan Longwell was cut after an inconsistent season and they drafted Blair Walsh from Georgia. He struggled his senior season so that’s a risky pick up.

Outlook:
The Vikes will be a pretty bad team again, with or without a healthy Adrian Peterson. The offensive line issues and young quarterback won’t be enough to keep with the elite of the NFC North.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 Chicago Bears Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 15-1

The Bears started out 7-3 before the wheels fell off. Injury-prone QB Jay Cutler suffered a season-ending broken right thumb after trying to make a tackle during an interception. They lost five straight after that with Caleb Hanie and Josh McCown. Not having a solid backup quarterback basically cost GM Jerry Angelo his job. Enter Phil Emery as the new GM as head coach Lovie Smith will now be on the hot seat. Mike Tice also replaces Mike Martz as the new off. coordinator and he’ll have talented WR Brandon Marshall to work with. And the Bears added a quality backup quarterback in Jason Campbell from the Raiders.

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Offense:
Chicago has lot of talent on offense led by Cutler, Matt Forte’ and Marshall. Cutler threw for 2,319 yards (85.7 passer rating) with 13 TDs and 7 picks before getting hurt. He’s never really had a big-time receiver and now has one in Marshall, who he also played with in Denver. Marshall is a big (6-4, 230) long strider, who happened to have his best two seasons when he played with the big-armed Cutler. They also drafted Alshon Jeffery (6-3, 216), another big receiver out of South Carolina, who has some talent. Devin Hester and Johnny Knox can now be the speed guys. At tight end, Kellen Davis (6-6, 262) served mainly as a blocker but will be more involved in the offense this year. Forte’ is back after rushing for 997 yards and catching 52 passes in only 12 games. Forte (6-2, 216) was given a franchise tag but refused to sign the tender. Chicago picked up Michael Bush from Oakland as insurance. The offensive line has been abused for many years. Since 2009, they’ve allowed 140 sacks-the most in the NFL. They aren’t a great pass blocking unit though they have potential.. C Robert Garza (6-2, 310) leads the way. RT Gabe Carimi (6-7, 314) made just two starts before knee issues put him on the IR. He should be an anchor at right tackle for years to come if he can stay healthy. At left tackle, J’Marcus Webb (6-7, 335) is still a work in progress with good length and power. The guards are average at best.

Defense:
The defense finished a disappointing 17th overall (350.4ypg) in total defense as they were shredded through the air. But they were strong in takeaways and were 14th in points allowed per game. The bigger problem is that their top players are now in their 30s. Up front, DE Iraeal Idonije (6-6, 275) was solid against the run with 53 tackles and 5 sacks. He’ll be pushed by first-round pick Shea McClellin (6-3, 260), who is a natural pass rusher. Julius Peppers (6-7, 287) is now 31 but still a dominant pass rusher, who led the team with 11 sacks. Henry Melton (6-3, 295) has a lot of potential at tackle. He recorded 7 sacks but at times disappeared. At linebacker, Brian Urlacher (6-4, 258) made eight eighth Pro Bowl, finishing with 124 tackles, adding 2 fumble recoveries and 3 picks. Lance Briggs (6-1, 244) made his seventh straight Pro Bowl and led the Bears with 140 tackles, adding two forced fumbles. Both are active and fast linebackers heading into their mid-thirties. LB Geno Hayes (6-1, 226) was added to help out on the strong side. In the secondary, CB Charles Tillman (6-2, 198) made his first Pro Bowl last season. Tillman had 3 picks, 99 tackles and 12 passes defensed. He’s a big, stronger corner but struggles with speedier receivers. The other corner is more of concern,. Tim Jennings was re-signed after being benched last season. The Bears also added Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite in free agency. At safety, FS Chris Conte and SS Major Wright are a pretty good young tandem. Wright had three picks and has decent ball skills, while Conte fits better in zone coverage.

Special Teams:
The Bears added KR Eric Weems from the Falcons to help Hester (21.9ypr, 1 TD) on kick and punt returns. Hester did take two punt returns back for touchdowns. P Adam Podlesh (43.9yds/punt) had a 40.4-yard net average, which was the highest in franchise history. PK Robbie Gould is the 5th-most-accurate field goal kicker in history. He hit 28 of 32 kicks last season (87.5 percent) and was 6-of-6 from 50-plus yards.

Outlook:
The Bears could go pretty far if Cutler is healthy. The issues involving Forte’ and the secondary could also catch up to bite them.

2012 Schedule:

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2012 Detroit Lions Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 20-1

The Lions completed their turnaround with their first playoff season in more than a decade. Unfortunately, their postseason run ended quickly as they fell at New Orleans, 45-28. Head coach Jim Schwartz, who got into a heated conversation with the 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh in their Oct. 16 25-19 loss, knows the Lions will have a tougher challenge this year with a stronger schedule. They were 0-5 against NFC North playoff teams and their defense completely collapsed in the second half of the season. They picked up very little help in free agency and went for offensive help with their first two picks.

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Offense:
The Lions made a playoff push thanks to Matthew Stafford staying healthy and throwing for 5,038 yards with 41 TDs and 16 picks (97.2 passer rating). They led the league in passing plays with 702 pass dropbacks compared to just 356 rushes. The problems with the 29th-ranked rushing game was that Jahvid Best (390yds) led the team in rushing despite playing just six games. Best sustained two concussions in October and rookie Mikel Leshoure tore his Achilles in training camp. Both should be healthy though Leshuore was suspended for the first two games due to violating the NFL policy and program for substances of abuse. At receiver, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 TDs. He also had help from Nate Burleson (73 for 757 yds) and TE Brandon Pettigrew (83 for 777 yds). Second-round pick Ryan Broyles should add a possession receiver if his repaired knee is sound. On the offensive line, LT Jeff Backus (6-5, 305) is back after signing a new two-year deal in March. He has never missed a regular-season start in 11 seasons. He suffered a biceps injury in the playoffs but should be back. Top pick Riley Reiff (6-5, 313) will be the eventual replacement. RT Gosder Cherilus (6-6, 325) has long arms (unlike Backus) but struggled last year in pass protection allowing 9 sacks. C Dominic Raiola (6-6, 295) is the dependable veteran of the line.

Defense:
The Lions finished 23rd in the NFL in total yards allowed per game at 367.6ypg. The group generated seven defensive touchdowns, 41 sacks and 17 forced fumbles. Injuries hampered the Lions, especially in the secondary. Up front, Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 307) had a decline in production as his tackles were cut in half and his sacks were down from 10 to 4. DT Nick Fairley (6-4, 291) keeps creating headlines off-the-field. He was bothered by a foot injury in his first season but should end up starting at some point. DE Cliff Avril (6-3, 260) is an explosive pass rusher with long arms who has caused 14 fumbles in four seasons. He had 11 sacks last year with 36 tackles. At linebacker, Stephen Tulloch (5-11, 240) led the team in tackles with 111, adding 3 fumble recoveries. OLB Justin Durant (6-1, 240) added speed and 68 tackles. He missed three games due to a concussion. WLB DeAndre Levy (6-2, 238) is another speedy ‘backer who notched a career-best 109 tackles. In the secondary, the loss of FS Louis Delmas, who missed the final five games was devastating. Delmas was an alternate Pro Bowl pick who provides a hard-hitter and speed. SS Amari Spievey is a converted cornerback who needs to improve his tackling. CB Chris Houston had a career-year with five picks and two TD returns. But he was also bothered by a dislocated shoulder and missed two games. They lost Eric Wright in free agency to Tampa Bay so the other corner spot will be a competition between Aaron Berry and third-round pick Dwight Bentley. Both are fast but lack size.

Special Teams:
The Lions have a dependable kicker in 41-year old Jason Hanson, who had made 24 of 29 kicks, including hitting 5 of 7 from 50 yards or longer. The punting job is a competition between Ryan Donahue and Ben Graham. The return game was a mess last year as Stefan Logan fumbled six times and lacked consistency.

Outlook:
The Lions will have a tougher season but if they can stay healthy at running back and in the secondary, there’s no reason why they can’t get back in the postseason as a wild card.

2012 Schedule:

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