NFL Preview: NFC

The second half of my 2012 NFL Preview...much better than the first half...somehow.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers

            What can you really say about the Packers? Their offense is amazing, and their defense isn’t. If the defense can put some pressure on the quarterback, the secondary wouldn’t look quite so horrendous. Remember, they gave up almost 5,000 yards in the air in 2011. However, this is a team with Aaron Rodgers, so they will probably be just fine.

Detroit Lions

            The Lions are like the Packers 2.0. Their secondary couldn’t stop anybody, and their D-line didn’t really put up the sack numbers that most predicted they would. Megatron and Stafford will put up huge numbers, but when you are in a shootout every week, you are bound to lose some.

Chicago Bears

            Chicago fans (I would guess) are very bullish on their offense this year. Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey, and healthy Forte and Cutler could be a pretty nice set of tools. However, the word healthy and NFL often do not go together very well. The defense should be top 10 in the league, and I think they can challenge for a wild card spot this year.

Minnesota Vikings

            The point of this season is just to prove to everyone that Adrian Peterson is a superhuman. You can put him down, but only for a bit. As AP comes back from this ACL tear, it is important to remember that the Vikings are starting a second year QB and that you shouldn’t expect them to be too much better than last years 3-13, maybe 5-12 or so.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints

            Quick, which team in the NFL has the kind of leader on offense that can successfully deal with the suspension of a head coach for the entire season? I would like to submit the Saints as one of those teams. They will surely suffer some because of Sean Peytons suspension, but Drew Brees should be able to keep this offense in the upper echelon of the NFL. The Saints are also hoping that Curtis Lofton can bring them some added toughness against the run.

Atlanta Falcons

            Speaking of Lofton, he left this team, but the middle linebacker who is replacing him should do just fine. Sean Weatherspoon is a rising star in the league, and he should fill that leadership void. On the other side of the ball, Julio Jones and Roddy White should help ensure that the middle of the field is open, as they streak up the sidelines play after play. Perhaps this is the year that Matt Ryan joins the NFL elite?

Carolina Panthers

            Speaking of elite (I love segways), the Panther’s running game should be the leagues best in 2012. With a 3 headed RB attack (Williams, Stewart, Tolbert) and the runningest QB from last year, the Panther’s offense should be something to behold on the ground. As the running game stays strong, the Panthers also hope to see an improved Cam Newton. It is very possible that his statistics fall a little bit this year, but the Panther’s brass are hoping that the INT’s fall as well. Oh, and they can’t put pressure on the QB. Need to fix that.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

            The Bucs spent a little bit of money this offseason to help stretch the field. Vincent Jackson should be a nice option for Josh Freeman as he seeks to prove that he is a legitimate starting quarterback, and the addition of rookie RB Doug Martin can’t hurt either, as he can catch some balls out of the backfield. My biggest concern for this team is, much like the Panthers, their inability to get D-line penetration. Their big defensive investments from the last few drafts haven’t really paid dividends yet.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles

            I just drafted Michael Vick in 3 of 4 fantasy football leagues, and I am very afraid. The guy has played 2 series in the preseason so far, and has gotten injured both times. If he can stay healthy, the Super Bowl is not too optimistic of a prediction. This team has it all. Offensive dynamos, defensive stalwarts, health is really their biggest question.

Dallas Cowboys

            Its always been about performance for Jerry Jones. He will pay for it, draft it, whatever. This season, it looks like his defense could finally be scary. The pass defense is much improved, and any team with Demarcus Ware is going to pressure the QB. BUT, as always, everything hinges on the QB. If Romo can utilize his weapons, this can be a playoff team.

New York Giants

            Call me crazy, but I see a slight dropoff for the Giants. Meaning, I don’t think they win the Super Bowl. Now, I should probably have them above the Cowboys, but I am going out on a limb and saying that the Giants miss the playoffs altogether this year. There are a lot of good teams in the NFC, and somebody has to lose.

Washington Redskins

            Just like in Indy, Washington is focused on their brand new baby, Robert Griffin III. Everyone who talks to this young man really likes him, and they will LOVE him is he can bring his athleticism and intelligence together and win some football games. The outside LB combo of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan really help this defense as they swarm the pocket on every play.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

            Its nice when a team that sucks can suddenly become a team that wins. Mike Singletary couldn’t do it, but mean old Mr. Harbaugh has brought this team to a great place. The Defense is so good its inappropriate, and the offense was really well managed last year. (All of my “ifs” involve quarterbacks it seems) IF Alex Smith can air it out just a little more, while still not turning the ball over, the 49’ers should be right back at the top of the league.

Seattle Seahawks

            This is a team that is headed in the right direction. They have a young and exciting defense, led by Eric Thomas as the SS position, and they have a shiny new quarterback that they think will be really good. (There is discussion about whether that QB is Russel Wilson or Matt Flynn though) This team will still struggle to beat the really good teams in the NFC, but they are heading on up.

St. Louis Rams

            Ditto for the Rams. They have zero depth at wide receiver, and their pass defense needs some work…but they are the youngest team in the NFL, and they have skill and talent at a lot of positions. Give them 2 or 3 more years of drafting well and developing, and I think they are a playoff team. But not this year.

Arizona Cardinals

            You know how people say “last but not least”? Well, that does not apply to this list. The Arizona Cardinals should be the worst team in the league by several games. I think they will match the Colts 2-14 record from last year. The Quarterback situation is a mess, the offensive line is a mess, and the defense just doesn’t have the talent to make a difference. Sorry Cards fans, but your season is going to be depressing.

That’s the end of the NFL Preview…Sheesh, that took a really long time to write, and I am very glad that it is over. Now we can ignore everything I have said, since most of it will end up being wrong anyway, and focus on what’s important: Andrew Luck, my new favorite person in the world.