50 Words for Every Team - NFL Preview Part 2

I've read plenty of previews of the upcoming NFL season and one of my bug bears with the majority of them is that they don't seem to give equal billing to all 32 teams.  This morning I read a preview that (eg) had 4 paragraphs on the NFC South but spent 3 of them on the Saints, before using half of the last paragraph on the Panthers, followed by a sentence each on the Falcons and Bucs.  Clearly, they thought the Saints were going to win the Division, but surely a bit of balance is called for. After all, the performance of the other 3 teams is directly linked to how well the Saints do in the South.
So in the interests of fairness, I present my "50 Words for Every Team" Preview of the 2012 season. As the title suggests I'll be using exactly 50 words on each of the franchises, as well as giving my predictions for the Divisional winners and Wild Card places.  Expect some crow barring of sentences, plenty of poor English, but no cheating...

AFC East

Buffalo Bills:  Massive upgrades on Defense, headlined by star Free Agent signing Mario Williams.  They shouldn't concede too many points, but can they score enough?  A lot rests on Ryan Fitzpatrick and his beard.  A healthy Fred Jackson will help but it's hard to see them usurping the Patriots. Possible Wild Card.

Miami Dolphins:  Ryan Tannehill, Welcome to the Deep End!  An awful off season for the Dolphins has seen them lose top players, fail to land top players and generally look like a bunch of amateurs on Hard Knocks.  Defense is OK, but anything more than four wins would be a major surprise.

New England Patriots:  As per the last ten plus seasons, expect them to be challenges.  Brady is still class and can anybody stop the two headed Tight End beast? Still question marks of Defense, but if they can put up thirty plus points every week then it shouldn't be a problem. Divisional Champs.

New York Jets:  Roll up for the comedy highlight of 2012, as the Jets attempt to break the single season records for most interceptions thrown.  Actually I think the Jets will be okay - the Defense is mainly solid and Sanchez and co can put up enough points to squeak by a few teams.

Winners: New England Patriots


AFC North

Baltimore Ravens:  Expect the Defense to be as tight as usual, even without Suggs.  The big question is whether Joe Flacco can take a team all the way.  Last season's Championship game suggested he could, if he can kick on then this team could go all that way. Billy Cundiff is gone!

Cleveland Browns:  Rubbish! Oh shit, I've still got forty nine words left. Trent Richardson (when fit) will at least give them one interesting player.  Brandon Weedon is decent, but drafting a twenty eight year old seems somewhat desperate. Reasonable defense, but will need to work miracles to give the offence a chance.

Cincinnati Bengals:  This has second year slump written all over it.  Andy Dalton exceeded all expectations last season, but began to fade towards the end.  AJ Green is class, but will get heavily marked. Not helped by a tough schedule, they need to get the job down against their two main rivals.

Pittsburgh Steelers:  Perennial contenders, but this is an ageing team in a strong Division.  Big Ben will still put up good numbers and Mike Wallace is a great addition following his hold out. Personally, I hope they fail miserably as I have an irrational hatred of them.  Mainly due to the towels!

Winners:  Baltimore Ravens


AFC South

Houston Texans:  The South is there for the taking. The Texans strolled it last season and should do so again.  They have lost a few Defensive players, but on offence a fit again Matt Schaub will make a welcome return.  Should make the Post Season, and if everyone stays fit, who knows?

Indianapolis Colts:  From last to...err maybe 31st.  This is year one of a long term project.  Andrew Luck is going to be a star for years to come.  However, the existing pieces are faded, ageing or hopeless.  They lost their 8 roads games by an average of 18 points last term.

Tennessee Titans:  The NFL's Average Joes and this could be more of the same.  Expect them to win seven to nine games and just miss the play offs.  If they are to kick on, then Jake Locker and Chris Johnson are key.  Expect them to upset a few contenders, but fall short.

Jacksonville Jaguars:  Good news: MJD is back!  Bad news: So are the rest of them!  The 2011 version of Jones Drew couldn't help the Jags to more than 4 wins.  Gabbert was terrible in his rookie year and Chad Henne may return to NFL action in a few weeks time.

Winners: Houston Texans


AFC West

Denver Broncos: Massive upgrade to Quarterback, Peyton Manning gives them a general to go with the impressive set of young receivers.  Plenty of playmakers in Defence and they won't concede too many.  Keeping Manning fit is the key.  If he plays all seventeen games, then this team can make the play offs.

Kansas City Chiefs:  Plagued by injuries last year, this will feel like a brand new team.  Matt Cassel needs a strong year, but this is primarily a run first team. Underrated defence, expect them to create plenty of turnovers.  Will upset a few teams and could sneak into the post season. Nice logo!

Oakland Raiders:  Quiet off season, largely due to them throwing their eggs in the Carson Palmer basket last term.  Signs are that the gamble won't pay off and they could be the stragglers in this even looking Division.  Only franchise who's most interesting players are the Special Teamers! Won't make play offs!

San Diego Chargers:  Divisional favourites for the last few seasons, but they don't look as strong now.  Philip Rivers needs a bounceback season after an error strewn 2011.  Upgrades in Defence should ease the pressure on him. A lot rests on Ryan Matthews, mainly because he's in my British Eagles fantasy team!  Average.

Winners:  Kansas City Chiefs

AFC Wild Cards: Pittsburgh and Buffalo 


NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Carr and Claribone could become the best CB tandem in the NFL, throw in Ware and you've got a formidable Defence.  But can Romo win the big games?  He looks class 90% of the time but when the going gets tough he falls apart. That needs to change this season.

New York Giants:  Big target on their backs.  Very tough for teams to win back to back SuperBowls.  Eli Manning is as clutch as they come and has 2 elite receivers to throw to.  The Defence is average, but often does just enough to give the Offence a chance to win.  Tough Schedule.

Philadelphia Eagles:  Great on paper, but dross on grass in 2011.  Have strengthened in defence, as well as acquiring a new fan.  If Vick stays healthy they could go all the way, but it's a big if.  Make or break year for Andy Reid, fail again and he will probably be gone.

Washington Redskins:  A lot rests on the shoulders of RGIII.  Expect Shanahan to confuse everyone with his tactics, the starting RB will change on a weekly basis.. Going to be tough to make the Play Offs in an always tricky Division.  New running back Alfred Morris sounds like a Sherlock Holmes villain.

Winners:  Philadelphia Eagles



NFC North

Chicago Bears:  Cutler, Forte, Marshall represents an impressive Offensive trio.  They were well set for the Post Season until injuries to the first 2 scuppered their Play Off dreams.  Mike Martz is gone, so Cutler may get a few less bruises.  Defence looks very strong, if a little old. Outside Title bet.

Green Bay Packers:  Will be there or thereabouts. Rodgers is outstanding and has some fine receivers to throw to. The Defence is less impressive and will concede plenty of points.  Expect lots of shoot outs with the Packers prevailing in the majority. Probably the leading team in the NFC at present. Superbowl contenders.

Detroit Lions:  If they can eliminate the poor discipline then this team could be dangerous.  Stafford is improving every year, Calvin Johnson is unplayable and there are plenty of decent support acts. Would be considered favourites in a few other Divisions, they may have to settle for 3rd in this one.

Minnesota Vikings:  The odd team out in an otherwise strong Division, even a fully fit Peterson won't help them make the Play Offs.  Important season for Ponder as he looks to show he can be a franchise Quarterback.  Jared Allen will keep getting sacks, but it won't be enough.  4 wins only.

Winners:  Chicago Bears


NFC South

New Orleans Saints:  A few minor off season issues! If this team can overcome everything that has happened this year, then fair play to them.  They still have Drew Brees plus great receivers, and that will always give them a chance.  They will score plenty of points, but the Defence may concede more!

Atlanta Falcons:  As usual, they will be good, but not great.  Matt Ryan will be good, but not great. The Defence will be good, but not great and...you get the idea.  Four "one and done" years in a row and it's very possible it will number five. Ten and six record.

Carolina Panthers:  Dark horses for the Play Offs if Can Newton can follow up his absurdly good rookie season. Luke Kuehly and Jon Beeson will help a Defence that shipped far too many points last season.  Sure to be fun to watch, but I think they will just miss out.  Eight wins.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Arguable the worst team in the league during the 2nd half of 2011.  Massive disappointment after a strong 2010.  Josh Freeman needs a strong start after badly regressing last term. This team is still young, but it remains to be seen if they are still hungry for success
Winners: Atlanta Falcons



NFC West

St Louis Rams:  Wembley bound, where they will thrashed by the Pats.  But all is not lost for the Rams.  Sam Bradford is a decent QB and should rebound after an injury plagued 2011.  Danny Amendola is also back after his "College Rock" appearance on the BBC's SuperBowl coverage. Could surprise a few.

San Francisco 49ers:  Tough act to follow after being a couple of muffed punts away from the SuperBowl.  Expect the Defence to remain strong, but the key is how well Alex Smith links up with his new receivers.  Vernon Davis is always a good fall back option though! I Hate David Akers celebration!

Arizona Cardinals:  John Skelton has the QB job....for a couple of weeks at least!  He can be fun to watch and clutch, but can also be terrible.  At least, there's Larry Fitzgerald.  The Defence are average, and even in a weak Division I can't see the Cardinals making the post season.

Seattle Seahawks:  Russell Wilson was Mr PreSeason.  Unfortunately, that's a made up title and will count for very little in the Regular Season.  They need Lynch to repeat his 2011 Beast form.  Defence looks great and they could bloody a few noses, but can see them just missing out. Awful new uniform.

Winners:  San Francisco 49ers

NFC Wild Cards:  Green Bay and New Orleans


As for who's going to win the Superbowl?  Well obviously I'm picking the Eagles, but should they slip up then I'm going to plump for the Chicago Bears to prevail.
Hopefully that was a balanced view of the upcoming season.  No doubt, you'll disagree with a lot of my predictions, but that's the beauty of the NFL - everyone will think differently and hardly anyone will get everything right.

We're getting ever closer to the start of the season and my first campaign as an Eagles fan.  But before that, Ill be back to carry on my "30 Things to Do", as I report on my experiences of watching the Eagles final Preseason game, plus how I got on with my British Eagles Fantasy Draft (Clue - Not good at QB!)