2012 NFL Predictions

Yep, that time of year where I put all my pride on the line and give a run at predicting the NFL season to come. I don't think I've picked a Super Bowl champion in the last 5 years or so and I expect nothing different this year.

I'm actually somewhat surprised by my pick because they mirror last year a bit too much. But maybe this is the year that the teams that excelled a year ago just keep it rolling.

As usual, I add in some fun stuff at the end, including coaches who I think will be fired this seasons and teams on the rise and decline.

AFC EAST
New England ----- 11-5
Buffalo ------------ 9-7
NY Jets ----------- 7-9
Miami ------------- 3-13

AFC NORTH
Baltimore --------- 12-4
Cincinnati --------- 10-6*
Pittsburgh --------- 9-7*
Cleveland --------- 2-14

AFC SOUTH
Houston ---------- 12-4
Indianapolis ------- 7-9
Tennessee --------- 6-10
Jacksonville ------- 4-12

AFC WEST
Denver ------------ 9-7
Kansas City ------- 8-8
San Diego --------- 8-8
Oakland ----------- 5-11

NFC EAST
Philadelphia -------- 12-4
NY Giants --------- 10-6*
Dallas --------------- 8-8
Washington --------- 4-12

NFC NORTH
Green Bay ----------- 13-3
Detroit --------------- 10-6*
Chicago -------------- 9-7
Minnesota ------------ 3-13

NFC SOUTH
Atlanta -------------- 12-4
New Orleans -------- 10-6
Carolina ------------- 7-9
Tampa Bay ---------- 6-10

NFC WEST
San Francisco -------- 11-5
Seattle ---------------- 8-8
St. Louis -------------- 6-10
Arizona --------------- 5-11

* = Wild Card team

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Baltimore over Houston

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Atlanta over Green Bay

SUPER BOWL XLVII
Baltimore over Atlanta

AWARDS
Offensive Rookie: Andrew Luck, IND
Defensive Rookie: Luke Kuechly, CAR
Offensive Player: Michael Vick, PHI
Defensive Player: Patrick Willis, SF
Coach: Andy Reid, PHI
MVP: Ray Rice, BAL

COACHES FIRED:
Lovie Smith, CHI
Norv Turner, SD
Rex Ryan, NYJ
Pat Shurmur, CLE
Ken Whisenhunt, AZ (in season)
Leslie Frazier, MIN (in season)
Jason Garrett, DAL

Teams on the rise:
BUF, CIN, IND, KC, CAR, SEA, STL

Teams on the decline:
NYJ, PIT, SD, ARZ