Buffalo Bills – They can put up enough points to hang with the Patriots, thanks to dynamic players Fred Jackson and Stevie Johnson, but can the upgrades they made on defense, Mario Williams, Mark Anderson, and rookie Stephon Gilmore, launch them up-and-over the Patriots in the standings? Record: 9-7. Player-to-Watch: CJ Spiller could fill the Darren Sproles role on this team.
New York Jets – A quiet offseason, by Jet’s standards, has lowered expectations for this team amid a brewing QB controversy, and how Mark Sanchez responds will likely determine where this team stands when the dust has settled at year’s end. Record: 7-9. Player-to-Watch: Stephen Hill could give them what Plaxico Burress couldn’t, a red-zone threat.
New England Patriots – With young additions on defense, and Brandon Lloyd on offense, can the acquisitions make up for the learning curve of a new offense and a patchwork o-line (I think Tom Brady may be a factor)? Record: 12-4. Player-to-Watch: With Green-Ellis gone, Stevan Ridley is now starting.
Miami Dolphins – Hope springs eternal with a new QB and coach and success will likely be reaching periodic goals throughout the season rather than measuring this team by playoff entry. Record: 4-12. Player-to-Watch: If Reggie Bush performs like the 2nd half of last year, they could have some close games.
Baltimore Ravens – This offense is poised to atone for last year’s painful loss to the Patriots and should be helped by rookies on both lines as well as the continued growth of Torrey Smith into a bonafide #1 receiver. Record: 12-4. Player-to-Watch: Torrey Smith could set this receiver-driven league ablaze!
Pittsburgh Steelers – This team has playmakers on offense, without a solid running back, but looks suddenly old on defense in a division filled with emerging youth and talent. Record: 9-7. Player-to-Watch: Can Isaac Redman overthrow Mendenhall as the #1 back? He may need to for a playoff bid.
Cincinnati Bengals – With a solid draft, and another year of growth for AJ Green and Andy Dalton, this team got better on both sides of the ball and should compete for the division crown. Record: 11-5. Player-to-Watch: If Dre Kirkpatrick can return healthy in the first 4 weeks, it’d be a HUGE impact.
Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden provide the foundation on which the future of this franchise will be built on for the foreseeable future…the future will not be this year. Record: 3-13. Player-to-Watch: Brandon Weedon has the confidence of Mike Holmgren, but can he carry this team with his arm?
Tennessee Titans – This team has a lot of young talent in rookie Kendal Wright, Chris Johnson, Jake Locker and a healthy Kenny Brit, but is still likely a year away from competing for a playoff spot lacing some big-time playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Record: 7-9. Player-to-Watch: Kendal Wright is THE prototypical slot receiver and should be valuable to 2nd year QB Jake Locker.
Indianapolis Colts – Lots of excitement around Andrew Luck, for seemingly good reason, and a team that appears much closer to competing, albeit not this year, than many had imagined before this preseason. Record: 5-11. Player-to-Watch: Donald Brown seems poised to solidify himself as a legitimate #1 running back in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars – This team can only go up after last year, but Blain Gabbert will need to make major strides, and should, with the addition of #1 receiver Justin Blackmon. Record: 6-10. Player-to-Watch: Can Maurice Jones-Drew avoid a holdout hangover like we saw from Chris Johnson last year?
Houston Texans – Despite a stronger AFC South, I expect a healthy Schaub, Johnson, and Foster to roll through this division thanks to their experience together and a defense that should be as good, if not better, than last year. Record: 11-5. Player-to-Watch: Matt Schaub needs to stay healthy and not break stride from where he was performing prior to his 2011 injury.
San Diego Chargers – Phillip Rivers will have a bounce-back season but with injury-riddled Ryan Mathews, and minimal offensive firepower in the receiving core this team is likely to miss the playoffs and FINALLY cost Norv Turner his job. Record: 6-10. Player-to-Watch: Melvin Ingram could help this lack-luster defense generate a much-needed pass rush that it’s been without since Shawn Merriman.
Denver Broncos – Peyton Manning will enjoy the youth and athleticism he has at receiver in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker while their fierce front 7 should prove nightmarish for opposing quarterbacks. Record: 10-6. Player-to-Watch: Von Miller had an impressive rookie campaign and has the tools to become a top pass rusher in the NFL this year.
Oakland Raiders – Palmer has weapons on offense that will put up points, having Mcfadden doesn’t hurt, but the question will be can this defense keep the games close enough for them to win? Record: 7-9. Player-to-Watch: Darrius Heyward-Bey needs to make the leap to becoming this teams true #1 receiving threat.
Kansas City Chiefs – This team was PLAGUED with injuries last year and is my dark horse going into 2012 thanks to the returns of Jamaal Charles (career 6.1 YPC) and Eric Berry (Pro Bowl in 2010 Rookie Year). Record: 12-4. Player-to-Watch: Jamaal Charles’ repaired knee will establish how far this team goes into the playoffs.
New York Jets – A quiet offseason, by Jet’s standards, has lowered expectations for this team amid a brewing QB controversy, and how Mark Sanchez responds will likely determine where this team stands when the dust has settled at year’s end. Record: 7-9. Player-to-Watch: Stephen Hill could give them what Plaxico Burress couldn’t, a red-zone threat.
New England Patriots – With young additions on defense, and Brandon Lloyd on offense, can the acquisitions make up for the learning curve of a new offense and a patchwork o-line (I think Tom Brady may be a factor)? Record: 12-4. Player-to-Watch: With Green-Ellis gone, Stevan Ridley is now starting.
Miami Dolphins – Hope springs eternal with a new QB and coach and success will likely be reaching periodic goals throughout the season rather than measuring this team by playoff entry. Record: 4-12. Player-to-Watch: If Reggie Bush performs like the 2nd half of last year, they could have some close games.
Baltimore Ravens – This offense is poised to atone for last year’s painful loss to the Patriots and should be helped by rookies on both lines as well as the continued growth of Torrey Smith into a bonafide #1 receiver. Record: 12-4. Player-to-Watch: Torrey Smith could set this receiver-driven league ablaze!
Pittsburgh Steelers – This team has playmakers on offense, without a solid running back, but looks suddenly old on defense in a division filled with emerging youth and talent. Record: 9-7. Player-to-Watch: Can Isaac Redman overthrow Mendenhall as the #1 back? He may need to for a playoff bid.
Cincinnati Bengals – With a solid draft, and another year of growth for AJ Green and Andy Dalton, this team got better on both sides of the ball and should compete for the division crown. Record: 11-5. Player-to-Watch: If Dre Kirkpatrick can return healthy in the first 4 weeks, it’d be a HUGE impact.
Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden provide the foundation on which the future of this franchise will be built on for the foreseeable future…the future will not be this year. Record: 3-13. Player-to-Watch: Brandon Weedon has the confidence of Mike Holmgren, but can he carry this team with his arm?
Tennessee Titans – This team has a lot of young talent in rookie Kendal Wright, Chris Johnson, Jake Locker and a healthy Kenny Brit, but is still likely a year away from competing for a playoff spot lacing some big-time playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Record: 7-9. Player-to-Watch: Kendal Wright is THE prototypical slot receiver and should be valuable to 2nd year QB Jake Locker.
Indianapolis Colts – Lots of excitement around Andrew Luck, for seemingly good reason, and a team that appears much closer to competing, albeit not this year, than many had imagined before this preseason. Record: 5-11. Player-to-Watch: Donald Brown seems poised to solidify himself as a legitimate #1 running back in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars – This team can only go up after last year, but Blain Gabbert will need to make major strides, and should, with the addition of #1 receiver Justin Blackmon. Record: 6-10. Player-to-Watch: Can Maurice Jones-Drew avoid a holdout hangover like we saw from Chris Johnson last year?
Houston Texans – Despite a stronger AFC South, I expect a healthy Schaub, Johnson, and Foster to roll through this division thanks to their experience together and a defense that should be as good, if not better, than last year. Record: 11-5. Player-to-Watch: Matt Schaub needs to stay healthy and not break stride from where he was performing prior to his 2011 injury.
San Diego Chargers – Phillip Rivers will have a bounce-back season but with injury-riddled Ryan Mathews, and minimal offensive firepower in the receiving core this team is likely to miss the playoffs and FINALLY cost Norv Turner his job. Record: 6-10. Player-to-Watch: Melvin Ingram could help this lack-luster defense generate a much-needed pass rush that it’s been without since Shawn Merriman.
Denver Broncos – Peyton Manning will enjoy the youth and athleticism he has at receiver in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker while their fierce front 7 should prove nightmarish for opposing quarterbacks. Record: 10-6. Player-to-Watch: Von Miller had an impressive rookie campaign and has the tools to become a top pass rusher in the NFL this year.
Oakland Raiders – Palmer has weapons on offense that will put up points, having Mcfadden doesn’t hurt, but the question will be can this defense keep the games close enough for them to win? Record: 7-9. Player-to-Watch: Darrius Heyward-Bey needs to make the leap to becoming this teams true #1 receiving threat.
Kansas City Chiefs – This team was PLAGUED with injuries last year and is my dark horse going into 2012 thanks to the returns of Jamaal Charles (career 6.1 YPC) and Eric Berry (Pro Bowl in 2010 Rookie Year). Record: 12-4. Player-to-Watch: Jamaal Charles’ repaired knee will establish how far this team goes into the playoffs.