2012 Week 1 Predictions

I just posted my preview and predictions for the year a couple minutes ago.  However, I actually wrote most of that up a week to 10 days ago, and just finished typing it in tonight.

That said, like last year, I'm going to predict each week out individually again.  There will be differences as the year goes on, in fact there will probably be differences from the first week in the season predictions to the one I'm doing here right now.

Last year I had a better correct prediction percentage than I saw posted from anywhere.  And believe me, I looked.  You can check last years, and any of this years you may miss as the season goes on, just by going to the tab atop the screen.  Last years posts are already in there. I'm hoping to beat last years percentage.  And while I know that'll be difficult, I'm at least shooting to stay somewhere in that range.  Anyhow, here goes week one.

Being the first week, I won't go into as much detail with the picks as those of you who read my articles last season may recall.  Eventually I'll get write longer bits for each game, but bear with me the first few weeks until I get back into the routine of doing these each week.

Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012

Dallas Cowboys Vs. New York Giants

I know there are a lot of people out there predicting great things for Dallas this year.  I just don't see it.  Sure, they added some of what they lacked on defense, but really, if you look at it, they added a rookie CB, who should be good, and Brandon Carr, a guy I've never really been all too impressed with…actually, I'll clarify that by saying he's a solid, steady guy every team would like to have back there, but he's not a gamechanging CB.  At least I don't think so.  On offense, wow, I have questions.  Offensive Line, Romo's health, Austin's health, Dez's guidelines, not to mention Witten's status.  I'm going with the Giants, they are the champs and really don't have many question marks at all. 24-13

Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012

Indianapolis Colts Vs. Chicago Bears

Should be a blow out.  If it's not, perhaps I'm too high on the bears chances this year.  Luck's first regular season game should be intriguing though.  Chicago  34-17

Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Cleveland Browns

Another game that shouldn't really be close.  Things to watch for:  Vick staying healthy.  Weeden and Richardson's first action.  Eagles Big. 33-10

St. Louis Rams Vs. Detroit Lions

Another of the same type of game.  Detroit wins big.  Looking to see how the Lion's RB situation sorts itself out, but still, probably won't know much more until Leshoure gets in there.  Stafford to Calvin is always fun to watch for.  38-21

Miami Dolphins Vs. Houston Texans

See.  The theme this week is bad vs good teams.  Tannehill's first start is all I can see Dolphin fans looking forward too here.  Houston 42-7

Atlanta Falcons Vs. K.C. Chiefs

A bit better of a game.  Chiefs played strong down the stretch last year.  I think Romeo will do a nice job with them, but they have a tough opening few weeks.  Fully healthy and lots of offensive weapons.  But, not nearly enough to outmatch Matt Ryan and the Falcon's weapons, who should be very fun to watch this year.  Atlanta 24-13

Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. Minnesota Vikings

Two bad teams entering a season with the hope of being good.  One will get a win, one will get a loss.  MJD in on 3rd downs, and the Jags offense had a little spark to it this preseason, will be interesting to see if it can carry over.  But I'm going to take the Vikings, for coaching consistency and being home.  16-13

Washington Redskins Vs. New Orleans Saints

RGIII vs what's left of the Saints after Bountygate.  What's left.  Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and the ability to score at will.  They'll be fine this year, just fine.  31-10

Buffalo Bills Vs. NY Jets

Lots of hype for my Bills this year.  I'm just hoping it's for real this year.  I'm interested to see how the Jets use Tebow, but hoping it won't work.  This all said, I have to think it'll be a close game, but one that the front four of the Bills Defensive dominates.  13-7 Buffalo

New England Patriots Vs. Tennessee Titans

The Locker era opens in Nashville.  Patriots could go undefeated this year, unfortunately.  But they do look great.  High Scoring game.  49-38

Seattle Seahawks Vs. Arizona Cardinals

I like Russell Wilson and can't wait to see this game.  I'm a big Ryan Williams fan as well, so will be nice to finally see him play.  However, with suspect QB play for AZ, and a stout Seattle defense, I think the Seahawks take this opener.  20-10

San Francisco 49ers Vs. Green Bay Packers

Game many thought would've been played last year in the NFC championship game.  Should be the marquis game of the week in my opinion.  I like GB a lot this year, why wouldn't I thought, right?  The fact they shored up their defense some more, really should be the difference.  31-23

Carolina Panthers Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cam Newton vs new look Bucs.  I'm going with the Panthers in a better than advertised type of game.  Will be watching V-Jax and Doug Martin closely for the Bucs though.  17-9 Panthers

Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning's first real game for Denver, at home, against a Steelers team that is not where they want to be right now.  Big play WR Mike Wallace is just getting acclimated to the new offense, a hodge-podge at RB and some offensive line concerns.  Can I see Pittsburgh winning, yes.  Will I pick them, no.  Denver. 21-14

Monday, Sept. 10, 2012

Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Baltimore Ravens

Should be a good game.  Two good teams with proving to do.  I really want to pick the Bengals, and if this was in Cincinnati I would've, but sometimes home cooking is all the difference.  24-21

San Diego Chargers Vs. Oakland Raiders

And so the week rounds out in the Black Hole.  Raider fans are way too excited for this season.  They aren't going to be as great as many make them out to be.  But I think they'll pull this one out.  As I'm getting some really bad vibes out of SD this year.  Hope they keep it interesting enough to give us reasons to keep watching the game to the end.  Raiders 28-24

See You in Week 2

2012 NFL Season Predictions-Overview

As I intend to do each year prior to the start of each new NFL season, I'll take my best educated guess as to what each teams overall record will be, and then, add in some playoff possibilities, awards and culminating with a predicted champion.

Well, after several attempts to get the alignment straightened out, I've run out of ideas.  Some of the post just didn't want to transfer aligned as it is on the page I wrote this up on.  I've noticed this type of thing happen before with blogger, and trying to fix it after the fact is often times futile.  Perhaps I'll simply type directly into blogger next time.

AFC

AFC EAST

WEEK		BUFFALO BILLS		MIAMI DOLPHINS		NY JETS		NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
1		@NYJ-W		@HOU-L		BUF-L		@TEN-W
2		KC-W		OAK-W		@PIT-W		ARZ-W
3		@CLE-W		NYJ-L		@MIA-W		@BAL-W
4		NE-L		@ARZ-W		SF-L		@BUF-W
5		@SF-L		@CIN-L		HOU-L		DEN-L
6		@ARZ-W		STL-W		IND-W		@SEA-L
7		TEN-W		BYE		@NE-L		NYJ-W
8		BYE		@NYJ-L		MIA-W		@STL-W
9		@HOU-L		@IND-W		BYE		BYE
10		@NE-L		TEN-L		@SEA-L		BUF-W
11		MIA-W		@BUF-L		@STL-W		IND-W
12		@IND-W		SEA-W		NE-L		@NYJ-L
13		JAX-W		NE-L		ARZ-W		@MIA-W
14		STL-W		@SF-L		@JAX-W		HOU-L
15		SEA-W		JAX-W		@TEN-L		SF-W
16		MIA-W		BUF-L		SD-L		@JAX-W
17		NYJ-L		@NE-L		@BUF-W		MIA-W

TOTAL       11-5                 6-10                  8-8             12-4

AFC NORTH

WEEK		BALTIMORE RAVENS		PITTSBURGH STEELERS		CINCINNATI BENGALS		CLEVELAND BROWNS
1		CIN-W		@DEN-L		@BAL-L		PHI-L
2		@PHI-L		NYJ-L		CLE-W		@CIN-L
3		NE-L		@OAK-W		@WAS-W		BUF-L
4		CLE-W		BYE		@JAX-W		@BAL-L
5		@KC-W		PHI-L		MIA-W		@NYG-L
6		DAL-W		@TEN-W		@CLE-W		CIN-L
7		@HOU-L		@CIN-L		PIT-W		@IND-W
8		BYE		WAS-W		BYE		SD-L
9		@CLE-W		@NYG-L		DEN-L		BAL-L
10		OAK-W		KC-W		NYG-L		BYE
11		@PIT-L		BAL-W		@KC-L		@DAL-L
12		@SD-W		@CLE-W		OAK-W		PIT-L
13		PIT-W		@BAL-L		@SD-L		@OAK-L
14		@WAS-W		SD-W		DAL-W		KC-L
15		DEN-L		@DAL-L		@PHI-L		WAS-W
16		NYG-W		CIN-W		@PIT-L		@DEN-L
17		@CIN-W		CLE-W		BAL-L		@PIT-L
FINAL		11-5		9-7		8-8		2-14

AFC SOUTH

WEEK		JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS		HOUSTON TEXANS		INDIAN. COLTS		TENNESSEE TITANS
1		@MIN-W		MIA-W		@CHI-L		NE-L
2		HOU-L		@JAX-W		@MIN-L		@SD-W
3		@IND-W		@DEN-L		JAX-L		DET-L
4		CIN-L		TEN-W		BYE		@HOU-L
5		CHI-L		@NYJ-W		GB-L		@MIN-W
6		BYE		GB-L		@NYJ-L		PIT-L
7		@OAK-W		BAL-W		CLE-L		@BUF-L
8		@GB-L		BYE		@TEN-L		IND-W
9		DET-W		BUF-W		MIA-L		CHI-L
10		IND-L		@CHI-L		@JAX-W		@MIA-W
11		@HOU-L		JAX-W		@NE-L		BYE
12		TEN-L		@DET-L		BUF-L		@JAX-W
13		@BUF-L		@TEN-W		@DET-L		HOU-L
14		NYJ-L		@NE-W		TEN-L		@IND-W
15		@MIA-L		HOU-W		@HOU-L		NYJ-W
16		NE-L		MIN-W		@KC-W		@GB-L
17		@TEN-L		@IND-W		HOU-L		JAX-W

FINAL                  4-12                    12-4           2-14           8-8

AFC WEST

WEEK		SAN DIEGO CHARGERS		OAKLAND RAIDERS		KANSAS CITY CHIEFS		DENVER BRONCOS
1		@OAK-W		SD-L		ATL-L		PIT-W
2		TEN-L		MIA-L		@BUF-L		@ATL-L
3		ATL-W		PIT-L		@NO-L		HOU-W
4		@KC-L		@DEN-L		SD-W		OAK-W
5		@NO-L		BYE		BAL-L		@NE-W
6		DEN-W		@ATL-L		@TB-L		@SD-L
7		BYE		JAX-L		BYE		BYE
8		@CLE-W		@KC-L		OAK-W		NO-L
9		KC-L		TB-W		@SD-W		@CIN-W
10		@TB-W		@BAL-L		@PIT-L		@CAR-L
11		@DEN-L		NO-W		CIN-W		SD-W
12		BAL-L		@CIN-L		DEN-W		@KC-L
13		CIN-W		CLE-W		CAR-W		TB-L
14		@PIT-L		DEN-W		@CLE-L		@OAK-L
15		CAR-W		KC-L		@OAK-W		@BAL-W
16		@NYJ-W		@CAR-W		IND-W		CLE-W
17		OAK-L		@SD-W		@DEN-L		KC-W
FINAL		8-8		6-10		7-9		10-6

Final AFC Standings

EAST

New England      12-4

Buffalo                11-5

NYJ                      8-8

Miami                           6-10

NORTH

Baltimore            11-5

Pittsburgh           9-7

Cincinnati            8-8

Cleveland            2-14

SOUTH

Houston              12-4

Tennessee          8-8

Jacksonville                  4-12

Indianapolis        2-14

WEST

Denver                10-6

SD                       8-8

KC                       7-9

Oakland              6-10

Playoffs

1. Houston          12-4 H2H over NE

2. New England  12-4

3. Baltimore        11-5

4. Denver            10-6

5. Buffalo            11-5

6. Pittsburgh       9-7

Wild Card Round

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

         Baltimore- 24-21 OT

Buffalo @ Denver

         Buffalo- 17-13

Divisional Round

Buffalo @ Houston

         Houston-34-24

Baltimore @ New England

         Baltimore-31-30

AFC Championship

Baltimore @ Houston

         Baltimore 28-24

AFC Comeback Player of the Year- Peyton Manning, DEN, QB

AFC Offensive MVP- Tom Brady, NE, QB

AFC Defensive MVP- Mario Williams, BUF, DE

AFC Offensive ROY- Kendall Wright, TEN, WR

AFC Defensive MVP- Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo CB

AFC Coach Of The Year- Chan Gailey, Buffalo

NFC

NFC EAST

WEEK		DALLAS COWBOYS		WASHINGTON REDSKINS		NY GIANTS		PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
1		@NYG-L		@NO-L		DAL-W		@CLE-W
2		@SEA-W		@STL-L		TB-W		BAL-W
3		TB-W		CIN-L		@CAR-W		@ARZ-W
4		CHI-L		@TB-L		@PHI-W		NYG-L
5		BYE		ATL-L		CLE-W		@PIT-W
6		@BAL-L		MIN-W		@SF-W		DET-L
7		@CAR-W		@NYG-L		WAS-W		BYE
8		NYG-W		@PIT-L		@DAL-L		ATL-L
9		@ATL-L		CAR-W		PIT-W		@NO-L
10		@PHI-W		BYE		@CIN-W		DAL-L
11		CLE-W		PHI-L		BYE		@WAS-W
12		WAS-W		@DAL-L		GB-L		CAR-W
13		PHI-L		NYG-L		@WAS-W		@DAL-W
14		@CIN-L		BAL-L		NO-W		@TB-W
15		PIT-W		@CLE-L		@ATL-L		CIN-W
16		NO-L		@PHI-W		@BAL-L		WAS-L
17		@WAS-W		DAL-L		PHI-W		@NYG-L

TOTAL       9-7                   3-13                  12-4                    9-7

NFC NORTH

WEEK		MINNESOTA VIKINGS		GREEN BAY PACKERS		DETROIT LIONS		CHICAGO BEARS
1		JAX-L		@SF-W		STL-W		IND-W
2		@IND-W		CHI-W		@SF-L		@GB-L
3		SF-L		@SEA-W		@TEN-W		STL-L
4		@DET-L		NO-L		MIN-W		@DAL-W
5		TEN-L		@IND-W		BYE		@JAX-W
6		@WAS-L		@HOU-W		@PHI-W		BYE
7		ARZ-W		@STL-W		@CHI-L		DET-W
8		TB-W		JAX-W		SEA-W		CAR-L
9		@SEA-W		ARZ-W		@JAX-L		@TEN-W
10		DET-L		BYE		@MIN-W		HOU-W
11		BYE		@DET-L		GB-W		@SF-L
12		@CHI-L		@NYG-W		HOU-W		MIN-W
13		@GB-L		MIN-W		IND-W		SEA-W
14		CHI-L		DET-L		@GB-W		@MIN-W
15		@STL-L		@CHI-L		@ARZ-W		GB-W
16		@HOU-L		TEN-W		ATL-L		@ARZ-L
17		GB-L		@MIN-W		CHI-L		@DET-W
FINAL		4-12		12-4		11-5		11-5

NFC SOUTH

WEEK		CAROLINA PANTHERS		ATLANTA FALCONS		NEW ORLEANS SAINTS		TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
1		@TB-W		@KC-W		WAS-W		CAR-L
2		NO-L		DEN-W		@CAR-W		@NYG-L
3		NYG-L		@SD-L		KC-W		@DAL-L
4		@ATL-L		CAR-W		@GB-W		WAS-W
5		SEA-W		@WAS-W		SD-W		BYE
6		BYE		OAK-W		BYE		KC-W
7		DAL-L		BYE		@TB-L		NO-W
8		@CHI-W		@PHI-W		@DEN-W		@MIN-L
9		@WAS-L		DAL-W		PHI-W		@OAK-L
10		DEN-W		@NO-L		ATL-W		SD-L
11		TB-W		ARZ-W		@OAK-L		@CAR-L
12		@PHI-L		@TB-L		SF-L		ATL-W
13		@KC-L		NO-W		@ATL-L		@DEN-W
14		ATL-W		@CAR-L		@NYG-L		PHI-L
15		@SD-L		NYG-W		TB-W		@NO-L
16		OAK-L		@DET-W		@DAL-W		STL-W
17		@NO-L		TB-W		CAR-W		@ATL-L

FINAL                  6-10                    12-4           11-5               6-10

NFC WEST

WEEK		SAN FRANCISCO 49ers		ST. LOUIS @DET-L		ARIZONA CARDINALS		SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
1		@GB-L		WAS-W		SEA-W		@ARZ-W
2		DET-W		MIA-L		@NE-L		DAL-L
3		@MIN-W		@CHI-L		PHI-L		GB-L
4		@NYJ-W		SEA-L		MIA-L		@STL-W
5		BUF-W		ARZ-L		@STL-W		@CAR-L
6		NYG-L		@MIA-L		BUF-L		NE-W
7		SEA-W		GB-W		@MIN-L		@SF-L
8		@ARZ-L		NE-L		SF-W		@DET-L
9		BYE		BYE		@GB-L		MIN-L
10		STL-W		@SF-L		BYE		NYJ-W
11		CHI-W		NYJ-L		@ATL-L		BYE
12		@NO-W		@ARZ-W		STL-L		@MIA-L
13		@STL-W		SF-L		@NYJ-L		@CHI-L
14		MIA-W		@BUF-L		@SEA-L		ARZ-W
15		@NE-L		MIN-L		DET-W		@BUF-L
16		@SEA-L		@TB-L		CHI-L		SF-W
17		ARZ-W		@SEA-W		@SF-L		STL-L
FINAL		11-5		4-12		4-12		6-10

Final NFC Standings

EAST

New York            12-4

Philadelphia        9-7

Dallas                  9-7

Washington                 3-13

NORTH

Green Bay           12-4

Chicago               11-5

Detroit                11-5

Minnesota           4-12

SOUTH

Atlanta                12-4

New Orleans       11-5

Carolina              6-10

Tampa Bay          6-10

WEST

San Francisco      11-5

Seattle                6-10

Arizona               4-12

St. Louis              4-12

Playoffs

1. Atlanta            12-4 Better Conf. Record over GB, H2H NYG

2. Green Bay       12-4 H2H over NYG

3. NYG                 12-4

4. San Francisco  11-5

5. New Orleans   11-5

6. Chicago           11-5

*NO, CHI & DET all tied at 11-5.  DET lost both games H2H Vs. CHI and only game H2H Vs. NO., so DET eliminated.  CHI finished with all five losses in conference, whereas NO went 4-1 in conference, so they get 5^th and CHI gets 6^th.

Wild Card Round

Chicago @ NYG

         NYG- 35-24

NO @ SF

         SF- 30-28

Divisional Round

SF @ Atlanta

         SF-21-17

NYG @ Green Bay

         Green Bay-38-28

NFC Championship

SF @ Green Bay

         Green Bay 34-21

NFC Comeback Player of the Year- Randy Moss, SF, WR

NFC Offensive MVP- Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, QB

NFC Defensive MVP- Clay Matthews, Green Bay, LB

NFC Offensive ROY- Robert Griffin III, Washington, QB

NFC Defensive ROY- Nick Perry, Green Bay, LB

NFC Coach Of The Year- Lovie Smith, Chicago

Super Bowl

Baltimore Vs. Green Bay

         Green Bay- 41

         Baltimore- 27