2012 NFL Predictions - AFC

The 2012 regular season is finally here. So it’s time to gaze into the crystal ball and do the unenviable and try and predict what’s going to happen between now and February 3rd in New Orleans. First up the AFC predictions.

AFC

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (15-1)
MVP – QB Tom Brady
Player to watch – WR Brandon Lloyd
Biggest Questions:
Dave Barr - Did the Patriots do enough on defense in the offseason to get back to the Super Bowl?
Nick Athan - Will the golden arm of Quarterback, Tom Brady, finally run out of magic?

2. Buffalo Bills (11-5)
MVP- WR Steve Johnson
Player to watch – DT Marcel Darius
Biggest Questions:
DB - Can the addition of Mario Williams put the Bills defense over the top?
NA - Is Head Coach Chan Gailey capable of guiding the Bills to the top of the division?

3. New York Jets (7-9)
MVP – RB Shonn Green
Player to watch – QB Mark Sanchez
Biggest Questions:
DB – Is there more substance in Gotham than hype?
NA- Will Tim Tebow send Head Coach Rex Ryan to the unemployment line at seasons end?

4. Miami Dolphins (5-11) MVP – RB Reggie Bush
Player to watch – QB Ryan Tannehill
Biggest Questions:
DB- Is there a roster in the NFL was less talent than this one?
NA - When will former Chiefs GM, Carl Peterson take over this rudderless ship?

AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens (14-2)
MVP – RB Ray Rice
Player to watch – LB Ray Lewis
Biggest Questions:
Dave Barr - Can the “old” guys on defense give it one more run with the NFL’s most difficult schedule?
Nick Athan - Is this the year that Quarterback Joe Flacco becomes a candidate for AFC MVP?

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) MVP – QB Ben Roethlisberger
Player to watch – CB Keenan Lewis
Biggest Questions:
DB - Can the Steelers overcome early injuries and can new offensive coordinator Todd Haley and Roethlisberger coexist?
NA - Yeah what Dave said!

3. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
MVP – WR A.J. Green
Player to watch – RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Biggest Questions:
DB - Can the young Bengals avoid a sophomore slump?
NA - Don’t you think its time the city of Cincinnati deserves gets another NFL winner?

4. Cleveland Browns (2-14)
MVP – OL Joe Thomas
Player to watch – QB Brandon Weeden
Biggest Questions:
DB – Can the rookies come through?
NA -Can any Browns fan dispute the fact the team is officially on the clock?

AFC South
1. Houston Texans (11-5)
MVP – WR Andre Johnson
Player to watch – LB Bradie James
Biggest Questions:
Dave Barr – Is Matt Schaub the signal-caller who can take the Texans to the Super Bowl?
Nick Athan - Are the Texans really a Super Bowl contender?

2. Tennessee Titans (6-10)
MVP – RB Chris Johnson
Player to watch - QB Jake Locker
Biggest Questions:
DB – Can first-year starter Locker take advantage of the weapons around him?
? NA - Will the Titans miss former head coach, Jeff Fisher?

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
MVP – RB Maurice Jones-Drew
Player to watch – WR Justin Blackmon
Biggest Questions:
DB – Can Blaine Gabbert make a huge step up after subpar rookie campaign?
NA - How much longer until this team packs their bags for Los Angeles?

4. Indianapolis Colts (4-12)
MVP – WR Reggie Wayne
Player to watch – QB Andrew Luck
Biggest Questions
DB– How quickly can the Colts rebuild post-Peyton Manning?
NA - What impact will last years fire sale have on the long term re-building efforts in Indy?

AFC West
1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) MVP – LB Tamba Hali
Player to watch – RB Peyton Hillis
Biggest Questions:
Dave Barr – Can the Chiefs run the ball effectively enough to get Matt Cassel back to 2010 numbers?
Nick Athan - Will the best 53 man roster in the division deliver the goods come January?

2. San Diego Chargers (9-7)
MVP – QB Phillip Rivers
Player to watch – WR Robert Meachem
Biggest Questions:
DB – Can the Bolts avoid another slow start with half of first games within the division?
NA - How many NFL Nine Lives does Norv Turner have left?

3. Denver Broncos (9-7)
MVP – QB Peyton Manning
Player to watch – WR Eric Decker
Biggest Questions:
DB – Is there enough on offense to surround Manning?
NA - Will Peyton Manning face the Chiefs in November?

4. Oakland Raiders (5-11)
MVP –RB Darren McFadden
Player to watch – QB Carson Palmer
Biggest Questions
DB – Can McFadden finally finish a season healthy?
NA - Is there still too much of an Al Davis stamp on the Raiders?

AFC division winners – New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs

AFC wildcards – Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills

AFC champion – New England Patriots

Tomorrow the NFC Predictions

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