Projecting the Finish of all 32 Teams
The first quarter of the NFL season has come to a close. It’s been such a roller coaster ride so far with some teams preforming as expected and others underperforming. Injuries have played their usual role with stars like Darrel Revis, Santonio Holmes, and Hakeem Nicks missing significant time. With that said, the first quarter of the 2012 season will always be remembered for one of the biggest NFL controversies in the past decade with the replacement officials mishaps that changed the outcome of several games.
Before the season began, many pundits assumed that the Vikings and Cardinals would bring up the rear in the NFC, but with Arizona 4-1 and Minnesota 3-1 these teams have proved just how hard the NFL is to predict. Others assumed that the Lions and Saints would repeat their playoffs runs of last season, but after four games both teams appear dead in the water having combined to win only 1 game so far.
As a sports enthusiast myself, I will try the impossible. I will try to predict the final record for each NFL team using the results from the first quarter of the season as my handicap.
Cleveland Browns (0-4):
The Cleveland Browns didn’t have high expectations to begin with. Their team is one of the youngest in the league and their fans need to be paitent as their young team matures.
Projected Finish: 1-15
New Orleans Saints (0-4):
We all knew the Saints weren’t going to be at the top of their game without Coach Sean Payton and MLB Jonathan Vilma. But did anyone think it was going to be this bad? The Saints should turn things around but will it be enough to make the playoffs?
Projected Finish: 6-10
Kansas City Chiefs (1-3):
Where to begin? This franchise has gotten fans hopes up for quite some time now as they always seem to be a border line team.
Projected Finish: 3-13
Tennessee Titans (1-3):
Tennessee isn’t completely doomed this year. This is a team that is solid all around, but their biggest problem is communication. It’s easy to see if you look at how sloppy the Titans have been so for this season. The Titans should turn it around but fall short of the playoffs.
Projected Finish: 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3):
The Jacksonville Jaguars may have dug themselves a big hole in the last two drafts by selecting two players who have been busts early in their careers. First round picks Blaine Gabbert and Justin Blackmon need to step up and lead this team. If they don’t play better, it will be a long season for the Jaguars.
Projected Finish: 3-13
Miami Dolphins (1-3):
As horrible as it might have looked in the offseason for the Dolphins, it hasn’t turned out as bad as most pundits were expecting. The Dolphins could easily be 3-1 right now after losing two heartbreaking overtime games. The Dolphins still have a long way to go with a rookie at quarterback and other holes at key spots on the field.
Projected Finish: 4-12
Carolina Panthers (1-3):
When people start on the subject of the Panthers the focus turns to Cam Newton. Yes, Cam Newton could become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. However, people can easily forget the fact that he is still young and he has yet to receive much help from his defense.
Projected Finish: 4-12
Oakland Raiders (1-3):
The Raiders are one of the season’s biggest disappointments. They have enough talent to compete in the AFC West. The biggest concern with the Raiders is Carson Palmer. Palmer is not the All-Pro QB that he used to be.
Projected Finish: 6-10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3):
It is generally a headache to talk about the Buccaneers. This team is the type that does not win many games but often wins a game that keeps another team from the playoffs. The Buccaneers make some powerful moves in the offseason adding Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson in free-agency. The Buccaneers still need to greatly improve at the quarterback position before they can make their mark.
Projected Finish: 5-11
Detroit Lions (1-3):
The Lions had a burden on their shoulders from day one. The expectations for this team where to0 high and they seemed to have cracked over the pressure. Regardless, the Lions are still one of the most talented teams in the NFL. If Matt Stafford can stay healthy for the rest of the season the Lions can make a run at the playoffs.
Projected Finish: 9-7
Indianapolis Colts (1-2):
The Colts are no longer the team we used to expect to be in the playoffs each year. Peyton Manning and the core from those teams are gone and this is Andrew Luck’s team now. Luck won’t fix all of the franchises problems but his career is off to a great star. The Colts still have a ways to go to be one of the dominant teams in the league again.
Projected Finish: 4-12
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2):
For the past decade the Steelers have been well acquainted with the post season. This year will not be an exception. The team is solid with an elite QB leading the offense and one of the most experienced defenses in the league. The Steelers fans will be waving their terrible towels around in the playoffs again this season.
Projected Finish: 10-6
Buffalo Bills (2-2):
The Bills are good, but not great. They don’t have bad players, but they don’t have great players either. This team is either hit or miss, but playing in the AFC East they have a chance to make the playoffs.
Projected Finish: 8-8
Seattle Seahawks (2-2):
We all know the Seahawks would be 1-3 this year if not for the good fortune that came with #FailMary. The Seahawks are trying to win with a rookie quarterback but the NFC West is a much tougher division than most thought it would be at the start of the season.
Projected Finish: 7-9
New York Jets (2-2):
It must hurt to be a Jets fan. The Jets will fall short of a playoff run and have to start rebuilding after the season. The Jets need to realize that Matt Sanchez and Rex Ryan are NOT the guys that will lead them to the Super Bowl.
Projected Finish: 8-8
St. Louis Rams (3-2):
St. Louis has been desperately trying to break their losing habit and make a run at the playoffs. Like the Seahawks, the Rams could struggle to meet their goals playing in the improved NFC West. Rams fans should be happy to see Sam Bradford continue to develop and their team make a run at a winning record.
Projected Finish: 8-8
Washington Redskins (2-2):
Not many expected Robert Griffin III to o put up numbers that he has in his rookie season. The Redskins have gotten on Griffins back to earn a couple of early victories but they do play in one of the league’s toughest divisions and that will hurt their playoffs chances. Alfred Morris has also been a great suprise for coach Mike Shannahan.
Projected Finish: 7-9
Dallas Cowboys (2-2):
Americas Team hasn’t shown anyone much in the past decade with their frequent rotation of coaches making it hard to establish continuity. With Tony Romo, Jason Witten, and DeMarcus Ware all coming off the best years of their career there is urgency in Dallas to win now. DeMarco Murray gives the Cowboys an established backfield they can rely and take some of the pressure off of Romo.
Projected Finish 9-7
New York Giants (2-2):
The Giants biggest problem is expectations that they can’t live up to. The defending Super Bowl champions have been playing mediocre football so far this season and well below what they are capable of. The Giants could be another team that falls short of the playoffs when defending their Championship.
Projected Finish: 8-8
Denver Broncos (2-2):
The Broncos made one of the biggest free agent moves in the century when they signed Peyton Manning. The Broncos thought Manning was the missing for a run to the Super Bowl. Last Season, the Broncos won a playoff game with Tim Tebow under center and the hope is Manning could take them further.
Projected Finish: 7-9
Green Bay Packers (2-2):
The Packers would be 3-1 if not for #Fail Mary. The Packers might not be quite as dominate as last year but they are still one of the best teams in the NFC.
Projected Finish: 13-3
New England Patriots (2-2):
New England has maybe one or two more years with Tom Brady playing at the level that has made him a sure first-ballot Hall of Famer. With that being said, they really have to play better than they have so far if they want to add another ring to their showcase.
Projected Finish: 11-5
Cincinnati Bengals (3-1):
Cincinnati has picked up right where they left off last year. The deadly combination of Andy Dalton and AJ Green has turned this team from a laughing stock to a perennial playoff contender. There is no reason this team shouldn’t make the playoffs, but can they make the AFC North a three bid division with Pittsburgh and Baltimore likely to coast into the playoffs?
Projected Finish: 8-8
San Diego Chargers (3-1):
San Diego has been one of the more consistent teams in the NFL over the past decade making frequent visits to the playoffs. It just so happens that this team has to0 many holes and will struggle to make the playoffs this season.
Projected Finish: 8-8
Minnesota Vikings (3-1):
Minnesota has been one of the leagues most fickle teams in the past decade. This season, they have surprised football fans around the country with their strong start. Don’t be fooled by their strong start, the schedule gets much more difficult from here.
Projected Finnish: 5-11
Philadelphia Eagles (3-1):
Philadelphia has come to be one of the strongest teams in the NFL and spent all of last season proclaiming themselves the second coming of the “Dream Team.” Despite all the talking, the Eagles failed to make the playoffs. They are off to a great start this year, however they have only won their 3 games by a total of 4 points. This team could easily be 4-0 and they could just as easily be 1-3.
Projected Finish: 8-8
Chicago Bears (3-1):
Chicago is one of the weakest 3-1 teams in the league. With a hit or miss QB, a solid running game, and an above average defense many Chicago fans believe this will be the their year. Unfortunately for them, the Bears are not as strong as they think and will struggle to make the playoffs.
Projected Finish: 8-8
San Francisco 49ers (3-1):
San Francisco is once again one of the best teams in the NFC that they dominated for much of the 80′s and 90′s. Alex Smith begins is playing the way the 49ers hoped when they drafted him first overall in 2002. The 49ers aren’t as strong as last year and a tougher schedule will make it difficult to make the post season.
Projected Finish: 8-8
Baltimore Ravens (3-1):
Baltimore has started the season with a strong 3-1 record and are only a 2-point loss to Phliadelphia away from being perfect. Despite blowing the Eagles game, the Ravens will compete with the Texans for the right to be called the best team in the AFC
Projected Finish: 14-2
Arizona Cardinals (4-1):
The Cardinals have shocked football with their 4-1 start. The clock might strike midnight fast on this fairy tale as a tough schedule awaits the Cardinals.
Projected Finish: 7-9
Houston Texans (4-0):
The Houston Texas are one of the most dominant teams in the NFL this season. The Texans have good players at almost every position and extraordinary players on both sides of the ball.
Projected Finish: 15-1
Atlanta Falcons (4-0):
Atlanta has gotten off to a remarkable start being one of only three teams to start the year 4-0. The Falcons seem to compete with 100% effort every week. This team wants to win and the fans have been waiting a long time for this. Now that they have the pieces to get them where they want to be they will be a tough out in the playoffs
Projected Finish: 13-3
