As the famous quote say's "Are You Ready For Some Football"? It's the end of summer the days are getting shorter and the sounds of fans cheering on their favorits past time fills the air. Whispers of another exciting NFL season is being heard around the corner. NFL analyst and talk show radio hosts are putting together their seasonal outlooks and predictions of another great NFL season is starting to take shape.
This is the time of year @JMCSPORTSBOOK likes to analyze the upcoming season as well. Last season we were off, I admit it we pegged the NY Giants as 2011-2012 playoff observers, sitting at home watching the Eagles soar to the top of the NFC East. Well the Eagles flopped and the Giants turned into the G-Men of New York City. Winning their second Super Bowl and defeating the New England Patriots and Tom Brady.
This season the NFC is loaded with a list of talented Quarterbacks beginning with Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees desperately seeking their second Super Bowl appearance. Ultra talented and electric is Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers offense with the resurgence of Steve Smith at Wide Receiver and the health of the dual headed Running Back core of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. The partnership of Quarterback Jay Cutler and Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall brings an aerial attack to the rough and rugged style of the Chicago Bears (thanks Philbin) and the "Monsters of the Midway" at Soldier Field.
Defense is the call in the NFC West where last seasons surprise 49ers boast what could be the NFL's best defense with Linebacker Patrick Willis. Travel North and we run into the Puget Sound where Head Coach Pete Caroll has amassed possibly the most talented secondary in the league led by Free Safety Earl Thomas.
So what's the predictions for this season's NFC playoff race, who has the chance to be this years new kid on the block (49ers). What former Super Bowl Quarterback will bring their franchise back to the top? In a league where an average of 5 playoff teams from the previous season fails to make the playoffs annually here's the "Magic 8 Ball" for the 2012- 2013 NFC playoff picture.
1.) San Francisco 49ers: This defense is elite Patrick Willis and Defensive End Justin Smith head the NFL's most talented defensive unit. Offensive additions of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham serve as new weapons for shaky Quarterback Alex Smith. Vernon Davis showed his still a top notch Tight End after being relegated to blocking duties under former Head Coach Mike Singletary... Prediction 12-4
Key Home Games:
Sept 16th vs. Det,
Oct 16th vs. NYG
Key Road Games:
Sept 9th @GB,
Dec 23rd @Sea
2.) Green Bay Packers: Criticize Green Bay's last-place defense in the land of cheese all you want but Charles Woodson, Desmond Bishop and BJ Raji still lineup for the Packer defense and their first five 2012 draft picks were defensive players. A-Rod still has the controls of the Green Bay offense and they won't miss a beat with former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin departing to Miami. "Green Bay Packers still rule the NFC North"... Prediction: 11-5
Key Home Games:
Sept 9th vs. SF,
Dec 9th vs. Det,
Key Road Games:
Mon Sept 24th @ Sea,
Nov 25th @NYG,
Dec 16th @Chi
3.) Atlanta Falcons: After last seasons miserable 2 -24 defeat to the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card will the Falcons bounce back? Questions have been raised about the competence of Matt Ryan to Rise Up in the playoffs. Despite four consecutive winning seasons the Falcons have not won a playoff gams since 2004. Falcons addressed several key areas of concern including the offensive line drafting Peter Konz out of Wisconsin to keep Matt Ryan cool as "ICE" in the pocket and the addition of Asante Samuel helps out a porous 2011 secondary. This could be Tony Gonzalez last hurrah. Prediction: 11-5
Key Home Games:
Sept. 30th vs. Car,
Nov. 19th vs N.O.,
Dec. 16th vs. NYG
Key Road Games:
Nov. 11th @ N.O.,
Dec 22nd @Det
4.) New York Giants: 2012 Super Bowl champions have arguably the best set of wide receivers in the National Football League Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz provide Eli Manning with a potent offense. David Wilson out of Virginia Tech was drafted with the Giants 2012 first round pick and looks dangerous coming out of the backfield at runningback or course Ahmad Bradshaw is the starter but Wilson still projects to get touches on this championship team. Osi Umenyiora's contract issues are over and the Giants defensive best rush is the best in the business. Giants play the leagues roughest second half schedule.... Prediction 9-7
Key Home Games:
Sept 5th vs. Dal,
Nov. 25th vs. GB,
Dec. 30th vs. Phi
Key Road Games:
Oct. 14th @SF,
Dec. 16th @Atl,
5.) Detroit Lions: Finally breaking through in their 2011-2012 seasonal campaign Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson team up again to wreck havoc on opposing secondaries. Stafford passed for 5,038 yards and 41 TD's shattering the Lions passing records for the most yards and touchdowns in a season. Megatron the receipients of 16 touchdown passes last season has become of the face of the franchise and the Lions are ready to become perennial playoff contenders. In contrast the Lions defense with the alway's notable Ndamukong Suh are looking to improve on defense after finishing 22nd (pass) and 23rd (rush) in the NFL. Prediction: 10-6
Key Home Games:
Nov 18th vs. GB,
Dec 22nd vs. Atl,
Dec. 30th vs. Chi
Key Road Games:
Sept 16th @SF,
Dec. 9th @ GB
6.) Seattle Seahawks: With one of the best homefield advantages in the NFL courtesy of the famed 12th Man the Seahawks are eager to prove that last seasons second half was not a fluke. Stacked with talent on defense Seattle is poised to become a top 5 unit. Safety Earl Thomas and the Seahawks secondary (3/4 2012 Pro Bowlers) are now being matched up front with a hungry defensive line. Rookie Quarterback Russell Wilson looked fantastic in pre-season games and looks to be the future, "no correct that" the now of the Seahawks and Pete Carrolls legacy. Marshawn Lynch is full "Beast Mode" Sidney Rice and Braylon Edwards provide reliable targets... Prediction: 10-6
Key Home Games:
Sept 24 vs. GB,
Dec. 23 vs. SF
Key Road Games:
Oct 7 @ Car,
Oct 18 @ SF,
Oct 28 @Det,
Dec. 2 @ Chi
Note: Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears deserve special consideration their schedules are a little bit tougher and NFL playoffs only allows a total of 6 teams in the playoffs don't count them out . "Are You Ready For Some Football"???
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