2012 Dallas Cowboys Preview

2012 Dallas Cowboys

Welcome to the NFC! The Dallas Cowboys are another team who is loaded with talent every year, but are just incapable of finding ways to win and getting to the postseason. The Cowboys play in Jerry Jones’ “billion dollar playpen”, and for as much hype, fame, and criticism as the Dallas franchise gets (much of which because of the owner’s big mouth), you can’t forget that the Cowboys have not sniffed the Super Bowl since they last won in 1995. The team has been successful with Tony Romo as quarterback, but that success has not carried over into the postseason. Romo, as the quarterback, gets most of the blame for that, but he has played very well over his career. People remember the fourth quarter screw-ups, which he cannot be excused for, but Romo’s play has been the least of Dallas’s worries. The lack of a consistent running game, and the great lack of a dominant defense along with inferior coaching have been the real troubling factors that have contributed to the long winning drought in big D. They underachieved last year again, finishing at 8-8 and missing the playoffs altogether. There is a sense of urgency hovering around this season, and there is the feeling that if the Cowboys can’t pull it together and make a playoff run this year, then they will turn over the team. Jason Garrett would presumably be out as coach, and Tony Romo might be out as quarterback also. Who knows what the notoriously impatient Jerry Jones will do?

Offense

This offense has the potential to be lethal. Of course, potential can only go so far, and at some point, you gotta prove it on the field. Tony Romo is coming off possibly the best season of his career and looks ready to continue to improve. He has a couple of big time weapons on the outside in Miles Austin and Dez Bryant and the warrior in the middle Jason Witten is always a threat at tight end. Of course, with his spleen injury he might miss the opener against the Giants, and if he re-injures himself and misses any period of time, then this team could be in trouble. The running game could be dynamic, but that depends on the health of DeMarco Murray. Unfortunately, Murray seems to be in the same sweepstakes as McFadden and Mathews, which is the “who can get injured fastest?” contest. He has enormous ability and a great combination of strength and speed, but if he doesn’t take over this rushing attack, the Cowboys don’t have another option. Felix Jones has shown that he can’t be the number one guy. The fate of this offense depends on how little they can spend in the hospital.

Defense

The Dallas Cowboys defense, specifically the secondary, was ripped all of last season for not being able to cover anybody, and the criticism was justified. Opposing offenses lit up the defense with the passing game last season and therefore, the defense gave up way too many yards and points last year, and couldn’t get off the field. This led to Dallas trading up in this year’s draft to select Morris Claiborne, the cornerback out of LSU, and sign free agent corner Brandon Carr. With these additions, the Cowboys should be better in the secondary but they will still have holes and will need to work hard to clamp down against the pass this year. The front seven for Dallas is already solid, with defensive leaders all over the field in Anthony Spencer, Jay Ratliff, Sean Lee, and, of course, the terrorizer DeMarcus Ware. This means that the run defense should be formidable, as well as the pass rush. Overall, this defense could make huge strides in 2012, but the most important thing for Dallas is to sure up that pass defense. Especially when you play in a division with Michael Vick, Eli Manning, and now RGIII.

Schedule

After an 8-8 season, Dallas will absolutely be looking to take a step up from last year and hope to make a playoff spot this time around. Unfortunately, the first half of the Cowboys’s schedule is absolutely brutal, and if they fall behind early then they won’t be able to recover in a competitive division to get into the postseason. From weeks 6-10, Big D plays four games on the road against potential playoff teams, and the other game is the home game against the Giants, who own them in their own house. So, in essence, Dallas plays virtually five road games all against playoff teams, and can easily lose all five games. This stretch will be critical, obviously, to see if the Cowboys can survive and make it to the promised land that has eluded them for so long.

Week 1: L at NYG (no hope in the opener)

Week 2: L at SEA (tough place to play, Witten possibly not himself)

Week 3: W vs TB

Week 4: L vs CHI

Week 5: Bye

Week 6: L at BAL

Week 7: W at CAR

Week 8: L vs NYG

Week 9: L at ATL

Week 10: L at PHI (who are they going to beat in this stretch?)

Week 11: W vs CLE

Week 12: W vs WAS

Week 13: W vs PHI

Week 14: L at CIN

Week 15: L vs PIT

Week 16: W vs NO

Week 17: L at WAS (given up hope)

I have the 2012 Dallas Cowboys going 6-10 this year, and I kind of feel bad about it, but not really. I hate the Cowboys. This year is going to be the last straw for Jerry Jones, I’m expecting some major changes. This year, I don’t think they are going to be awful like a 6-10 mark would indicate. I just think they are going to run into a huge wall against some better teams, especially on the road, and they’re going to lose some close games late. It’s just going to be one of those seasons where a team with talent who keeps underachieving, gets frustrated after a dreadful start, and simply implodes on itself. Remind you of anyone, Boston Red Sox fans? Here comes the bold prediction, followed by the preview for the New York Giants.

Bold Prediction: The Cowboys finish at 6-10 and turn over the franchise. Tony Romo will be a top 10 quarterback but will get all the blame. Dez Bryant will either have 6 touchdowns or 12. Don’t know if he’ll go big or go home.

2012 San Diego Chargers Preview

2012 San Diego Chargers

I’m sick of the San Diego Chargers. The fact that they have not even participated in a single Super Bowl in the past decade, in the Brees/Rivers/Tomlinson/Gates era, is appalling. They have so much talent every year, and all the idiot “experts” on various networks all talk about how “this is going to be the Chargers’ year!” Stop. It will never be their year. Their window has not only closed, but it is bolted shut. I feel sorry for Philip Rivers, who deserves better than this. The fact that Norv Turner still has a job as the Chargers head coach is dumbfounding. He has not made any progress in the past few years; he’s actually regressed! The stat that still gets me is how a couple of years ago, San Diego finished first in the NFL in offense AND defense (by yardage) and still managed to NOT EVEN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. How do you even do that?!?! Last year, the Chargers started and ended the season by winning four out of five games. So in the first five and last five games of the season, they were 8-2. Did they win the division? No. Because they took a nap after their bye week and lost all six of those remaining games in the middle of the season, to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs. I’m doing my bold prediction early: The San Diego Chargers will not make the playoffs once again and Norv Turner will finally be fired, and a parade shall be held by Charger fans to celebrate the end of their captivity. I’m going to fly through this preview so I can get away from this constant, astounding mediocrity. It’s even worse than the Raiders. At least Oakland is just continuously dumb, so you don’t get your hopes up. San Diego always has talent, so you always think that they will be a competent team, and then they find some ludicrous way to stay out of the postseason, leaving everyone scratching their heads, thinking “how do the Chargers keep snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?”

Offense

There is no question that this offense will be explosive. Philip Rivers is a Pro Bowl quarterback who throws a nasty deep ball and is usually deadly accurate. He obviously struggled last season, throwing 20 interceptions, but I don’t think there is any way that happens again. Vincent Jackson is gone, which means that the outside deep threats now take the forms of Malcom Floyd and former Saint Robert Meachem. There is big play potential here. The wild card is Antonio Gates, a former all-world tight end who has been hurt for multiple seasons now. Reports are that he’s healthy, and if he is, Gates still has enough left in the tank for one or two more great seasons. Think potentially 70 catches for 900 yards and 9 touchdowns, which would keep him in top five tight end territory. Then there is the running game, which is spearheaded by former first round pick Ryan Mathews. Mathews is a great talent, who can put up top five RB numbers when he is healthy, but he seems determined to defeat Darren McFadden in the “most constantly injured running back in the NFL” award. He even went so far as to get his collarbone broken all of two seconds into preseason! I gave McFadden till Week 8 before the injury bug kicked in, but Mathews has his eyes set on this award, so I’m banking on him getting hurt in Week 5. In New Orleans against the Saints. People seem to mysteriously get injured against that defense.

Defense

This unit has a good amount of talent on it. Enough to put them possibly into the middle of the pack of the NFL, a rank which isn’t glamorous but could be a lot worse. They have savvy veterans like Shaun Phillips and Quentin Jammer alongside young blood in Corey Liuget and Antoine Cason. This group seems like it can be very forceful in 2012. So, naturally, they will probably be really solid and then give up late scores that cost them a game or two, which won’t be important enough to blame them for a lost season but definitely enough to make an impact. Because with San Diego, what could possibly go right?

Schedule

It seems like the Chargers should be good enough to beat plenty of teams on their schedule, but they won’t, because at some point they are going to go into cruise control and lose a few games before people really know what’s happening. I think the only reason Norv Turner still has his job is because even though they have greatly underachieved, no one else has run away from the pack, and since 8-8 and 9-7 can make the playoffs, the Chargers are always in the hunt to win the division crown. They just can’t get over the hump. Will this season turn out for the better? I think you already know my answer.

Week 1: L at OAK

Week 2: W vs TEN

Week 3: W vs ATL

Week 4: L at KC

Week 5: W at NO (big win!)

Week 6: W vs DEN (they have Peyton’s number)

Week 7: Bye (4-2 at the bye? Oh boy, we’re going places!)

Week 8: L at CLE (not so fast...)

Week 9: W vs KC

Week 10: L at TB

Week 11: L at DEN

Week 12: W vs BAL (they have the Raven’s number too, it seems)

Week 13: W vs CIN

Week 14: L at PIT

Week 15: L vs CAR

Week 16: L at NYJ

Week 17: W vs OAK

Well, what do you know? San Diego is once again in position to succeed and lose three games in a row in December to ruin everything again. Norv won’t be surprised at his firing. In fact, my sources say that he has already booked a vacation trip to Puerto Rico in January to relax, since he won’t be coaching in the playoffs and won’t have to worry about preparing for next season. 8-8 for the Chargers won’t be good enough this year. I did my bold prediction already, so after a recap of the AFC West, I’ll be moving on to the NFC! Starting with the East, and the Dallas Cowboys to be specific. Spoiler alert! The tone of that piece will be eerily similar to this one. Comment with your thoughts! ... *Sigh*. I can relax now. Freaking San Diego.

Recap of AFC West:

KC: 9-7

DEN: 9-7

SD: 8-8

OAK: 6-10

• Kansas City plays big time and impresses
• Peyton will be solid but not spectacular in his return
• F*ck the Chargers
• McFadden Injury Pool: Week 8

2012 Oakland Raiders Preview

2012 Oakland Raiders

The 2011 Oakland Raiders have to be one of the most underachieving teams in recent memory that had already outplayed their expectations. For example, the Raiders were not expected to tie for first place in the AFC West, but they did, at 8-8. They did not make the playoffs because they did not control the tiebreaker. 8-8 was a good year for Oakland, but when you look at the details, it could have been so much better. The Raiders set all-time records in penalties and penalty yards. How many more games do you think they could have won if they weren’t the most bone-headed team ever? They would have only needed to win one more game to make the playoffs. Also, even after trading for Carson Palmer, Oakland lost four out of the last five games, including the final game at home against the Chargers, which would have given them a division title with a win. They did all this with an injured Darren McFadden, their best player. The opportunities were all there for them but the Raiders were not able to take advantage of the moment. It was an overachieving season that turned into disappointment at the end. Only the Raiders can shoot themselves in the foot like that. This years team has the talent to win this division, but I’m guessing something will undoubtedly go wrong and break the hearts of Raiders fans everywhere. It doesn’t help that Dennis Allen is the next name up in the Oakland coaching carousel. Let’s take a deeper look inside the team.

Offense

This is an offense that can put up points in a hurry. Carson Palmer is entering his first full season as the Oakland quarterback, and it is unclear how he will do. He has a big arm and fast, young weapons on the outside, but he’s shown that he will throw a ton of interceptions, so it’s fair to expect more of the same. He will be throwing to his two young guns at wide out, Denarius Moore and former first rounder Darrius Heyward-Bey. Both of these guys can fly, and Palmer has the arm strength to hit them deep. Big pass plays will be put up in Oakland. Of course, the star on this team is running back Darren McFadden, who has the talent and the track record to become the best running back in all of football. He is absolutely electric when he’s on the field, but that is quite a large “if”. The other thing McFadden has a track record of is being notoriously injured, and the next time we see him play a full 16 game season will be his first. Run-DMC’s bones seem to be made of glass because he constantly gets sidelined, taking the dynamic plays he can make out of the offense. I think that this season, if he plays all 16 games then he will be the number one running back in fantasy (and, therefore, in the actual NFL). I can say that, because I don’t think it is going to happen. Not this year, Oakland fans. He’s going to get hurt in some way. His potential injuries and Palmer’s knack for turning the ball over will limit the potential of this unit.

Defense

The Oakland Raiders defense has seen better days. Everyone in this unit must really have an affection for the color yellow, because it felt like they went out of their way to be hit with flags. An aging Richard Seymour anchors an average defensive line, Rolando McClain is fairly solid at middle linebacker, and Tyvon Branch is a tackling machine at safety. Even though they have a few individuals with talent, nothing about the Raider defense really scares you, and they give up lots of points. Why would anything change this year? If Oakland wants to be relevant this year, they’re going to have to outscore people.

Schedule

The Oakland Raiders have to play the AFC North and the NFC South this year, which will make it very difficult to repeat their 8-8 record from last season. However, strange things happen in the bay area, and if Oakland were to win the division this year, it wouldn’t shock me (that much). There won’t be many breaks in this unforgiving schedule, so let’s see how they’ll do.

Week 1: W vs SD

Week 2: L at MIA (short week, flying across the country)

Week 3: L vs PIT

Week 4: L at DEN

Week 5: Bye

Week 6: L at ATL

Week 7: W vs JAC

Week 8: L at KC

Week 9: W vs TB

Week 10: L at BAL

Week 11: L vs NO

Week 12: L at CIN

Week 13: W vs CLE

Week 14: W vs DEN

Week 15: W vs KC

Week 16: L at CAR

Week 17: L at SD

I have the Kansas City game in Week 8 in my Darren McFadden injury pool. I don’t think he’ll have a devastating injury, just one that will keep him out of some games and limited in others over the course of the rest of the season. Anyway, the 2012 Oakland Raiders will finish at 6-10, and will look very foolish for making that Carson Palmer trade. He might not even be the starter by the end of the year. After my bold prediction I’ll wrap up the AFC with the San Diego Chargers. See you there!

Bold Prediction: Darren McFadden will get injured Week 8 but still be active for some of the remaining games. He will finish with 1,000 yards rushing, but be nowhere as effective as he would have been. He’ll be a top 25 back.

2012 Kansas City Chiefs Preview

2012 Kansas City Chiefs

You know what word is synonymous with the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs? Sleeper. This team finished 7-9 last season, one game out of the division race. They did this with crappy quarterback play, and season-ending injuries to two of their best players, running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry, along with tight end Tony Moeaki as well. They had an underachieving Dwayne Bowe and not much else in the receiving corps. And despite all this, they finished one game out of the division, and were also the only team to beat the Green Bay Packers in the regular season. This team has plenty of talent; now we have to see if they can put if all together. Head coach Romeo Crennel earned his spot and is looking to have a special first full season in KC.

Offense

Can we get a little quarterback play please? This team can defend, and they can definitely run the ball. The only thing holding them back is the passing game. Matt Cassel is still their starter, and it is yet to be seen how far he can lead this team. I think that for the Chiefs offense to be successful, Cassel needs to be this year’s version of Alex Smith. Not many pass attempts, and more importantly, low turnovers. If Cassel can keep the ball in his possession, convert third downs, execute in the red zone...you know, all the little important things, then this offense will succeed. Because they can really run. Jamaal Charles is back from his torn ACL, and while not many players bounce back so hotly from that injury, Charles has had a full year to recover and is a different kind of player. He is not a bulldog work horse who needs to carry it 25 to 30 times a game. He is a speedster who can blow by defenses, and can hit home runs on any play. He will not be overworked, so I think his knee will be fine. He’s the big play guy, and he will have several carries this year that he will take to the house. The power guy to compliment Charles’ speed is Peyton Hillis, who has lived on opposite ends of the spectrum these last two years. He has gone from Madden cover boy, to complete bust in the blink of an eye. However, he has a new home in Kansas City with the same offensive coordinator he had two years ago in Cleveland. He will run behind a very good offensive line, and he won’t have to completely carry the load in the running attack. Charles and Hillis, along with Foster and Tate of the Texans, also have a very good opportunity to each break 1,000 yards rushing. I won’t be surprised if it happens. The receivers still aren’t fantastic, but Dwayne Bowe is a stud who will get his catches; the only question is if the touchdown production will be there. Jon Baldwin could be a solid number two guy, and Steve Breaston is money in the slot. With the return of tight end Moeaki and signing of former Giant Kevin Boss, these group of outside weapons have a very high ceiling, as does this offense. Looking at you, Matt Cassel. What are you made of?

Defense

You heard it here first: the Chiefs defense will be top 10 in the NFL and top 5 in the AFC. They have talent at every level. Bookending the defensive line are two former very high draft picks in Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. They drafted Dontari Poe to be their man in the middle of the 3-4, so we’ll see how he progresses. Their linebacking core is also intimidating, with two big name players in Derrick Johnson and pass-rushing star Tamba Hali. Finally, they have three potential Pro Bowlers starting in their secondary, including corners Brandon Flowers and Stanford Routt. And, of course, there is the return of former top five pick Eric Berry, who is looking for a breakout season after suffering a season-ending injury in Week One last year. This defense is ready to take charge right now, and they better be ready. They are going to play in a division with Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Carson Palmer, and play several other Pro Bowl quarterbacks throughout their schedule. I think they will be able to take on the challenge, and come out ahead in many cases (See Week One).

Schedule

If the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t play such a brutal schedule, I would have had them as a lock for a playoff spot. However, they still have a chance of making it there, they will just have to scratch and claw their way for all 16 games. I think they will definitely improve from their 7-9 mark from a year ago. The question is, will they be good enough to move ahead of Denver?

Week 1: W vs ATL (not buying the hype)

Week 2: L at BUF (wild card implications)

Week 3: L at NO

Week 4: W vs SD

Week 5: W vs BAL (upset!)

Week 6: L at TB

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: W vs OAK

Week 9: L at SD

Week 10: L at PIT

Week 11: W vs CIN

Week 12: W vs DEN

Week 13: W vs CAR

Week 14: W at CLE

Week 15: L at OAK

Week 16: W vs IND

Week 17: L at DEN

If Kansas City can win that final game in Denver, then they will win the division outright. I don’t see that happening though. I see the Chiefs finishing at 9-7. I know that prediction is flukey because I have them 8-0 at home and 1-7 on the road, but no matter where the wins and losses come, I think they will be 9-7 either way. It’s the final record that matters. And to me, they will be tied with Denver at 9-7. It’s still unclear whether that is good enough for a playoff spot. But this team will undoubtedly contend at least for the division title. This is a very winnable division, and if Manning goes down for any period of time, Kansas City will win it and make the playoffs. I’m looking forward to watching this team this year. Like the rest of my AFC sleeper/wild card contender teams this year, whether they make the playoffs will come down to quarterback play. Cassel, Fitzpatrick, Sanchez, Locker...who wants to step up? After my bold prediction, the next preview will be the Oakland Raiders. That yellow thing you see is the flag that just got thrown penalizing the Raiders five yards for being the most undisciplined team ever.

Bold Prediction: Eric Berry finishes in the top 3 in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

2012 Denver Broncos Preview

2012 Denver Broncos

How about those Broncos last year? Denver pulled off arguably the most remarkable run to the postseason we’ve ever seen in 2011, which was both a blessing and a curse. Blessing because we witnessed one of the best games of the year, the playoff game against the Steelers, but a curse because we have all been subjected to the offseason that has been a Tim Tebow saga on ESPN. Anyway, this is a completely new team this year, and we all know why. 18. That’s all you need to know. Peyton has come to the Broncos, and while Denver fans rode an incredible wave of fourth quarter comebacks in their dream run, people knew it had to come to an end. This year, there’s a new sheriff in town, and everyone in Denver is wondering one thing: Are the Broncos Super Bowl contenders with Peyton Manning leading the way? 

Offense

Last year, the Denver Broncos led the league in rushing as a team, led by Tim Tebow and his spread option. We also saw a resurgence of Willis McGahee, and proof that he can still be a number one running back. Now, of course, Peyton Manning has taken the reigns, and the running attack that Denver utilized last year is going to become a potent aerial assault on the NFL. If Manning stays healthy, he is probably the biggest lock for Comeback Player of the Year ever. The two happiest people ever have to be Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, who are both primed for huge seasons this year. They also brought in Jacob Tamme, the tight end who had a huge year two years ago with Peyton at quarterback in Indianapolis. Willis McGahee should also have a nice season, because who is going to load the box against Peyton Manning? McGahee might get 1,000 yards this year or might not, but he will definitely be productive and probably will have at least 10 total touchdowns. The Denver Broncos, provided Manning’s health, can potentially put up 28 points per game. It depends on how rusty Peyton will be. I’m guessing he’ll be ready to go.

Defense

This was an odd defense in 2011. The Denver D got lit up a few times last year, but during the winning streak in the middle of the season, played very impressively. Unfortunately, they still didn’t get any credit because of the infatuation with Tebow-mania. So to sum up last year, this defense both overachieved and underachieved at the same time, I guess you can say. This year, there is no Brian Dawkins in the secondary, who was one of the most fierce players I have ever seen in the NFL. Kudos to him on a great career. The Broncos do sport one of the scariest pass rushing tandems in the league, though, with Elvis Dumervil and stud second year player Von Miller. Each player should have double digit sacks this year. Kind of reminds you of Freeney and Mathis right? Denver is the new Indianapolis! Champ Bailey is also still locking down the secondary, and even at his old age, he still gets the job done with efficiency and class. This is not a great defense, but it doesn’t have to be; if they give up 24 points a game, they should be fine.

Schedule

The Denver Broncos finished 8-8 last year but still somehow made the playoffs. The teams in that division are not bad, I just think they shoot themselves in the foot which prevents them from having stellar records (see Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers). Denver is probably the hardest team to predict this year, because Peyton Manning’s health is so up in the air. He could be great, or he could get hurt; he could stay healthy but suck, or stay healthy and play ok, but if he plays only ok, how many wins is that worth? Peyton doesn’t play as well outdoors, and does not play well against the Chargers, but he’ll have to get used to both those things. Let’s try and work out a prediction.

Week 1: W vs PIT (He can’t lose the opener, can he?)

Week 2: L at ATL

Week 3: W vs HOU

Week 4: W vs OAK

Week 5: L at NE

Week 6: L at SD

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: W vs NO

Week 9: W at CIN

Week 10: L at CAR

Week 11: W vs SD

Week 12: L at KC

Week 13: W vs TB

Week 14: L at OAK
Week 15: L at BAL (Suggs will be back by this game)

Week 16: W vs CLE

Week 17: W vs KC

The Denver Broncos will go 9-7 this year. That’s what I decided. They will be good because of Peyton, but it’s unclear whether they can be great or not. Double digit wins with a possibly rusty Manning and a very tough schedule is a reach, but at nine wins in the AFC West, they might be able to win the division, or possibly compete for a wild card. Then again, Manning might go down in the first month and the Broncos’ season can catapult into the gutter. Only time will tell how this year will go for Denver. But nine wins looks possible, and good for a possible playoff berth. After my bold prediction, I’ll preview the Kansas City Chiefs. That is one you want to read. How do you think Peyton  and the Broncos will do? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Bold Prediction: Peyton Manning’s stat line: 3,700 yards, 33 TDs, 18 INTs

2012 Tennessee Titans Preview

2012 Tennessee Titans

The Jake Locker era is officially underway for the Tennessee Titans. They have named him their starting quarterback for the season opener, and they are going to see what they have in their former first round pick. Unlike Blaine Gabbert from last post, I am a big fan of Jake Locker and his potential in this league. I think that he will be the second best quarterback from the 2011 draft when everything is all said and done (behind only Cam Newton), and I think that his success will start as soon as this season. After a surprising 9-7 season with Matt Hasselbeck under center, this Titans team is now a sleeper to make the playoffs, and possibly even compete for a division title if Houston falters. However, they have a very tough schedule, so I think the big jump for this team is one year away. The most likely scenario is that Tennessee will be competitive, lose some games close, and finish with a pretty solid record that bodes well for the future. We’ll see if that will be the case.

Offense

I’m really looking forward to see how Jake Locker will perform this season, and obviously I expect a lot from him. He’s a mobile QB with a good arm, but has accuracy questions. If he ever figures those problems out, we could be looking at a top 10 quarterback in the league. But those days are far away. For now, Locker will simply be looking to make nice strides in his game, and get as many wins as possible. His job might be easier if he gets a bounce-back season from...Chris Johnson. CJ2K, as he would like to be. Johnson struggled mightily last year but did turn it around somewhat by the last few games. The only reason why people are disappointed in him is because the expectations of him were so high in the first place. How do I think he will play? 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns with about 400 more yards receiving sounds like a pretty good prediction. He’ll be a top 5 running back if he stays healthy. He’s got that kind of talent, anyway. He will absolutely be at least top 8. But his ceiling is high, and he should be in for a big year. The wide receivers are also solid, and deep. First round pick Kendall Wright won’t put up huge numbers as a rookie but he’s the kind of player who can definitely make a few huge plays that change games this season. I absolutely love Nate Washington this year as an under-the-radar guy. He’ll be the best receiver in the division this year. You heard me, Andre Johnson fans (I’m one myself, but he won’t play all 16 games). Tennessee’s tight end Jared Cook might also be in for a breakout season. he played big the last few games of 2011, and he has a freakish body and talent that could bring more of the same. He’ll probably lead the team in touchdown receptions. Finally, the wild card for the Titans, as always, is Kenny Britt. He’ll be suspended the first game, and has spent his career either injured, or arrested. When he’s been on the field, he has produced like a star, but he hasn’t been able to do that consistently. If he can stay on the field, the Titans can push for a playoff spot. Watch out. They are my very early pick to win the division next year.

Defense

The Tennessee defense has seen better seasons than 2011, but they were not shabby by any means. There is talent on this defense, and they are young, so they have room to grow. They have two young defensive ends and a potential breakout middle linebacker Colin McCarthy (Out of? The U!) This unit finished 18th in yards per game allowed last year, but that number should drop to about 12th or 13th this year if things go right. Look for this defense to have its shining moments, but I still don’t think they are a good enough group to move up into the upper echelon in the league.

Schedule

The Tennessee Titans finished strong last year to end at 9-7, but it was too little, too late for a playoff spot? However, the fact that they had a winning record shows that this team is primed to win now, or at least soon. The only question is how fast it takes Jake Locker to mature and take control of this team. I don’t think it will happen this year, because Locker still has to show that he can play over a 16 game schedule, and also because their schedule is very difficult to maneuver. Let’s see how things shake out.

Week 1: L vs NE

Week 2: L at SD

Week 3: W vs DET

Week 4: L at HOU

Week 5: W at MIN

Week 6: L vs PIT

Week 7: L at BUF

Week 8: W vs IND

Week 9: W vs CHI

Week 10: W at MIA

Week 11: Bye

Week 12: L at JAC

Week 13: W vs HOU

Week 14: L at IND

Week 15: W vs NYJ

Week 16: L at GB

Week 17: W vs JAC

I think that the Tennessee Titans will finish 8-8 under their first season under Jake Locker. One game worse than last year’s record, but I think that the Titans will be fine sacrificing one game on their record this year for many more wins with Locker down the road. Unfortunately, 8-8 will not be good enough to make the playoffs unless this division suddenly pulls an AFC West and is absolutely mediocre. Be excited, Titans fans! Your time will come soon enough. After my bold prediction, I’m going to try to tackle the incredibly average AFC West, starting with the Denver Mannings, uh, I mean Broncos. Will a team finally get back to 10 wins? We’ll see. Also, here’s a recap of the AFC South.

Bold Prediction: Jake Locker will have a total of 30 touchdowns, but the most important number will be the 8 wins he racks up. Also, Nate Washington will put up 70/1,100/9 and be a top 15 wide receiver. Similar to my other boy, Torrey Smith.

AFC South recap:

HOU: 12-4

TEN: 8-8

IND: 5-11

JAC: 4-12

• The Texans will run laps around defenses
• Jake Locker will have a solid first year starting
• Andrew Luck will be shaky, but show signs of things to come
• The Jaguars will suck

2012 Jacksonville Jaguars Preview

2012 Jacksonville Jaguars

I really don’t know who the Jaguars are going to beat this year. They went 5-11, and I know that there will be some freak games where they win, but honestly, this team kind of sucks. I have never been a believer in Blaine Gabbert, and their best player, Maurice Jones-Drew, is in the middle of a holdout that could very well prolong into the season. They have a couple of weapons on the outside in first round pick Justin Blackmon and free agent signee Laurent Robinson at receiver. The defense played surprisingly well last year for how bad of a team they had, so that’s a bright spot. To me, the only way that the Jags have hope is if Gabbert really improves this season and proves me wrong. But looking at the roster as is...it looks like it will be a long season. Like a top three draft pick kind of season. That’s what you get with a bad team and a first year head coach.

Offense

The Jacksonville offense is not good. That is, they won’t be if Blaine Gabbert again doesn’t step up, and move out of the laughable QBR range that he’s in. With a young quarterback and a couple of nice targets on the outside, the passing game has room to grow, but I don’t think it is anywhere near formidable yet. The running game for the Jaguars was fantastic last year, when their workhorse MJD led the league in rushing yards. However, he still has not reported to camp, and it is unclear when he will show up. So for now, backup Rashad Jennings will take over, and try to produce as best as he can for the foreseeable future. Justin Blackmon will be a solid wide out in time, but for now it is fair to not expect great things. He will probably have 50 catches for 600 yards and 4 touchdowns. Give or take.

Defense

The Jacksonville Jaguar defense isn’t too bad. They can definitely hold their own and keep the Jags in plenty of games. They are led by middle linebacker Paul Posluszny, and still have Rashean Mathis as their main corner, but there is not much star power in this unit. They were able to finish 6th in the entire league in yards per game allowed, a fact that is made even more impressive when you think about how much they were on the field, as the offense could not sustain drives. If they can maintain similar success and the offense can improve, then this team can be ok, but I just don’t see it this year.

Schedule

After a 5-11 record last year, you have to think that without MJD, this team will probably not have a better record than that. I already have said that the Cleveland Browns will have the number one pick in the draft next year, but I’m rethinking that a little bit right now. It looks bad, with games against the AFC East and the NFC North, where there are six potential playoff teams out of the eight that the Jags will face. Let’s see how they do.

Week 1: L at MIN (they would win if it was at home)

Week 2: L vs HOU

Week 3: L at IND

Week 4: W vs CIN (on CIN preview, I had CIN winning--changed my mind)

Week 5: L vs CHI

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: L at OAK

Week 8: L at GB

Week 9: L vs DET

Week 10: W vs IND

Week 11: L at HOU

Week 12: W vs TEN

Week 13: L at BUF

Week 14: L vs NYJ

Week 15: W at MIA (another change)

Week 16: L vs NE

Week 17: L at TEN

So that’s 4-12, just good enough to not the worst team in the league. That’s being nice, too; I guessed those four wins. For the games that I’m changing, like the CIN and the MIA game, those records will be updated when I have my complete final standings post. Anyway, the point of this post is that the Jaguars will not be good. Sorry, Jacksonville. Should have traded for Tim Tebow. Maybe you good sell tickets that way. After my bold prediction, I’m going to end the AFC South by previewing the Tennessee Titans.

Bold Prediction: For however many games he starts at running back, Rashad Jennings will average 70 rushing yards a game. So if he starts 8 games, he’ll have 560 yards. And 4 touchdowns. And if he plays all 16, he’ll have 1,120 yards and 8 touchdowns.