While the outcome of the 2012 NFL season cannot be predicted, certain divisions will be heavily favored to excel in the postseason and other divisions will limp in and be labeled as having no chance.
The top-dogs from last year— Packers, Patriots, 49ers, Ravens, Saints, and Steelers— will remain the favorites once again. (The Giants are not included because they finished the regular season 9-7). Even the Texans, as I mentioned in a previous column, are capable of becoming a perennial powerhouse.
The AFC West, however, is the lone division in its conference that cannot be included on this list of projected playoff potential. The Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs all enter the season with anxiety and uncertainty, with the same being true for Denver despite the fact that the Broncos won a playoff game last year and recently acquired star quarterback Peyton Manning.
For Raiders' fans, there is a fear of the unknown in starting the season with a new and i...
Found August 20, 2012 on
Football Nation:
PLAYERS:
Peyton Manning,
Shane Lechler,
Sebastian Janikowski,
Darren McFadden,
Maurice Jones-Drew,
Carson Palmer,
Jason Campbell,
Jacoby Ford,
Denarius Moore,
Richard Seymour,
Tommy Kelly
TEAMS: Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
TEAMS: Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
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