Surprise NFL Team of this year?

[rkwittem]

Ok folks, we know the drill, the NFL has at least one team every year that comes out of nowhere to make the playoffs after a poor year. We all remember how the Dolphins made it when they had Pennington or the Chiefs when they made it a couple years ago. Last year we had the 49ers and Texans and Bengals. Maybe you saw the Texans coming after Manning's neck injury, but the 49ers and Bengals weren't trendy picks.

So.....who's your prediction in 2012?

As for me...I've narrowed it down to Carolina and San Diego in each conference. Personally, I love the Chargers this year. They're mostly invisible because of where they play and the Chargers aren't a ritzy team, but I can see a legitimate 11+ win season coming for them. I know the Broncos got Peyton Manning and everyone's picking them to win the AFC West. (Peter King from SI had them in the Super Bowl against Green Bay. I hope he didn't bet on that one. That's a slam-dunk O-fer if I ever saw one.)
Seriously, aside from games against the AFC North, their schedule is nice and cushy. My biggest concern is Norv Turner. How that dunderhead keeps getting head coaching jobs baffles the mind.

Carolina is obviously a lot more trendy of a pick, but hear me out. Most would agree that the NFC South is wide-open especially after Emperor Goodell slammed the Saints.
Atlanta's been good...but pitiful in the playoffs. The Bucs are the Bucs...I could see them picking 1st next year but I could also see them winning 8 games. I'd go somewhere in the middle on them, which opens the door for the Panthers. Obviously, this depends an awful lot on Cam Newton to keep developing. I believe he will take the next step and the Panthers will follow suit. They might not get to 10 wins, but 9 isn't that ridiculous.

If I can make one more prediction...I predict that one of our EWU fans will predict the Seahawks to win the NFC West. Don't let me down, guys.

[BlueHen86]

I'll go with St Louis.

New coach Jeff Fisher turns things around, Sam Bradford improves into a top tier QB and Steven Jackson has another solid season. I don't know that they will beat SF, but maybe 10-6 and a WC playoff spot.

[89Hen]

None. The chalk wins all the divisions.

[andy7171]

None. The chalk wins all the divisions.

Who's chalk in the NFC East?

[Vidav]

None. The chalk wins all the divisions.

Who's chalk in the NFC East?

I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants, Cowboys or Eagles won it. No clear favorite.

[andy7171]

Who's chalk in the NFC East?

I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants, Cowboys or Eagles won it. No clear favorite.

[89Hen]

None. The chalk wins all the divisions.

Who's chalk in the NFC East?

Giants, Cowboys or Eagles. None would be surprise. Last year they were 9-7, 8-8 and 8-8. I would expect the same again this year.

North = Green Bay
South = NO
West = SF

AFC
East = Pats
North = Ravens and Steelers
South = Texans
West = Denver and SD

[Vidav]

Who's chalk in the NFC East?

Giants, Cowboys or Eagles. None would be surprise. Last year they were 9-7, 8-8 and 8-8. I would expect the same again this year.

North = Green Bay
South = NO
West = SF

AFC
East = Pats
North = Ravens and Steelers
South = Texans
West = Denver and SD

A lot of the experts are picking Kansas City to win the AFC West.

[Gil Dobie]

Ok folks, we know the drill, the NFL has at least one team every year that comes out of nowhere to make the playoffs after a poor year. We all remember how the Dolphins made it when they had Pennington or the Chiefs when they made it a couple years ago. Last year we had the 49ers and Texans and Bengals. Maybe you saw the Texans coming after Manning's neck injury, but the 49ers and Bengals weren't trendy picks.

So.....who's your prediction in 2012?

As for me...I've narrowed it down to Carolina and San Diego in each conference. Personally, I love the Chargers this year. They're mostly invisible because of where they play and the Chargers aren't a ritzy team, but I can see a legitimate 11+ win season coming for them. I know the Broncos got Peyton Manning and everyone's picking them to win the AFC West. (Peter King from SI had them in the Super Bowl against Green Bay. I hope he didn't bet on that one. That's a slam-dunk O-fer if I ever saw one.)
Seriously, aside from games against the AFC North, their schedule is nice and cushy. My biggest concern is Norv Turner. How that dunderhead keeps getting head coaching jobs baffles the mind.

Picked SF last year with Harbaugh coming in as the new coach, Miami this year with the South Beach Packers offensive scheme.

[DJH]

Chiefs and Bills will be surprising good teams this year. I think both will really be playoff contenders.

[Seahawks08]

I'm taking the Bills out of the AFC this year. Their D is extremely underrated and will become the dominant force on that team. The only thing that can hold them back is Fitzpatrick and the lack of depth behind Johnson at WR. I can see them winning 9 games and making the last wildcard spot.

Out of the NFC, I'm taking the Eagles. After last year's debacle, I see them rebounding and winning the NFC East. Even if Vick gets injured again, I think Nick Foles will be a better backup than Vince Young from last year.

And as for the OP and carolina. I get that they are a trendy pick this year b/c of the offense. But their D sucks, so unless they score 40 points per game, I see them winning 7 games this year. Yes, it's an improvement, but not enough.

[93henfan]

Superbowl:

Eagles>Ravens

[89Hen]

A lot of the experts are picking Kansas City to win the AFC West.

There are a lot of experts period. I'm sure just about every teams has somebody picking them to win their division... well, maybe not Cleveland.

[rkwittem]

I'm taking the Bills out of the AFC this year. Their D is extremely underrated and will become the dominant force on that team. The only thing that can hold them back is Fitzpatrick and the lack of depth behind Johnson at WR. I can see them winning 9 games and making the last wildcard spot.

Out of the NFC, I'm taking the Eagles. After last year's debacle, I see them rebounding and winning the NFC East. Even if Vick gets injured again, I think Nick Foles will be a better backup than Vince Young from last year.

And as for the OP and carolina. I get that they are a trendy pick this year b/c of the offense. But their D sucks, so unless they score 40 points per game, I see them winning 7 games this year. Yes, it's an improvement, but not enough.

How are the Eagles a surprise team? I know they didn't make the playoffs, but if they made it, no one would bat an eye.

You're exactly right about Carolina. They are trend because of Cam Newton. Just like the Redskins will be trendy next year because of RG3, no matter how they do this year. Unless he really, really sucks. Back on topic, I do think the Panthers will be good enough to take advantage of their division opponents being in flux right now. We all expect Atlanta to be solid, but no team in that division is great or excellent. It's a great boom-or-bust surprise pick this year for these reasons and more.

[Seahawks08]

the eagles are a surprise team to me because I am picking them to win the NFC East. If it was a WC, I would agree with you. But I really do think they could be better than Dallas, NYG, and washington this year.

[dal4018]

None. The chalk wins all the divisions.

Who's chalk in the NFC East?

You guys see the game last night????

[UNI88]

Out of the NFC, I'm taking the Eagles. After last year's debacle, I see them rebounding and winning the NFC East. Even if Vick gets injured again, I think Nick Foles will be a better backup than Vince Young from last year.

How are the Eagles a surprise team? I know they didn't make the playoffs, but if they made it, no one would bat an eye.

Can't you ask the same question about the Chargers being a surprise team? They're a talented team that has underperformed for years. Kind of similar to the Eagles.

[rkwittem]

How are the Eagles a surprise team? I know they didn't make the playoffs, but if they made it, no one would bat an eye.

Can't you ask the same question about the Chargers being a surprise team? They're a talented team that has underperformed for years. Kind of similar to the Eagles.

That's fair. The key difference for me is that the Chargers aren't the favorite in their division. It feels like a 3-way split, but most are picking Denver. I get the sense that Philly (was) is one of the top 2 favorites in the NFC East heading into the year, despite their underachieving last year.

[Seahawks08]

FWIW, i'll pick the teams I think will make the playoffs.

AFC Pats, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Bills, Broncos

NFC Packers, 49ers, Eagles, Falcons, Saints, Lions

See, you aren't the only one taking the Chargers. Just don't think it's much of a surprise.

[rkwittem]

FWIW, i'll pick the teams I think will make the playoffs.

AFC Pats, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Bills, Broncos

NFC Packers, 49ers, Eagles, Falcons, Saints, Lions

See, you aren't the only one taking the Chargers. Just don't think it's much of a surprise.

I did say 11+ wins, though. Considering the national consensus seems to be the Broncos, the media will undoubtedly refer to SD as a "surprise" because, well, the media's just not as bright as they once were.

AFC: Pats, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Steelers, Broncos

NFC: Chicago, 49ers, Eagles, Falcons, Packers, Giants

Couple things:
I'd love to have the cajones to pick the Panthers, but I just can't...but I still think there's a real chance they can win the South.
I really don't get why everyone expects GB to be better than they were last year. Yeah yeah, 15-1, but no defense, no commitment to the running game, and a likely statistical regression in the TO differential and close net win departments may shave 2-4 games off their win totals. Plus, I think Chicago's time is now, which is why I'm taking them to win the NFC North. GB might have a better record as a WC than some of the division winners, except Chicago. I just have no faith in them as a viable contender for reasons I already submitted.

[Seahawks08]

As far as the running game argument goes (you are still wrong on this ) the Giants finished last in rushing ranks last year.

[grizzaholic]

I wish I could say Cinci but they are still missing....

[rkwittem]

As far as the running game argument goes (you are still wrong on this ) the Giants finished last in rushing ranks last year.

Except the Giants are much more committed to becoming balanced at the very least. They actually USE their RBs. Mike McCarthy totally forgets to use them.

[Seahawks08]

Let's wait and see on that. Benson is better than every option they had last year.

[clenz]

The Vikings....




Yes, the Vikings the will surprise people this year by winning at least 4, but no more than 6, games this year....

SUCK IT NON-VIKINGS FANS. YOU WISH YOU COULD LIVE THIS GOOD!