2012 NFL Power Rankings: Beware of the Chicago Bears
Published by Wesley Kaminsky on August 28, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The NFL offseason always seems too long, doesn’t it?
In an offseason dominated by Tim Tebow and the New York Jets, it’s that other team in New York who are the Super Bowl champions. They shocked the NFL world a season ago, getting hot at the right time, beating the likes of the Packers, 49ers, then eventually the Patriots. That takes guts.
With teams such as the Packers, 49ers, Bears, Saints, and Falcons, just to name a few, the NFC is becoming a power house. I didn’t even touch on the NFC East.
In the AFC, the Patriots look like the clear cut team to beat, as they added more weapons and offense and revamped their defense. Can the Ravens finally get over the hump? Will Peyton Manning return with a vengeance?
All of these questions will be answered in due time.
1. New York Giants (9-7): Do I think they’re the best team? No. However, the Super Bowl champions deserve some praise until someone beats them.
2. New England Patriots (13-3): Brandon Lloyd, meet Tom Brady. You two might get along this season.
3. Green Bay Packers (15-1): There is no reason to think that the Packers won’t be as dominant in the regular season this year as they were last season. Rodgers is that good.
4. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): The 49ers surprised everybody last season and with that defense, they have a chance to come out of the NFC. The question is, can Alex Smith get them over the top?
5. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): This team was just a play away from making the Super Bowl last season. Joe Flacco showed major strides in the loss at New England.
6. Houston Texans (10-6): Had Matt Schaub been healthy, the Texans could have very well come out of the AFC last season. Schaub is back and the Texans are a major threat.
7. Chicago Bears (8-8): The Bears season fell apart after injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte a season ago. Well, Cutler is back and reunited with Brandon Marshall. The Bears will make some noise this year.
8. Atlanta Falcons (10-6): With Roddy White and Julio Jones, you can’t count the Falcons out. Now if Matt Ryan could just get a playoff win.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): As long as Ben Roethlisberger is around, the Steelers will always be a threat to come out of the AFC.
10. New Orleans Saints (13-3): It will be interesting to see how the Saints offense looks without Sean Payton. I have a feeling Drew Brees will keep his team competitive.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): The Eagles finished last season on a high note, and will look to carry that into 2012. Their Super Bowl chances lie on the shoulders of Michael Vick and his health. Can he stay on the field?
12. Detroit Lions (10-6): Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson makes the Lions tough to beat. Now it’s up to that defense and if they can hold up.
13. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): This could very well be a make it or break it year for Tony Romo. The pieces are in place. He needs to deliver.
14. Denver Broncos (8-8): The Broncos upgraded from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning this offseason and hope Manning isn’t rusty after missing all of 2011 with a neck injury.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): The Bengals were one of the biggest surprises of the year a season ago and now look to build on that. Andy Dalton needs to show continued improvement.
16. San Diego Chargers (8-8): I have a feeling Philip Rivers will bounce back this year after poor showing in 2011. On the flip side, it’s pretty hard to trust the Chargers.
17. Tennessee Titans (9-7): The Titans will turn to Jake Locker to start the 2012 season. Good move, he can play.
18. Buffalo Bills (6-10): The Bills upgraded their defense this offseason adding Mario Williams and that will help. Can Ryan Fitzpatrick regain the magic he had in the first half of 2011?
19. New York Jets (8-8): I don’t usually take preseason football into account, but the fact that the Jets haven’t been able to score a touchdown has to be an area of concern.
20. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Cam Newton has to try and avoid a Sophomore slump if the Panthers want to compete in the NFC South.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Adding Peyton Hillis on offense will help, and the Chiefs have the luxury of getting Jamaal Charles back. They could make some noise in the AFC West.
22. Oakland Raiders (8-8): With a full offseason under his belt with the Raiders, it will be interesting to see if Carson Palmer is improved from a year ago.
23. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): The Seahawks became the fifth team to start a rookie quarterback this season when Pete Carroll chose Russell Wilson over Matt Flynn.
24. Washington Redskins (5-11): It took awhile, but the Redskins found a quarterback. Robert Griffin III looks like the real deal.
25. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Kevin Kolb or John Skelton? Neither of them will lift the Cardinals over the 49ers for the NFC West crown.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Why the Buccaneers hired Greg Schiano, I still don’t know. They can’t be much worse than last year. That division isn’t doing them any favors either. It’s tough.
27. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Leslie Frazier’s job security might just be in the hands of Christian Ponder. This is a big year for both of them.
28. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Is 28-year-old rookie Brandon Weeden the answer in Cleveland? We’re about to find out.
29. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Colts fans get to transition from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck. Poor Indianapolis. PS: I’m high on Luck, just like everybody else.
30. Miami Dolphins (6-10): The Dolphins don’t have many weapons on offense and have given the keys to rookie Ryan Tannehill. It could be a long season.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Something about having Blaine Gabbert as the Jaguars starting quarterback is not too exciting to me. It’s also not too exciting when your best player, Maurice Jones-Drew is holding out.
32. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Hiring Jeff Fisher will be a good start to put the Rams back on the map. This year is about Sam Bradford though. They need to see major strides out of the former number one pick.
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