Robalini's 2012 NFL Football Prediction

(Plus Wednesday Opening Game Pick)

NFC

NFC North

This is a division with three real Super Bowl contenders, and I expect the Vikings to be vastly improved.  In the end, I'm taking the Lions here, who will add some maturity to their talent and become the most entertaining trash talking team this side of Jimmy Johnson's Cowboys 20 years ago...

NFC South

This may be the best division in the NFL.  The Saints will only drop a step, but that will be enough to fall to third.  (Don't count out the Bucs either.)  In the end, I'm going with the Panthers, because Cam Newton has an even greater up side than solid Matt Ryan...

NFC West

Seattle may be underrated, but Niners Niners Niners...

NFC East

It'll come down to the Cowboys and Giants again, but this time Dallas will deliver...

Division Winners:
Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys

Wild Cards: Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons

NFC Championship:
San Francisco 49ers over Detroit Lions

*

AFC

AFC North

I still don't take the Bengals too seriously.  Sorry.  In the end, this will go down to two old and banged up teams.  I'm going for the Ravens, since they're less banged up than the Steelers...

AFC South

This division should belong to the Texans...

AFC West

In a weak division, a second rate Peyton Manning is better than the alternatives...

AFC East

Though I often do it, only a fool bets against Tom Brady.  I won't in this division...

Division Winners

Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots

Wild Cards
Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers

AFC Championship:
Houston Texans over Baltimore Ravens

Super Bowl

San Francisco 49ers over Houston Texans

Bonus Pick: Wednesday Kickoff Opener

Dallas Cowboys (+3 1/2) over New York Giants

The Giants have received so much deserved credit for their Super Bowl victory that it has been forgotten their defense allowed 400 points last season, placing them in the bottom quarter.  Meanwhile, for all the hatred heaped on Tony Romo, his Passer Rating last season was 102.5 with a 31-10 TD to interception ratio.  I could give a few reasons why the Cowboys will win, but it doesn't since they just have to lose by less than a field goal.  It's a good bet...

All bets are placed at Station Casinos:

http://www.stationcasinos.com

To check Las Vegas odds, The Konformist recommends VegasInsider.com:

http://www.vegasinsider.com