The folks at Sports Illustrated have released their annual NFL preview edition and they sent along some bits and pieces of it for me to share with you. The magazine include Peter King's predictions, as well as team analysis by Jim Trotter. We can take King's predictions with a bit of a grain of salt, but they're still interesting to consider. He predicts the 49ers finish 11-5, earn a first round bye, and then lose to the Saints in a Divisional round rematch.
Jim Trotter's analysis focuses almost entirely on the passing game, which makes sense. He had a quotation from Alex Smith to describe the changes to the passing game this year:
Now we have guys with a lot of different strengths. Randy can run and has great ball skills when the ball is in the air. Mario has great quickness. And Crab can do everything-a physical catcher with a huge wingspan. He makes really tough catches look ordinary.
Most offseason discussions on a national level, and even in here, have been about the importance of the offense developing. The defense will be a strength again, but adding in quality offense would take this team to a whole new level.
If you get a chance to pick up the SI preview magazine, they also have a Justin Smith feature on page 48 titled, "American Badass", based on Aldon Smith referring to him as the last true American badass. They use this great picture for the article. It's fitting.
After the jump I've posted Peter King's predictions. We'll be back with a game thread at 4:00 p.m. PT.
REGULAR SEASON
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AFC EAST |
AFC NORTH |
AFC SOUTH |
AFC WEST |
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1. Patriots (12-4) |
1. Ravens (10-6) |
1. Texans (12-4) |
1. Chiefs (10-6) |
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2. Bills (9-7)* |
2. Bengals (9-7) |
2. Titans (7-9) |
2. Broncos (10-6)* |
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3. Jets (7-9) |
3. Steelers (8-8) |
3. Colts (5-11) |
3. Chargers (8-8) |
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4. Dolphins (4-12) |
4. Browns (5-11) |
4. Jaguars (4-12) |
4. Raiders (6-10) |
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NFC EAST |
NFC NORTH |
NFC SOUTH |
NFC WEST |
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1. Cowboys (10-6) |
1. Bears (11-5) |
1. Falcons (11-5) |
1. 49ers (11-5) |
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2. Giants (9-7) |
2. Packers (11-5)* |
2. Saints (10-6)* |
2. Seahawks (9-7) |
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3. Eagles (9-7) |
3. Lions (9-7) |
3. Panthers (8-8) |
3. Cardinals (5-11) |
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4. Redskins (6-10) |
4. Vikings (4-12) |
4. Buccaneers (6-10) |
4. Rams (3-13) |
*Wild-card team
PLAYOFFS
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AFC WILD-CARD ROUND |
NFC WILD-CARD ROUND |
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(3) Chiefs 20, (6) Bills 20 |
(6) Saints 29, (3) Falcons 24 |
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(5) Broncos 30, (4) Ravens 25 |
(5) Packers 34, (4) Cowboys 27 |
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AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND |
NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND |
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(2) Patriots 30, Chiefs 17 |
Saints 30, (1) 49ers 20 |
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Broncos 23, (1) Texans 20 |
Packers 20, (2) Bears 16 |
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AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
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Broncos 19, Patriots 17 |
Packers 27, Saints 25 |
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SUPER BOWL XLVII |
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Packers 33, Broncos 30 |
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2012 AWARDS
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Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning, QB Broncos |
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Offensive Player of the Year: Aaron Rodgers, QB Packers |
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Defensive Player of the Year: Brooks Reed, LB Texans |
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Coach of the Year: Romeo Crennel, Chiefs |
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Offensive Rookie of the Year: Andrew Luck, QB Colts |
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Defensive Rookie of the Year: Bruce Irvin, DE Seahawks |
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Comeback Player of the Year: Peyton Manning, QB Broncos Executive of the Year: Rick Smith, G.M. Texans |