NFL is back and we’re set for a ripping season to come. In the first week of preseason, while superstars nurse their hangovers, we’ve seen Andrew Luck throw a 63-yard touchdown with his first pass in professional football and Peyton Manning make a flawless return.
A league run by money hungry individuals and private franchise ownership, teams can very rarely sustain extensive periods at the top of the league due to free agency.
After an upset in Superbowl XLVI which saw the New York Giants pull off an unlikely victory over the New England Patriots, can they both return to the Superbowl stage?
Here’s a look at the early Superbowl contenders (in no particular order) for the 2012/13 season.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers went missing in the playoffs last season, producing one of their worst performances of the season. They haven’t lost any key starters and gained C Jeff Saturday to assist quarterback Aaron Rogers with defensive reads.
The addition of RB Cedric Benson would usually excite, but Rogers has proven he can run the entire offense through the air successfully.
The NFC North is the most competitive division in the league but the Packers have no clear weakness stating why they should not win the division again.
Houston Texans
The Texans won a playoff game with rookie quarterback T.J Yates who played out the end of the season and still bring the Texans to 10-6 and a division title.
Expect them to again win the division and go further with the return of quarterback Matt Schaub and a healthy WR Andre Johnson.
After going from the league’s worst defence to best in just one season, a healthy Houston team will go further than last season’s divisional playoff loss.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were the disappointment of the 2011/12 season and will need to bounce back to justify their overspending on free agents two seasons ago.
Towards the end of the season, the much hyped defence started to gel but it was too late for a playoff run.
With probably the most versatile offense, keeping WR Desean Jackson and RB LeSean McCoy with attractive contracts should keep them happy and ideally produce on the field.
All eyes will be on the Eagle secondary come regular season and if CB Nmadi Asumogha and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie can produce the same results they did at their old teams, sack tandem DE Jason Babin and DT Cullen Jenkins will deliver big numbers and send the Eagles to the playoffs comfortably.
New England Patriots
With the best coach in the league, the Patriots have been the most consistent team of the past decade. Courtesy of quarterback Tom Brady and it looks to continue in the upcoming season.
The addition of WR Brandon Lloyd who led the league for receiving yards two seasons ago may see the Patriots even improve.
WR Wes Welker’s contract situation remains a distraction with parties unable to agree on a deal which will see Welker play the season under the franchise tag.
The Patriots are in an easy division and only have to play four teams who made the playoffs last year. They’ll be right up there again this season.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are my roughie team and they have the capabilities to go all the way.
We finally saw quarterback Matthew Stafford play out an entire season free of injury and he flourished through his chemistry with WR Calvin Johnson.
The Lions offense will be only improve on last year with the return of RB Jhavid Best. The Lions look just as good on the other side of the ball with a front four consisting of DE Cliff Avril, DT Ndumakong Suh, DT Nick Fairley and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch.
The biggest obstacle for the Lions will be their tough division. Three of the four teams in the NFC North are capable of making the playoffs and having to play the Packers and Bears twice looks like the only hurdle.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have the best defence in the AFC West which carried them to the playoffs last season. Reigning defensive rookie of the year OLB Von Miller was one of the league’s best pass rushers and will only improve.
With their greatest weakness lying in their offense, the Broncos went out and got the one guy who can turn any offense around. Bringing in Peyton Manning has shot the Broncos to the top of their division after critical free agents leaving division rival San Diego.
Manning faces one of the toughest schedules with games against the Steelers, Falcons, Texans, Raiders, Patriots, Chargers and Saints all in the first seven games.
Five of those teams made the playoffs last year and all seven teams finished .500 or better.
New York Giants
The Giants surprised us all with their Superbowl victory after going 9-7 in the regular season and limping into the playoffs.
Opting not to re-sign WR Mario Manningham, the organisation showed faith in WR Victor Cruz to be able to reproduce his phenomenal season. There’s no clear weakness in either the Giants offense or defence but their struggles will come from the improvements of division rivals Philadelphia and Dallas who were both disappointing last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are a good team but the division title is going to fall into their lap after Baltimore Ravens DE Terrell Suggs tore his achilles and was ruled out for the upcoming season.
Question marks surround the health of RB Rashard Mendenhall who missed the majority of last season which led the Steelers to rely too much on their passing game.
Although the Steelers defence is not what it was three years ago when they won the Superbowl, it is the best in the AFC East with Suggs out for the season.
Besides playing the Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals twice, the Steelers only play two other games against teams who made the playoffs last season, the Broncos and the Giants.
easybreezy
Guest
Why aren't the bears, ravens, falcons and 49ers here. All are better than the Lions, Eagles and Steelers. Also, the Giants weren't really underdogs in the superbowl, most people thought that whoever won NFC championship was going to win the superbowl considering how much more competitive the NFC was last year. Manning also had a history of beating the patriots, wasn't really a surprised that they won.
simonjzw
Roar Pro
A smokey would have to be the Falcons. Ryan is looking more confident with his deep passing ang Julio Jones has been carving them up during the preseason
Adam Vaughan
Roar Pro
As much as we like to talk about the teams, the biggest factor this season will be the replacement officials. We've already seen what they're going to be like in the first preseason week. They will unfortunately have a bigger impact on the game than they should. I also think we'll find out how strong Manning's neck is after the Week 1 game against the Steelers (that's a big bullseye for a blincd side pass rusher). In the big game, I like the Texans to beat the Packers (I'm a Bears fan so I can't say the Pack will win...you just don't do it).
Chop
Guest
I can't wait for opening day, I'm a Packers fan and am excited for another successful season. Right now there are a lot of teams that look fantastic on paper. San Fran, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Giants will all be up there. I'm excited to see what RG III comes up with as well as Luck. Then there's Cam Newton in Carolina who I think will go into the HOF eventually if he keeps improving. The pressure is right on Michael Vick in Philly, Peyton in Denver and of course Sanchez in the Jets, I wonder how long it will be before the Tebow chants come out? Bring on the 10th,,,,
Tim
Guest
Peyton Manning wont last more than 3 games.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Ohh wow, no idea how I missed that. Whoops. Looks like he's a Saint for life. Thanks Eric.
Alfred Chan
Expert
An unfortunate division to be in with a rookie QB and RB.
Eric George
Guest
Hi Alfred, Why do you think Brees' contract situation will be a distraction? They signed him a month ago, do you think the size of the contract will disrupt the unity of the team?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Another year, another misery for Cleveland on the cards. Well, that's just how those cookies crumble, I guess.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Hi Eric, I knew someone would pull me up on the Saints. I've left hem out because I think the Drew Bree's contract situation will be a huge distraction. Add to that, their coaching staff are in turmoil. Their in a division with the Panthers ad Bucs who I think will be two of the most improved tems this year. Lofton may produce the same stats as Vilma but Vilma knows that defense better than anyone else. I'm not sold on the 49ers. I was a disbeliever last year saying there was no way they'd win a playoff game with Alex Smith behind center. He proved me wrong once but the NFC West was terrible last year. Matt Flynn may change that.
Eric George
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't count on Jahvid Best doing a whole lot for the Lions this year, there is still no indication when he will be available to suit up, and if he would be able to handle the load of lead back for the team. Also, as you have identified, there's no way that they're going to win their division, and as such I think they'll have an identical season to what they produced last year at best. If they get a wildcard spot, they'd probably travel to New Orleans or San Francisco, and I can't see them getting over either side. Speaking of the Saints and the 9'ers, you've neglected both in your predictions. I think the Saints will still win their division, Curtis Lofton seems to be filling in for the absent Vilma pretty well, and their offense should still be one of if not the most potent in the league. The 9'ers have improved from last season in my opinion, as they've beefed up their offense with a number of skilled position players. They may have overachieved last season to get 13 wins, but I don't think they'll drop too far this season, and could be the 2nd seed in the NFC. As far as Manning goes, let's see how he goes in week 1 against an aggressive Steelers defence. Should speak volumes about where his recovery is at.
Frankie321
Guest
My pick for best is Green Bay Packers. They are also a very enjoyable team to watch. It will be fascinating to see what happens with the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning. Let us hope for their sake that he does not get injured. The cable TV coverage of the NFL last year was good. Looking forward to another season.