Which Teams Have Most to Prove in 2012

Added on Jul 09, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

As the 2012 NFL season inches ever so closer, it’s time to start previewing the storylines to ponder and follow once training camps close and exhibition games cease. Can the Giants repeat? Are the Pats due for a disappointment? Do the Steelers have enough for another run? Will the Saints collapse under immense scrutiny? For purposes of this exercise, let’s look at those teams that have the most to prove in 2012.

San Francisco 49ers – When you win 13 games and advance to the conference championship, expectations will be lofty. There’s no doubt the Niners defense is one of the league’s best, but there’s still some question as to whether or not Alex Smith is capable of winning games on his own, hence the flirtation with Peyton Manning. Randy Moss should help a receiving corps in need of explosiveness. However, Frank Gore isn’t getting any younger.

Philadelphia Eagles – After the media-anointed “Dream Team” face-planted in 2011, some pundits predicted owner Jeff Lurie would blow up the coaching staff and front office. Didn’t happen (save for President Joe Banner getting ousted). Instead, Lurie put head coach Andy Reid and the players on notice — get back to the playoffs or else. A talent rich roster added DeMeco Ryans and second-round pick Mychal Kendricks to the linebacking corps, and rookie defensive linemen Fletcher Cox and Vinny Curry, who should bolster a defense that struggled with consistency. But if Michael Vick gets hurt again, the Birds might swoon rather than soar.

Carolina Panthers – Hard to believe a team two years removed from going 2-14 has anything to prove, but the hype surrounding Cam Newton has vaulted the Cats into a trendy “sleeper” team this season. A brutal schedule won’t help their prospects as they take trips to Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego, and host the Giants, Cowboys and Broncos. The added pressure of a being in the spotlight has a tendency to make young teams buckle, so head coach Ron Rivera must keep his charges focused.

San Diego Chargers – A regular entry on these types of lists, the Chargers once again face the daunting task of translating talent into wins. Norv Turner is operating on borrowed lives at this point, so anything less than a playoff appearance will likely end his tenure, much to the fans’ delight. The loss of Vincent Jackson and Mike Tolbert will be felt on offense: the two combined to score 19 touchdowns last season. With the AFC West seemingly improved, San Diego better be ready to compete.

New York Jets – When you hold a press conference after trading for a “backup” quarterback, you deserve to be hurled into the media fire pit. When your head coach predicts Super Bowl victories every year, you deserve to be raked over the blogosphere’s coals. The Jets aren’t as dominant on defense as they think they are, and mediocre at best on offense. That combination doesn’t translate into titles in today’s NFL.