4 NFL Teams Under .500 That Will Make Noise in 2012-13

Another unpredictable NFL season has come and gone.

There are plenty of surprises, plenty of thrilling SportsCenter moments and plenty of reasons to already be excited for the 2012-13 season.

The popular big market AFC (Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Ravens) and NFC (Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Saints, Packers) teams, and that quarterback for the Denver Broncos (he who will not be named), will continue to dominate the offseason talk on ESPN.

It only seems right to give the other teams a little love right?

Every season, a handful of teams come out of nowhere rebounding from past season struggles. Last season featured surprising improvements from the Detroit Lions, San Fransisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals and even the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

With an offseason of no lockout, a full schedule of OTAs, and many roster changes through free agency and the draft, every team in the NFL has a legit shot to improve in 2012-13.

Here are the top four teams who finished under .500 capable of a big turnaround next season.

1. St. Louis Rams

After a 2-14 finish, last season was definitely one to forget for the St. Louis Rams. 

Franchise quarterback Sam Bradford missed six games this season due to high ankle sprains. The front line for St. Louis allowed more sacks than any other team in the league with 55. The Rams struggled all season to keep Bradford and his replacements upright.

In order for this team to move forward, Bradford needs to be healthy and under center. 

The Rams finished dead last in points averaging 12.1 per game, as well as last in third-down conversions. Numbers like those point to a desperate need of playmakers for Bradford to connect with. Even after trading for Brandon Lloyd, and another stellar season by workhorse Steven Jackson, it wasn't enough for St. Louis to keep pace with their opponents. 

New head coach Jeff Fisher and the Rams' front office will make wide receiver a key priority this offseason. Expect St. Louis to try and bring back Lloyd, as well as add another receiver to the mix. Oklahoma State standout Justin Blackmon is rumored the favorite target for the Rams in this year's draft (via AOL Sporting News).

James Laurinaitis is one of the best young linebackers in the NFL, and proved it this season racking up 142 total tackles. However, there are still many question marks on the Rams' defense. Chris Long had a fine year with a career high 13 sacks, but the defensive line as a whole didn't provide enough consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Robert Quinn will look to improve after recording five sacks his rookie season. 

Despite ranking seventh against the pass, the Rams' secondary was haunted with injuries and could probably use some upgrade, as well as youth. Josh Gordy showed great potential recording three interceptions. Just entering his prime at 24 years old, Gordy can be a very valuable piece to this St. Louis defense. 

Opposite cornerback Roderick Hood turned 30 this year, and is an unrestricted free agent. Cornerback depth is key in the NFL, and a definite concern that needs to be addressed this offseason. 

St. Louis is on the right path to contending in the NFL. With some more playmakers at wide receiver, some more depth at cornerback and a healthy Sam Bradford, the Rams could become a dangerous threat in the NFC West. 

2. Kansas City Chiefs

After a stellar 10-6 record, making a postseason appearance and winning the AFC West in 2010-11, the Kansas City Chiefs took a hard fall backwards this past season. The Chiefs finished with a 7-9 record—well under expectations following their first AFC West championship since 2003. 

The Chiefs roster took a monster hit losing running back Jamaal Charles, quarterback Matt Cassel, safety Eric Berry, linebacker Brandon Siler and tight end Tony Moeaki to season-ending injuries. Whether it was Kyle Orton injuring his finger on his first throw as a Chief, or Dwayne Bowe leaving the last game of the season in the second half with a sore neck, the injury bug cost Kansas City another winning season.

Luckily, the Chiefs were still good enough to finish one game under .500, and still contend for the AFC West all season. Kansas City will walk into 2012 completely healthy, and completely capable of taking back the most wide open division in the NFL.

General Manager Scott Pioli made a great move claiming Kyle Orton off waivers as a quick fix in the absence of Matt Cassel. Pioli also helped the franchise moving forward by letting Todd Haley go and promoting Romeo Crennel to head coach. Crennel proved he had a strong connection and sense of control of his team, especially after handing the Green Bay Packers their first loss in his first game as interim head coach.

However, Pioli has also made some suspect moves along the way—most notably, releasing All-Pro guard Brian Waters.

Waters was a five-time Pro Bowl selection in his 10 years with the Chiefs. The New England Patriots picked him up soon after, and again he became a Pro Bowl selection in his first season with his new team.

With the absence of Waters and Charles, and a disappointing season from Thomas Jones, Kansas City went from first in rushing last season, to 15th this season. Drafting No. 11 in the draft, the Chiefs could be tempted to pick up Trent Richardson in the first round to tag team with Charles.

The Chiefs biggest concern is what they'll do with their top three free agents, Dwayne Bowe, Brandon Carr and Kyle Orton.

Bowe and Flowers each want a long-term extension, but one might have to settle for a franchise tag, or a change of scenery. Kansas City has one of the best young receiving groups with Bowe, Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston. Kansas City will look to offer a suitable contract for Bowe, who's just now entering his prime.

Orton also will more than likely be courted to return and compete with Cassel for the starting job.

Carr formed one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL with Brandon Flowers. Kansas City must improve against the run, but were very efficient against the pass.

If Pioli wants to keep the core of this defense in tact, they'll need to find a way to keep Carr in a Kansas City uniform.

3. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins started off the season as a laughing stock around the league losing their first seven games. In Week 9, the Dolphins turned things around quickly blowing out the Kansas City Chiefs, and rode a wave of momentum winning six of their last nine games.

New head coach Joe Philbin will bring a lot of change to the team on both sides of the ball.

Philbin has already confirmed the switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense. Also coming from a pass heavy offense in Green Bay, expect the Dolphins to focus more on their aerial assault.

Many refuse to agree, but Brandon Marshall is STILL  a top 5 receiver in the NFL. Marshall was the Beast before Calvin Johnson became Megatron. Marshall hasn't had a stable quarterback since Jay Cutler in Denver, and it's no secret how deadly those two were.

The Chad Henne era is finally done, and the Dolphins will be in a strong search for their franchise quarterback this offseason. Whether it be through the draft, or free agency, the Dolphins will be add quarterback to their depth chart.

Miami entered the Matt Flynn sweepstakes after Brandon Marshall publicly reached out to the free-agent quarterback. Flynn commanded GMs all around the league to pull out their pocketbooks after his record-setting game against the Detroit Lions.

With former Packers head coach Mike Sherman taking over at offensive coordinator in Miami, Philbin as Flynn's old coordinator in Green Bay and Brandon Marshall still in his prime, Miami seems like a perfect landing spot for Flynn.

Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas form a quality one-two punch for the Dolphins run game, but Miami needs to get stronger on the offensive line to keep the production up.

James Long is one of the best left tackles in the game, but he could use some help, especially on the right side of the line. The Dolphins also were 30th in sacks allowed, surrendering 52 throughout the season.

Expect the Miami front office to look into this need.

The Dolphins were very strong against the run ranking third in the NFL, but struggled against the pass. Cameron Wake's numbers were down from last season, but he's still a dominate edge rusher for Miami. Defensive end Quinton Coples from North Carolina could land in Miami's lap in the draft.

Coples could take lots of pressure off Wake and give the Dolphins the well-balanced rush they need.

There's no such thing as too much depth in the secondary right?

Vontae Davis and Sean Smith form a nice duo at cornerback, but they could use some more help in the back seven. The safety play could desperately use an upgrade as Yeremiah Bell and Reshad Jones each accounted for one interception each. The Dolphins were burnt deep constantly throughout the season.

Check the numbers and highlights from the Week 1 showdown vs. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots if you need proof.

The AFC East is more open than people realize. New England is still the cream of the crop, but even the mighty Patriots have struggled against their division rivals. With a franchise quarterback, an upgrade on the offensive line and some depth in the secondary, the Dolphins can give the AFC East a strong run for their money.

4. Carolina Panthers

In case anybody is still wondering, Cam Newton is really good.

Coming into his rookie season, critics and fans were unsure if Newton was accurate enough as a passer to lead the Carolina Panthers back to success. Those questions were quickly answered after Newton's historic coming out party.

Carolina had very little trouble scoring on offense, finishing fifth overall in points scored with 25.4 per game. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams already created a dangerous tandem in the running game, but Newton helped put the Panthers over the top averaging 150.5 yards a game and third in the league.

Steve Smith also resurrected his career after an offseason of trade talk, and not returning to the Panthers. The veteran wideout showed flashes of his brilliant 2005 season as he racked up 1,394 yards and seven touchdowns.

With Smith being the only reliable wideout, and Jeremy Shockey entering free agency, the Panthers will more than likely look for another weapon for Newton.

Defense was a different story as the Panthers struggled to stop everybody.

Carolina struggled all season against the run, surrendering 130.8 yards a game. The soft interior of the defensive line, and the loss of All-Pro middle linebacker Jon Beason and outside linebacker Thomas Davis to injury were big reasons for the defensive troubles. Outside linebacker James Anderson had a standout season recording 145 tackles, but it wasn't the same with Beason and Thomas out of the lineup.

The defensive tackles need a serious tune up for next season if Carolina is looking to get tougher up front. The Panthers started 3rd round draft picks Terrell McClain and Sione Fua at tackle before losing both to season ending injuries in Week 12 vs Indianapolis.

LSU's defensive tackle Michael Brockers will be a top 10 pick in the NFL draft, and a dream come true for the Panthers if he's available at their No. 9 selection.

Playing in the same division as Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, Carolina has to sharpen up their secondary if they want a chance to contend in their division.

Opposite Chris Gamble, the Panthers are running on fumes at cornerback. Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick could be another another intriguing option in the first round. He has the size, speed and man coverage skills to boost the Carolina secondary.

Kirkpatrick does have a tendency of being too physical off the line, but with experience, that can all be corrected.