NFL Teams Poised for Big Turnarounds in 2012

Every year, there are teams that rise to the top in the National Football League, while others slump to the bottom. Such is the cycle of life in the league. 

Some teams just find what is clicking. Some build up through free agency or the draft. Every year, there is a team or two that really shocks us with their success. This article is predicting those teams that will turn a corner next season and really contend for not just their division, but the playoffs as well.

In order to be on this list, a team must have finished .500 or worse and not made the playoffs. That means you won't see the Bengals or Broncos on here, no matter how much they may improve.

Now, on to those up-and-comers.

Philadelphia Eagles

You already know that any team dubbed the "Dream Team" will be a disappointment. Such was the case of the Philadelphia Eagles, who woefully did not live up to expectations after a good free-agency period in 2011. 

Don't think for a second that this team doesn't have talent, though. Between Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have the offensive firepower to destroy any defense they come into contact with. 

That is where we find our problem. While the offense is certainly good, the defense was very suspect last year. You would think a team with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha (try saying those names three times fast) would be dominating on the defense.

It wasn't. The rush defense was the real sore spot.

The only area where the Eagles actually need to improve on would be the linebacker position. They could fix that easily in the draft with somebody like Luke Kuechly or Courtney Upshaw. Honestly, the only reason the Eagles didn't find themselves in the playoffs last year was blending issues.

Once this team can really jell together, they are locks for postseason success.

*Fun Fact: The Eagles have not taken a linebacker in the first round since 1979.

Kansas City Chiefs

Here we have the definition of a team devastated by injuries. While the Chiefs were stunned for the first half of the season, they finished on a strong note by beating the Broncos and Packers, allowing Romeo Crennel to be permanent head coach.

Offensively, the Chiefs lost Tony Moeaki and Jamaal Charles early, which didn't set a very good omen for the season. Add on to that a late season loss of Matt Cassel, and you have a bad recipe.

A bright spot was Dwayne Bowe, who still shined even with such turmoil. Should all of the offensive starters return healthy, the Chiefs should be just fine.

Injuries were not only on offense though, as superstar safety Eric Berry was sidelined for the entire season. Although, even without Berry, the Chiefs defense really stepped up in the pass game with the sixth-ranked pass defense, mostly due to strong performances by guys like Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston.

That was in the pass game, though. The Chiefs ranked near the bottom in rush defense, which, if fixed, could give the Chiefs a top-five defense.

The Chiefs don't have a blatant shortcoming. There are just positions that could use a little upgrade. Some would be nose tackle, inside linebacker, offensive tackle and perhaps running back.

I think the Chiefs pick Riley Reiff and shore up their offensive line to ensure that Cassel doesn't get injured again. 

Carolina Panthers

You wouldn't know the Panthers had a losing record if you just looked at the optimism surrounding the team. Cam Newton brought a whole new level excitement to this aching franchise.

Speaking of Cam Newton, it is hard to imagine how much better the Panthers can get offensively. He passed for 21 touchdowns and ran for 14 more on his way to becoming Offensive Rookie of the Year.

He didn't do it by himself, though. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both were very good and gave the Panthers three legitimate threats in the run game. Steve Smith was definitely the star of this receiving cast, as he and Newton connected for seven touchdowns.

It is hard to get much better on offense than the Panthers right now.

For how good the Panthers were on offense, they were equally as inept on defense. They ranked near the bottom of both pass and rush defense, with no real standout player. In a conference with Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman, this is simply unacceptable.

They really could draft at any defensive position and it would be an upgrade. 

The Panthers should probably start at the linebacker or cornerback positions, but a lot of people want them drafting either a DT or DE. It seems very odd to me, considering the division they're playing in is very pass-heavy.

If they were to draft a CB/LB like I said, they should take a look at people like Dre Kirkpatrick. But if they are to get help on the defensive line like so many others suggest, Michael Brockers or Devon Still would be the best fit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Being a Bucs fan, I got a close up of the letdown that Tampa Bay gave its fans this year. However, prospects are looking up as of late.

I originally predicted that the Bucs wouldn't make the playoffs next year, but with their recent free-agency pickups, I am liking their chances more and more.

After having a down year in 2011, Josh Freeman will rebound and have a great year in 2012, mostly because of offensive security around him. Now that Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks were added to this Bucs squad, it gives Freeman more safety, which will translate to better numbers and leadership.

One thing that isn't completely ironed out is the running game, which could be improved on with some more coaching with LaGarrette Blount or a later-round pick.

The defense is where the Bucs really need to focus heading into next season. They ranked dead last in rushing defense and near the bottom in pass defense. Players like Adrian Clayborn, Da'Quan Bowers and Mason Foster have shown promise, though, so Tampa should be looking more at the cornerback and safety positions for upgrades.

Like Carolina, if the Bucs cannot at least slow down QBs like Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, they will not succeed in the division. 

As of now, Tampa is eyeing Morris Claiborne, which seems to be the best option right now. Some fans really want Trent Richardson, but it is very unlikely that he will even be around to draft. A good drafting year will go a long way into cleaning Tampa's defensive wounds.

Buffalo Bills

Everything looked good for the Bills at the beginning of the 2011 season. They were off to a 5-2 start with some quality wins over New England and Philadelphia.

That soon came crashing down.

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked pretty good in the beginning of the season when he had 12 touchdowns in the first six weeks. After that (and a massive new contract) he became a turnover machine, eventually throwing 23 interceptions.

The pressure then shifted to Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, who really came into their own. Jackson succumbed to injury in the middle of a great season, which allowed Spiller to live up to his draft hype.

Add in Stevie Johnson with back-to-back 1000-yard reception seasons, and you have a Bills offense with a promising future.

The Bills knew they had to get a better defense, and boy did they ever. Right off the bat, the Bills signed both Mario Williams and Mark Anderson in free agency, giving them two huge playmakers on defense. They will be switching to a 4-3 defense in an attempt to best utilize their pass-rushers.

This Buffalo line of Mario Williams, Mark Anderson, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus will be one of the most feared in the league. If Shawne Merriman can stay healthy, it will make the defense all that much better.

Right now, the Bills need a very good outside linebacker to use the 4-3 scheme to their advantage. Quinton Coples is the likely choice, though I would choose Whitney Mercilus because he is a safer choice.

Also, look out for a late-round quarterback nab for the Bills. They may want to reexamine that position if Fitzpatrick starts to play like he did in the second half of the season.

Chicago Bears

The Bears were one of those teams that we were almost sure was going to make it into the playoffs, or at least finish above .500. Late injuries and the discovery of weak spots prevented this from happening.

If your starting quarterback and running back go down late in the season when you're contending for a playoff spot, you typically do not have much success. That was what happened to the Bears.

Jay Cutler and Matt Forte both went down in the middle of very good individual years. If those two can remain healthy, the Bears should have no problem next year with offense.

It doesn't hurt that they signed Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush, too. Expect the Bears to have one of the more explosive offenses next year.

The Bears were very good against the run last season, but were terrible versus the pass. You thought the NFC South was dangerous for bad pass defenses? How about a division with two top-five quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, and an up-and-coming one in Christian Ponder?

Safety and cornerback are two of the most important needs which the Bears will need to improve on in the draft. The defensive line found a very important piece in Julius Peppers, who they may want to give help on the line.

This year's draft will go a long way into determining where the Bears will go.

Despite defensive needs, it is important that the Bears fill up gaps on the O-line for the protection of Jay Cutler. Jonathan Martin or Mike Adams would be very good grabs for Chicago. In later rounds, they will probably pick up safeties like Stephon Gilmore or defensive ends like Malik Jackson.