NFL Schedule 2012 Predictions: Sleeper Teams That Will Crash the Postseason

During the course of an NFL season, the most dangerous of teams are the sleepers. This season we are expecting improved franchises like the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears to make a playoff run as they made big splashes in free agency.

Still, there are other teams just as capable of realistically being in the playoff hunt from Week 1. Here's two to keep an eye on from each conference.

Full view of 2012 opponents.

Jacksonville Jaguars, AFC South

All the Jaguars need is to field an average offense that gets 20 points per game. Had that been the case in 2011, Jacksonville would have gone 10-6 instead of 5-11. Last season the Jags fielded a top 10 defense against the rush and pass, but lost five games by a touchdown or less.

In 2012, expect Jacksonville to contend for the division with Houston as favorable home games against the Jets and Bengals give the Jaguars an edge in the AFC. Plus, winnable road games against Minnesota, Miami and Oakland will propel Jacksonville to the front of the Wild Card race.

Provided that Maurice Jones-Drew keeps rolling on the ground and the passing game sees minimal improvement, the Jaguars will be extremely dangerous with Mel Tucker's potential top five defense.

Kansas City Chiefs, AFC West

After winning the AFC West in 2010, expectations were high for Kansas City in 2011. However, the Chiefs were hit by the injury plague early on and never fully recovered. It was a roller-coaster season to say the least, but a 7-9 record with three close losses was impressive after the smoke cleared.

As for this season, the Chiefs simply have to get healthy. The offense has an excellent two-back tandem in Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis. The run game will serve as a setup for the aerial attack that features Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston.

Kansas City's defense will be stout with the addition of a top defensive tackle via the draft, and getting tough opponents like Atlanta, Carolina, Baltimore and Cincinnati at home helps. Include the road games against Cleveland and Tampa Bay, and the Chiefs may sneak up on Denver for the division title.

Carolina Panthers, NFC South

The Carolina Panthers clearly missed having linebacker Jon Beason in the middle to stop the run. The Cats fielded one of the league's worst defenses against the run and pass, but the offense kept them in games.

Finishing a strong 4-2, Carolina lost six games by a eight points or less and allowed an average of 26.8 points per contest. Through the draft, the Panthers can make great strides toward the 2012-13 postseason by adding top defensive prospects to help a healthy Beason and Charles Johnson.

With the exception of a few, Carolina's opponents aren't overly difficult. The Cats get the Cowboys, Giants, Seahawks and Broncos at home and play some very winnable road games against Washington and San Diego.

As long as the defense can force a few more turnovers, the Panthers will be in the division title race.

Seattle Seahawks, NFC West

Despite beginning 2-6, the Seahawks finished a solid 5-3 and ranked No. 9 in total defense. Seattle also only allowed an average of 19.7 points per game, but the offense failed to produce any consistent fireworks.

Quarterback Matt Flynn will have his hands full with weapons. An array of receiving targets backed by running back Marshawn Lynch will dominate in 2012. If Pete Carroll can get defensive end Chris Clemons some help along the front seven, competing with San Francisco for the division will happen.

The schedule is also somewhat favorable. Non-divisional games coming to the Great Northwest include the Jets, Vikings and Cowboys, but the road games are more difficult. Fortunately for the Seahawks, the NFC West isn't a difficult division and battling Arizona will occur for the No. 2 position.

Following the lead of Lynch and improving the run defense, Seattle will go under-the-radar in 2012.

John Rozum on Twitter.