Predicting Winners of Top QB Competitions for 2012 NFL Season

There are approximately 20 teams in the NFL that can truly say they have a starting quarterback.

Of the other 12 teams in the league, six have legitimate quarterback battles going into the 2012 season, one has a genuine quarterback controversy ready to erupt and five have quarterbacks they'll likely start and end the season with, but don't feel completely safe with.

Recent success in the league has hinged greatly on quarterback play. Each of the last five Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks were taken in the first 32 picks (Drew Brees was the first pick of the second round before the Houston Texans joined the NFL), and all four signal-callers (Eli Manning has won twice) are elite quarterbacks.

Rule changes have allowed quarterbacks and pass-catchers (receivers, tight ends and running backs) more freedom than ever, and they've taken advantage of it in every possible way.

If a team enters the season unsure about their starting quarterback, there is a solid chance they won't find success that same year.

Here's a look—and prediction—for each of the league's top quarterback competitions entering the 2012 season.

Cleveland Browns: Brandon Weeden vs. Colt McCoy

The Browns didn't go out and land a veteran signal-caller to push Colt McCoy, but they did draft a rookie QB who is already three years his senior.

Weeden, the No. 22 overall pick this year, will be 29 years old by Week 6 of the season. He starred at Oklahoma State and put up ridiculously impressive statistics in the Big 12, but so did McCoy when he was leading Texas.

The reviews around McCoy have been mixed at best in his two 21 games as a starter, but Cleveland hasn't done a good job of surrounding him with talent either.

This is the NFL, though, and fairness is hardly a part of the game.

The Browns didn't draft Weeden in the first round to groom him for the future; they drafted him because they think he can come in and play right now.

Week 1 Starter: Weeden

Week 17 Starter: Weeden

Seattle Seahawks: Matt Flynn vs. Tarvaris Jackson vs. Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson is a great story, and he's likely to get a chance as a starter in this league at some point, but it shouldn't be this year.

Tarvaris Jackson isn't terrible, but he isn't good either.

Pete Carroll and the Seahawks aren't exactly sure what they have in Matt Flynn, but they paid him $10 million guaranteed, and that's worthy of earning a Week 1 start.

If the former backup falters, they know they can fall back on Jackson to at least give them a serviceable option, and if the season is entirely lost, they could always give Wilson a shot.

It is unlikely that Flynn will throw for over 30 touchdowns and win 12 games with this team, but he'll help this team win more than "3rd-and-Long" Jackson did.

Week 1 Starter: Flynn

Week 17 Starter: Flynn

Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Kolb vs. John Skelton

Despite Skelton's rather impressive performance down the stretch of the 2011 season, this team should give the ball to Kolb first.

He was less than stellar in his limited action as starter, and his $7 million bonus won't scare this coaching staff into playing him if he's not the best option, but the Cardinals know they can count on Skelton to come in if need be; the same cannot be said of Kolb.

The former Eagles QB was supposed to be a franchise quarterback twice now and has failed to live up to expectations. If he's sent down to No. 2 immediately, there is no telling what could happen or that he'd be able to come in and inspire the Cardinals the way Skelton did last year.

If they go the wrong way first, trying to relieve Skelton with Kolb should the former fail, it could turn out disastrous. But if they start Kolb with a supremely short leash, they know they can come back and trust Skelton.

Week 1 Starter: Kolb

Week 17 Starter: Skelton

Miami Dolphins: Matt Moore vs. Ryan Tannehill vs. David Garrard

The new coaching staff might feel a little pressure from owner Stephen Ross to get Tannehill on the field early, but he's not ready to start immediately.

Miami actually played decent down the stretch for Moore, and he deserves a chance to be this team's starter in Week 1. He threw 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions, completed 60.5 percent of his passes and went 6-6 as the starter.

He wasn't the Dolphins' problem, and although he's not going to be the reason they win a ton of games, he isn't going to be the reason they lose a ton either.

Until Tannehill is ready to start, which could easily be this season, Moore has earned the chance to take the field.

Garrard should be an emergency option only if he can even get healthy and find his form.

Week 1 Starter: Moore

Week 17 Starter: Tannehill

Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert vs. Chad Henne

It is beyond difficult to find any kind words for Blaine Gabbert and his performance last season as starter of the Jaguars.

He led the league's most inept offense with 12 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, a 50 percent completion percentage and won four of his 14 starts.

His running back, Maurice Jones-Drew, was the NFL's rushing leader, but the Jags were still ranked last in total offense by nearly 24 yards per game.

But he won't being pushed too hard by Chad Henne, and the only reason the former Dolphin has a chance to see the field this year is because he signed in Jacksonville.

New coach Mike Mularkey says Gabbert is the starter, but there is no telling how long that'll last. Fortunately for the second-year pro, this team doesn't have a better option.

Week 1 Starter: Gabbert

Week 17 Starter: Gabbert

Tennessee Titans: Matt Hasselbeck vs. Jake Locker

Jake Locker impressed in limited action last season, and he has tremendous upside, but the Titans had a winning record last season thanks to the play of Matt Hasselbeck.

The veteran is still accurate and can do enough to win when given enough to work with. This is a Titans team that thinks it's playoff-worthy, which means it needs veteran leadership, and the best place for them to get that is from the quarterback position.

Locker is this team's future, but they're not ready to chase that future just yet. If things go south, they'll turn to last year's No. 8 overall pick and get the experience he needs.

Week 1 Starter: Hasselbeck

Week 17 Starter: Locker

New York Jets: Mark Sanchez vs. Tim Tebow

This isn't a quarterback competition, but the minute the Jets lose a game because of Mark Sanchez—it's bound to happen—the pressure to give Tebow more reps will reach a boiling point.

The former Broncos quarterback chose New York when Denver decided to trade him, and it wasn't because he enjoys Broadway or the millions of people in the New York City.

He knows he could start and possibly even thrive in this environment.

The Jets want to believe in Sanchez, but unless he shows dramatic improvement, he won't last the entire season.

Week 1 Starter: Sanchez

Week 17 Starter: Tebow