3 Biggest Winners and Losers from Early 2012 NFL Season Odds

With a little more than three months until the 2012 NFL season kicks off, it's never too early for odds of a winning year.

Now it is reasonable to suspect that the odds will change between now and September, as a lot remains to be seen. Nevertheless, it's obvious that a team like the New England Patriots has great odds at a winning season, especially with Tom Brady still under center.

Unfortunately, not every team is on the Pats' level right now. So let's take a look at the biggest winners and losers from the current regular season odds.

Winner: San Francisco 49ers, 10 Wins

Coming off a 13-3 season, the San Francisco 49ers remain the NFC West favorites but are being overlooked in the conference.

With a spruced-up receiving corps thanks to Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and rookie A.J. Jenkins, quarterback Alex Smith can easily spread the field to improve the passing game.

On the ground, San Francisco enhanced with bruiser Brandon Jacobs, and rookie LaMichael James was a steal in the draft.

Frank Gore remains one of the NFL's more reliable ball-carriers, and the 49ers defense will be scary good in 2012.

San Francisco's schedule also doesn't hurt too badly, as it gets tough opponents in the Bills, Giants and Bears at home. The rest of the NFC West also remains a few steps back of the 'Niners, so a 4-2 record at worst will happen in the division.

Provided that Ted Ginn Jr. keeps up the dominance as a return specialist, the 49ers have every phase of the game covered. Worst-case scenario, San Francisco finishes 11-5 and gets the NFC's No. 3 seed.

Loser: New Orleans Saints, 10.5 Wins

Everything in New Orleans revolves around Drew Brees.

With him, the Saints have a legit shot to win 10-plus games. Without him, the Big Easy will be fortunate to finish near .500.

Regardless of what happens on offense, though, New Orleans' biggest weakness remains the defense.

Last season, the Saints ranked No. 30 against the pass, and it cost them during the regular season and the playoffs.

The NFC South has also made some drastic improvements since last season, and even a Brees-orchestrated offense will have trouble. Tampa Bay made significant upgrades on both sides and will be an NFC Wild Card contender.

Carolina remains explosive on offense and has to hope the defense can slow down opponents enough to outscore everyone. Look for rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly to play a major role for the Panthers early on.

The Falcons are the division's most complete team, as the offense presents a balanced attack, while the defense got experienced talent in the secondary. Atlanta is not as explosive as Carolina, but the Dirty Birds field more playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Elsewhere on the Saints' schedule are the Packers, 49ers and the entire NFC East. No matter who's under center, 10-plus wins will be a challenge for the Saints.

Don't be surprised if they miss the postseason even if Brees gets under center.

Winner: New England Patriots, 12 Wins

Not since 2000 have the New England Patriots finished with a losing record, and 2002 was their most recent season with fewer than 10 wins (9-7).

From 2003-2011, the Patriots have gone worse than 12-4 only three times and are 27-5 between the past two seasons.

Twelve wins for New England is a cinch, especially with the enhanced weaponry for Tom Brady.

Brandon Lloyd is a great complement to Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, while Wes Welker remains in the slot. Veteran receiver Deion Branch will effectively contribute in a reserved role, while Joseph Addai helps the ground game as the defense continues to build from its postseason momentum.

Corners Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington are a promising duo, and rookies Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower will make a strong impact.

Yes, we could criticize the Pats for selecting Illinois safety Tavon Wilson in Round 2, but it's impossible to say that's a questionable pick when New England has gone to five Super Bowls in 11 seasons.

Buffalo is the biggest threat in the AFC East, and other teams like San Francisco, Houston, Baltimore and Denver will be New England's toughest of tests. That said, the Bills are still rebuilding, and the rest of the schedule isn't nearly as intimidating.

New England will win the AFC East—12-4 is the Pats' worst-case scenario.

Loser: Baltimore Ravens, 10.5 Wins

Baltimore is in a tough situation, as the Ravens face a strong schedule and also have concerns on the team.

For one, age is an issue, with Ray Lewis having been old, Ed Reed turning 34 early in the season and center Matt Birk turning 36 this summer.

Add in the uncertainty of Ray Rice and having to rely on a rookie guard in Kelechi Osemele up front, and the offense has work to establish itself through training camp.

Joe Flacco has undoubtedly improved as a quarterback, but his pass protection was exploited during the postseason. If the Ravens continue to lack in this area, the AFC North will control Baltimore each game.

Defensively, Cory Redding is gone and Terrell Suggs won't be available to start the year according to the Ravens' official website. So, even more pressure will be on rookie Courtney Upshaw to develop quickly, as the Ravens need him to produce in their defensive front.

The schedule isn't nice, either, as the AFC North is arguably the toughest division, with Cincinnati on the rise and Cleveland making improvements. Pittsburgh reloaded the offensive line and have a complete receiving corps.

Baltimore also has to face New England, Denver, Houston and the entire NFC East (overloaded with pass-rushers to expose Flacco's protection).

Right now, 9-7 is a more realistic outcome, because the first three games will tell us a lot about the 2012 Ravens.

Winner: Buffalo Bills, Seven Wins

Seven wins is too low for Buffalo, period.

The Bills kicked off 2011 at 5-2 but then were struck by injuries on offense that caused them to finish 6-10.

Provided that Buffalo can remain healthy with the rock in hand, the beefed-up defense will take over games in 2012.

Mario Williams and Mark Anderson supply the pass rush so Marcell Dareus can control the interior and free up the linebackers to make plays in and around the box.

The secondary was another question. However, that was solved with rookie Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore is arguably the best and most complete defensive back in the draft, as he can help with run support, play physical in press coverage and contribute at safety to cause turnovers.

Obviously, the Patriots remain the toughest opponent within the division, and outside of it Buffalo has to overcome Houston, Jacksonville (going to be better than expected), Arizona and San Francisco.

Other than those teams, the Bills' 2012 schedule isn't insanely difficult. Cake wins such as the Browns, Colts, Rams and Dolphins will happen, and Buffalo can honestly anticipate at least nine wins.

The postseason isn't out of the question, either, although the Bills may be about one year away from January.

Loser: Green Bay Packers, 12 Wins

The Green Bay Packers are definitely the NFC North front-runners and a legit NFC title contender, but 12 wins against a tougher schedule than given credit for is a bit much.

Lest we forget, Green Bay's defense has a lot of proving to do.

Last season, the Packers ranked No. 32 against the pass and in total defense and No. 27 in rush yards allowed per carry (4.7). They recorded just 29 sacks (ranked No. 27).

The inability to consistently defend the pass, stop the run and apply pressure cost the Packers in the postseason, and had it not been for a damn near flawless season by Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay would have been fighting for a postseason berth.

This season, defenses will be better prepared to slow the Packers' offensive efficiency (although it will still be very good), but the cheese have to find a way to stop opponents.

Rookies Casey Hayward, Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy certainly help, so there will be improved numbers.

The bad news is Green Bay's opponents outside of the NFC North—teams like Houston, San Francisco, Arizona and the N.Y. Giants. As much as the Chicago Bears have improved, the Windy City will take at least one for Titletown, and one upset will happen from a dangerous team like Jacksonville or Seattle.

Green Bay can hit 12-4, but 11-5 or 10-6 suits better, as the defense remains a work-in-progress.

For a complete view of the odds/projections, check out BetOnline.com.

John Rozum on Twitter.