Predicting Win-Loss Record for Every New NFL Coach in 2012

Of the seven new coaches in the NFL, I predict that only two will have a losing record in their first season. Some of the newly hired coaches are taking over teams with a ton of talent and only needed a change at the top to succeed.

Several of these teams will end up surprising a lot of experts by having an unexpectedly successful season. For example, Chuck Pagano and the Indianapolis Colts are in great position to significantly increase their win total from last season.

Ironically, the new coach with the most head-coaching experience is the one that will have the worst season. However, he's also the one taking over the franchise with the most issues.

Joe Philbin, Miami Dolphins

Joe Philbin has his work cut out for him in the coming years, but he has a chance to surprise a few people this season. The Miami Dolphins haven't made a lot of great personnel decisions in the past couple of years, especially at the quarterback position.

The biggest challenge facing Philbin is developing Ryan Tannehill into an effective NFL starter.

Most of the credit/blame will fall on Philbin because his hiring had a lot to do with his work with Aaron Rodgers. Offensive-minded coaches are expected to work magic with quarterbacks. Thanks to the success of rookie quarterbacks like Cam Newton, there's pressure for Tannehill to have success this season.

Luckily for Philbin, he doesn't have to worry much about the defensive side of the ball. The defense has a ton of talent and could be one of the better units in the NFL. Players like Cameron Wake, Vontae Davis and Karlos Dansby make the unit formidable.

Offensively, Philbin has more worries than the development of Tannehill. The trade of Brandon Marshall left the offense without a true playmaker at wide receiver. Complementary players like Davone Bess and Brian Hartline will be asked to step up their production.

Overall, the success of this Dolphins team depends on the play of the offense. However, they're still a few years away from a realistic shot at making a playoff run.

2012 Prediction: 5-11

Romeo Crennel, Kansas City Chiefs

I included Romeo Crennel on this despite the fact that he finished the season as the Kansas City Chiefs head coach. Technically, Crennel is a new head coach as he was only the interim coach last season.

Expectations in Kansas City are pretty high, as this team has the talent to make it back to the playoffs. Both sides of the ball have good depth and excellent playmakers.

The defense adds Dontari Poe and Stanford Routt and gets Eric Berry back from injury. Adding Poe will help stop the opponents' rushing attack, which was the biggest weakness of the defense. Poe's size and space-eating ability will allow the linebackers to cleanly flow to the football.

The passing game remains in good hands and should rank as one of the top units.

Offensively, Matt Cassel holds the key to the unit's success. This unit has a strong running game and the wide receivers capable of stretching the field. However, both the running game and passing attack depend on Cassel playing at a high level.

The combination of Jamaal Charles, Peyton Hillis and a strong offensive line should allow the Chiefs to have a consistent running attack. This running game could help overcome an underperforming Cassel.

2012 Prediction: 11-5

Dennis Allen, Oakland Raiders

Dennis Allen takes over an Oakland Raiders roster that had a strong start to the season but collapsed late in the year. The biggest reasons for the late-season collapse were the injuries to Darren McFadden and Jason Campbell. Those injuries derailed any type of offensive consistency for the Oakland Raiders.

A mismanaged salary cap forced the Raiders to cut ties with several impact players like Michael Bush and Stanford Routt. The biggest loss is Bush, as he's been a major contributor when McFadden is forced out of the lineup. However, the success of the offense depends on how Carson Palmer performs.

Palmer should have shaken the rust off his game and be ready to put up some decent numbers. The presence of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford gives Palmer several players capable of making game-changing plays. However, a healthy Darren McFadden will be the biggest boost to the offense.

Defensively, this unit features a strong mix of veterans and young playmakers. Richard Seymour is the leader and someone that will be counted on to play solid football. His presence inside should help Lamarr Houston and Matt Shaughnessy bring pressure off the edge. The play of the defensive line will be the strength of the unit.

The linebacking corps has talent but is unable to live up to expectations because of underperforming talent like Aaron Curry and Rolando McClain. If these two players are able to increase their production, the defense could have a ton of success.

Overall, this is a talented team that might benefit from a new coach. Allen does a good job keeping his players focused and playing hard, which is exactly what's needed to get the most out of a roster's talent.

2012 Prediction: 9-7

Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams' additions via the draft really improved the talent on the roster, but this team still doesn't look ready to make a playoff run.

Jeff Fisher is a terrific coach and fosters an environment of success. He doesn't tolerate nonsense, which will increase the confidence and tenacity of the team.

On offense, Sam Bradford returns hoping to rebound from a terrible sophomore season. Despite his issues last season, the Rams decided against adding a potential No. 1 receiver. His top targets are the same as last season with Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson the most consistent performers.

St. Louis is expecting a lot out of rookie Brian Quick, but it's difficult to expect production from a rookie receiver.

The lack of weapons in the passing game means this offensive unit will continue to struggle. There will be some improvement, but overall this offense still needs a ton of work.

On defense, the additions of Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins and Cortland Finnegan will be a major help.

Brockers' ability to anchor at the line will help this team improve its run defense. Jenkins and Finnegan's presence won't only improve the pass defense; it'll also help against the run. St. Louis will be able to commit more defenders to stopping the run because of the solid coverage provided by its new cornerback.

Overall, the defensive improvements will be enough to slightly improve the Rams' competitiveness, but the offensive issues will hold this team back. However, this franchise has plenty of hope for the future. The trade with the Washington Redskins provides them with the draft assets needed to rebuild this roster.

The Rams' schedule is very tough this season because they play games against the NFC North and AFC East.

2012 Prediction: 3-13

Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts

Too many people are discounting the Indianapolis Colts because of last season's struggles and the presence of a rookie quarterback. However, Chuck Pagano's team has plenty of talent and could make a push for a major turnaround.

Andrew Luck isn't only very talented; he's also ready to make a successful transition into the NFL. He'll find plenty of success during his rookie season and lead this Colts team to a handful of victories. Luck has underrated weapons that could help this offense surprise some people this year.

The receiving corps features Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and talented rookie T.Y. Hilton.

Wayne is a reliable target who'll routinely be in the right position. Don't let the disappointment of last season lead you to believe Wayne has lost his ability to make plays. He's as dangerous as ever, and a capable quarterback will show just how much he has left in the tank.

While there's talent in the receiving crops, it's the tight ends that may make a major impact on the offensive production.

Both Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen are capable of making game-changing plays in the passing game. Fleener possesses more speed and stretch-the-field ability, while Allen is a reliable target with great hands. The combination of the tight end and wide receiver talent gives Luck plenty of options.

Finding success running the football will be an important part of the Colts' success. Donald Brown will get a chance to get his career back on the right track. However, don't overlook rookie Vick Ballard, who has a ton of talent. I'm of the belief that Ballard could finish the season as the Colts' most productive rusher.

Defensively, expect to see this team dramatically improve on last year's numbers. Pagano is a defensive guru who'll instill toughness and a hard-working attitude. Switching to a 3-4 system will take some time, especially for Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. However, those two are talented enough to get after the quarterback from anywhere on the field.

I expect a successful first year for both Pagano and Andrew Luck. I won't be surprised if they finish second in the AFC South, only behind the Houston Texans.

2012 Prediction: 8-8

Mike Mularkey, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a team that struggled last season because of their quarterback play and passing offense. These struggles led to the hire of Mike Mularkey as the team's new head coach.

Because of his work with Matt Ryan, Mularkey built a reputation as a good offensive mind who does well with young quarterbacks. He's expected to develop Blaine Gabbert into a successful NFL quarterback. The offseason moves and addition of Mularkey will allow this team to sneak up on a few opponents.

Jacksonville realized its team weakness and spent the offseason adding pieces to the puzzle. Signing Laurent Robinson and Lee Evans and drafting Justin Blackmon will help make an significant improvement.

Judging Gabbert on last season isn't fair, as he lacked the type of playmakers necessary to find success. The additions give him a chance to improve and live up to his potential.

Maurice Jones-Drew and the rushing attack remain intact and will play a major role in the team's success. He should also be thankful for the additions in the wide receiving corps, as they should draw defenders out of the box and open running room.

Defensively, this team is one of the more underrated units in the league. Retaining Mel Tucker at defensive coordinator was a very smart move by the Jaguars. Tucker is a great coach and motivator and did a good job as the interim head coach last season.

The defense returns the majority of starters in a unit that ranked in the top 10 of the NFL against the run and pass. Drafting Andre Branch should help this team generate more pressure on the quarterback, an area of the defense that needed improvement.

A strong defense and improved offense will help this team increase its win total. Expect to see Blaine Gabbert show improvement while utilizing his new weapons.

2012 Prediction: 8-8

Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

An offseason of changes will result in a playoff berth for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This team not only improved its talent level but also improved the structure of the team.

Greg Schiano is a no-nonsense coach who doesn't tolerate mistakes or laziness. This team will be highly organized and play a hard-nosed brand of football.

The offense looks very different because of the additions of Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Doug Martin. These three players will play a major role in the team's new identity.

Jackson is the type of big-play threat that this offense lacked last season. He and Josh Freeman will quickly develop a strong and productive relationship.

LeGarrette Blount is still on the roster but should expect his carries to significantly drop. Doug Martin's versatility and consistency will allow him to easily take over as the starter. He brings the quickness to break off a long run and the balance to pick up yards after contact.

Martin also does a good job in the passing game, both catching balls out of the backfield and protecting the quarterback.

Of course, both Martin and Blount will benefit from the holes opened by Nicks and the offensive line.

Defensively, the additions of Mark Barron, Lavonte David and Eric Wright will have an equally important impact on the team. Barron is the type of defender that will make plays all over the field. He does a good job in coverage and also coming up to support the run.

If David were a few inches taller and a couple of pounds heavier, he would've been a top-15 pick. His explosiveness will allow him to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and from sideline to sideline.

This young and talented football team is the future of the NFC South and appears ready to unseat the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

2012 Prediction: 10-6