Predicting the Top 2012 NFL Passers

The 2012 NFL season couldn't come soon enough for hungry fans yearning for action, but it's not too soon to discuss who'll take top honors amongst the league's elite quarterbacks. 

This season will be no different in the sense that there will be those who surprise and those who severely disappoint. 

It's easy to fall from the top in the NFL, if one's game doesn't remain sharp as every competitive quarterback in the league wants to be head of the class. More often than not, the best behind-center for an entire season wins the MVP and a piece of NFL history.

Who will be the best in 2012?

Let's take a peek and see. 

The Extra Point: Ryan Fitzpatrick Will Be Most Improved in 2012

Ryan Fitzpatrick led the league in interceptions in 2011 with 23, but we'll see a new-and-improved quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in 2012. 

Fitzpatrick should be given credit for playing with cracked ribs last season and has worked relentlessly this offseason to improve his technique with new quarterbacks coach David Lee. 

The Bills showed their fans a glimpse of a winning franchise when they started 5-2 in 2011 but ended just 6-10. Part of their demise was the fact that their quarterback threw multiple interceptions in eight games last season. That stat just isn't fair in regards to the evaluation of the Bills defense in 2011. 

This is the year that the Bills will take that next step and make the playoffs, and they will do so because of Fitzpatrick legitimizing himself as an NFL quarterback. 

Gone will be the Sundays of multiple interceptions as he'll drastically cut that number down to 14 in 2012. 

Cam Newton Will Lead the League in Interceptions in 2012

Cam Newton took the NFL by storm in 2011, as he simply became a superstar from day one. He threw for over 4,000 yards, rushed for 700-plus and scored a combined 35 touchdowns.

Last year's Rookie of the Year will take a small step back this year as a slight sophomore slump will set in. Newton sure did set the bar high for himself, and the pressure of winning will cause the young stud to press in during 2012. 

Yes, the Carolina Panthers added important depth to their rushing attack by adding Mike Tolbert in the offseason, but they didn't do much for their passing game. After Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith, the race for the No. 2 receiver is wide open. 

While it's true that Newton has matured this offseason, his interception total will go up from the 17 he threw in his rookie campaign. The pressure to continuously make outstanding plays will get Newton into trouble this season. 

Fans shouldn't be surprised when Newton leads the NFL with 25 interceptions in 2012. 

Robert Griffin III Will Be the Best Rookie Quarterback

Following in Cam Newton's footsteps, Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III will be the NFL's best rookie in 2012. 

RG3 has already gotten praise for his ability to adapt to the 'Skins offense and for his impressive arm strength this offseason.

Given, the expectations are bigger for Griffin III than his predecessor because of Newton's numbers in 2011, but RG3 has the demeanor that it takes to excel in 2012. 

He's that special type of player who makes everyone around him better and can rejuvenate a stagnant Redskins franchise all by himself. 

There's not a true NFL fan alive that isn't excited for Griffin III to take center stage this season. He'll be up to the tall task of meeting his astronomical expectations and taking the prize of Rookie of the Year. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 3,972 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 521 rushing yards, eight rushing TDs

Drew Brees Will Once Again Be the NFL's Most Accurate Passer

The New Orleans Saints may be a shadow of their former selves thanks to their involvement with Bountygate, but that won't stop Drew Brees from being the most accurate passer in the NFL.

Yes, Brees is currently holding out for a new contract, but the Saints' front office is not stupid enough to let the best thing that has ever happened to the franchise sit at home in 2012. 

The Saints will have to fill in the missing pieces to their successful puzzle if they're to succeed in 2012, but behind the precision of Brees' arm, they're not to be counted out. 

He led the NFL in 2011 with a career-best 71.2 percent completion rate, and that number should only dip a touch this season.

Regardless of the current turmoil that looms over the Saints, Brees will deliver for his fans with a 69.7 percent completion rate in 2012. 

Tom Brady Will Surpass 5,000 Yards Passing Again and Take the Yardage Title

Tom Brady is nothing short of a marvel on a football field. The future Hall of Fame quarterback will be 35 years old by the time the 2012 season begins—but don't let that fool you. 

The New England Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl loss last season, and Brady's competitive nature will have him breathing fire this season.

The Pats have a dominant possession receiver in Wes Welker and a ridiculous one-two punch in tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

Brady will be better in 2012 because of the improvement to the Pats' running game via the valuable experience that Stevan Ridley gained in his limited play in 2011, a healthy Shane Vereen and the veteran presence of Joseph Addai. 

Brady wants a fourth ring in the worst way, and he'll punish opposing defenses this season.

He'll surpass 5,000 passing yards for the second consecutive season and lead the league with 5,185 yards through the air. 

Matthew Stafford Will Lead the League in Touchdown Tosses in 2012

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford lived up to the hype in 2011 when he threw for over 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. Those numbers would have, undoubtedly, been better had he not played with a broken finger for a number of games. 

Being only 24 years old, the future is very bright for Stafford and the Lions. Now that the team knows what winning tastes like, thanks to a playoff appearance in 2011, the sky's the limit for the once downtrodden franchise. 

The Lions struggled running the ball in 2011, and the chance of a drastic change in that department this season appears to be slim at the moment. That means that Stafford will have plenty of opportunities to air it out, and he'll make the most of them. 

It doesn't hurt that he has the best wide receiver in the game in Calvin Johnson along with an underrated tight end in Brandon Pettigrew. Having a key veteran receiver in Nate Burleson and a blossoming Titus Young to throw the ball to doesn't hurt either. 

With the Lions having to depend on his arm, Stafford won't disappoint when he throws for 48 touchdowns in 2012. 

Aaron Rodgers Will Successfully Defend His Quarterback Rating and MVP Crown

Aaron Rodgers was simply stunning last season for the Green Bay Packers. The fact that he threw 45 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions is still hard to believe. 

While the Packers got ousted in the playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants, they'll make another strong run in 2012. 

Rodgers was a model of consistency in 2011 when he posted an NFL record with a 122.5 quarterback rating for the season. While his numbers won't be as high in 2012, they'll still be the best overall. 

Rodgers is a maestro on a football field and leads the Packers offense in perfect harmony. Hate him all you want, he's the best the league has to offer right now. 

He'll top the league with a quarterback rating of 109.8 in 2012 and take home his second straight MVP. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 4,912 passing yards, 46 passing TDs, 11 INTs

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