6 NFL Teams That Can Go from Worst to First in 2012

The 2012 NFL season officially kicks off in less than two months, and there are many teams that can go from worst to first this year. 

Last season may have been one to forget for these organizations and their fans, but 2012 brings new life and the eternal optimism that a trip to the playoffs is within reach. 

Whether it be a new coaching staff, proven players brought in via free agency or an excellent draft class, plenty of teams and their fans have a reason to believe this season. 

With training camps just weeks away, the elation of a new season getting underway is consuming all NFL fans, regardless of what the critics are saying about their favorite franchises. 

It's happened before and it'll happen again—here are the NFL teams who can go worst to first in 2012. 

The Extra Point: History Repeats Itself in the NFL

It may be hard to believe, but at least one team has gone from worst to first in their division since 2003 and 13 teams in total. 

Lets take a look at the evidence:

Year	Team	Record	Previous Record
2011	Denver Broncos	8-8	4-12
2010	Kansas City Chiefs	10-6	4-12
2009	New Orleans Saints	13-3	8-8
2008	Miami Dolphins	11-5	1-15
2007	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	9-7	4-12
2006	Baltimore Ravens	13-3	6-10
2006	Philadelphia Eagles	10-6	6-10
2006	New Orleans Saints	10-6	3-13
2005	New York Giants	11-5	6-10
2005	Chicago Bears	11-5	5-11
2004	Atlanta Falcons	11-5	5-11
2003	Kansas City Chiefs	13-3	8-8
2003	Carolina Panthers	11-5	7-9

This trend tells one that history is bound to repeat itself in 2012. 

The St. Louis Rams Have a New Attitude in 2012

After showing promise in 2010, the St. Louis Rams finished only 2-14 in 2011 and were wise to replace former head coach Steve Spagnuolo with Jeff Fisher.

Fisher didn't dawdle in improving his new team, trading the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft to the Washington Redskins for what turned out to be six picks thus far.

They traded the No. 6 overall pick for Nos. 14 and 45 to the Dallas Cowboys. The Rams then traded No. 45 for Nos. 50 and 150 to the Chicago Bears. 

Don't forget that the Rams also have the Redskins first-round picks in 2013 and 2014. After with what Fisher accomplished this season in the draft, who knows how many picks the teams will get out of who turned out to be quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The Rams added key free-agent cornerback Cortland Finnegan, and franchise quarterback Sam Bradford will have a bounce back season.

Star running back Steven Jackson will have some relief with rookie Isaiah Pead, and the return of receiver Danny Amendola, who got hurt in Week 1 of 2011, will help Bradford in the passing game.

The Rams may be tied for No. 4 on the strength of schedule list, but they only play five games against opponents that were better than .500 last season and two of those games are against the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFC West won't be easy to win, but the division is up for grabs. The Niners took it with ease in 2011, but the pressure is now on them. With everyone expecting the Niners to win the West, it's the perfect time for Rams to steal the show. 

The Buffalo Bills Tasted Success in 2011 and Look to Redeem Themselves in 2012

The Buffalo Bills sent a message to the rest of the NFL this offseason that they are to be taken seriously. 

The team started 2011 with a 5-2 record before finishing 6-10, and they're out for redemption this season. 

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has recovered since playing with broken ribs in 2011 and has improved his overall technique this offseason. The team also re-signed wide receiver Stevie Johnson and running back Fred Jackson, which brings continuity and an identity to the offense. 

Where the Bills really improved this offseason was on defense. The team signed free agent defensive end Mario Williams and drafted cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

For a defense that let up 30-plus points in seven games last season, these two additions will drastically improve their chances of winning this season. 

Where the Bills will have to improve is in their own division, where they only went 1-5 in 2011.

Their strength of schedule is favorable at No. 29 and a trip to Foxboro to face the New England Patriots in Week 10 will be the game that the Bills solidify themselves as contenders. 

They have their work cut out for them, but don't overlook Buffalo. 

Tampa Bay Has Had One of the Best Offseasons in Recent Memory

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had the strongest offseason of any team in the NFL this year. 

New head coach Greg Schiano has brought immense focus and a touch of class to the organization, and the team won't disappoint in 2012. 

Newcomers Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Doug Martin will have an immediate impact on the offense, while quarterback Josh Freeman has to be ready to rebound from a rough 2011. 

The AFC South will be a toss-up this season, and the Bucs will pirate the prize.

The New Orleans Saints have plenty of turmoil surrounding them, the Atlanta Falcons have a ridiculous amount of pressure surrounding them to succeed in the playoffs, and the Carolina Panthers are one Cam Newton sophomore slump away from disappointing. 

The Bucs rank No. 27 on the strength of schedule list, and four of the five games that they play against teams who were better than .500 in 2011 are the Saints and Falcons. Win three of those four games and a trip to the playoffs will be theirs. 

The Indianapolis Colts May Have a New Quarterback, but He's Really Good

The Indianapolis Colts are now Andrew Luck's team. The No. 1 overall player taken in the 2012 NFL draft is nothing short of spectacular and will prove his worth in 2012. 

Yes, the team may have only won two games in 2011, but they did a great job of changing the face of their organization overnight. 

The Colts also have a new head coach in Chuck Pagano, whose defensive mentality will be a nice complement to Luck's offensive ability.

The rookie quarterback will have future Hall of Fame receiver Reggie Wayne to catch his passes along with his college teammate at Stanford, tight end Coby Fleener. 

The AFC South will be turned upside down this year as the Colts will contend for the division. Both the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans will be good, but don't count the Colts out.

The Texans franchise made it to the playoffs for the first time in their history in 2011, and it's always tough to repeat. Quarterback Matt Schaub has to prove that he can be mobile after having season-ending foot surgery in 2011. 

The Titans will be going through a change of quarterbacks themselves with Jake Locker taking the snaps, and fans don't know which Chris Johnson will show up on Sundays. 

Luck may not know the playbook like the back of his hand yet, but the kid is highly intelligent and will be ready to by Week 1 to show the world why he was taken No. 1. 

The Colts play the Texans for the division in Weeks 15 and 17 and by that time, Luck will be dominant as the Colts will clinch. 

Something Good Is Cookin' in Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs will look like an entirely different team this season since their most important players will return from injury. 

Quarterback Matt Cassel, running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Eric Berry were all lost in 2011, leaving the Chiefs with a MASH unit on the field.

2012 will be different as the Chiefs look to take back the AFC West crown, which they won in 2010.

Considering the fact that the West was weak all around last season and has many questions surrounding it from top to bottom this season, the Chiefs can easily take it this year. 

The players responded well to Romeo Crennel taking over as head coach at the end of last season, and an entire offseason getting used to one another will be crucial to their success this year.

Look for the Chiefs to make a statement in the first six weeks of the season as they play against six teams vying for a playoff spot in 2012. If the Chiefs can win four of those, they'll set themselves up nicely for a strong run. 

A trip to the playoffs after a disastrous 2011 will legitimize the Chiefs in 2012. 

The Redskins Paid a King's Ransom for Robert Griffin III for a Reason

The Washington Redskins gave the St. Louis Rams their first-round draft picks until 2014 with plans to win now, and they'll do just that with quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

RG3 has exploded onto the scene in the past calendar year and will look like stud in his rookie season. He makes the Redskins better not only on offense, but also makes them mentally stronger in the locker room.

This kid can do it all and will help the 'Skins do the unthinkable this year and win the NFC East. 

Yes, the East contains the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, but that's not to say that the Redskins are minced meat.

The Giants offense will look drastically different because of the departures of wide receiver Mario Manningham and running back Brandon Jacobs, along with the injury to Hakeem Nicks. Combined with the league's toughest schedule, the Giants could be out of it early.

As for the Eagles, how are we supposed to believe that quarterback Michael Vick will stay healthy for the entire season? After all, he's only played a complete 16-game season once in his career. The Eagles have improved on defense, but if Vick goes down, their offense becomes questionable. 

The Cowboys always have the weight of the world on them, and a Week 17 showdown with the Redskins will be the game of the year. With the playoffs on the line, Griffin III and the Redskins will put an end to the Tony Romo era in Dallas. 

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