NFL Power Rankings 2012: Chicago Bears and Big-Spending Teams That Will Tank

The Chicago Bears did some major shopping this offseason, but they're aren't going to be able to compete with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. 

The Bears aren't the only big-spending team that will fail to live up to expectations in 2012, either. 

There's a big reason teams like the Packers, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are contenders year in and year out. Those teams draft well and stock their roster with talent that fits their vision. 

Other teams, like the Bears, struggle in the draft and try to make up the difference in free agency—a tactic that rarely works in the NFL. 

Here are the teams that will not be able to buy a playoff spot in 2012. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears did a good job of addressing a couple of areas of need this past offseason. They signed Michael Bush and Jason Cambell, traded for Brandon Marshall and brought in a couple of other receivers to add to what had been a position of weakness in years past. 

What the team failed to do, though, was bring in some legitimate help for Jay Cutler on the offensive line. Not one single draft pick was devoted to that porous group, and the guys they brought in via free agency aren't going to cut it. 

Furthermore, Brian Urlacher is on his last legs (literally) and I'll be shocked if he manages to play in half the games this season for the Bears. He's the leader of the defense, and they look lost at times without him on the field.

Prediction: Bears go 8-8, missing the playoffs. 

Denver Broncos

Let me see. I'm pretty sure the Broncos made a big move this summer...

Peyton Manning isn't going to take the Broncos to the promised land in 2012. In fact, the Broncos will not even win their own division. 

The San Diego Chargers are going to bounce back from their two-year slump and win the AFC West. Philip Rivers will not have another season like the one that plagued him in 2011, and the defense is significantly better. 

Manning isn't the same quarterback he used to be. He's lost some arm strength and is still trying to get into a groove with his receivers—a process that will last long into the 2012 season. 

The defense of the Broncos will struggle as well, due to a porous secondary. 

If Manning stays healthy into the 2013 season, the team will be a Super Bowl contender with a few more added pieces. This year will be a struggle, though, and the Broncos will miss the playoffs. 

Prediction: Broncos go 9-7, missing the playoffs. 

New Orleans Saints

As good as Drew Brees is, he's going to struggle without Sean Payton calling the plays on offense. Furthermore, the loss of Carl Nicks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be noticeable, even though the team did bring in Ben Grubbs. 

The loss of Robert Meachem is also something that will haunt the Saints. Brees isn't going to come close to matching his record-breaking passing numbers of one year ago, and the Saints aren't good enough on defense to make up the difference. 

The Atlanta Falcons will take over the NFC South this year. This team is loaded with talent at every position, and Matt Ryan has the look of a quarterback who finally gets it. He's playing with more confidence than I've ever seen before, and he's going to lead his team deep into the playoffs. 

Prediction: Saints go 8-8, missing the playoffs. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs were the most free-wheeling spenders this past offseason. They paid big bucks to Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright, and new head coach Greg Schiano has brought a new attitude to the franchise. 

Unfortunately for them, 2012 is going to be a long season full of struggle and disappointing losses. 

Josh Freeman is still a bit green. He's struggling with his decision-making while trying to learn a new offense, and it's going to be another year before he's ready to lead his team to the playoffs. 

The team's defense is also still another year or two away from being a truly stout unit, and they're going to be erratic throughout the season. 

Prediction: Buccaneers go 6-10, missing the playoffs.

NFL Power Rankings

Team	2011 Record
1. New York Giants	9-7
2. Green Bay Packers	15-1
3. San Francisco 49ers	13-3
4. Houston Texans	10-6
5. New England Patriots	13-3
6. Baltimore Ravens	12-4
7. Philadelphia Eagles	8-8
8. Atlanta Falcons	10-6
9. San Diego Chargers	8-8
10. Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4
11. Detroit Lions	10-6
12. Dallas Cowboys	8-8
13. Tennessee Titans	9-7
14. Cincinnati Bengals	9-7
15. New Orleans Saints	13-3
16. Chicago Bears	8-8
17. Kansas City Chiefs	7-9
18. New York Jets	8-8
19. Denver Broncos	8-8
20. Seattle Seahawks	7-9
21. Buffalo Bills	6-10
22. Arizona Cardinals	8-8
23. Washington Redskins	5-11
24. Carolina Panthers	6-10
25. Oakland Raiders	8-8
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-12
27. Miami Dolphins	6-10
28. Jacksonville Jaguars	5-11
29. Cleveland Browns	4-12
30. Indianapolis Colts	2-14
31. St. Louis Rams	2-14
32. Minnesota Vikings	3-13

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