10. Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills, week 2
Both of these teams might be good in 2012, but the past decade has trained me to know better. As with many of the teams on this list, I just don’t find these teams fun to watch. The Bills don’t have a defense to speak of, and this game is likely to go largely under the radar.
9. Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills, week 15
Don’t worry Buffalo fans, I don’t hate your team. This is the last time the Bills appear on this list, and this game is at number 9 because I think this game has at least some potential. The Seahawks will need to find a quarterback if they hope to be able to win more than a handful of games in 2012.
8. Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts, week 5
The Colts are on this list a lot, but their games aren’t rated at higher on this list (or lower on the list depending on how you look at it) because Andrew Luck will provide a relatively compelling story line. This particular game is on the list because it’s likely to be a complete blow out. The Colts don’t have a defense, and the Packers have one of the best offenses in the league. In other words, it’ll be nap time by halftime, and the Packers’ 3rd strings will be in by the middle of the third quarter.
7. Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts, week 2
This Vikings, Colts matchup features a pair of young, unproven quarterbacks. The game will be Andrew Luck’s second start in the NFL, and it’ll probably be about this time that Andrew Luck realizes he’s not playing against the Pac 12 any more. Look for the shine to come off of Andrew Luck and the Colts in a hurry, although this is one of the games they may actually win.
6. Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts, week 12
This is one of the Chiefs few “should win” games. The Colts will be one of the more boring teams by this point in the season, and the Andrew Luck euphoria should have worn off just in time to give us a snooze-fest of a game in this week 12 game.
5. Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams, week 7
Another Packers game. Another blow out. The Rams really don’t have much chance in this one, and it’s yet another easy matchup for the Packers.
4. Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks, week 9
It’s hard to imagine many games I want to see less than the Vikings and the Seahawks in the same stadium. The Vikings get to visit the west coast, which is lucky because they may have to get used to the Pacific timezone.
3. Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams, week 15
The best thing about this game is that it should be very close. Neither of these teams can score points, and their defenses are both poor. I’ll make this my first prediction of 2012. The Vikings will win off of a sack, fumble, return touchdown just because Jared Allen is a great pass rusher.
2. St. Louis Rams at Miami Dolphins, week 6
Jeff Ireland has the hottest seat in the NFL, and I’m not sure he can survive the season if the Dolphins tank early. Should the Rams pull this one out, Ireland may be looking for a new job on Monday.
1. Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, et al.
The Browns are a horrifying team to watch, especially when they’re on offense. I listed the Ravens, Steelers, et al. because so long as the Browns’ opponent has a defense, the Browns don’t have a shot. Basically, you get to see the Browns go three and out all season long.
