Lop-sided NFL in 2004

[Ray Marsh]

The AFC is so much more dominant than the NFC, this year, that it may be possible for a an NFC team with a losing record to make the play-offs. It will be the first time ever. There have been a few 8-8 teams make it. They all lost in the first round. In the NFC a 10-6 record is practically a lock, 9-7 stands a good chance. In the AFC there will be a few 10-6 teams watching the play-offs on TV.

What happened to the mighty NFC? Is the draft that big a factor or is this just the ebb and flow of talent and dominance?

[Michael Ernest]

Maybe the NFC felt sorry for them and wanted them to have a chance.

[Mark Fletcher]

Anyone taking bets on the Superbowl being a Pennsylvania Series (Eagles vs Steelers)?

[Mark Fletcher]

Since 1998, when the Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers, the AFC have dominated the Superbowl with five of the last seven Superbowls being won by an AFC team.

So this might not be a new situation, but rather a growing trend.

[Jason Menard]

The NFC has not adjusted as well to the salary cap as the AFC has. One need only look at the Redskins, Niners, and Dallas as examples. That's just one factor though. It certainly doesn't hurt that the AFC has a crop of very good quarterbacks, whereas the NFC really only has a couple. Most importantly though, I think a large part of the disparity in records we're seeing this year is a result of expansion. The talent pool is simply diluted, and some teams are clearly better at evaluating the limited available talent than others are.

Superbowl: Assuming the Eagles don't redefine the word choke again, it will be Philly and New England. I expect the Steelers to sweep their final games and get homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, where they will lose yet another AFC Championship at Ketchup Field to New England. Maybe this time they'll wait to make their hotel reservations until after the game is played.
[ December 17, 2004: Message edited by: Jason Menard ]

[Nick George]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:

Assuming the Eagles don't redefine the word choke again

[Ray Marsh]

There are three dominant teams in the AFC: The Colts, the Patriots and the Steelers. The class of the NFC is obviously Philly. Who will they play in the NFC title game?

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Ray Marsh:
There are three dominant teams in the AFC: The Colts, the Patriots and the Steelers. The class of the NFC is obviously Philly. Who will they play in the NFC title game?

I don't think PhiLLLy getting there is a given. They may have to add a fourth 'L' to "Philadelphia Eagles".

As for who will represent the AFC... The Colts will go on the road to New England where Manning will throw three picks and lose once again. New England will then go on the road for the AFC Championship game to play Puttsburgh at Ketchup field where there will be a repeat of the 2001 game. Afterwards, Ward and Burress will cry how the better team didn't win (again), Cowher will complain about a ball being spotted on the wrong hash mark for a punt, and then they will all quickly go and try to cancel their prematurely made hotel and flight reservations for Jacksonville. Meanwhile, Bob Craft will be accepting the Lamar Hunt trophy on the fifty yard line as stunned Steeler fans are forced to look on. Later, Peyton Manning will phone Ben Roethlisberger and invite him and some of his teamates over to watch the Super Bowl. The last Steeler pass of the season will be Roethlisberger passing the salsa to Randel-El after having just handed off the chips to Bettis.
[ December 20, 2004: Message edited by: Jason Menard ]

[Mark Fletcher]

Originally posted by Ray Marsh:
There are three dominant teams in the AFC: The Colts, the Patriots and the Steelers. The class of the NFC is obviously Philly. Who will they play in the NFC title game?

I would like to say Eagles vs Packers, but I think it will probably be the Eagles vs Falcons. GB has just been so hit and miss this season.

Anyone think Favre will retire at the end of this season? Theres always been speculation for the last couple of years, but the fact that his wife has cancer, I reckon he will want to take the time away from the game to look after her.

Mark

[Ray Marsh]

I didn't know Brett Favre's wife had cancer. That's too bad. Whenever he retires he will be go out as one of the best that played the game.

There are no "givens" in football, that's for sure. The phrase "On any given Sunday" says it all.

I'm wondering if we'll have a team with a losing record in the playoffs this year. Even though it will be a first, I hope it doesn't happen.

My Bills still have a chance. They will have to beat Pittsburgh the last game of the regular season. That is not as improbable as it sounded a few weeks ago. And even if they do win out, they still may not go. 10 and 6 is no where close to a guarantee in the AFC this year.

[Thomas Paul]

How's this... Arizona at 5-9 could still win the NFC Worst West.

Jason, I'm just wondering... who did New England lose to for their one loss?

[Amanda Leigh]

Steelers won against the Pats 34-20 Oct 31.
I am still betting on the Steelers going to the Superbowl!

[Ray Marsh]

The Steelers beat the Pats, but that may work against them. The Pats had a critical injury when they played the Steelers. I forget exactly who it was now. That loss didn't slow the Pats down a bit. They continue to crush thier competition. Then there's the payback factor. The next time they meet, I give NE the edge. It will be a game to watch, if it happens, for sure.

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Ray Marsh:
The Pats had a critical injury when they played the Steelers. I forget exactly who it was now.

In that game, Ty Law, their #1 CB went out with a broken foot. Already out for that game was their #2 CB (Tyrone Poole). Their #3 CB (Asante Samuel) went out that game as well. During the game, New England also lost both starting offensive tackles. It's also worth noting that Corey Dillon was out injured in that game.

Are those excuses? Certainly not. That's one of those games though that if you're a football fan you have to look at the factors which may have contributed to a convincing Steeler win. New England has since adjusted to playing with a decimated defensive backfield, although they weren't able to successfully make the adjustment during the game, nor were they able to successfully adjust to losing both offensive tackles. In a playoff game you can expect that the defensive backfield will have Ty Law back, and Corey Dillon will also play. In other words, Pittsburgh won't be playing the same team they faced when they came off their bye week. We'll see what happens this time.

[Ray Marsh]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:
...It's also worth noting that Corey Dillon was out injured in that game.

That's who I was thinking of. The next game will be much more important. I think the AFC will be very interesting to watch in the play-offs. It would be too ironic an NFC team won the super-bowl with all the power-house teams in the AFC, this year.

[Ray Marsh]

This is why I don't gamble. Who would've thunk it?

Monday Night Madness

[Mark Fletcher]

My dear wife was complaining after game that she never placed a bet on the Dolphins. Shes not a big NE fan you see.

Those four interceptions surely killed the Pats.

[Thomas Paul]

NE didn't look like a 12 win team yesterday. So Jason... how many injuries did NE have this time?

And don't tell me that this game was meaningless... theoretically NE can still lose the first round bye and be forced to play two road playoff games before the Super Bowl.
[ December 21, 2004: Message edited by: Thomas Paul ]

[Jason Menard]

NE played a horrible game all around. Brady in particular played bad. He always seems to struggle against Miami for some reason. Probably like Manning (the good one) always struggles against New England. Miami played pretty well that night, New England didn't. It happens.