Super Bowl Predictions
Moderators: Mop, Dictators in Training
Super Bowl Predictions
Lets here them
Here's what I think:
Only going to focus of division leaders at this point
NFC
Bears - Grossman does not have the pocket passing skills to get them through the play offs. They'll lose in the first round (unless they get the bye and then they'll lose in the second round). They need to replace Grossman, but I think it's too little too late. Maybe next year.
Seattle - A potential threat. It will depend on whether Hass. can get back into his game and stay there. If he does. Seattle will have a very good chance of going all the way again. The next couple of games will shed more light on the situation.
New Orleans - Have proven to me that they're a good solid team. But, Bush hasn't quite been as productive as he was expected to be. Then again this is his FIRST year in the NFL. I don't think NO can make it to the Super Bowl this year, I suspect they'll get beat in the second round.
Dallas - The Cowboys are on fire now that Runslow is out of the picture. But, I'm not sure how good Romo is going to play under the pressure of being in a play off situation. He may turn out to be another Peyton Manning. Then again, if he shines through - he could turn out to be another Tom Brady. Time will tell. I think the Cowboys (Romo's ability to deal with play off pressure notwithstanding) could very well make it to the NFC Championship.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFC
Colts - I think they've got a good team, but I'm not sold that Manning has over come the choke factor in the big games. They have the ability to make it to the AFC Championship, but I think they'll get knocked off in round two.
Pats - This could be another SB year for the Patriots. Laugh if you want, but New England is one of the most consistant and solid teams in the NFL. They're 8-3 with damn near a completely new squad of recievers. They've also proven that they can step it up in the big games. However, therein lies the quandry... I'm not quite sure how this new cast of wide recievers is going to do under the spot light of a play off game. If they can step it up - the Pats may go all the way. If not two things will happen. Either they'll get beat in the first round, or they'll get beat in the AFC Championship.
Chargers - Solid team, but I don't this is going to be their year. Expect them to get beat in the second round.
Ravens - Could very well go all the way, in fact I would venture to say it may very well be the Ravens who walk away with the AFC Championship win.
Basically - barring any Wild Card teams exploding during the play offs.... this is what I expect to see.
AFC Championship - Pats and Ravens. Ravens favored to win it.
NFC Championship - Cowboys and Seattle. Seattle slightly favored to win.
Super Bowl - Ravens and Seattle. Ravens win it.
But, you've got to realize - there are still a lot of variables to consider. New players playing under pressure. The health of key players. Luck. The choke factor. Who knows - the Colts could end up doing it this year. Or hell, some shitty Wild Card team might just pull it off.
Only going to focus of division leaders at this point
NFC
Bears - Grossman does not have the pocket passing skills to get them through the play offs. They'll lose in the first round (unless they get the bye and then they'll lose in the second round). They need to replace Grossman, but I think it's too little too late. Maybe next year.
Seattle - A potential threat. It will depend on whether Hass. can get back into his game and stay there. If he does. Seattle will have a very good chance of going all the way again. The next couple of games will shed more light on the situation.
New Orleans - Have proven to me that they're a good solid team. But, Bush hasn't quite been as productive as he was expected to be. Then again this is his FIRST year in the NFL. I don't think NO can make it to the Super Bowl this year, I suspect they'll get beat in the second round.
Dallas - The Cowboys are on fire now that Runslow is out of the picture. But, I'm not sure how good Romo is going to play under the pressure of being in a play off situation. He may turn out to be another Peyton Manning. Then again, if he shines through - he could turn out to be another Tom Brady. Time will tell. I think the Cowboys (Romo's ability to deal with play off pressure notwithstanding) could very well make it to the NFC Championship.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFC
Colts - I think they've got a good team, but I'm not sold that Manning has over come the choke factor in the big games. They have the ability to make it to the AFC Championship, but I think they'll get knocked off in round two.
Pats - This could be another SB year for the Patriots. Laugh if you want, but New England is one of the most consistant and solid teams in the NFL. They're 8-3 with damn near a completely new squad of recievers. They've also proven that they can step it up in the big games. However, therein lies the quandry... I'm not quite sure how this new cast of wide recievers is going to do under the spot light of a play off game. If they can step it up - the Pats may go all the way. If not two things will happen. Either they'll get beat in the first round, or they'll get beat in the AFC Championship.
Chargers - Solid team, but I don't this is going to be their year. Expect them to get beat in the second round.
Ravens - Could very well go all the way, in fact I would venture to say it may very well be the Ravens who walk away with the AFC Championship win.
Basically - barring any Wild Card teams exploding during the play offs.... this is what I expect to see.
AFC Championship - Pats and Ravens. Ravens favored to win it.
NFC Championship - Cowboys and Seattle. Seattle slightly favored to win.
Super Bowl - Ravens and Seattle. Ravens win it.
But, you've got to realize - there are still a lot of variables to consider. New players playing under pressure. The health of key players. Luck. The choke factor. Who knows - the Colts could end up doing it this year. Or hell, some shitty Wild Card team might just pull it off.
Chargers vs. Bears.
They'll give the ball to Tomlinson 40 times a game in the playoffs if they have to.
Ravens will be in the mix with that defense, but you just know McNair is going to get hurt at some point at a crucial part of the season.
If Bears can hang on to home field (which they obviously should be able to) for the playoffs, they'll be tough until the super bowl.
They'll give the ball to Tomlinson 40 times a game in the playoffs if they have to.
Ravens will be in the mix with that defense, but you just know McNair is going to get hurt at some point at a crucial part of the season.
If Bears can hang on to home field (which they obviously should be able to) for the playoffs, they'll be tough until the super bowl.
The Bears are starting to remind a lot of Notre Dame. A lot of hype, but take a look at their schedule. They've had it pretty damn easy all season. They've only faced two quality teams (New England and Seattle). They did beat Seattle, but lost to NE. Other than that, they've made a season on beating teams like San Fran and Arizona. Regardless, they DO have a pretty damn tight D.
I honestly don't know that the Ravens have enough consistency on offense to be a true superbowl team. Yes, I know how they won in 2000, but this defense is NOT as good as that one, and Ray Lewis is 6 years older and is at least a half step slower. Not to mention, when was the last time Steve McNair was EVER able to stay healthy for a full season? Like, never? He goes down, and their offense is cooked, especially with Jamal Lewis being a shadow of his former self, minor recent resurgence notwithstanding.
No, I think the Chargerrs are much more likely to reach the Superbowl from the AFC. Their defence, especially with Merriman back, is very very good, and their offence has been overall excellent. Let Rivers develop the rapport with Gates that Brees had, and look out.
Actually, #2 in the AFC I would put the Colts. Yeah, their defense struggles, but given Peyton at QB, they have at least the potential to beat ANYONE on any given Sunday. Yeah, he's struggled some in the Big Games, but has at least partially moved past that, with wins over NE in NE, etc.
Ravens are a solid #3, for sure, but not #1.
As for the NFC... Does it really matter? Whoever it is will just get slaughtered by the AFC representative, most likely. THe only hope the NFC has is for the AFC teams to beat the crap out of each other during the playoffs, so whoever makes it to the Superbowl is so beat up and tired that they're only operating at 75% or so.
-Arlos
No, I think the Chargerrs are much more likely to reach the Superbowl from the AFC. Their defence, especially with Merriman back, is very very good, and their offence has been overall excellent. Let Rivers develop the rapport with Gates that Brees had, and look out.
Actually, #2 in the AFC I would put the Colts. Yeah, their defense struggles, but given Peyton at QB, they have at least the potential to beat ANYONE on any given Sunday. Yeah, he's struggled some in the Big Games, but has at least partially moved past that, with wins over NE in NE, etc.
Ravens are a solid #3, for sure, but not #1.
As for the NFC... Does it really matter? Whoever it is will just get slaughtered by the AFC representative, most likely. THe only hope the NFC has is for the AFC teams to beat the crap out of each other during the playoffs, so whoever makes it to the Superbowl is so beat up and tired that they're only operating at 75% or so.
-Arlos