Thread: AFC vs. NFC

After 13 games the NFC vs. AFC record is a dead heat. 25 wins for both conferences when facing the other. The AFC still looks like the dominant conference simply because you need a better record to make the playoffs in the AFC right now. However, the dominance on the field has vanished.

Makes the Steelers game seem even more winnable.

The best NFC teams are looking much better than the best AFC teams after 5 games into the 2009 season.

AFC used to have at least 4 teams that were big Super Bowl candidates every year: Patriots, Colts, Steelers, and Chargers. But a change is in the wind this year. Patriots are not what they used to be after losing half their defense, and Tom Brady are not looking the same. Steelers have been a disappointment since the season opener. I won't be surprised if they don't make the playoffs. Chargers have been looking like a Super Bowl team on papers for years, but they have choked in the big games. the Indianapolis Colts is the only team that's really doing it well. Peyton Manning might be the best quarterback of all time, and that's says alot.

This is my opinion:

Top 4 teams in NFC:
1. Giants
(5-0)

2. Saints
(4-0)


3. Vikings
(5-0)

4. Eagles
(3-1)
Top 4 teams in AFC:
1. Colts
(5-0)


2. Broncos
(5-0)
3. Bengals
(4-1)

4. Ravens
(3-2)

The top 10 teams in the NFL:
1. Giants
NFC
2. Saints
NFC
3. Colts
AFC
4. Vikings
NFC
5. Broncos
AFC
6. Eagles
NFC
7. Bengals
AFC
8. Falcons
NFC
9. Ravens
AFC
10. Bears
NFC

I think putting the Bears in the Top 10 is probably favoring the NFC a little too much. But can't argue it too much I guess.
I think the NFC is definitely looking better than the AFC right now, but a lot can change by season's end. I definitely don't expect the Chargers, Steelers and Patriots to just fold up and go away.

"HEY" wrote:

The best NFC teams are looking much better than the best AFC teams after 5 games into the 2009 season.

AFC used to have at least 4 teams that were big Super Bowl candidates every year: Patriots, Colts, Steelers, and Chargers. But a change is in the wind this year. Patriots are not what they used to be after losing half their defense, and Tom Brady are not looking the same. Steelers have been a disappointment since the season opener. I won't be surprised if they don't make the playoffs. Chargers have been looking like a Super Bowl team on papers for years, but they have choked in the big games. the Indianapolis Colts is the only team that's really doing it well. Peyton Manning might be the best quarterback of all time, and that's says alot.

This is my opinion:

Top 4 teams in NFC:
1. Giants
(5-0)

2. Saints
(4-0)


3. Vikings
(5-0)

4. Eagles
(3-1)
Top 4 teams in AFC:
1. Colts
(5-0)


2. Broncos
(5-0)
3. Bengals
(4-1)

4. Ravens
(3-2)

The top 10 teams in the NFL:
1. Giants
NFC
2. Saints
NFC
3. Colts
AFC
4. Vikings
NFC
5. Broncos
AFC
6. Eagles
NFC
7. Bengals
AFC
8. Falcons
NFC
9. Ravens
AFC
10. Bears
NFC

bears over patriots and steelers? common?!?!

ESPN NFL Power Rankings

1 (1) Colts 5-0-0 They're coasting into their bye week making a strong claim to being to being better than everyone in the league. (Kuharsky)

2 (2) Giants 5-0-0 Eli Manning learned that the best medicine for plantar fasciitis is a Sunday with the Raiders. (Clayton)

3 (3) Vikings 5-0-0 They seem to be growing stronger with each passing week. (Chadiha)

4 (4) Saints 4-0-0 Just a guess, but I'm thinking Drew Brees will come out firing after the bye, re-establishing his MVP credentials. (Sando)

5 (8) Broncos 5-0-0 The Broncos have silenced more doubters each week to the point where far fewer are around. (Kuharsky)

6 (11) Bengals 4-1-0 Time for the doubters to shut up; the Bengals are pretty good. (Chadiha)

7 (10) Eagles 3-1-0 Against the Bucs, Donovan McNabb got back into a passing rhythm with youngsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. (Clayton)

8 (9) Falcons 3-1-0 Matt Ryan & Co. seemed like a playoff team during their dismantling of the 49ers. Take it as a good sign for Atlanta. (Sando)

9 (5) Jets 3-2-0 Braylon Edwards already looks like a steal of a trade for the Jets. (Clayton)

10 (6) Patriots 3-2-0 Tom Brady is out of sync with his receivers, but no secondary is more out of sync than that of the Titans, who are the Pats' next foe. (Clayton)

Tied 5 AFC and 5 NFC.. I still think AFC is stronger though, just my opinion

"Sajid28" wrote:

ESPN NFL Power Rankings

1 (1) Colts 5-0-0 They're coasting into their bye week making a strong claim to being to being better than everyone in the league. (Kuharsky)

2 (2) Giants 5-0-0 Eli Manning learned that the best medicine for plantar fasciitis is a Sunday with the Raiders. (Clayton)

3 (3) Vikings 5-0-0 They seem to be growing stronger with each passing week. (Chadiha)

4 (4) Saints 4-0-0 Just a guess, but I'm thinking Drew Brees will come out firing after the bye, re-establishing his MVP credentials. (Sando)

5 (8) Broncos 5-0-0 The Broncos have silenced more doubters each week to the point where far fewer are around. (Kuharsky)

6 (11) Bengals 4-1-0 Time for the doubters to shut up; the Bengals are pretty good. (Chadiha)

7 (10) Eagles 3-1-0 Against the Bucs, Donovan McNabb got back into a passing rhythm with youngsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. (Clayton)

8 (9) Falcons 3-1-0 Matt Ryan & Co. seemed like a playoff team during their dismantling of the 49ers. Take it as a good sign for Atlanta. (Sando)

9 (5) Jets 3-2-0 Braylon Edwards already looks like a steal of a trade for the Jets. (Clayton)

10 (6) Patriots 3-2-0 Tom Brady is out of sync with his receivers, but no secondary is more out of sync than that of the Titans, who are the Pats' next foe. (Clayton)

Tied 5 AFC and 5 NFC.. I still think AFC is stronger though, just my opinion

Yeah ... I personally like the top of the NFC (Giants, Vikes, Saints, Falcons) more than the top of the AFC right now (Colts, Broncos, Bengals) ... but in the middle is where the AFC is definitely better I think with teams like the Steelers, Chargers, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots seeming to be better than the Eagles, Cowboys, Bears, Packers and 49ers.

"Sajid28" wrote:

"HEY" wrote:

The best NFC teams are looking much better than the best AFC teams after 5 games into the 2009 season.

AFC used to have at least 4 teams that were big Super Bowl candidates every year: Patriots, Colts, Steelers, and Chargers. But a change is in the wind this year. Patriots are not what they used to be after losing half their defense, and Tom Brady are not looking the same. Steelers have been a disappointment since the season opener. I won't be surprised if they don't make the playoffs. Chargers have been looking like a Super Bowl team on papers for years, but they have choked in the big games. the Indianapolis Colts is the only team that's really doing it well. Peyton Manning might be the best quarterback of all time, and that's says alot.

This is my opinion:

Top 4 teams in NFC:
1. Giants
(5-0)

2. Saints
(4-0)


3. Vikings
(5-0)

4. Eagles
(3-1)
Top 4 teams in AFC:
1. Colts
(5-0)


2. Broncos
(5-0)
3. Bengals
(4-1)

4. Ravens
(3-2)

The top 10 teams in the NFL:
1. Giants
NFC
2. Saints
NFC
3. Colts
AFC
4. Vikings
NFC
5. Broncos
AFC
6. Eagles
NFC
7. Bengals
AFC
8. Falcons
NFC
9. Ravens
AFC
10. Bears
NFC

bears over patriots and steelers? common?!?!

The Bears did beat the Steelers already.
Doesn't matter though, it's only week 5, time will tell who the best teams are. It's all speculation and since nobody knows the future there are no wrong answers.

"Sajid28" wrote:

ESPN NFL Power Rankings

1 (1) Colts 5-0-0 They're coasting into their bye week making a strong claim to being to being better than everyone in the league. (Kuharsky)

2 (2) Giants 5-0-0 Eli Manning learned that the best medicine for plantar fasciitis is a Sunday with the Raiders. (Clayton)

3 (3) Vikings 5-0-0 They seem to be growing stronger with each passing week. (Chadiha)

4 (4) Saints 4-0-0 Just a guess, but I'm thinking Drew Brees will come out firing after the bye, re-establishing his MVP credentials. (Sando)

5 (8) Broncos 5-0-0 The Broncos have silenced more doubters each week to the point where far fewer are around. (Kuharsky)

6 (11) Bengals 4-1-0 Time for the doubters to shut up; the Bengals are pretty good. (Chadiha)

7 (10) Eagles 3-1-0 Against the Bucs, Donovan McNabb got back into a passing rhythm with youngsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. (Clayton)

8 (9) Falcons 3-1-0 Matt Ryan & Co. seemed like a playoff team during their dismantling of the 49ers. Take it as a good sign for Atlanta. (Sando)

9 (5) Jets 3-2-0 Braylon Edwards already looks like a steal of a trade for the Jets. (Clayton)

10 (6) Patriots 3-2-0 Tom Brady is out of sync with his receivers, but no secondary is more out of sync than that of the Titans, who are the Pats' next foe. (Clayton)

Tied 5 AFC and 5 NFC.. I still think AFC is stronger though, just my opinion

Stronger is not only at the top, but also at the bottom.
There are 4 winless teams in the NFL right now:
two are in the NFC (St. Louis and Tampa Bay) and two are in the AFC (Tennessee and Kansas City).
There are 5 1-win teams in the NFL:
two are in the NFC (Detroit and Carolina) and three are in the AFC (Oakland, Buffalo and Cleveland).

Honestly, I think this is one of the years when there is parity between the leagues, which, I believe, was V's whole point to begin with.


What I think is most striking about 2009 in the NFL is how much better the Haves (NYG, Indy, Vikes, Saints, Falcons, Denver, Cincy) seem to be than the Have Nots (see 2 paragraphs above this one).
Very top-heavy in terms of talent and success.

=Z=

All good stuff and a very interesting idea for a thread.

I for one, think we should revisit this stuff in about 6 weeks or so after we have played a few games the way it is supposed to be played.


In short, let mother nature turn her ugly head a bit and lets see how the Pass Happy teams fair vs the Grind it out types.

My guess, the teams that can run the ball, control the clock will rise above the teams that can't.
I would probably rank those teams accordingly....

1. Giants
NFC - Running will have to win the day for them as we know how bad Eli is in the cold/wind.
2. Vikings
NFC - I am still holding out hope that the staff is saving AD for this part of the season.
3. Saints
NFC - Thomas has impressed.
Add that to thier dome and I think these cats will be tough
4. Falcons
NFC -
Burner needs to get back on track.
I think that will happen.
5. Eagles
NFC - I know.
Pass first.
Still think they use the pass as a extended handoff better than anyone.
6. Miami AFC - How can you argue with the version of the Wildcat.
No one has stopped it yet.
7. Bears
NFC - Was Forte a fluke or will he get on track.
I think he will.
8. Bengals
AFC - Couldn't leave these guys out.
Anyone notice how Benson has re-emerged?
9. Broncos
AFC - When one looks at the stats and sees Moreno, one doesn't have to look to much further for ole Buck.
10. Ravens
AFC - Ray Rice.
Ray rice.....


Honorable Mention
Colts
AFC - Hey its Peyton.
That cat works magic and doesnt need a running game.
Steelers AFC -
I am going on the assumption that our boy Tomlin hasn't messed things up in that area so bad that Mendenhall will start to shine.

Again, a interesting idea for a thread. By my count, thats 6 NFC, 4 AFC

"Zeus" wrote:

"Sajid28" wrote:

ESPN NFL Power Rankings

1 (1) Colts 5-0-0 They're coasting into their bye week making a strong claim to being to being better than everyone in the league. (Kuharsky)

2 (2) Giants 5-0-0 Eli Manning learned that the best medicine for plantar fasciitis is a Sunday with the Raiders. (Clayton)

3 (3) Vikings 5-0-0 They seem to be growing stronger with each passing week. (Chadiha)

4 (4) Saints 4-0-0 Just a guess, but I'm thinking Drew Brees will come out firing after the bye, re-establishing his MVP credentials. (Sando)

5 (8) Broncos 5-0-0 The Broncos have silenced more doubters each week to the point where far fewer are around. (Kuharsky)

6 (11) Bengals 4-1-0 Time for the doubters to shut up; the Bengals are pretty good. (Chadiha)

7 (10) Eagles 3-1-0 Against the Bucs, Donovan McNabb got back into a passing rhythm with youngsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. (Clayton)

8 (9) Falcons 3-1-0 Matt Ryan & Co. seemed like a playoff team during their dismantling of the 49ers. Take it as a good sign for Atlanta. (Sando)

9 (5) Jets 3-2-0 Braylon Edwards already looks like a steal of a trade for the Jets. (Clayton)

10 (6) Patriots 3-2-0 Tom Brady is out of sync with his receivers, but no secondary is more out of sync than that of the Titans, who are the Pats' next foe. (Clayton)

Tied 5 AFC and 5 NFC.. I still think AFC is stronger though, just my opinion

Stronger is not only at the top, but also at the bottom.
There are 4 winless teams in the NFL right now:
two are in the NFC (St. Louis and Tampa Bay) and two are in the AFC (Tennessee and Kansas City).
There are 5 1-win teams in the NFL:
two are in the NFC (Detroit and Carolina) and three are in the AFC (Oakland, Buffalo and Cleveland).

Honestly, I think this is one of the years when there is parity between the leagues, which, I believe, was V's whole point to begin with.


What I think is most striking about 2009 in the NFL is how much better the Haves (NYG, Indy, Vikes, Saints, Falcons, Denver, Cincy) seem to be than the Have Nots (see 2 paragraphs above this one).
Very top-heavy in terms of talent and success.

=Z=

you know... four years ago...