NFC in 2014

[WizardHawk]

You claimed that the NFC is "obviously better" than the AFC.

In fact, what is obvious is that wins and losses show that the two conferences are virtually equal.

At best you might be able to look at how many games the top teams in both played against each other and then look at that win/loss, but no unbalanced schedule can give you a definitive answer. I said it was subjective and that others might not agree.

Again, one could say the NFC's best completely undressed the AFC's best and that is proof, but really it proved Seattle was just the best team that day. However you first started with last year's SB as proof as well.

It is my OPINION that the NFC has at least the top 3 teams in it before you get to any AFC teams. Not a shock that NE, Bronco, and Steelers fans probably don't see it that way. Maybe when one of those teams finds a defense they might be back in the saddle again.

 

[cdumler7]

At best you might be able to look at how many games the top teams in both played against each other and then look at that win/loss, but no unbalanced schedule can give you a definitive answer. I said it was subjective and that others might not agree.

Again, one could say the NFC's best completely undressed the AFC's best and that is proof, but really it proved Seattle was just the best team that day. However you first started with last year's SB as proof as well.

It is my OPINION that the NFC has at least the top 3 teams in it before you get to any AFC teams. Not a shock that NE, Bronco, and Steelers fans probably don't see it that way. Maybe when one of those teams finds a defense they might be back in the saddle again.

Now I will agree that the NFC right now is looking like the stronger unit but I will say Denver the year before this one was a top 5 unit defensively and NE was this year both before injuries decimated their defenses. Both were missing at least half their starters so not sure you can judge either of them defensively on how they played this past year. My guess is both finish top 10 next year if players come back healthy. Now they won't be of the caliber of a Seattle or San Fran but they will be good.

Now as for the 2 conferences I think the NFC West gives the NFC the nod but all other divisions are pretty comparable. The NFC East just stinks (Philly showed a little promise), NFC North is hard to tell because of some of the key injuries and now coaching changes, NFC South seems to switch just about every year of who is on top and who is a bottom feeder. So that leaves the NFC West pulling the rest of them along. I think what I think BusSport was trying to show is the NFC and AFC played pretty evenly this year and the AFC dominated if you take out the record of the NFC West (I know I Know they are a 1/4th of the NFC so can't completely take them out but them going 30-10 definitely swayed things pretty well plus they did just play the worst conference in the AFC this past year). So again I don't know how much you can really show beyond just the NFC West that they actually dominated the AFC this past year.

 

[Clayton]

Anyone thinking that Carolina is going to repeat its performance from last year isn't familiar with the NFC South

The AFC is in okay shape until Peyton and Brady retire

 

[WizardHawk]

cdulmer, I don't think the NFC is miles ahead by any means. And I said it can, and will swing back the other way at some point.

Again, the point of this thread wasn't argue or debate AFC vs NFC, it was how much stronger will specific teams in the NFC be next year and can the strength of the conference keep what they have rolling or get better?

I know Denver isn't a bad team and deserved to be in the SB. NE is missing a few pieces, but who can not view them as a threat, etc. It isn't like I'm saying they are a trash conference.

 

[cdumler7]

cdulmer, I don't think the NFC is miles ahead by any means. And I said it can, and will swing back the other way at some point.

Again, the point of this thread wasn't argue or debate AFC vs NFC, it was how much stronger will specific teams in the NFC be next year and can the strength of the conference keep what they have rolling or get better?

I know Denver isn't a bad team and deserved to be in the SB. NE is missing a few pieces, but who can not view them as a threat, etc. It isn't like I'm saying they are a trash conference.

Well you asked the question in the OP of whether the top 3 teams in the NFL are in the NFC so to me that is asking for a debate of who is near the top. I guess I read that wrong? Were you not actually asking the question and just putting it out there as if to say I am pondering this thought?

Now like I said I do think the NFC at the top outranks the AFC but I don't think it would take much to swing it back. I know that is what you have been saying and really I am agreeing with you. I do think however you underestimate just how injured the Broncos and Patriots were this past year and just how much of a difference those extra players being back will mean for their teams. The Broncos missing Von Miller almost the whole season really showed in the Super Bowl in Wilson barely getting touched. In fact they were missing their 3 best pass rushers from the year before because of injury so again adding that extra pressure helps to create turnovers. Throw in then missing 3 starters in the Defensive Backfield and that again showed up. Part of that I do blame on the coaching but part of that is just missing too much talent. Same can be said for New England. So I think both teams with a good draft and return to health could be right in the talk for those top 3 positions this next season.

Also along that same lines who knows injury wise what is going to happen next year to any of those teams. Wilson, Kaep, or Cam could all go down week 1. Defensively Thomas or Sherman could go down. Now I know those teams have depth but just like above you don't replace All-Pro talent you just try to stick a band aid on it and hope for the best. Seattle really if you think about it was very lucky injury wise this past season compared to the rest of the league. Now they do have good depth but again you start losing some key players and it begins to show up. I think the NFC has a great showing of that with Atlanta this past season. Went from #1 seed to bottom feeder. Part of that injuries part of that just bad play all around by the team.

 

[WizardHawk]

That's what I was saying about some key teams in the NFC as well. GB survived without Rogers, but that is a better team than what they were able to do in the playoffs. The Eagles actually had a good injury in that Foles was able to break out. There are several teams that injuries hurt.

Seattle did survive theirs, but they were not without injury as you elude. Having Rice and Harvin out was huge. Lost two of our top WR's and had to scrape by all year in the passing game. ALL YEAR. They also had serious injuries on the O line that nearly cost them some key games. The backups had to step up and it was ugly, but they found a way to win.

I know Denver had theirs as well, but that SB was more about your team being out coached to me than the toll of injuries. To have the other team being able to read your routes and learn your signals during the game tells me the coaching staff was dialed in and yours didn't do enough to keep the offense able to dictate the action.

 

[Clayton]

Having Rice and Harvin out was huge. Lost two of our top WR's and had to scrape by all year in the passing game. ALL YEAR.

Is Rice still a Seattle Seahawk? He seems like cap causality target #1 at this point

 

[WizardHawk]

Is Rice still a Seattle Seahawk? He seems like cap causality target #1 at this point

Pretty much what most people think. He would free up over 7m off the cap space.

 

[Clayton]

Pretty much what most people think. He would free up over 7m off the cap space.

Sounds like a future member of the AFC East

 

[cdumler7]

That's what I was saying about some key teams in the NFC as well. GB survived without Rogers, but that is a better team than what they were able to do in the playoffs. The Eagles actually had a good injury in that Foles was able to break out. There are several teams that injuries hurt.

Seattle did survive theirs, but they were not without injury as you elude. Having Rice and Harvin out was huge. Lost two of our top WR's and had to scrape by all year in the passing game. ALL YEAR. They also had serious injuries on the O line that nearly cost them some key games. The backups had to step up and it was ugly, but they found a way to win.

I know Denver had theirs as well, but that SB was more about your team being out coached to me than the toll of injuries. To have the other team being able to read your routes and learn your signals during the game tells me the coaching staff was dialed in and yours didn't do enough to keep the offense able to dictate the action.

I agree the Broncos got outcoached and outhustled in that game. The coaching staff has already come out and said they did not prepare like they should have all week and there were some surprises like that of the crowd noise that they didn't actually practice for (kudos to Hawks fans at the game). Now as for the injuries Harvin and Okung are about the only 2 I would say were significant for the Hawks. Rice has had 1 good year in his career so to say you expected more from him is saying he should have done something he hasn't done his whole career but one year. Unger only missed a few games so not sure I would count that as bad. The rest of the OL are average to above average players.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Sounds like a future member of the AFC East

Jets will pick him up.

 

[Cobiemonster]

I think its really hard to say. There's just so many factors. Green Bay will be around for sure. Lacy is awesome and gives Rogers a weapon he hasent had before, but their defense doesnt exactly install the fear of God into anybody. The Bears have a lot of nice pieces on offense as does the Lions, so who knows how thats going to go. The NFC East really doesnt scare anybody. The Eagles are still questionable and they barely snuck into the playoffs and really didnt deserve to be there. Can Atlanta rebound from all of those injuries? I think so. Saints are always tough and we all know the Panthers seem to have just as a good a defense as anybody right now. The West is just going to be brutal with each team beating the snot out of each other. The Cardnials made huge strides last season, but I feel that its almost been wasted. Palmers 34 years old. How much more blood are they going to get out of that rock before they have to start over? I still see it being whoever survives between Seattle and SF for right now. Its going to be a few years before the rest catch up in my opinion.

Are you serious? The Eagles definitely deserved to be in the playoffs, they played great the last two months of the season, any team that can get at least 10 wins is deserving of being in the playoffs

 

[Logicallylethal]

Here's my top 10 in the NFL for next year

1) Seattle
2) San Fran
3) Denver (remember they're gonna get Clady and Von Miller back)
4) New Orleans
5) New England
6) Green Bay
7) Carolina
8) Cincinnati (Geno Atkins back)
9) Philadelphia
10) Kansas City (Defense exposed a bit to end the year but some of it had to do with injuries)

Dark horses to break the top 10

Arizona, Atlanta, Miami, Indy, St. Louis(boat load of draft picks)

 

[seahawksfan234]

I think that the Eagles emerge as a real power. I was unsure of how Chip Kelly would do at the NFL level but he has been impressive so far. Nick Foles run was surprisingly underrated despite coming from an east coast team that has been hyped to no end by ESPN in the past. Foles was a guy I actually liked a lot for the Seahawks to draft when we were looking for a QB but I had no idea he would have this much success.

The Eagles went 9-3 in their final 12 games. Their defense was bad, if they can improve the secondary I think they take a step to becoming one of the top 4 teams in the NFC. They have everything to be the NFC's best offense, if they can improve on defense I think they can be an extremely dangerous team.

Obviously not including free agency this is how I'd rank the NFC teams going into 2014 as of right now:
1. Seahawks
2. 49ers
3. Panthers
4. Saints
5. Eagles
6. Green Bay
7. Arizona
8. Chicago
9. Detriot
10. Dallas
11. Rams
12. Giants
13. Falcons
14. Vikings
15. Tampa Bay
16. Redskins

Honestly it was pretty difficult to rank those teams. I feel like there is a ton of potential in the NFC and there are not any perennial stinkers like the Bills, Raiders, Jags, Browns etc. I'd take my lowest ranked team over the 5 worst AFC teams. Each team in the NFC has at least something going for them that gives them hope going into 2014. I could see any of those NFC teams going .500 or better in 2014. I cannot say the same for the AFC.

 

[seahawksfan234]

If I had to do a top 10 for the NFL it would probably look like this:

1. Seattle
2. San Francisco
3. Denver
4. Carolina
5. Saints
6. Patriots
7. Eagles
8. Packers
9. Bengals
10. Colts

 

[WizardHawk]

I think that the Eagles emerge as a real power. I was unsure of how Chip Kelly would do at the NFL level but he has been impressive so far. Nick Foles run was surprisingly underrated despite coming from an east coast team that has been hyped to no end by ESPN in the past. Foles was a guy I actually liked a lot for the Seahawks to draft when we were looking for a QB but I had no idea he would have this much success.

The Eagles went 9-3 in their final 12 games. Their defense was bad, if they can improve the secondary I think they take a step to becoming one of the top 4 teams in the NFC. They have everything to be the NFC's best offense, if they can improve on defense I think they can be an extremely dangerous team.

Obviously not including free agency this is how I'd rank the NFC teams going into 2014 as of right now:
1. Seahawks
2. 49ers
3. Panthers
4. Saints
5. Eagles
6. Green Bay
7. Arizona
8. Chicago
9. Detriot
10. Dallas
11. Rams
12. Giants
13. Falcons
14. Vikings
15. Tampa Bay
16. Redskins

Honestly it was pretty difficult to rank those teams. I feel like there is a ton of potential in the NFC and there are not any perennial stinkers like the Bills, Raiders, Jags, Browns etc. I'd take my lowest ranked team over the 5 worst AFC teams. Each team in the NFC has at least something going for them that gives them hope going into 2014. I could see any of those NFC teams going .500 or better in 2014. I cannot say the same for the AFC.

That what I was thinking when I made this thread. If someone really believes the Eagles are garbage they weren't watching them. Any increase on their D and Foles continuing to grow and that team will be a force. Also agree on how close each of the other teams not in the top of the conference could be to being decent.

While I seemed to have rustled some jimmies when I suggested the NFC was tops over the AFC for now, there is no denying that the bottom feeders of the league are in the NFC and you pegged that one. There are a few dumpster fire programs over there.

 

[MrS]

I agree the Broncos got outcoached and outhustled in that game. The coaching staff has already come out and said they did not prepare like they should have all week and there were some surprises like that of the crowd noise that they didn't actually practice for (kudos to Hawks fans at the game). Now as for the injuries Harvin and Okung are about the only 2 I would say were significant for the Hawks. Rice has had 1 good year in his career so to say you expected more from him is saying he should have done something he hasn't done his whole career but one year. Unger only missed a few games so not sure I would count that as bad. The rest of the OL are average to above average players.

Okung missed 8 games and Giacomini missed 7 games. Weeks 2-10 we were starting backup tackles. That is huge.

 

[cdumler7]

Okung missed 8 games and Giacomini missed 7 games. Weeks 2-10 we were starting backup tackles. That is huge.

I said Okung was huge but Giacomini is an average tackle. I don't think replacing him was that big of a deal. Okung yes. I said you had 2 significant injuries in Okung and Harvin. You had both of those back for the Super Bowl though and somewhat both back for the playoffs. The Broncos lost 2 All-Pro players (that means best at their position) in Clady and Miller for the season. That would be like Seattle losing Thomas and Sherman for the year. Not saying you can't overcome those but losing that high quality of player is tough to deal with.

 

[cdumler7]

That what I was thinking when I made this thread. If someone really believes the Eagles are garbage they weren't watching them. Any increase on their D and Foles continuing to grow and that team will be a force. Also agree on how close each of the other teams not in the top of the conference could be to being decent.

While I seemed to have rustled some jimmies when I suggested the NFC was tops over the AFC for now, there is no denying that the bottom feeders of the league are in the NFC and you pegged that one. There are a few dumpster fire programs over there.

One thing to keep in mind is the top 5 teams in Cap Space in 2014 will be those bottom dwellers of the AFC. They should be able to bring in some quality players and improve this coming season.

You didn't get me rustled just think it is hard to tell how the next season is going to play out considering injuries are at an all-time high, nobody knows how draft picks will play out or FA, and with having the Cap it means that a bottom dwelling team can rise to the top very quickly. I mean the NFC West is a great showing of that going from laughing stock to dominant force in just a few years.

 

[Money]

So I guess this thread pretty much guarantees a team from the AFC will be the Super Champs next year.