Who's peaking too soon?

[HaroldSeattle]

Seahawks have peaked to early? Damn, talk about over reacting over the last game played. Seems like just yesterday, I was sweating bullets over squeaking out a win over the Bucs, at home for god sakes. If the Seahawks lose next week do they avoid the peaking to early theory?

I feel like the Seahawks have just managed to survive. Injuries are one of the major factors for every team. Some teams just can not survive the injuries because they are just too severe to over come. Seahawks have been fortunate to survive their injuries and continue to win, but peaking? I think not.

 

[SonnyCID]

As a Bears fan, I remember 2006 well. Our defense was considered great just like the Seahawks this year. We were not really considered overall favorites though. I think the Colts were slight favorites in the Superbowl.

I remember the ST and defense combo being great. I dont remember the Bears being considered dominant SB favorites though, mostly because they had a bipolar QB.

 

[Tacoma_canuck]

As a Bears fan, I remember 2006 well. Our defense was considered great just like the Seahawks this year. We were not really considered overall favorites though. I think the Colts were slight favorites in the Superbowl.

yeah, I don't think anybody considered Da Bears a lock or anything close with Rex Grossman at the helm. The D and ST with Hester were great but the offense was pretty average and Rex had a knack for screwing up at seemingly the worst times.

 

[Tacoma_canuck]

People act like it is impossible to win in Seattle. In the playoffs, anything can happen. Tampa Bay got out to a 21-0 lead in Seattle but didn't have the marbles to pull it out. If a good team gets that kind of lead, it is lights out. All it takes is 1 bad quarter and you lose.

As great a home record as we have, there are never any guarantees come play-off time. The Panthers worry me because defense travels well and the home crowd doesn't effect the D the same way as the offense. Cam Newtons ability to run is also worrisome. The other team that is dangerous is the Giants but they may have dug too big of a hole now and I'm glad for that (no offense to Giants fans). None of the other teams mentioned are much of a factor at the moment, imo. The Bengals will probably win their division but can Dalton play even half decent come play-off time? He hasn't before so I don't trust him to be any better until he actually does it. The Bengals seem to get sloppy at times and I doubt they can have a perfect game in Denver or N.E. The Colts are way too inconsistent and really don't have enough without Reggie Wayne. Luck might lead them to a first round win but again, can they be perfect in Denver.

I understand that any team can get on a roll but usually that team shows signs of it by now or at least has the pieces in place. This year doesn't look like one of those.

 

[da55bums]

When you look at the champion of the NFL, it's usually a team you didn't expect it to be. A team gets hot at just the right time.

So...name a team you think is peaking way to soon to go all the way.

My pick: The Seattle Seahawks.

Best team in the NFC hands down, but can they continue this ride all the way to a Lombardi? It would be a story book ending if they could. First Lombardi for the franchise, won in the second year of Wilson's career (Wilson himself shocking the world with the success he's having), redemption for Pete Carroll after the debacle at USC, etc.

They've got a decent shot at it IF they can lock up homefield. Right now they're 11-1 with a 2 game lead (4 games to go) over the Saints. (3 game lead counting the tie breaker).

Up coming they're on the road in 'Frisco, then on the road in NY then have a two game homestand to wrap it up vs. the Cards and Rams.

If I'm doing the math right on this, if both New Orleans and Seattle continue to win, the Seahawks magic number to wrap the #1 seed is two games. (3 game lead with tie breaker).

But we've seen teams that had fantastic seasons before only to not win it all. 2007 Pats, 2005 Colts, 2008 Titans all come to mind.

Denver Broncos

 

[Doublejive]

Any team that goes to the playoffs has a shot,wildcard teams have the roughest time however and imo it has more to do with matchup's than who is hot too early etc.

There is ton's of articles that touch on this and i am sure there will be many soon with the playoffs coming as they are every year.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I disagree.

In 2005 everyone thought the Colts were the team to beat. Who won it? The Steelers. They got hot at the right time. Until then they struggled.

In 2006 everyone thought that team was the Bears. Who won it? The Colts

In 2007 everyone thought that team was the Pats. Who won it? The Giants, they also struggled.

In 2008 it was the Titans everyone was saying was going to win it all. Who actually won it? The Steelers.

In 2009 it was the Vikings with Brett Farve at QB people were ready to give the Lombardi to. Who won it? The Saints.

Last year everyone was ready to crown the 49er's. They lost to a team that was struggling late in the year.

You want to be playing your best ball at the END of the year, not in the middle or the beginning.

Those examples -- and I don't agree with your characterizations of all of them -- seem to me more like examples of "getting hot at the peak time", as opposed to "peaking too soon". Perhaps the distinction is trivial. That, of course, is for you to decide, Angel.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

Not the Lions

 

[jakedog56]

Say that the Seahawks have "peaked too soon" is pretty stupid.

Who is to say that they have peaked at all yet?

Come the playoffs, all teams remaining standing have a chance. The good news for the Seahawks and possibly Broncos is that the chance becomes greater and the road a little bit easier if you can do it from home.

 

[CaptainStubing]

This is a great topic and very valid conversation. Right now, everyone is stroking the Seahawks, broncos, panthers, etc but we have seen time after time all that matters is who gets hot in January.

 

[RoboticDreams]

We won't know until after the Super Bowl. Some teams could suffer serious injuries, some could get healthy and peak in the playoffs.

 

[cdumler7]

Yeah there is quite a bit of season left to really be trying to figure out who is peaking. Throw in come playoff time there is at least some luck that goes into a team winning it all. Look at last year in Baltimore beating the Broncos. It took pretty much a Hail Mary play for them to win that game. That happens maybe a handful of times in a season and it just so happened to go their way in the playoffs. So I don't even know if it is all about who is hot or not but who has lady luck a little on their side that will have the ball bounce their way that once or twice to decide a game.


Throw in the weather takes a huge turn for the worse so style of play comes into the picture as teams can't air it out quite like they were in September.

 

[TDs3nOut]

This is a great topic and very valid conversation. Right now, everyone is stroking the Seahawks, broncos, panthers, etc but we have seen time after time all that matters is who gets hot in January.

I think that everyone knows that a team other than a team that is favored at this point in the season often ends up winning the SB. When that happens, however, I don't think it is attributable to the favored teams having "peaked too soon". To me that suggests that favored teams should somehow pace themselves, which isn't really feasible. Rather, teams have to continue to work each week, play to win, and, hopefully, win their playoff games if they are able to earn a playoff spot.





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[ATL96Steeler]

When you look at the champion of the NFL, it's usually a team you didn't expect it to be. A team gets hot at just the right time.

So...name a team you think is peaking way to soon to go all the way.

My pick: The Seattle Seahawks.

Best team in the NFC hands down, but can they continue this ride all the way to a Lombardi? It would be a story book ending if they could. First Lombardi for the franchise, won in the second year of Wilson's career (Wilson himself shocking the world with the success he's having), redemption for Pete Carroll after the debacle at USC, etc.

They've got a decent shot at it IF they can lock up homefield. Right now they're 11-1 with a 2 game lead (4 games to go) over the Saints. (3 game lead counting the tie breaker).

Up coming they're on the road in 'Frisco, then on the road in NY then have a two game homestand to wrap it up vs. the Cards and Rams.

If I'm doing the math right on this, if both New Orleans and Seattle continue to win, the Seahawks magic number to wrap the #1 seed is two games. (3 game lead with tie breaker).

But we've seen teams that had fantastic seasons before only to not win it all. 2007 Pats, 2005 Colts, 2008 Titans all come to mind.

Peaking too soon...I don't see a team that you wouldn't expect making a big run this year. The Bengals have that potential...they have a solid DEF, plenty of OFC firepower to sneak out a playoff a win on the road. But...idk if the QB/OC is up to the task of using all those weapons against a good DEF.

SEA...clear cut best in the NFC. If they win 1 more I think the road to the SB goes thru SEA and although I thin a rematch will be a much close game...I would not pick against SEA again @ home. Given the SB will be played in the cold...I like them over DEN actually.

 

[BURN49ers]

People act like it is impossible to win in Seattle. In the playoffs, anything can happen. Tampa Bay got out to a 21-0 lead in Seattle but didn't have the marbles to pull it out. If a good team gets that kind of lead, it is lights out. All it takes is 1 bad quarter and you lose.

Although Seattle has looked ALMOST unbeatable. Hopefully that cockiness catches up to them and they think they will just ride through the playoffs to the SB by HFA alone.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Although Seattle has looked ALMOST unbeatable. Hopefully that cockiness catches up to them and they think they will just ride through the playoffs to the SB by HFA alone.

I think everyone understands the games must be played and anything can happen. It wasn't too long ago ATL went into SEA and beat a pretty good Hawk team.

 

[Midnightangel]

Peaking too soon...I don't see a team that you wouldn't expect making a big run this year. The Bengals have that potential...they have a solid DEF, plenty of OFC firepower to sneak out a playoff a win on the road. But...idk if the QB/OC is up to the task of using all those weapons against a good DEF.

SEA...clear cut best in the NFC. If they win 1 more I think the road to the SB goes thru SEA and although I thin a rematch will be a much close game...I would not pick against SEA again @ home. Given the SB will be played in the cold...I like them over DEN actually.

Maybe KC. That's a great team and just need to get it all together. They hung with Denver twice. There's something to that.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Maybe KC. That's a great team and just need to get it all together. They hung with Denver twice. There's something to that.

Oh...I can see them winning the 4 vs 5 game...especially @ IND, or even @ CIN, but they have not been as stout on DEF lately. I don't see them winning in NE or DEN though.

 

[SeattleOspreys]

This is a great topic and very valid conversation. Right now, everyone is stroking the Seahawks, broncos, panthers, etc but we have seen time after time all that matters is who gets hot in January.

Question?

What qualifies as getting/got hot? Do you have to win 4 of 5 heading into the playoffs? 3 straight?

I don't buy the lose 2 of 3 or 3 of 5 but win the wildcard game and suddenly you're hot.

Seems pretty arbitrary. What is it?

 

[SeattleOspreys]

Peaking too soon...I don't see a team that you wouldn't expect making a big run this year. The Bengals have that potential...they have a solid DEF, plenty of OFC firepower to sneak out a playoff a win on the road. But...idk if the QB/OC is up to the task of using all those weapons against a good DEF.

SEA...clear cut best in the NFC. If they win 1 more I think the road to the SB goes thru SEA and although I thin a rematch will be a much close game...I would not pick against SEA again @ home. Given the SB will be played in the cold...I like them over DEN actually.

I can't go with any team that has Andy Dalton under center. He's way too jekyll and hyde to count on winning 3 games and then a SB. (assume they are the 3 or 4 seed)

The NFC has a tough road with landmines. In 2005, we had the #1 seed, won those 2 home games to get to the show and lost that controversial SB. I will say that the Skins and Panthers weren't that great in '05. If a WC team has to attempt to go through the Hawks and Saints on their turf = extremely difficult.

It's been awhile since chalk ruled the day and this looks like the year. Eventually, it comes back to the mean.