ivanvamp

1. New England. Yes, New England. The defense is on the rise. The offense is dynamic. The only serious question is what happens with Welker. If he's there, can they get over the hump? If he's not, what does their offense look like? This team is still a monumental powerhouse.

2. San Francisco. Young, athletic, and Kaepernick should only get better. The only issue here really is the old "loser of the SB never seems to return there the next year" thingy. The Pats almost overcame that this year, but couldn't. And the NFC has some fierce competition.

3. Atlanta. I think next year is make or break for Atlanta. They got over the playoff jinx this year and have all the pieces in place for a SB run. If they can't do it next year, I don't know if I see it happening.

4. Baltimore. Should they be higher? Maybe. But they're definitely losing Ray Lewis, who clearly inspired them - call it an intangible, whatever, but they rallied around him this year. And they might be losing Ed Reed and Anquan Boldin. Flacco's soon-to-be enormous contract will pinch the roster elsewhere. But they are obviously very good.

5. NY Giants. I'm still a believer in Big Blue. They will bounce back in a big way next year and I see them competing for a SB berth.

fair catch fryar

Good argument for each one, but I think Seattle and GB will be on this list next year, possibly eliminating Atlanta, Baltimore, and/or the the G-Men from this list. They would all be on my top 10, but for top 5 that is mine.

OneMore87

A lot can change with FA and the draft, but usually even then here aren't ENOUGH
moves to shift things THAT MUCH, at least lately.

1. Baltimore - They de-facto start on top, they're Champs, simple as that. We all
complained when we got no respect during our run, well lets not be hypocrites. They
won, they are at the top.

2. Patriots - Best QB (still), Best coach (still) and good offense but defense is still
IMO abysmal and this group of Pats simply can't win the big one. So on paper, yeah
they are the best or second best team in the league, but will it mean anything in the end? WHO knows

3. NY Giants - Still think they are a big threat. They've shown they can win a ring
out of nowhere.

4. Seattle - Defense is really good, offense gets the job done. Team on the rise.

5. San Fran - The loser, rarely ever gets back the NEXT year. So I don't expect the
Niners to. But Kaepernick is ONE HELLUVA player, offense has some weapons and the
defense can be really good at times, not to mention a good coach.

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jbb9s

I saw a Baltimore team hang 30+ on a great defense.

I saw a Baltimore team make two monster stops within the 10 - on the 2 pt conversion and on the last series.

Joe Flacco went TB12 crica 2004 with an insane post season of error free ball.

If you want to Put NE above Baltimore next year, you are crazy.

AFC - Balt 1, NE 2, big drop Houston 3
NFC - SF 1, Sea 2, GB 3

patriotsdynasty12189

I hope next season is the one superbowl I've been waiting for since 2010. Packers Patriots.....in New York with 50 mph winds and -20 windchill lol good job Godell slowly ruining the superbowl. You thought the lights out were an issue just wait till there snowplowing the field every other series.

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Palm Beach Pats Fan

reminder: there is a salary cap in the NFL.

For Joe Flacco to get his 20M dollar payday, there will be some major roster subtractions for the Ravens besides just Ray Lewis.

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JackBauer

Your rationale for having the Giants at #5 is a bit thin.

patsfaninpa

Bingo. Ozzie Newsome does a great job. One of the best in the business. Having a 4.5m dollar qb makes it a tad easier to build a balanced roster. When that moves to 20m. Not so easy. Kruger, Ellerbee, Williams and Reed are free agents in addition to Flacco. I'm sure they'll keep Flacco and Reed. Not sure they can afford the rest.

MoneyFX

Not gonna do a top 5, but here's the teams that could very well be at the end in 2014.

AFC: Patriots, Broncos

NFC: 49ers, Seahawks, Giants, Falcons

I don't see Baltimore making it far again next season, with the many personnel decisions that have to be answered this offseason.

The Patriots have a very promising team and they need some depth in a few positions on the defense and some upgrades at the WR position. Balanced offense, rising young talent on defense, they will be back at it again next season.

Early thoughts.

ctpatsfan77

Those who do are likely looking at the fact that Baltimore has more pieces to replace than do the Patriots.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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