What’s the best division in football?

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

AFC South is going to be a great one this year and the best division in terms of competition for the division title with the Titans falling back to reality and Indy continuing to falter more and with the expected rise of Houston and Jax,Its going to be fun to watch who comes out of this division alive.

I think Jax has a good chance to rebound, but Houston is the new Seahawks, the sexy sleeper who never quit delivers. Matt Schaub and his lack of playing every game, added to his propensity to throw the ball to the other team make them hard to pick. But no doubt they have the talent they just need to put it all together for 16 games.

I think the Titans will finish with 10-12 wins and the Colts will be interesting to watch. You have to wonder if the turnover will affect anything, only time will tell.

I agree they have a tough inner division schedule, but they play the NFC West which should give them a bit of a breather.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I wonder how anyone can consider the AFC North to be anything but the WORST division in football.

Its been the Steelers by themselves and also-rans for most of this decade with the Ravens being the only real test for the Steelers and even then it hasn't been often - That division has 1/2 of the teams all but out of the playoff picture by week 10 just about every year.

You are correct. Obviously the Steelers barring injuries will be right back in the mix. The Ravens will go as far as Flacco and the defense go (nothing new), the Browns may win 5 games.

The interesting team (and my sleeper) are the Bungles. They had a solid defense, despite the numbers. The offense was as bad as bad could be without Palmer and a non-focused Chad Johnson and a deflated Housh. With a healthy Palmer and rejuvinated and supposedly focused Johnson the offense should improve. Benson was servicable for them last year and is looking to establish himself.

Defensively they had a good draft and they signed Roy Williams to help against the run. They also signed/traded for Orien Harris and Tank williams to help out as well.

They could be interesting or they could simply implode.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Most people would have said that about the Cardinals last year. Cowboys have all the talent in the world and now that T.O. is gone most people expect the overall team chemistry to improve. BTW, The NFC East is the Toughtest and Best division in Football. I would go NFC East, AFC North, AFC East, NFC South, AFC South, AFC West, NFC North, NFC West.

The Cardinals also had a QB and RB that has had success in the playoffs. The Boys do not, they have the most overrated QB I have ever had the displeasure to watch. Team chemistry may improve, but the coaching won't. They will have to overcome themselves before they can take the next step.

 

[State]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

NFC East by far. In fact, Giants, Eagles and Cowboys can contend for a super bowl birth.

I swear...I was going to say the same thing.

SB: Pats v. Giants. Patriots win 42-10.

Eagles are better than the Finns. The Cowboys are better than the swJets.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I wonder how anyone can consider the AFC North to be anything but the WORST division in football.

Its been the Steelers by themselves and also-rans for most of this decade with the Ravens being the only real test for the Steelers and even then it hasn't been often - That division has 1/2 of the teams all but out of the playoff picture by week 10 just about every year.

The article isn't talking about the decade, its talking about the upcoming season. IMO The AFC West, NFC West, and NFC North are all worse than the AFC North. Lets not forget that the Bengals are getting their MVP back in Carson Palmer this season who has shown the ability to be a top 5 QB when healthy. Chad Ocho Cinco is highly motivated this season and I really like their draft especially adding Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson on the defensive side of the Ball. If they can stay healthy they have a shot at making the playoffs. The Ravens and the Steelers are obviously the top two teams in the division and when two teams from the same division are in the conference championship game I don't understand how you can call them the worst division in football. The AFC North and the AFC South are just about even in terms of talent and competitiveness. Oh and don't forget Mangini is taking over a browns team that went into last season as the "team to watch".

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I swear...I was going to say the same thing.

SB: Pats v. Giants. Patriots win 42-10.

Eagles are better than the Finns. The Cowboys are better than the swJets.

I think the Eagles are better than the Giants, with the two biggest question marks being can McNabb and Westbrook stay healthy for 16 games?

The Eagles line will be a wrecking crew and the Defense should be solid as usual.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

The Cardinals also had a QB and RB that has had success in the playoffs. The Boys do not, they have the most overrated QB I have ever had the displeasure to watch. Team chemistry may improve, but the coaching won't. They will have to overcome themselves before they can take the next step.

Im not saying they are a superbowl lock or anything I am saying this is a top ten NFL team and thus they are a Superbowl contender. Tony Romo may be overatted but Eli Manning wasnt? I am also pretty sure I would rather have Marion Barber over Edgerin James. Oh yeah they also have this DeMarcus Ware guy who plays OLB and is pretty good at rushing the passer.

 

[letekro]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

AFC South is going to be a great one this year and the best division in terms of competition for the division title with the Titans falling back to reality and Indy continuing to falter more and with the expected rise of Houston and Jax,Its going to be fun to watch who comes out of this division alive.

With all the injuries Indy had last year, I'm not even close to ready to write them off. I like what they did in the draft and losing Saint Dungy is overrated. I still fear them more than any other team. I think you're right about the Titans and I'm sceptical about Houston - everyone's on the bandwagon, which is usually not a very good sign.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I think the Eagles are better than the Giants, with the two biggest question marks being can McNabb and Westbrook stay healthy for 16 games?

The Eagles line will be a wrecking crew and the Defense should be solid as usual.

If the Giants D-Line stays healthy and some of the young receivers step up I think the Giants win the division by at least 2 games.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Im not saying they are a superbowl lock or anything I am saying this is a top ten NFL team and thus they are a Superbowl contender. Tony Romo may be overatted but Eli Manning wasnt? I am also pretty sure I would rather have Marion Barber over Edgerin James. Oh yeah they also have this DeMarcus Ware guy who plays OLB and is pretty good at rushing the passer.

Did any of that help them last year? Nope!

Eli's biggest issue is that people had outrageous expectations for him given the his family tree, the market he plays in and his draft day shaninigans. And took a while to get "it". But never was he so glowingly annointed the next great QB. Romo made a pro-bowl after five starts! The guy just isn't that good.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

With all the injuries Indy had last year, I'm not even close to ready to write them off. I like what they did in the draft and losing Saint Dungy is overrated. I still fear them more than any other team. I think you're right about the Titans and I'm sceptical about Houston - everyone's on the bandwagon, which is usually not a very good sign.

What are "ALL THE INJURIES" the Colts had last year?
We had many more not even counting Brady.
Am I missing something? I see Bob 'injured every year' Sanders and a few guys who missed 2-4 games.
I think this is a big misconception that the Colts had a lot of injuries. At least compared to us.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

If the Giants D-Line stays healthy and some of the young receivers step up I think the Giants win the division by at least 2 games.

They can without a doubt win the division by two or more games. But I think that would only happen if McNabb misses significant time. I think it comes down to the Eagles and Giants and it may ultimately come down to which team beats the injury bug. If both teams stay healthy that division will be awesome to watch.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Cowboys? How are the Cowboys super bowl contenders?

First of all, the NFC is extremely weak. In fact, anybody has a chance in the NFC. With the emergence of Tashard Choice and the big play ability Felix Jones brings, they have one of the best RB groups in the NFL. Also, the Cowboys aren't that weak at WR as everybody seems to think. Although he had a down year in 2008, I'd still take Roy Williams over any receiver in that division. Tony Romo should have a better year without worring about T.O. barking at him on the side lines because T.O. claims to be wide open. Jason Witten is arguably the best TE in the NFL and they have the best game changing defensive player in the NFL (Ware).

I swear...I was going to say the same thing.

SB: Pats v. Giants. Patriots win 42-10.

Eagles are better than the Finns. The Cowboys are better than the swJets.

We seem to be on the same page a lot. Although it would be great to see the Pats kick the crap out of the Giants, it will never make up for 2007's super bowl loss. I think the match up everybody wants to see is the Pats and Cowboys.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Did any of that help them last year? Nope!

Eli's biggest issue is that people had outrageous expectations for him given the his family tree, the market he plays in and his draft day shaninigans. And took a while to get "it". But never was he so glowingly annointed the next great QB. Romo made a pro-bowl after five starts! The guy just isn't that good.

Marion Barber was injured last year, and Roy Williams was just starting to learn the offense. In all fairness the Pro-Bowl is a joke, Brett Favre made the pro-bowl last year. Romo has lead the Cowboys to a 22-10 record over the last two seasons, Romo isn't the greatest QB and sure he may be overrated but that doesnt make the team a non-contender.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Marion Barber was injured last year, and Roy Williams was just starting to learn the offense. In all fairness the Pro-Bowl is a joke, Brett Favre made the pro-bowl last year. Romo has lead the Cowboys to a 22-10 record over the last two seasons, Romo isn't the greatest QB and sure he may be overrated but that doesnt make the team a non-contender.

Roy Williams was a failure. They didnt trade a kings ransom for him os he could catch a pass a week while he learned the offense. I think its disgraceful to give him a pass and say he had an offyear or was learning,because he was flat out awful.

 

[farn]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I think that the Eagles and Giants are among the few elite teams in the league. Then, when you add the talent in Dallas... that's three very, very solid teams (I do see Dallas screwing it up, but as a 13 team - that's not bad). The #4 team, Washington, can beat most #2 teams in the other divisions.

AFCE - Pats are going to be very sound... don't see any of the other teams getting over .500 - maybe, maybe Bills at 9-7 (still a stretch).

Long story short : NFCE is #1.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Marion Barber was injured last year, and Roy Williams was just starting to learn the offense. In all fairness the Pro-Bowl is a joke, Brett Favre made the pro-bowl last year. Romo has lead the Cowboys to a 22-10 record over the last two seasons, Romo isn't the greatest QB and sure he may be overrated but that doesnt make the team a non-contender.

I can agree with that statement, they clearly have the talent. I just don't think they have the coaching, QB and mental fortitude collectively to do it.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

First of all, the NFC is extremely weak. In fact, anybody has a chance in the NFC. With the emergence of Tashard Choice and the big play ability Felix Jones brings, they have one of the best RB groups in the NFL. Also, the Cowboys aren't that weak at WR as everybody seems to think. Although he had a down year in 2008, I'd still take Roy Williams over any receiver in that division. Tony Romo should have a better year without worring about T.O. barking at him on the side lines because T.O. claims to be wide open. Jason Witten is arguably the best TE in the NFL and they have the best game changing defensive player in the NFL (Ware).



We seem to be on the same page a lot. Although it would be great to see the Pats kick the crap out of the Giants, it will never make up for 2007's super bowl loss. I think the match up everybody wants to see is the Pats and Cowboys.

I agree that anyone in the NFC could make the SB, but if that's the standard then every division has 4 SB contenders. With the exception of ware, you just listed off a bunch of individual offensive players who have racked up some impressive stats. I agree re: Witten and Ware, but Romo hasn't proven to be an elite QB, Jones has talent but also hasn't proven much, Williams is a talented guy who has a history of being unfocused, etc. etc. Most damning, though, is that they're poorly coached and undisciplined. That's not just going to go away because TO's gone.

They were 9-7 last year, and absolutely imploded, in epic fashion, to end the season. They were not a good team. How are they going to improve from that this year? I agree that everything could click and they could become a 12-4 team, but you can say the same thing about the Redskins, the Falcons, the Panthers, the Bears, the Vikings, the Packers, the Seahawks, etc. etc. Labeling someone a preseason SB contender, IMO, entails pretty much expecting them to win 11+ games, which I just don't see from the Cowboys. They've gotten worse every year since Wade took over, and I don't see why that would suddenly reverse.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I think that the Eagles and Giants are among the few elite teams in the league. Then, when you add the talent in Dallas... that's three very, very solid teams (I do see Dallas screwing it up, but as a 13 team - that's not bad). The #4 team, Washington, can beat most #2 teams in the other divisions.

AFCE - Pats are going to be very sound... don't see any of the other teams getting over .500 - maybe, maybe Bills at 9-7 (still a stretch).

Long story short : NFCE is #1.

I agree, but in terms of depth you could really say the same thing about the AFCS, yeah? The Jaguars are arguably the worst team in that division, and they're about on par with the Redskins. For now, Houston's probably #3, and the Texans are probably better than the Cowboys. Colts/Titans isn't as impressive a 1/2 as Giants/Eagles though, admittedly. Potentially more dangerous, though, considering that neither Eli nor Donovan is even in Peyton's area code talentwise.

I can agree with that statement, they clearly have the talent. I just don't think they have the coaching, QB and mental fortitude collectively to do it.

Bingo, although I'd spare Romo and tie it all back to the coaching. Wade Phillips flat-out sucks as an NFL coach. He runs a loose ship, and teams fall apart around him. Players like coaches like that, but they don't play well for them. The parallels between the post-Parcells, pre-Belichick Patriots and the current Cowboys are actually kind of eerie. This year with the Cowboys, IMO, is what we could have expected from the Pats if we'd gotten another year of Carroll.

 

[eagle eye]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I think the four strongest divisions are the two Easts and the two Souths.

The most competitive division for me is the NFC South where any of the four teams are possible winners them being the Bucs, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. Not just possible winners of their division but teams that could go all the way too.

Then you got the NFC East where its just impossible to say who will be in the mix come postseason. While the Giants will be fancied by some, the Eagles improved last year, you just don't know what you will get from the Cowboys and the Redskins are in their second year under Jim Zorn and should be better.

The AFC South wasn't very competitive last year with the Titans being dominant and the Colts had a shocking first half to the season. We don't know what affect the loss of Tony Dungy will have on the Colts, but the Titans have to be seriously considered and the Jags are due a good season while the Texans should improve on a .500 season last time round.

Then we have the most important division , the division where a team could not make the playoffs with an 11-5 record. The Dolphins came from a one win season to make it to the playoffs and are arguably stronger this year, the Jets almost got there too but the legend that is Brett Favre let them down, if Sanchez is a hit then they are a serious outfit. The Patriots of course lost their leader and the best QB in the game and still went 11-5. The Bills went downhilll after a great start but the addition of TO alone makes them more dangerous on offence this year. I still think that a healthy Patriots will wipe the floor with the rest of them but its a lot tighter than it has been for some time.
The AFC North is a two horse race, thats not to say that the other two are extremely weak, its saying that there are two elite teams in that league. The Bengals may well improve this year but the Steelers and Ravens will fill the top two spots in that division.
I'm not sold on the the NFC North. Offensively the Bears, Lions and possibly the Viks have all got new QB's which could mean improvement or problems. And defensively all four teams have to improve on last year. I couldn't honestly see any of these teams winning a superbowl this season.

The AFC Worst/West might improve for the very reason that two ex Patriots are in that division in management roles now but I really haven't seen enough positive things happening in either camp this offseason that would make them SB contendors. The Broncos look to me to have gone backwards, the Chiefs are changing their defensive system and the Raiders have been the lol team for some time now. The Chargers should romp home this year but the division is as(if not more) pathetic looking than last year.

And finally the NFC West/Worst is at best a two horse race with the 49ers looking like the only team that can challenge the Cards right now although you just don't know what you are gonna get from the Seahawks and Rams.

Picking a strongest division is very hard to do as it changes from season to season but last year the most wins in one division came from the NFC South.

The AFC South for me has a lot of talent in it and teams that can improve on last season so I think that could well be the winningest division this season.

Our division is another one where I expect to see improvement all around, the only problem for those teams is that Patiots are imo possibly every bit as strong and maybe stronger than the 2007 team.