Are any teams besides the 'Big 5' this year capable of the 'Cinderella' tag ?

[PATRIOT64]

It seems every year there is that 1 team that comes out of nowhere to earn that Cinderella tag and be a force as the regular season ends and into in the playoffs - I can't quite find a team anywhere that qualifies right now,Last years participant was New Orleans who came within 1 game of the SB.

There are 5 legit contenders for the SB right now,3 from the AFC and 2 from the NFC -
AFC - NEW ENGLAND,INDIANAPOLIS,PITTSBURGH
NFC - DALLAS,GREEN BAY

If there is a cinderella waiting to sneak into the spotlight I would say in the AFC Tennesee would be a weak pick and Detroit in the NFC but both are extremely weak choices.

IYO Are there really any cinderella sleepers to sneak up on the 5 favorites? or does this race in 2007 have no chance for a longshot to hit the board?

I say there is a 99.9% chance that 2 of those 5 teams mentioned will be in the SB.

 

[bradmahn]

It seems every year there is that 1 team that comes out of nowhere to earn that Cinderella tag and be a force as the regular season ends and into in the playoffs - I can't quite find a team anywhere that qualifies right now,Last years participant was New Orleans who came within 1 game of the SB.

There are 5 legit contenders for the SB right now,3 from the AFC and 2 from the NFC -
AFC - NEW ENGLAND,INDIANAPOLIS,PITTSBURGH
NFC - DALLAS,GREEN BAY

If there is a cinderella waiting to sneak into the spotlight I would say in the AFC Tennesee would be a weak pick and Detroit in the NFC but both are extremely weak choices.

IYO Are there really any cinderella sleepers to sneak up on the 5 favorites? or does this race in 2007 have no chance for a longshot to hit the board?

I say there is a 99.9% chance that 2 of those 5 teams mentioned will be in the SB.

An out of nowhere team to make it to the dance? Green Bay fits that tag, seeing as how no one thought they'd even win their division. Now they're looking like they'll take it going away.
But the NFC is still open. The Cowboys are prime candidates for the 2006 Chargers Award, which goes to the most talented team to lose their first playoff game because of poor coaching and stupid mistakes.

 

[Lansdowne]

AFC: Not gonna happen. One of the big 3 (that one being New England) is getting into the SB.

NFC: NY Giants still belong in the discussion of legit contenders in the NFC. Their 3 losses came against Dallas and Green Bay. They could conceivably win their next 6 games, before losing to the Pats in Week 17 of course.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

AFC: Not gonna happen. One of the big 3 (that one being New England) is getting into the SB.

NFC: NY Giants still belong in the discussion of legit contenders in the NFC. Their 3 losses came against Dallas and Green Bay. They could conceivably win their next 6 games, before losing to the Pats in Week 17 of course.

OTOH-the Giants could have easily started 0-3, but surprisingly, Joe Gibbs decided to sit on a 17-3 halftime in their wk3 meeting at FedEx. Who knows how their season would be up to now if it weren't for that?

Here's another telling stat about the Giants-18/32 sacks have come against a rookie LT(Eagles) and the lowly Niners. Otherwise, they haven't put much QB pressure on their other opponents, and their pass D is pretty vulnerable.

And another telling stat with Coughlin is that they generally don't play well in the second halves of seasons.

With that being said-Arizona could be the NFC sleeper-they could have easily been undefeated b/c they've lost all of their games by a TD or less(Wisenhunt, apparently, has the Marty Ball philosophy). They could very well make a run if they continue to hold onto games late.

 

[RayClay]

An out of nowhere team to make it to the dance? Green Bay fits that tag, seeing as how no one thought they'd even win their division. Now they're looking like they'll take it going away.
But the NFC is still open. The Cowboys are prime candidates for the 2006 Chargers Award, which goes to the most talented team to lose their first playoff game because of poor coaching and stupid mistakes.

I agree. How about the Lions? I haven't seen them, but just seeing 6-3 is weird.

Kitna is the most underrated QB in football, any of these teams with good personnel but stiffs for QBs must be kicking themselves.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

I agree. How about the Lions? I haven't seen them, but just seeing 6-3 is weird.

Kitna is the most underrated QB in football, any of these teams with good personnel but stiffs for QBs must be kicking themselves.

Despite their patchwork secondary, their front 7 is very good(which is why they're forcing alot of TOs). And they have Kevin Jones back, which gives them another dimension in the O.

Also-Ron Marinelli, like Lovie Smith and Mike Thomlin, comes from the Dungy umbrella.

 

[bradmahn]

I agree. How about the Lions? I haven't seen them, but just seeing 6-3 is weird.

Kitna is the most underrated QB in football, any of these teams with good personnel but stiffs for QBs must be kicking themselves.

The Lions strike me as an average team. They aren't going to beat the teams they're not supposed to beat. They've had a pretty easy schedule so far and it gets much more difficult in the coming weeks. I think they'll make a strong push for the sixth seed with an 8-8 or 9-7 record, but they're not going to advance. They have had too many games where they just don't show up.

Kitna seems like a good QB for Martz, smart enough to know a bunch of plays, but dumb enough not to ask questions like "why the hell aren't you giving me a running game?"

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

I still think San Diego has the most talent in the league. If Norv ever figures it out and if Rivers can get back to some form of competence, the Chargers can challenge the Pats/Colts/Steelers.

 

[bradmahn]

I still think San Diego has the most talent in the league. If Norv ever figures it out and if Rivers can get back to some form of competence, the Chargers can challenge the Pats/Colts/Steelers.

Uhhh, no.

Well, they did just beat the Colts, but they have no shot in a rematch against the Pats and the Steelers would take it to them.
___________

 

[RayClay]

I still think San Diego has the most talent in the league. If Norv ever figures it out and if Rivers can get back to some form of competence, the Chargers can challenge the Pats/Colts/Steelers.

If Norv ever figures what out? That team is probably a worse psychological mess than the Bengals. Where does the leadership come from. Not "cry me a" Rivers. (or "cry me a Tomlinson either). Steroid boy isn't breaking records anymore. Gates is the only one that seems to shut up and play every game (I loved seeing BB chatting with him after the earlier game.

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

If Norv ever figures what out? That team is probably a worse psychological mess than the Bengals. Where does the leadership come from. Not "cry me a" Rivers. (or "cry me a Tomlinson either). Steroid boy isn't breaking records anymore. Gates is the only one that seems to shut up and play every game (I loved seeing BB chatting with him after the earlier game.

I have to agree with you here, it's a damn shame because there are stars all throughout that roster but a lack of leadership from the sidelines and on the field will be their downfall.

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

Uhhh, no.

Well, they did just beat the Colts, but they have no shot in a rematch against the Pats and the Steelers would take it to them.
___________

Yeah, they did just force Manning into 6 INTs didn't they? And I don't see why it's so blindingly obvious for you, that team is loaded with talent.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

buffalo could that Cinderala team.

They have won 4 in a row (tied for 2nd place with GB for wins in a row) Two of their game were very close record could have as easily been 7-2. Defense is great. The offensive line couldn't put a hole through a paper bag, but fortunately for them Lynch can make his own holes. Their QB hasn't hit a groove yet, but that could be b/c of injury.

 

[bradmahn]

Yeah, they did just force Manning into 6 INTs didn't they? And I don't see why it's so blindingly obvious for you, that team is loaded with talent.

Their WRs are mediocre and Rivers can't even get Gates the ball when he is open. Their O-line has regressed severely, they have little to do in the secondary, Merriman is overrated and their D-line has been hit with injuries. I don't know enough about their ILBs.

They are not the most talented team in the NFL. Despite what you tell yourself at night, that would be the New England Patriots.

WR- Pats
QB- Pats
O-Line- Pats
RB- Pats
TE- Wash

DL- Pats
LB- Hard to say, but the Patriots are outproducing them by a mile
CB- Pats
S- Pats

The return game is just about even and I'd give the Chargers the edge at kicker... no, actually I don't.

And I am not serious about RB and TE.

Coaching staffs... do I even have to bring it up?

 

[RayClay]

Their WRs are mediocre and Rivers can't even get Gates the ball when he is open. Their O-line has regressed severely, they have little to do in the secondary, Merriman is overrated and their D-line has been hit with injuries. I don't know enough about their ILBs.

They are not the most talented team in the NFL. Despite what you tell yourself at night, that would be the New England Patriots.

WR- Pats
QB- Pats
O-Line- Pats
RB- Pats
TE- Wash

DL- Pats
LB- Hard to say, but the Patriots are outproducing them by a mile
CB- Pats
S- Pats

The return game is just about even and I'd give the Chargers the edge at kicker... no, actually I don't.

And I am not serious about RB and TE.

Coaching staffs... do I even have to bring it up?

Tight ends not a wash. If we had a lock at TE like Gates, you wouldn't have seen BB smooching with him after the game.

Gates is a force. If Watson can stay on the field, he has the potential, but Gates is there.

And I am not serious about RB and TE.

Oh crap!! Shows how much LaCryin Tomlinson has declined, I didn't even think of him.

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

Their WRs are mediocre and Rivers can't even get Gates the ball when he is open. Their O-line has regressed severely, they have little to do in the secondary, Merriman is overrated and their D-line has been hit with injuries. I don't know enough about their ILBs.

They are not the most talented team in the NFL. Despite what you tell yourself at night, that would be the New England Patriots.

WR- Pats
QB- Pats
O-Line- Pats
RB- Pats
TE- Wash

DL- Pats
LB- Hard to say, but the Patriots are outproducing them by a mile
CB- Pats
S- Pats

The return game is just about even and I'd give the Chargers the edge at kicker... no, actually I don't.

And I am not serious about RB and TE.

Coaching staffs... do I even have to bring it up?

Chambers is a very good receiver but you're right about Jackson, he's a scrub.

Never mind at RB, I see you're kidding.

Corners also go to San Diego, Antonio Cromartie is becoming a damn good corner and Drayton Florrence and Quinten Jammer are pretty good too.

Basing it a total 10 point system for each unit, I'd go like this.

QB: SD 9, SD 1
RB: SD 8, NE 2
WR: NE 8, SD 2
TE: SD 9, NE 1
OL: NE 7, SD 3 (which could become a lot closer come post season.)

DL: NE 6, SD 4 (Are you forgetting Jamaal Williams, Igor Olshansky and Luis Castillo?)
LB: NE 6, SD 4
CB: SD: 7, NE 3
S: NE 6, SD 4
Special teams: SD 7, NE 3

The problem is coaching and quarterbacking, that's where the Pats really seperate themselves over the Chargers.

 

[bradmahn]

And I am not serious about RB and TE.

I know.

tenchar

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

buffalo could that Cinderala team.

They have won 4 in a row (tied for 2nd place with GB for wins in a row) Two of their game were very close record could have as easily been 7-2. Defense is great. The offensive line couldn't put a hole through a paper bag, but fortunately for them Lynch can make his own holes. Their QB hasn't hit a groove yet, but that could be b/c of injury.

Buffalo is by no means a good team. They are the Jets of last year, cake walk schedule and the ball has been bouncing their way.

NY Jets 1-8
NY Jets 1-8
Baltimore 4-5
Cincinnati 3-6
Miami 0-9

And they won those games by an average of 6 points and should've lost at least 2 of them. Buffalo had no business beating Miami, the Dolphins dominated the entire day and found a way to give the game away.

Sorry, but the 5 wins coming against teams with a combined record of 9-36 isn't scaring anyone, especially if Marshawn Lynch is out

 

[jbb9s]

The problem is coaching and quarterbacking, that's where the Pats really seperate themselves over the Chargers.

And fortunately for us, coaching and a quarterback are by far and away the most important things in this game by a mile.

 

[bradmahn]

Chambers is a very good receiver but you're right about Jackson, he's a scrub.

Never mind at RB, I see you're kidding.

Corners also go to San Diego, Antonio Cromartie is becoming a damn good corner and Drayton Florrence and Quinten Jammer are pretty good too.

Basing it a total 10 point system for each unit, I'd go like this.

QB: SD 9, SD 1
RB: SD 8, NE 2
WR: NE 8, SD 2
TE: SD 9, NE 1
OL: NE 7, SD 3 (which could become a lot closer come post season.)

DL: NE 6, SD 4 (Are you forgetting Jamaal Williams, Igor Olshansky and Luis Castillo?)
LB: NE 6, SD 4
CB: SD: 7, NE 3
S: NE 6, SD 4
Special teams: SD 7, NE 3

The problem is coaching and quarterbacking, that's where the Pats really seperate themselves over the Chargers.

A ten total point system is an absolutely terrible way to base any judgment.

You grossly underestimate Laurence Maroney, Ben Watson and Kyle Brady.
Your cornerback ratings are trash. Getting a little caught up in a three game stretch by Mr. Cromartie?