Who's winning the NFC this year?

Set me for picking a Saints-Patriots SB.

OhExaulted1 said:

I'm saving that post. 8-23-2014.

Click to expand...

Sam Bradford's knee says "hi".

The NFC Championship will be a rematch of Hawks vs 9ers.

This is unscientific, but I have a gut feeling the 49ers have a grudge, Jim Harbaugh will not explode and get into the SB.

The NFC is always a mess to predict, last season, IMO, the 49ers and Seahawks appeared to reign over the rest, this year I'd say the 49ers and GB, given Rodgers staying healthy, have closed the gap, while the 49ers took a big step backwards, due to injuries and losses in FA.

I'm gonna say that GB represents the NFC this season with an improved defense and an Aaron Rodgers led offense for a repeat of the 96 SB matchup, with a hopefully different result.

strngplyr said:

The NFC is always a mess to predict, last season, IMO, the 49ers and Seahawks appeared to reign over the rest, this year I'd say the 49ers and GB, given Rodgers staying healthy, have closed the gap, while the 49ers took a big step backwards, due to injuries and losses in FA.

I'm gonna say that GB represents the NFC this season with an improved defense and an Aaron Rodgers led offense for a repeat of the 96 SB matchup, with a hopefully different result.

Click to expand...

I don't believe in GB's defense, and I believe in their defense's ability to handle the 49ers even less... but this is the year that the 49ers look primed to regress, so maybe they'll finally have a path through the playoffs that doesn't involve them. If so, then I could definitely see their offense carrying the D to a SB.

Q:
Who's winning the NFC this year?

A: YO

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I gotta consider the Eagles. I'm convinced, after watching the first 3/4 of the pre-season that, barring any major injuries, they'll win their division.

I also believe that the Seahawks win theirs, but barely, and surprisingly drop in the 1st round of the playoffs. I honestly believe that the NFC comes down to a toss-up between the Eagles and the Saints. I'd really like to see Saints/Pats in the SB, but I just can't dismiss the Eagles, with Kelly coaching them, as NOT making it there.

I cant say the Eagles are gonna make the NFC cut for the SB, but I honestly believe that the NFC Championship Game will be between the Eagles and the Saints.

There. I said it.

I honestly think the Eagle's are a joke, as is every NFCE team. They have a 0.0% chance to do anything. They're the NFCE Powerhouse, which really says nothing.

strngplyr said:

I honestly think the Eagle's are a joke, as is every NFCE team. They have a 0.0% chance to do anything. They're the NFCE Powerhouse, which really says nothing.

Click to expand...

Maybe. But that's why they play the game.

I'll wait and see how the season plays out, but so far, to my mind, it's the Eagles & Saints in the NFCCG this year.

strngplyr said:

I honestly think the Eagle's are a joke, as is every NFCE team. They have a 0.0% chance to do anything. They're the NFCE Powerhouse, which really says nothing.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't call them a joke but it will be interesting to see how the NFC game plans against the Eagles now that they have a year of film and experience on Chip Kelley. To stay ahead he needs to continue evolving his philosophy faster and more creatively than in Oregon and I am curious to see if he can do it. I wouldn't be surprised if they Eagles crash down to a 6-10ish record this or next year if the league can adapt faster than he can innovate. Apart from Shady they don't really have elite talent on their roster, so a lot depends on Kelly's schemes.


That all being said, I am surprised nobody at least mentions Detroit. They have good pieces on offense and defense and if for once they can play up to their potential then they could be a pretty scary opponent. Of course looking at their history it is unlikely that everything will go smooth for them.. but I think that the potential is there..

luuked said:

I wouldn't call them a joke but it will be interesting to see how the NFC game plans against the Eagles now that they have a year of film and experience on Chip Kelley. To stay ahead he needs to continue evolving his philosophy faster and more creatively than in Oregon and I am curious to see if he can do it. I wouldn't be surprised if they Eagles crash down to a 6-10ish record this or next year if the league can adapt faster than he can innovate. Apart from Shady they don't really have elite talent on their roster, so a lot depends on Kelly's schemes.


That all being said, I am surprised nobody at least mentions Detroit. They have good pieces on offense and defense and if for once they can play up to their potential then they could be a pretty scary opponent. Of course looking at their history it is unlikely that everything will go smooth for them.. but I think that the potential is there..

Click to expand...

I still see Detroit has having only a pass rush on defense, and even that often disappears. They have no corners, no safeties, and no run defense.

Seattle again. Best shot anyone has had to repeat since 03 Patriots.

Too many strange things going on with the 49ers, players getting arrested/suspended and rumors about Harbaugh getting fired or coaching Dallas next year.

I think the Seahawks hit a mental/physical wall mid to late season and run out of gas down the stretch.

The NFCCG GB vs. Saints, and if the game is in New Orleans it's the Saints in a blowout.

The Seahawks are experiencing premature dynasty syndrome from the national media. One symptom of this is the assumption that the next man up = the guy who left.

Seattle reminds me of the '04-'05 Patriots in that they lost an uncommon amount of key players during the offseason - Clemons, Bryant, McDaniel, Browner, Thurmond, Tate, Giacomini - no single player a game changer, but the depth looks completely different now. The days of rotating defensive linemen and 5 deep cornerback units are over.

The media assumes that Seattle's depth players and draft picks will be immediate fits and effective replacements. They're dropping names like Tharold Simon, Justin Britt, Cassius Marsh and Paul Richardson as if they are established stars. I'm not buying it until I see it.

Seattle will be an 11 - 12 win team and a legit NFC contender. Their schedule is brutal - San Fran, St. Louis and Arizona 2x each, Green Bay, Carolina, New Orleans, Philly, Denver, KC, San Diego.

New Orleans has a much easier schedule, a division that lacks a legit contender. I think they have the inside track to homefield advantage and the super bowl.

Yup.

Saints vs. Pats superbowl...

For what it's worth, here are the odds to win the NFC as of Aug 18:

3½:1 --- Seattle
5:1 ----- San Francisco
6½:1 --- Green Bay
7:1 ----- New Orleans
11:1 ---- Chicago
15:1 ---- Philadelphia
22:1 ---- Detroit
26:1 ---- New York
28:1 ---- Arizona
28:1 ---- St. Louis
32:1 ---- Carolina
32:1 ---- Washington
32:1 ---- Atlanta
35:1 ---- Dallas
40:1 ---- Tampa Bay
60:1 ---- Minnesota

I'm with Gwedd. I don't think that the Eagles can be seen as favourites and, yes, it's certainly possible that the rest of the NFL will have them figured out this season and they're a one-year wonder. But it's also possible that, one year in, their system starts to gel. 15:1 for winning the NFC look like decent odds to me.

Saints or Seahawks

I don't feel good about the 49ers for some reason

stinkypete said:

The Seahawks are experiencing premature dynasty syndrome from the national media. One symptom of this is the assumption that the next man up = the guy who left.

Seattle reminds me of the '04-'05 Patriots in that they lost an uncommon amount of key players during the offseason - Clemons, Bryant, McDaniel, Browner, Thurmond, Tate, Giacomini - no single player a game changer, but the depth looks completely different now. The days of rotating defensive linemen and 5 deep cornerback units are over.

The media assumes that Seattle's depth players and draft picks will be immediate fits and effective replacements. They're dropping names like Tharold Simon, Justin Britt, Cassius Marsh and Paul Richardson as if they are established stars. I'm not buying it until I see it.

Seattle will be an 11 - 12 win team and a legit NFC contender. Their schedule is brutal - San Fran, St. Louis and Arizona 2x each, Green Bay, Carolina, New Orleans, Philly, Denver, KC, San Diego.

New Orleans has a much easier schedule, a division that lacks a legit contender. I think they have the inside track to homefield advantage and the super bowl.

Click to expand...

New Orleans and Green Bay were other teams to enjoy b2b dynasty canonization. Truthfully, Seattle's D has as good a chance as any team to help them repeat however, losing Clemons and Bryant should not be overlooked as the season matures.

Saints. They now have a defense to go with that offense. If they get home field, it's game over in the playoffs for the rest of the NFC.