Denver or Seahawks- which is the better team so far?

[MassPats38]

Your first point doesn't take into consideration that Seattle was playing in back-to-back 1PM EST games, which is a situation they've historically struggled in, against the Colts. Teams playing back to back road games almost always struggle in the second game (e.g. Patriots & Saints this season), and that doesn't even take into consideration that they were playing on the east coast game as a west coast team two games in a row. Circadian rhythm and all that.

If Colts went up to Seattle, they would've been dominated likewise for the Texans. The Seahawks are a much different team on the road than they're at home.

I gave the way the game played out, not a possible excuse for poor play. Look at the points given up by the vaunted Hawks D since game 2, and the opponents that put up those points, and tell me for the past 5 games that the Hawks look like the best D in the NFL? Jet lag may be some explanation for one game, but it isn't a complete one for the season.

The question is "so far", not at the end of the season. As stated, I would pick the Hawks in a face to face matchup then. Now, until the Hawks D consistently shuts down lesser opponents, giving up an average 21 points per game to the last 5 teams does not reflect the D of a worldbeater. Chumping out to the likes of the Jags, the Cards, and the Texans (of late) does not suggest an awesome D. Not all of those games were back-to-back road games. And few to none of those opponents were good offenses that produce consistently. The Hawks D needs to play to potential, because that O is not good enough to win shootouts against better offenses. Until then, it is an okay offense that has danced on the edge in several games thanks to its D.

The Broncos offense took 3 quarters to start last week, and lucked into a win against the Boys, thanks to Mr. Romo and his history of collapses at the worst possible moment. Other than that, it has obliterated all comers this season. 2 of its 6 games have been road games, which sadly helps the Donkeys as 5 of its possible late season games, other than with the Pats, are in warmer climates with lower possibilities of weather issues.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Seattle, it's hard to call a team with absolutely no defense the best team in football.

 

[thenepatsrule]

Seattle, it's hard to call a team with absolutely no defense the best team in football.

My point exactly

 

[Harrisoned!]

Seattle getting Percy Harvin back could turn them into a team that drops 30+ without blinking an eye. People are forgetting how good Harvin is. Last year he was on pace for 1400 receiving+rushing yards. Then add in him being maybe the most dangerous return man in the NFL and you have a legit game-changer.

 

[Ozymandias]

I gave the way the game played out, not a possible excuse for poor play.

That's not an excuse. There's actually factual evidence and historical data that proves that teams are generally poor in the second game of back-to-back road games. In addition to this, west coast teams playing back-to-back games on the east coast at 1PM EST are significantly worse. That's a fact, not an opinion or excuse. Teams struggle in bad spots, that's just the way it is.

Look at the points given up by the vaunted Hawks D since game 2, and the opponents that put up those points, and tell me for the past 5 games that the Hawks look like the best D in the NFL? Jet lag may be some explanation for one game, but it isn't a complete one for the season.

And yet Denver's D is worse. Seattle has more balance and is the more complete team. Whenever these types of teams meet up, the one with the better balance almost always wins.

And Seattle isn't the best D in the NFL. The Chiefs D is better.

The question is "so far", not at the end of the season. As stated, I would pick the Hawks in a face to face matchup then.

Seattle has the perfect defense to shut down the Broncos O and once you do that, they're done because their defense stinks.

On offense, Seattle runs the ball effectively enough that it would keep Manning off the field. That's exactly the type of team the Broncos would lose to. If they played today at a neutral site the Broncos would lose.

Now, until the Hawks D consistently shuts down lesser opponents, giving up an average 21 points per game to the last 5 teams does not reflect the D of a worldbeater.

The Broncos have played the Ravens, Giants, Raiders, Eagles, Cowboys and Jaguars and they're allowing 26.3 PPG. Does that sound like the defense of a championship team to you? None of those teams are any good either. I'm less impressed by that.

Chumping out to the likes of the Jags, the Cards, and the Texans (of late) does not suggest an awesome D. Not all of those games were back-to-back road games.

You're contradicting yourself here.

Which "world beaters" have the Broncos defeated again? You wanted to use the "common opponent" card earlier, and yet the Broncos had more issues with the Jaguars than the Seahawks did (look up the box score). So one minute you're disregarding one game's scenario, but using it for another. Be consistent.

And few to none of those opponents were good offenses that produce consistently.

Neither were any of the teams the Broncos have played, except maybe the Cowboys who hung 48 on them.

The Hawks D needs to play to potential, because that O is not good enough to win shootouts against better offenses. Until then, it is an okay offense that has danced on the edge in several games thanks to its D.

The O is definitely good enough to win shootouts, what Seahawks team have you been watching?

 

[YearbookCurfew]

I really think both teams are super good, but, as much as it pains me, I'm going with Denver. Better QB who has more experience and a defense that is pretty dang good.

 

[BadMoFo]

Denver. Seems like even when they take it easy, they still put up 35.

 

[Gallo]

When playing at the top of their abilities, i think the best team in the league is actually the 49'ers. That is truly a dominant 2-way team. However, if Denver is able to figure the defense out (don't forget, that was a top 5 defense last season), i think they will be the best team hands down, because their offense is easily the best in the league.

Also, those defensive stats against the Broncos are extremely skewed at the moment. They've lead most of their games by 3 scores at some point, and teams obviously aired it out against them in the second halves. They have a long way to go on defense, don't get me wrong, but they are not terrible, and they can make plays at the right time, just like the 2009 Saints defense did.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

If better team means which roster I'd want for my best shot at winning a super bowl, I'm taking Seattle.

 

[VrabelJr]

The Seahawks are playing a brand of football that is more sustainable. The Broncos sexy offense will tail off as the year goes on. I still think it's the Saints or Packers representing the NFC in the Super Bowl this year though.

 

[MassPats38]

Seattle has the perfect defense to shut down the Broncos O and once you do that, they're done because their defense stinks.

The Broncos have played the Ravens, Giants, Raiders, Eagles, Cowboys and Jaguars and they're allowing 26.3 PPG. Does that sound like the defense of a championship team to you? None of those teams are any good either. I'm less impressed by that.


You're contradicting yourself here.

Which "world beaters" have the Broncos defeated again? You wanted to use the "common opponent" card earlier, and yet the Broncos had more issues with the Jaguars than the Seahawks did (look up the box score). So one minute you're disregarding one game's scenario, but using it for another. Be consistent.

I'm not contradicting myself. The Broncos D is bad, and as such the team lives or dies with its offense. I stated that. I also stated the Broncos have not played a defense that could slow the offense. I openly acknowledge that the Donkeys have not beaten worldbeaters, but that was never at issue. It still says something to rack up the numbers this offense has been putting on the scoreboard against other NFL teams.

My point of contention was accolades directed to the Hawks D, and the belief that D will somehow show up and stop or slow the Broncos. If the Hawks have the type of defense that can shut down the highest scoring offense in the NFL, then explain why the D is coughing up more than 21 ppg to chump offenses since week 2? That isn't jet lag. It is the scoreboard for every game since week 2, and that doesn't lie. Your contention would appear to be the defense is on vacation, and will show up if it plays a good team. That is why it showed up to play against the 3-1 Colts, and shut that team down by giving up only 34 points.

There is no answer to this debate because it is a hypothetical. Despite the good record, I expected the Hawks to dominate other teams at the beginning of the year. That has only happened with the lousy teams. I believe the Hawks have the talent to dominate, but have to show that consistently on the field. The Niners looked lost at the beginning of the year, so I don't credit that score to the Hawks defense alone.

I do believe the Saints will be a good measuring stick for the Hawks, as will the second Niners game (sadly, I would have predicted the Falcons to be a good game until the team became a trainwreck). Tonight will be a good measure for the Donkeys (although I am not as sold on Indy - KC will be better in that regard).

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Seahawks and the chiefs are the best in the league right now. Denver is a high power offense and a meh D. New England is hard to put in. I want to say a top 5 team, but if Tom can't stay upright its gonna be bad.

 

[PATRlOT]

We'd definitely be in the conversation for the #1 team in the NFL if we weren't so awfully unlucky with injuries to our best players not named Brady, and our top 5 TE in the league going to jail.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

We'd definitely be in the conversation for the #1 team in the NFL if we weren't so awfully unlucky with injuries to our best players not named Brady, and our top 5 TE in the league going to jail.

And with a horrible blocking oline.