Ghost Rider
Footballguy
With two weeks in the book now, I thought it would be fun to talk about each conference to see what teams appear to be the contenders, the pretenders, and the long shots. Should create some good discussion, if nothing else. :( Two AFC teams still have to play their second game tonight, so let's talk the NFC first:
The contenders
NY Giants - To me, their biggest question coming into the season was, would their receivers step up? Well, they have so far, which is good news for them, and bad news for the rest of the NFC. Their running game has been in neutral, but it will be fine. Their run defense has to be a concern after the way it got shredded last night.
Minnesota - I am still not convinced that a team coached by Brad Childress can win the NFC, but they have a great defense and the best running back in the world. Plus, even at his advanced age, Favre is better than what they had last year, so they are a serious contender.
New Orleans - Their offense looks to be all-world. Can their defense improve enough to be the difference?
Atlanta - Adding Gonzalez on offense was huge, and Matt Ryan continues to impress.
Philadelphia - Many will question them being a contender after yesterday's shellacking, but they are a different team when McNabb plays, as opposed to Kobb. I think when it is all said and done, they will be in the mix.
The pretenders
Dallas - Can any of their WRs step up and be a consistent threat? Tony Romo must play smart football.
Washington - Their anemic offense will hold them back, wasting that defense, which looks pretty damn good.
Green Bay - Many lauded them as a major contender coming into the season, but they have major problems on the offensive line. Rodgers is getting hammered, and Ryan Grant is not finding much running room. Their defense looked significantly better than last year in the first half of the Bears game, but has looked average again in the six quarters since.
Chicago - How will the defense do over the long haul without Urlacher? Can Cutler be consistent and smart with the football every week, like he was yesterday?
Carolina - Not ready to completely write them off yet, but Jake Delhomme is not their only problem. Their defense is looking very shaky thus far.
San Francisco - Are looking vastly improved, and are on the verge of being a contender. Let's see how they do against teams not from the NFC West.
Arizona - Defense looks better than last year, and they seem to be more committed to running the ball. Will the offense and play-calling be as good as it was last year under Todd Haley's direction?
Seattle - This poor team is constantly nailed with key injuries.
The long shots
Tampa Bay - They have some good things going on, but are a year away from thinking about contending.
Detroit - May not win a game until they play the Rams.
St. Louis - May not win a game until they play the Lions.
The contenders
NY Giants - To me, their biggest question coming into the season was, would their receivers step up? Well, they have so far, which is good news for them, and bad news for the rest of the NFC. Their running game has been in neutral, but it will be fine. Their run defense has to be a concern after the way it got shredded last night.
Minnesota - I am still not convinced that a team coached by Brad Childress can win the NFC, but they have a great defense and the best running back in the world. Plus, even at his advanced age, Favre is better than what they had last year, so they are a serious contender.
New Orleans - Their offense looks to be all-world. Can their defense improve enough to be the difference?
Atlanta - Adding Gonzalez on offense was huge, and Matt Ryan continues to impress.
Philadelphia - Many will question them being a contender after yesterday's shellacking, but they are a different team when McNabb plays, as opposed to Kobb. I think when it is all said and done, they will be in the mix.
The pretenders
Dallas - Can any of their WRs step up and be a consistent threat? Tony Romo must play smart football.
Washington - Their anemic offense will hold them back, wasting that defense, which looks pretty damn good.
Green Bay - Many lauded them as a major contender coming into the season, but they have major problems on the offensive line. Rodgers is getting hammered, and Ryan Grant is not finding much running room. Their defense looked significantly better than last year in the first half of the Bears game, but has looked average again in the six quarters since.
Chicago - How will the defense do over the long haul without Urlacher? Can Cutler be consistent and smart with the football every week, like he was yesterday?
Carolina - Not ready to completely write them off yet, but Jake Delhomme is not their only problem. Their defense is looking very shaky thus far.
San Francisco - Are looking vastly improved, and are on the verge of being a contender. Let's see how they do against teams not from the NFC West.
Arizona - Defense looks better than last year, and they seem to be more committed to running the ball. Will the offense and play-calling be as good as it was last year under Todd Haley's direction?
Seattle - This poor team is constantly nailed with key injuries.
The long shots
Tampa Bay - They have some good things going on, but are a year away from thinking about contending.
Detroit - May not win a game until they play the Rams.
St. Louis - May not win a game until they play the Lions.
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