How did the NFL get so Top Heavy? (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

When I was a kid, in the 70's, the NFL was very easy to predict: The Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings, and Rams went to the playoffs year after year after year. All of the other teams struggled and were either bad or mediocre or good for one or two seasons.

All of this was supposed to change with salary cap and free agency, and there have been numerous examples of teams going from a terrible performance one year to the playoffs next year. But I can't remember a year since the 70's when so much was known so early:

1. The AFC division winners are going to be NE, Indy, Pittsburgh and San Diego. Is there anyone out there who thinks differently? The wildcards really don't matter; if I had to guess right now, Id say Jacksonville and Baltimore or maybe Denver, but nobody really believes any of the wildcards are going to do anything in the playoffs, do they?

2. The NFC is going to be a showdown between the Cowboys and the Giants. There is not a single other team good enough in the NFC to challenge either of these two teams, one of whom will be in the Superbowl. (The Redskins do have a very slim outside shot).

If there's a team I did not mention in #1 or #2, forget it. They have no chance.

So why is the NFL so top heavy?

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

So the Packers, at 5-1, and now healthier than when they ran the mark to 5-1, and who beat the Giants and who share the best record in the NFC have no place in the discussion. I agree they would stand only a punchers chance against N.E. or Indy and are not really a serious contender to either of those two teams. I believe that until they demonstrate a running game they are not the equal of Dallas. But to mention the Giants as semi-legitimate contenders and to state that the Packers don't even belong in a conversation that includes the Giants and maybe the Redskins is not solid analysis in my book. According to the scoreboard thus far this year the packers have beat both the giants and the Redskins. In fact they look like a strong contender for the Division Championsip not just in the North, but in the East as well where they are 3-0.

 

[BLOX]

So the Packers, at 5-1, and now healthier than when they ran the mark to 5-1, and who beat the Giants and who share the best record in the NFC have no place in the discussion. I agree they would stand only a punchers chance against N.E. or Indy and are not really a serious contender to either of those two teams. I believe that until they demonstrate a running game they are not the equal of Dallas. But to mention the Giants as semi-legitimate contenders and to state that the Packers don't even belong in a conversation that includes the Giants and maybe the Redskins is not solid analysis in my book. According to the scoreboard thus far this year the packers have beat both the giants and the Redskins. In fact they look like a strong contender for the Division Championsip not just in the North, but in the East as well where they are 3-0.

It's OK. This is how teams get where they need to go. Hopefully the Broncos, Chiefs, Panthers, Raiders, Bears, Lions, Vikings, Rams and Cowboys all think this way.What's even greater is the fact that whoever gets to the SB from the AFC will think they've already won it. Huge letdown game this year. NFC upset special. The perfect scenario would be the 18-0 Patriots laying an egg vs the NFC Champion.

 

[thayman]

When I was a kid, in the 70's, the NFL was very easy to predict: The Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings, and Rams went to the playoffs year after year after year. All of the other teams struggled and were either bad or mediocre or good for one or two seasons. All of this was supposed to change with salary cap and free agency, and there have been numerous examples of teams going from a terrible performance one year to the playoffs next year. But I can't remember a year since the 70's when so much was known so early:1. The AFC division winners are going to be NE, Indy, Pittsburgh and San Diego. Is there anyone out there who thinks differently? The wildcards really don't matter; if I had to guess right now, Id say Jacksonville and Baltimore or maybe Denver, but nobody really believes any of the wildcards are going to do anything in the playoffs, do they?2. The NFC is going to be a showdown between the Cowboys and the Giants. There is not a single other team good enough in the NFC to challenge either of these two teams, one of whom will be in the Superbowl. (The Redskins do have a very slim outside shot).If there's a team I did not mention in #1 or #2, forget it. They have no chance.So why is the NFL so top heavy?

1. San Diego has nothing locked up. The way they have been playing that division is pretty open right now. With their soft schedule Cleveland has a outside shot of sneaking in, altough all they have to do is finish with a respectable record and I'm sure all their fans will be happy.2. Please you don't even mention the 5-1 Packers?? The team that beat the Giants?

 

[Club Leftwich]

It's top heavy because those 4 AFC teams have done a better job in acquiring talent then anyone else. Indy has been brilliant in the draft and SD and Pitt aren't far behind. NE has done it with a combination of good drafting and excellent FA acquisitions plus one great trade. No one else in the league can match the track records of those 4 teams when it comes to personnel moves.

 

[Sabertooth]

When I was a kid, in the 70's, the NFL was very easy to predict: The Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings, and Rams went to the playoffs year after year after year. All of the other teams struggled and were either bad or mediocre or good for one or two seasons. All of this was supposed to change with salary cap and free agency, and there have been numerous examples of teams going from a terrible performance one year to the playoffs next year. But I can't remember a year since the 70's when so much was known so early:1. The AFC division winners are going to be NE, Indy, Pittsburgh and San Diego. Is there anyone out there who thinks differently? The wildcards really don't matter; if I had to guess right now, Id say Jacksonville and Baltimore or maybe Denver, but nobody really believes any of the wildcards are going to do anything in the playoffs, do they? 2. The NFC is going to be a showdown between the Cowboys and the Giants. There is not a single other team good enough in the NFC to challenge either of these two teams, one of whom will be in the Superbowl. (The Redskins do have a very slim outside shot). If there's a team I did not mention in #1 or #2, forget it. They have no chance.So why is the NFL so top heavy?

You realize the Packers have beaten the Giants and Redskins right? And they share the conference lead?

 

[Sabertooth]

So the Packers, at 5-1, and now healthier than when they ran the mark to 5-1, and who beat the Giants and who share the best record in the NFC have no place in the discussion. I agree they would stand only a punchers chance against N.E. or Indy and are not really a serious contender to either of those two teams. I believe that until they demonstrate a running game they are not the equal of Dallas. But to mention the Giants as semi-legitimate contenders and to state that the Packers don't even belong in a conversation that includes the Giants and maybe the Redskins is not solid analysis in my book. According to the scoreboard thus far this year the packers have beat both the giants and the Redskins. In fact they look like a strong contender for the Division Championsip not just in the North, but in the East as well where they are 3-0.

It's OK. This is how teams get where they need to go. Hopefully the Broncos, Chiefs, Panthers, Raiders, Bears, Lions, Vikings, Rams and Cowboys all think this way.What's even greater is the fact that whoever gets to the SB from the AFC will think they've already won it. Huge letdown game this year. NFC upset special. The perfect scenario would be the 18-0 Patriots laying an egg vs the NFC Champion.

Works for me!

 

[ThePittbully]

When I was a kid, in the 70's, the NFL was very easy to predict: The Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings, and Rams went to the playoffs year after year after year. All of the other teams struggled and were either bad or mediocre or good for one or two seasons. All of this was supposed to change with salary cap and free agency, and there have been numerous examples of teams going from a terrible performance one year to the playoffs next year. But I can't remember a year since the 70's when so much was known so early:1. The AFC division winners are going to be NE, Indy, Pittsburgh and San Diego. Is there anyone out there who thinks differently? The wildcards really don't matter; if I had to guess right now, Id say Jacksonville and Baltimore or maybe Denver, but nobody really believes any of the wildcards are going to do anything in the playoffs, do they?2. The NFC is going to be a showdown between the Cowboys and the Giants. There is not a single other team good enough in the NFC to challenge either of these two teams, one of whom will be in the Superbowl. (The Redskins do have a very slim outside shot).If there's a team I did not mention in #1 or #2, forget it. They have no chance.So why is the NFL so top heavy?

Neither Pitt nor San Diego have their division locked up. San Diego isnt even leading their division.Your right about the wildcards though, they have ZERO chance of going to the Superbowl. *Cough Cough, 05 Steelers, Cough Cough*And I love how you left out the Packers from the NFC discussion completely. You do know they beat the Giants already right? And Im not buying any of the NFC teams being invincible. The Cowboys just played an incredibly close game with the Vikings, at home, coming off a loss.

 

[stevegamer]

When I was a kid, in the 70's, the NFL was very easy to predict: The Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings, and Rams went to the playoffs year after year after year. All of the other teams struggled and were either bad or mediocre or good for one or two seasons.

All of this was supposed to change with salary cap and free agency, and there have been numerous examples of teams going from a terrible performance one year to the playoffs next year. But I can't remember a year since the 70's when so much was known so early:

1. The AFC division winners are going to be NE, Indy, Pittsburgh and San Diego. Is there anyone out there who thinks differently? The wildcards really don't matter; if I had to guess right now, Id say Jacksonville and Baltimore or maybe Denver, but nobody really believes any of the wildcards are going to do anything in the playoffs, do they?

2. The NFC is going to be a showdown between the Cowboys and the Giants. There is not a single other team good enough in the NFC to challenge either of these two teams, one of whom will be in the Superbowl. (The Redskins do have a very slim outside shot).

If there's a team I did not mention in #1 or #2, forget it. They have no chance.

So why is the NFL so top heavy?

Because someone can't figure out how to list all the good teams? The NFC analysis is shoddy at best. Like everyone else who has piled on you - you left off the Packers. But there are other teams in the NFC who can challenge the Cowboys & Giants. I saw the not-very good Bills almost beat the Cowboys, perhaps you missed it. The Bears may have gotten the kind of win that energizes them, Tampa is decent this year, and the Lions could be a tough team to outscore. Seahawks are the best of a weak crop out west, but one of Giants/Cowboys (whomever gets the WC) has to win 3 games to make the Super Bowl, and at least 2 on the road, based on your secnario.San Diego is guaranteed nothing right now. They have the talent, but they have a coach who chokes before he gets to the playoffs usually, so we'll see if they win the division. They will probably make the playoffs, which is a great year for Norv.