Make your SB prediction after 7 weeks (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

The way I see it, there are 5 elite teams in the NFL right now:

New Orleans

Minnesota

New England

Indianapolis

Pittsburgh

Those are in no particular order, though I think the Saints are the best team. There are also several very good teams, including, (again in no particular order) Denver, Cincinnati, San Diego, Baltimore, Houston, Arizona, New York Giants, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay. I think any of these teams may be in the playoffs, and if the circumstances are right could be very dangerous.

But as for my SB pick- I have to go with the Saints because I called that early, and see no reason to change now. The Steelers are a homer pick, and I'm not sure they're better than the Colts or Patriots. But they're close enough, so I will go with my heart.

What is your prediction?

 

[Whiplash Inc.]

Indianapolis vs New Orleans

 

[Buffaloes]

No picks here, but why do you consider Pitt and NE "elite" teams but not Cincy and Denver when Cincy and Denver have like or better records and Cincy has beat Pitt & Denver has beat NE?

 

[IDrinkyourMilkshake]

New England and New Orleans

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

NY Giants vs Pitt

 

[timschochet]

No picks here, but why do you consider Pitt and NE "elite" teams but not Cincy and Denver when Cincy and Denver have like or better records and Cincy has beat Pitt & Denver has beat NE?

First of all, of all indicators of who is and who isn't a better team, by far the worst is the old, "Well, Cincy beat Pitt, so Cincy must be better." A single game proves nothing. Both the Broncos and the Bengals are having fine years. The Broncos remind me a lot of the Dolphins from last year. I don't think that either team has the stuff to get it done in the playoffs, when it really counts.

 

[Young 8]

Saints

vs

Colts

 

[sinatravolta]

No picks here, but why do you consider Pitt and NE "elite" teams but not Cincy and Denver when Cincy and Denver have like or better records and Cincy has beat Pitt & Denver has beat NE?

First of all, of all indicators of who is and who isn't a better team, by far the worst is the old, "Well, Cincy beat Pitt, so Cincy must be better." A single game proves nothing. Both the Broncos and the Bengals are having fine years. The Broncos remind me a lot of the Dolphins from last year. I don't think that either team has the stuff to get it done in the playoffs, when it really counts.

I understand your point - but you are going way overboard with the bolded above. One of the great things about the NFL is how important every game is - they all matter and beating another team does mean and prove something. It is not remotely similar to baseball where one team beating another on a given day means and proves practically nothing. Anyway - I agree with the point that Cinci beating the Steelers in one close game does not necessarily mean they are the better team, but to say it proves nothing is even more off-base. I think Cinci has some real quality wins, and while I also think the Steelers are more likely to make the Super Bowl, the fact that Cinci beat them in their only meeting so far this year is certainly important information.

 

[Buffaloes]

No picks here, but why do you consider Pitt and NE "elite" teams but not Cincy and Denver when Cincy and Denver have like or better records and Cincy has beat Pitt & Denver has beat NE?

First of all, of all indicators of who is and who isn't a better team, by far the worst is the old, "Well, Cincy beat Pitt, so Cincy must be better." A single game proves nothing. Both the Broncos and the Bengals are having fine years. The Broncos remind me a lot of the Dolphins from last year. I don't think that either team has the stuff to get it done in the playoffs, when it really counts.

Yeah that doesn't make sense. A single game proves plenty. How is seeing two teams go at it on the field not the *best* indicator of who is better? Like I said, they have the same record and one beat the other on the field. Not a big deal, I was just wondering what made Pitt and NE more elite than the teams that have similar/better records and have beat them on the field.

I'll say NE vs. NO, btw

 

[djcolts]

I'll stick with Colts/Saints for this week since that is what I said 2 weeks ago. The NE/Indy game in 3 weeks will give us a better idea about how the AFC seedings will unfold. NO is sprinting towards a #1 seed in the NFC, which gives them a big edge.

 

[saintfool]

I'll stick with Colts/Saints for this week since that is what I said 2 weeks ago. The NE/Indy game in 3 weeks will give us a better idea about how the AFC seedings will unfold. NO is sprinting towards a #1 seed in the NFC, which gives them a big edge.

if they somehow get HFA for the playoffs then i think they'll be awfully tough to defeat.

 

[Doug B]

NO is sprinting towards a #1 seed in the NFC, which gives them a big edge.

Can't risk karma by hazarding a prediction. I will say that IF the Saints can best Atlanta at home, they'll go up 3 1/2 games in the division. After the Falcons game, the Saints will have Carolina at home, then travel to St. Louis and Tampa Bay in consecutive weeks. So the table's really laid out for the Saints to build up some breathing room in the NFC homefield race.The Saints-Patriots Monday night game in the Superdome (Nov 30) could be better fought than many anticipate, because the Saints may be able to play really loose if they're far enough ahead in the conference.

 

[SoFresh&SoClean]

Vikings - Bengals

Bengals win and I get drunk for a year straight.

 

[CrossEyed]

I'm going with a rematch. Steelers and Cardinals.

 

[Banger]

Vikings - Ravens.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

No picks here, but why do you consider Pitt and NE "elite" teams but not Cincy and Denver when Cincy and Denver have like or better records and Cincy has beat Pitt & Denver has beat NE?

First of all, of all indicators of who is and who isn't a better team, by far the worst is the old, "Well, Cincy beat Pitt, so Cincy must be better." A single game proves nothing. Both the Broncos and the Bengals are having fine years. The Broncos remind me a lot of the Dolphins from last year. I don't think that either team has the stuff to get it done in the playoffs, when it really counts.

Yeah that doesn't make sense. A single game proves plenty. How is seeing two teams go at it on the field not the *best* indicator of who is better? Like I said, they have the same record and one beat the other on the field. Not a big deal, I was just wondering what made Pitt and NE more elite than the teams that have similar/better records and have beat them on the field.

I'll say NE vs. NO, btw

I agree with Tim. Cinci beat Pittsburgh, but I think on balance, the facts that...the game was so close...Polamalu was out...it was before Pittsburgh moved on from the Willie Parker featured offense...the game was in Cinci...I think these things are sufficient to suggest that it's not simply a matter of A beat B, therefore A is better.I think when Cinci goes to Pittsburgh, the drubbing will be adequately large that it will erase all memory of the misstep in Cinci, and few people will argue that the Bengals are the better team.

Despite all of which, I think now that the Pats are clicking again after Brady's initial struggles, they and the Colts are the class of the AFC.

I'll take Vikes vs Pats, with Pats blowing their doors off.

 

[beavers]

The silver fox gets it done ...

MIN v NE

 

[phthalatemagic]

Week 14 will tell us everything we need to know about them, but I think Denver is going this year.

They'll be playing the Saints, unless the Giants can play them at home in the playoffs, then it's the Giants.

 

[Buffaloes]

No picks here, but why do you consider Pitt and NE "elite" teams but not Cincy and Denver when Cincy and Denver have like or better records and Cincy has beat Pitt & Denver has beat NE?

First of all, of all indicators of who is and who isn't a better team, by far the worst is the old, "Well, Cincy beat Pitt, so Cincy must be better." A single game proves nothing. Both the Broncos and the Bengals are having fine years. The Broncos remind me a lot of the Dolphins from last year. I don't think that either team has the stuff to get it done in the playoffs, when it really counts.

Yeah that doesn't make sense. A single game proves plenty. How is seeing two teams go at it on the field not the *best* indicator of who is better? Like I said, they have the same record and one beat the other on the field. Not a big deal, I was just wondering what made Pitt and NE more elite than the teams that have similar/better records and have beat them on the field.

I'll say NE vs. NO, btw

I agree with Tim. Cinci beat Pittsburgh, but I think on balance, the facts that...the game was so close...Polamalu was out...it was before Pittsburgh moved on from the Willie Parker featured offense...the game was in Cinci...I think these things are sufficient to suggest that it's not simply a matter of A beat B, therefore A is better.I think when Cinci goes to Pittsburgh, the drubbing will be adequately large that it will erase all memory of the misstep in Cinci, and few people will argue that the Bengals are the better team.

Despite all of which, I think now that the Pats are clicking again after Brady's initial struggles, they and the Colts are the class of the AFC.

I'll take Vikes vs Pats, with Pats blowing their doors off.

Fair enough. I don't think anyone in here is arguing that Cincy is better. I was just wondering how they are not at least on the same elite level as a team they have defeated especially considering those teams have the same record. Like I said, no big deal. I was just looking for some clarification.

 

[Gopher State]

Vikings vs NE Favre superbowl MVP

 

[Dave Larkin]

If there's one thing I've learned about the NFL, it's that the hot teams in Week 7 (or midseason) rarely end up in the Super Bowl. It's the teams that get hot from next week on that you have to keep an eye on.

My SB prediction: Ravens v Vikings

 

[Doug B]

If there's one thing I've learned about the NFL, it's that the hot teams in Week 7 (or midseason) rarely end up in the Super Bowl. It's the teams that get hot from next week on that you have to keep an eye on.

It seems to go in cycles, though. In the 80s, it was common for 15-1 and 14-2 teams to at least get to the Super Bowl. Without looking it up ... 14-2 Washington in 1983, 15-1 49ers vs. 14-2 Dolphins in 1984, 15-1 Bears in 1985, 14-2 NY Giants in 1986, 14-2 49ers in 1989.I think any one- or two-loss squad could be considered hot at the beginning of the season, the middle of the season, and at the end of the season. Also, a lot of times, these teams win games throughout their "cold streaks" of relatively poor play.EDIT: Heck the Patriots had back-to-back 14-2 seasons in 2003 and 2004 -- so that's not ancient history. They won titles both seasons. Did being hot all year long hurt their chances?

 

[Dragon1952]

Saints vs Colts

Saints win 34-31

 

[Ghost Rider]

LOL at saying that Pittsburgh is an elite team right now and not Denver.

Denver is 6-0, with three of those wins coming against teams that are 5-2, 5-2 and 4-2. They have a great defense, a good running game, and a QB who seems to not make mistakes. Yeah, they aren't built to win in January.

Meanwhile, three of Pittsburgh's wins are against Detroit, Cleveland and Tennessee, who are a combined 2-17, and none of those wins were even impressive wins! The Vikings win is their only impressive win so far this year, and right now, the Steelers look to be in the second tier of AFC teams (Indy, Denver and NE being in the first tier).

But Steelers fans almost always overrate their team, so this is just par for the course.

Anyway, right now, I will say the Super Bowl will be Colts/Saints.

 

[Keith R]

Minnesota vs Denver (and I am NOT a Bronco fan)

 

[SoFresh&SoClean]

No picks here, but why do you consider Pitt and NE "elite" teams but not Cincy and Denver when Cincy and Denver have like or better records and Cincy has beat Pitt & Denver has beat NE?

First of all, of all indicators of who is and who isn't a better team, by far the worst is the old, "Well, Cincy beat Pitt, so Cincy must be better." A single game proves nothing. Both the Broncos and the Bengals are having fine years. The Broncos remind me a lot of the Dolphins from last year. I don't think that either team has the stuff to get it done in the playoffs, when it really counts.

Yeah that doesn't make sense. A single game proves plenty. How is seeing two teams go at it on the field not the *best* indicator of who is better? Like I said, they have the same record and one beat the other on the field. Not a big deal, I was just wondering what made Pitt and NE more elite than the teams that have similar/better records and have beat them on the field.

I'll say NE vs. NO, btw

I agree with Tim. Cinci beat Pittsburgh, but I think on balance, the facts that...the game was so close...Polamalu was out...it was before Pittsburgh moved on from the Willie Parker featured offense...the game was in Cinci...I think these things are sufficient to suggest that it's not simply a matter of A beat B, therefore A is better.I think when Cinci goes to Pittsburgh, the drubbing will be adequately large that it will erase all memory of the misstep in Cinci, and few people will argue that the Bengals are the better team.

Despite all of which, I think now that the Pats are clicking again after Brady's initial struggles, they and the Colts are the class of the AFC.

I'll take Vikes vs Pats, with Pats blowing their doors off.

The Bengals play tough in Pittsburgh

 

[Gadabout]

Saints vs Patriots

And the Saints'll get up in that ### for the second time in the season.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

LOL at saying that Pittsburgh is an elite team right now and not Denver. Denver is 6-0, with three of those wins coming against teams that are 5-2, 5-2 and 4-2. They have a great defense, a good running game, and a QB who seems to not make mistakes. Yeah, they aren't built to win in January. Meanwhile, three of Pittsburgh's wins are against Detroit, Cleveland and Tennessee, who are a combined 2-17, and none of those wins were even impressive wins! The Vikings win is their only impressive win so far this year, and right now, the Steelers look to be in the second tier of AFC teams (Indy, Denver and NE being in the first tier). But Steelers fans almost always overrate their team, so this is just par for the course.

Hmmm...which team doesn't belong in this group:Indy, Denver, NE, PittsburghBefore you get too excited over the first 6-7 games of the regular season you might want to bone up on recent playoff/Super Bowl history.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Hmmm...which team doesn't belong in this group:Indy, Denver, NE, PittsburghBefore you get too excited over the first 6-7 games of the regular season you might want to bone up on recent playoff/Super Bowl history.

I guess those people who are picking the Saints are too excited over their 6-0 start, too, eh?Same goes for anyone getting excited about the Vikings, right? How many playoff games have they won in the last ten years?

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Hmmm...which team doesn't belong in this group:Indy, Denver, NE, PittsburghBefore you get too excited over the first 6-7 games of the regular season you might want to bone up on recent playoff/Super Bowl history.

I guess those people who are picking the Saints are too excited over their 6-0 start, too, eh?Same goes for anyone getting excited about the Vikings, right? How many playoff games have they won in the last ten years?

The NFC isn't dominated by teams with playoff experience like NE, PIT and Indy.Denver's a great early season story but their story looks alot like Tennessee's from last year.

 

[mystykoekaki]

Vikings and Colts will make it to the Superbowl, but a few days before it starts the league awards the Steelers a Superbowl birth in place of the Colts. Mike Pereira's official reasoning was that there wasn't enough phantom calls called in the AFC Championship.

 

[Manster]

The way I see it, there are 5 elite teams in the NFL right now:New OrleansMinnesotaNew EnglandIndianapolisPittsburghThose are in no particular order, though I think the Saints are the best team. There are also several very good teams, including, (again in no particular order) Denver, Cincinnati, San Diego, Baltimore, Houston, Arizona, New York Giants, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay. I think any of these teams may be in the playoffs, and if the circumstances are right could be very dangerous. But as for my SB pick- I have to go with the Saints because I called that early, and see no reason to change now. The Steelers are a homer pick, and I'm not sure they're better than the Colts or Patriots. But they're close enough, so I will go with my heart.What is your prediction?

im not so sure about your 5 "elite" teams. it can change weekly. in fact, a couple weeks ago im pretty sure Balt. and NY giants would be considered "elite". and i realize you are a homer, but would you really call the steelers "elite" THIS year? i mean they beat the Vikes at home, but..........right now, Saints>>>>>rest of the NFC, so they are my pick to represent the NFC.imo, the Colts and Pats are >>>>>than the rest of the AFC. the Pats are coming alive, but i like the Colts to reprsent the AFC. they are playing lights out.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Denver's a great early season story but their story looks alot like Tennessee's from last year.

 

[Todem]

Saints vs Pats. or Saints vs Colts.

Everything depends on home field in the AFC...if the Colts get it I say they make it...if the Pats do, the same for them.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Vikings and Colts will make it to the Superbowl, but a few days before it starts the league awards the Steelers a Superbowl birth in place of the Colts. Mike Pereira's official reasoning was that there wasn't enough phantom calls called in the AFC Championship.

How did a Vikings fan become so jealous of the Steelers organization...................... . It can't be from the SuperBowl in the 70's?

 

[Anarchy99]

In recent seasons, it's been teams that got hot at the end of the season, not teams that were hot in the beginning of the season, that made the Super Bowl.

 

[Ghost Rider]

In recent seasons, it's been teams that got hot at the end of the season, not teams that were hot in the beginning of the season, that made the Super Bowl.

And sometimes, not even that. I remember the Giants and Titans, last year's number 1 seeds, both getting statement wins in week 16 last year, only to lose their first playoff game at home in the divisional round.

 

[Doug B]

In recent seasons, it's been teams that got hot at the end of the season, not teams that were hot in the beginning of the season, that made the Super Bowl.

False as an absolute statement -- the three Patriots' squads of 2003, 2004, and 2007 were hot wire-to-wire. I'd say the Bears & Colts of 2006 were wire-to-wire hot as well (both 13-3).

 

[Ghost Rider]

In recent seasons, it's been teams that got hot at the end of the season, not teams that were hot in the beginning of the season, that made the Super Bowl.

False as an absolute statement -- the three Patriots' squads of 2003, 2004, and 2007 were hot wire-to-wire. I'd say the Bears & Colts of 2006 were wire-to-wire hot as well (both 13-3).

Eh, yes and no. Yes, the Patriots in '07 won all of their games, but they didn't play as well down the stretch, and had several close-calls before finally losing in the Super Bowl. Winning does not automatically equal hot. The Patriots were much better hotter in the first half of the season than they were in the second half. And the '06 Colts went into the playoffs with a run defense that was in shambles, but turned it around seemingly in an instant.

 

[Doug B]

And the '06 Colts went into the playoffs with a run defense that was in shambles, but turned it around seemingly in an instant.

They had a big injury on D, but Bob Sanders came back for the playoffs....It's really hard for me to think playing well early bodes poorly for a team.

 

[Doug B]

In recent seasons, it's been teams that got hot at the end of the season, not teams that were hot in the beginning of the season, that made the Super Bowl.

False as an absolute statement -- the three Patriots' squads of 2003, 2004, and 2007 were hot wire-to-wire. I'd say the Bears & Colts of 2006 were wire-to-wire hot as well (both 13-3).

Eh, yes and no.

And look at your Broncos -- starting off with that long winning streak in 1998 certainly didn't hurt their chances.

 

[rascal]

Vikings vs NE Favre superbowl MVP

I would puke.

 

[footballnerd]

Saints vs Ravens

 

[LadyBeBop]

Manning Bowl 2010

Colts/Giants (yeah, I think G-men will come back.)

Two straight solid weeks of Peyton/Eli media coverage.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Preseason I said New England and the Giants, I'll stick with that.

 

[Brutis]

Saints and Colts would be nice

 

[Breesisdaman]

If the season ended today the Saints would have home field through all the playoffs then to sunny Miami. As for the AFC, Colts

 

[timschochet]

LOL at saying that Pittsburgh is an elite team right now and not Denver. Denver is 6-0, with three of those wins coming against teams that are 5-2, 5-2 and 4-2. They have a great defense, a good running game, and a QB who seems to not make mistakes. Yeah, they aren't built to win in January. Meanwhile, three of Pittsburgh's wins are against Detroit, Cleveland and Tennessee, who are a combined 2-17, and none of those wins were even impressive wins! The Vikings win is their only impressive win so far this year, and right now, the Steelers look to be in the second tier of AFC teams (Indy, Denver and NE being in the first tier). But Steelers fans almost always overrate their team, so this is just par for the course. Anyway, right now, I will say the Super Bowl will be Colts/Saints.

The Broncos have surprised me as much as any team in the NFL. And if they continue to win, I'll certainly agree with you. Perhaps it's a bit homerish of me to put the Steelers in there. But they ARE World Champs with pretty much the exact same team as last year. The two losses DID occur without Polamalu. And so forth. So it's not like I'm an Oakland Raider fan calling my team elite.The upcoming game between the Steelers and Broncos won't prove anything to me, even if either team wins handily. But if after 10-12 games, Denver is still playing at this high level and it's above the level of Pittsburgh, I'd be willing to switch them in my own mind. But right now if you ask me to predict if that will happen, I lean against it.

 

[NeverEnough]

The way I see it, there are 5 elite teams in the NFL right now:New OrleansMinnesotaNew EnglandIndianapolisPittsburghThose are in no particular order, though I think the Saints are the best team. There are also several very good teams, including, (again in no particular order) Denver, Cincinnati, San Diego, Baltimore, Houston, Arizona, New York Giants, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay. I think any of these teams may be in the playoffs, and if the circumstances are right could be very dangerous. But as for my SB pick- I have to go with the Saints because I called that early, and see no reason to change now. The Steelers are a homer pick, and I'm not sure they're better than the Colts or Patriots. But they're close enough, so I will go with my heart.What is your prediction?

No Denver, Cinci etc?OP's post isn't even worth the read after reading that silly list.

 

[two_dollars]

Saints vs Indy. Possibly Giants vs Indy.

No way should the vikings be in this conversation. They aren't that good. They're 4-3 without a hail mary and a missed chip shot. Maybe you can say luck is on their side, but I don't count for luck when picking for the Super Bowl.