PATS and COLTS (1 Viewer)

[Squinting Cyclops]

they are the undisputed class in the NFL at this moment in time

there was some talk about a "BIG THREE" a week or so ago and the OP wanted to convince us that the Steelers deserved to be considered

that argument no longer exists...BUT is there any other team you would dare to suggest belongs "just under" the BIG TWO?

 

[smcindoe]

No, none. No point even playing it out, really.

I for one think they should make next week's game the super bowl and then just give everyone an extra two months off.

 

[Sweat Hog]

Yes. It's right after number 2 and before number 4.

 

[Squinting Cyclops]

my take : Dallas was clearly not up to the task vs. NE and Pittsburgh just lost to a Denver team that could easily be winless this year if not for last second heroics from Elam

the Giants are looking stronger

the Chargers and the Chiefs are coming on after horrible starts

can Green Bay be considered?

 

[kremenull]

they are the undisputed class in the NFL at this moment in timethere was some talk about a "BIG THREE" a week or so ago and the OP wanted to convince us that the Steelers deserved to be consideredthat argument no longer exists...BUT is there any other team you would dare to suggest belongs "just under" the BIG TWO?

Yes.....The G-Men......The New York Football Giants, as one would saySurprising, but after watching them over the past few weeks, and yes, they probably have not been tested by any elite teams, but they are playing very good in all 3 phases right now.......

 

[twitch]

I think its Dallas. But not by a slamdunk. Theyve only lost the one game to NE. And they gave them by far their best game. They avoided the follow up game letdown by winning an ugly game at home by 10 against MN, which is admittedly a lesser team But, they did have to deal with a red-hot Adrian Peterson making somewhat of a homecoming to TX. Theyre about to get Tank Johnson to add to their D line, and theyll get a starting CB back soon to help improve their secondary. Overall, theyre a very solid team.

Other choices -

NYGiants - Id like to consider them for the 3 spot, but I just dont trust Eli Manning.

SD - Same thoughts as above about Philip Rivers.

GB - They cant run the ball, and it will eventually cost them.

Pitt - Not nearly as good on the road.

KC - nothing to see here, please disperse.

TN - excellent D. They win alot with Vince. But theyre not there yet.

Dallas is my choice for 3. But again, not a slamdunk.

 

[daveandken]

my take : Dallas was clearly not up to the task vs. NE and Pittsburgh just lost to a Denver team that could easily be winless this year if not for last second heroics from Elamthe Giants are looking strongerthe Chargers and the Chiefs are coming on after horrible startscan Green Bay be considered?

Funny, didn't the Giants already lose... to Dallas?If Dallas wasn't up to the task, then NY certainly isnt.And since when was it required that you beat the #1 team to be considered #3. There's some interesting logic you've got there.

 

[harryhood]

they are the undisputed class in the NFL at this moment in timethere was some talk about a "BIG THREE" a week or so ago and the OP wanted to convince us that the Steelers deserved to be consideredthat argument no longer exists...BUT is there any other team you would dare to suggest belongs "just under" the BIG TWO?

Yes.....The G-Men......The New York Football Giants, as one would saySurprising, but after watching them over the past few weeks, and yes, they probably have not been tested by any elite teams, but they are playing very good in all 3 phases right now.......

As a die hard fan of big blue I would love to put the Giants in the same category as them, or even a category below, but they just arent there yet. Here are some reasons I feel they are close and gaining some ground however:1) This team is getting and staying healthy. Last year they started off just as hot and then lost toomer to a blown out knee, a few linemen, and many players on the defensive side of the ball. IF they continue to stay healthy, I think the sky is the limit this year in terms of representing the NFC. I was very very surprised at the unfair shake they gave coughlin. What he did with a depleted team last year was still quite impressive.2)You can see they still have that swagger from the first half of last year(minus the make it rain sack dances) and are having fun. Also be aware that this swagger had nothing to do with Tiki Barber. He was the silent producer, but Jacobs, Strahan, Osi and company are bringing the fun back to the Giants.3) They are blowing out the teams that good teams should. Big wins against Atlanta and San Fran and a come behind pounding against the Jets. Last years second half Giants would have folded against the Jets in that situation and needed a last second field goal to beat atlanta on the road.4) Maybe it is just me and im a homer but Strahan, Tuck, Pierce, Osi, Kiwi, Robbins and company are a prety scary force. Add that Ross has been a big help for them as a rookie.5)Lastly, I think the red zone play calling is becoming less predictable. My buddies and I would watch the games last year and could recite to you what would happen on a 1st and goal from inside the 10. It was almost comical towards the end of the year.

 

[Squinting Cyclops]

my take : Dallas was clearly not up to the task vs. NE and Pittsburgh just lost to a Denver team that could easily be winless this year if not for last second heroics from Elamthe Giants are looking strongerthe Chargers and the Chiefs are coming on after horrible startscan Green Bay be considered?

Funny, didn't the Giants already lose... to Dallas?If Dallas wasn't up to the task, then NY certainly isnt.And since when was it required that you beat the #1 team to be considered #3. There's some interesting logic you've got there.

Yes the Giants lost to Dallas, but they are playing much better now than they were in week 1...and the Cowboys, though still very good have cooled a little from their earlier offensive exploitsI think that both the Cowboys and the Giants are playing great football right NOW.Can they keep it up?I said Dallas wasn't up to the task of defeating NE, I didn;t say they should not be considered for the 3rd spot.

 

[timschochet]

1. I was the one who argued the Steelers were part of the "big three", but my thread was really more about the 21st century rather than this year in particular. That being said, I still think the Steelers will be recognized as the 3rd best team by the end of the year. Just a guess on my part, though.

 

[kerpow]

Lets put it this way - I don't see any other team aside from these two finishing 13-3 or better.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Finishing records aside, I feel like the Chargers have move past the Steelers into #3, and the Steelers, Titans, Giants, Packers, Cowboys, Jags and yes, the Bears, round out the field.

Of these Tier III teams (AFC only; NFC who cares?), the Steelers will beat the Titans and the Jags will lose to the Boltz in the wildcard round. Boltz lose to the Colts, and Pats beat the Steelers. Pats advance to Superbowl to play the Cowboys or the Bears.

1A. Colts

1B. Pats (HFA)

3. Boltz

4. Stihlers

5. Titans

6. Cowboys

7. Bears

8. Packers

9. Giants

10. Jags

 

[H.K.]

Prior to the season beginning, I said only four teams could win the Super Bowl: Colts, Pats, Steelers, Chargers.

Nothing has changed, nor will change to alter the inevitable outcome of one of those teams winning it all.

 

[mcjc4]

my take : Dallas was clearly not up to the task vs. NE and Pittsburgh just lost to a Denver team that could easily be winless this year if not for last second heroics from Elamthe Giants are looking strongerthe Chargers and the Chiefs are coming on after horrible startscan Green Bay be considered?

Funny, didn't the Giants already lose... to Dallas?If Dallas wasn't up to the task, then NY certainly isnt.And since when was it required that you beat the #1 team to be considered #3. There's some interesting logic you've got there.

Yes the Giants lost to Dallas, but they are playing much better now than they were in week 1...and the Cowboys, though still very good have cooled a little from their earlier offensive exploitsI think that both the Cowboys and the Giants are playing great football right NOW.Can they keep it up?I said Dallas wasn't up to the task of defeating NE, I didn;t say they should not be considered for the 3rd spot.

Dallas need a miracle to beat Buffalo and MN gave Dallas more than anyone expected. if MN had any QB play at all that game could have gone either way. Dallas ha glaring problems in the secondary that can be exploited.I believe the Giants or the Chargers are a distant 3rd. Rivers needs to improve his play for San Diego to take a strong hold on the AFC west. The Packers continue to win, their Def. is young and hungry. They have managed to somehow ride Favre with no running game that may catch-up to them in the winter months in GB. Time will tell if the Pack is for real. Monday Night in Denver if Champ is healthy will require the Pack to show some type of running game.

 

[DaWidowMaker]

I think #3 should have never been the Steelers in the first place and I didn't see the love they were getting. They lost to AZ for cryin out loud! Yet everyone wanted to proclaim them better than Dallas (and don't give me the Ken Whisenhunt stuff..this is football and its played on the field)

#3 Dallas....the only team to have the lead on the "Almighty" Patriots, in the 3rd quarter no less. If holding isn't called on Barber's 4th&1 (when he runs for 8 and puts Dallas in scoring range) Dallas could have been within one possesion with a full quarter to go...and yes I'm homer. Don't forget about the additions of A.Henry who was leading the league in Int's prior to his injury, T.Glenn (shhhhhhh) and Tank Johnson. My point in all this is to say keep your eye on Dallas and don't think just because they covered the spread on Minn that they aren't worthy of being mentioned.

Pitt...lol. Sure they're good but when you lose to two teams with losing records its time to throw the AFC bias crap out the window and call a spade a spade. Playoff team.

NYG....I like the Giants and they're running game has been very impressive. Toomer being healthy has helped Eli tremendously. Lost to Dallas but they are a #4 in my book.

GB....No way and not a legit contender. Great defense and Favre loves his TE's. If a defense takes Lee and Franks out the picture Favre will be his normal 5 Int self.

SD...Hard to gauge them. Nevermind, they have Norv Turner. Playoff Team and thats it.

Jax...with a healthy Garrard maybe but not anymore.

Darkhorse

Wash...their schedule is brutal but they match up with the Patriots offense better than almost any team in the league due to their secondary. If they somehow beat the Patriots this weekend it could be the start of something.

Clev...laugh if you want to but Clevelands remaining schedule is just as laughable and a playoff berth looks quite possible. If anybody knows the Pats its Romeo and they actually played the Pats tough.

 

[Sea Bass]

3-Dallas

4-San Diego

 

[Andy Herron]

TN - excellent D. They win alot with Vince. But theyre not there yet.

TN can win with or without Vince. He's of no consequence whatsoever.Everyone(viewers) jumps when he runs, but duck when he throws. Tell me I'm wrong.Not an NFL quarterback. Period.

 

[CrossEyed]

You guys realize that the playoffs don't start for another 11 weeks, don't you?

 

[gethugefast1]

Finishing records aside, I feel like the Chargers have move past the Steelers into #3, and the Steelers, Titans, Giants, Packers, Cowboys, Jags and yes, the Bears, round out the field. Of these Tier III teams (AFC only; NFC who cares?), the Steelers will beat the Titans and the Jags will lose to the Boltz in the wildcard round. Boltz lose to the Colts, and Pats beat the Steelers. Pats advance to Superbowl to play the Cowboys or the Bears. 1A. Colts1B. Pats (HFA)3. Boltz4. Stihlers5. Titans6. Cowboys7. Bears8. Packers9. Giants10. Jags

Bears nedd to get healthy on 'D' side of the ball to compete again.Like what Griese is doing.Benson-no comment.

 

[gethugefast1]

Boys play G-men Week 10 after a rod game @ Eagles(NFC East Battle)

Giants will be coming off a rested bye week(and game plan against Boys)

The final score in their week 10 matchup will tell me who is NFC front runner(if anyone survives)

 

[CA_7]

Am going to Indy vs NE game

 

[zoonation]

Dallas. The D is very underrated, especially if they get healthy.

 

[DropKick]

I don't think the Chargers or Steelers are good enough to get past the Colts and Patriots. Barring a rash of injuries (always possible in the NFL), I don't see how NE and Indy don't end up as the top 2 seeds in the AFC. They're both undefeated and 3-0 within their own divisions and playing at a very high level. In contrast, both the Chargers and Steelers have at least two losses and I expect them to be challenged more in divisional games. Is anyone balanced enough to go on the road in the playoffs and get past Manning & Brady? No easy task.

Actually, it's comic to watch people debate who has had the easier schedule between the Colts and Patriots. Who can they play that will impress anyone?

The NFC? Hard to say. Dallas is a popular choice but I think they've been underwhelming against Buffalo, New England and the Vikes. Some think they played NE well but that's still a 21 point loss (at home) with the benefit of a defensive and special teams TDs. The Giants have been impressive of late... The two teams could be the top two in the conference. However, only one can win the division and the wild card is a tough road.

Green Bay? Intriguing and great to see Favre on top again. I have my doubts they have the right balance but in a wide open NFC anything is possible.

Every other team in the NFC seems flawed to me, be it through injury or inexperience. But, one of them, will get a relatively easy road to the SB. So I'll take whoever emerges from the NFC East as the #3.

 

[Squinting Cyclops]

I think that a good test for Dallas will be their stretch against the NFC EAST in weeks 9, 10, and 11. The Redskins and the Giants are both formidable opponents. Beating both of them would mean a sweep of the Giants and pretty much lock up the division for the Cowboys.

The GB/DEN matchup should show us if the pack can win against a strong pass D, especially if Bailey is able to start.

I agree that without Garrard, JAX will probably not be able to contend.

Let's see if the Steelers can bounce back against a fierce division rival in the Bengals.

I also agree that Rivers is the weakest link in SD.

I think Eli is showing improvement, lets see what he can do defending his home turf against the Cowboys in week 10.