Who is the real threat in the NFC this year? (1 Viewer)

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Eagles and Giants have fallen off due to injuries.

Dallas seems to be the rising star right now. Bears have been exposed as the one trick pony they are. Still not confident in the Saints, but they are probably the 2nd best team in the NFC right now. Maybe the Seahawks can go on a run as they are starting to get healthy.

Thoughts?

 

[Green94]

 

[King of the Wolfies]

Year of Colston, I mean the Saints.

 

[oukurt]

Dallas gets to the Super Bowl if they stay healthy. Romo has made me a believer. Chicago is their competition and I take my chances against Grossman.

Dallas 17-16 at Soldier Field in the NFC Title game.

Can I do a "mark it down"? I so want to do it, but I won't.

 

[bullitt]

I 2'nd that.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Unless the Bears scale back their approach on offense and become more run oriented, I can't see them winning 3 playoff games. They look far from dominant when they play anyone worthwhile. That said the Giants have so many injuries. And Seattle went through it earlier. I'd normally give the Panthers a shot but I think they really miss Stephen Davis in that running game. He got all the tough, short yards and helped Foster carry the load. Much like how Pittsburgh misses Bettis. Ball control and keep your defense fresh.

In the end, I like the way Dallas' young defensive players are coming on. And getting that statue Bledsoe out of there has really opened up their offense. They're now the team with the running back duo mirroring what Carolina had last year. Barber is a nice compliment to Jones. And like him or not, Terrel Owens makes every QB he plays with better. Romo has so many weapons to choose from, that he doesn't have to be an elite talent. It will be interesting to see how good Romo is later in his career. Is he a journeyman-level talent who just happens to be in the right spot presently?

The Bears have the most overall ability but their gambling style on offense is really poorly suited for their strengths. They should be winning with defense and pounding the football. And it will almost assuredly cost them come playoff time. That's why I'd go with Dallas.

 

[SofaKings]

Bears offense is a mess. It's a crapshoot in the NFC.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

The Bears have the most overall ability but their gambling style on offense is really poorly suited for their strengths. They should be winning with defense and pounding the football. And it will almost assuredly cost them come playoff time. That's why I'd go with Dallas.

The only problem with all that is that the Bears are 4th in the league in rush attempts. It's not like they aren't running the ball, they just aren't any good at it this year (28th in rush YPA).Maybe you just bite the bullet and make Benson the starter to see if he provides a spark in the running game. You can't sit and do nothing.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The Bears have the most overall ability but their gambling style on offense is really poorly suited for their strengths. They should be winning with defense and pounding the football. And it will almost assuredly cost them come playoff time. That's why I'd go with Dallas.

The only problem with all that is that the Bears are 4th in the league in rush attempts. It's not like they aren't running the ball, they just aren't any good at it this year (28th in rush YPA).Maybe you just bite the bullet and make Benson the starter to see if he provides a spark in the running game. You can't sit and do nothing.

They're so high in rushing attempts because their defense leads the league in takeaways. The Bears offense is always on the field. Believe me, they could run more. You don't even have to have a high YPC to have an effective running game. With their defense, they should have had about 6-8 games where they ran the ball 40+ times. They've come close so many times but have yet to reach that mark. The goal being to avoid unnecessary risks in the passing game, which they been completely unable to do.

 

[Green94]

The Bears have the most overall ability but their gambling style on offense is really poorly suited for their strengths. They should be winning with defense and pounding the football. And it will almost assuredly cost them come playoff time. That's why I'd go with Dallas.

The only problem with all that is that the Bears are 4th in the league in rush attempts. It's not like they aren't running the ball, they just aren't any good at it this year (28th in rush YPA).Maybe you just bite the bullet and make Benson the starter to see if he provides a spark in the running game. You can't sit and do nothing.

They're so high in rushing attempts because their defense leads the league in takeaways. The Bears offense is always on the field. Believe me, they could run more. You don't even have to have a high YPC to have an effective running game. With their defense, they should have had about 6-8 games where they ran the ball 40+ times. They've come close so many times but have yet to reach that mark. The goal being to avoid unnecessary risks in the passing game, which they been completely unable to do.

Don't waste your time explaining anything to him Mr. A, but you are making very good points.

 

[SickThing]

It's all about the Cowboys baby!

 

[NatronIsMean]

The Bears once Griese is starting!

 

[B-Scott]

If they can stay healthy ,im taking Dallas the come out the NFC

 

[mad sweeney]

Chicago sliding but still strong. The Pats are no Dolphins, losing a close one to them doesn't take the Bears out of contention.

Dallas is rising but Romo WILL have a bad game or two. He's essentiallu a rookie out there and mistakes will happen. The timing of them will determine how far they can go.

Saints can put up numbers and have a chance to beat anyone and a home playoff game could have all the immaterials for the Saints.

Seahwaks are too hard to tell until Hass and Alexander are back in the mix. No excuses for the D though. They need to step up big if the O doesn't regain form.

The rest are all muddled. Someone can make a run but the East and West are a mess. The South is schizophrenic and the North is pathetic.

 

[Green94]

Oh by the way, the Bears still win the NFC.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

The scary thing is all the teams that are in it for the NFC WC spots.

There are two 6-5 teams that get those spots right now - CAR and NYG. They are so sporadic they could actually make it to the SB, or not win another game this year.

I'm thinking 8-8 team could get into a tiebreaker for the last spot. That opens up the door for a lot of bad teams...ie SF, MIN, STL, PHI.

 

[BGP]

Dallas has been a very strong team all season. Its just finally starting to show in their record.

 

[BGP]

The Bears just lost on the road to what I think is the best team in the NFL. No real shame in that - they hung in there.

 

[Marc Levin]

Right now, ignoring record and just looking at how they are playing, this is how I'd rank the NFC:

1) Cowboys

2) Bears

3) Saints

4) Panthers

5) Seahawks

6) Ohios State Buckeyes/USC Trojans

7) the rest of the NFC.

 

[Tiger Fan]

One of my friends threw $20 on the Saints to win the super bowl before they picked up Brees at 75-1

 

[MLBrandow]

NO is slipping because of their defense.

ATL is about to implode because of Vick v. Coaching Staff problems.

NYG is piling up too many injuries.

PHI lost McNabb.

SEA won't be healthy until they have the 4th seed locked up.

Frankly I'm not sure it's a team other than the Cowboys or Bears unless the 9ers or Panthers can get hot.

And honestly, right now I'm not even sure that 8-8 teams can't make the playoffs in the NFC.

Every team is going downhill except the Cowboys, who are playing like a team that will go to the Super Bowl.

My picks right now:

1) Chicago 13-3

2) Dallas 12-4

3) Carolina 10-6

4) Seattle 9-7

5) New Orleans 9-7

6) Green Bay 9-7

CAR > GB

SEA > NO

DAL > CAR

CHI > SEA

DAL > CHI

 

[gigantor]

It's still the Bears. I can't see anyone going into Chicago this year and beating them.

 

[Ridgelake]

Dallas is the team with no real weaknesses. Seattle might get back to that if they can get healthy. Chicago is schizophrenic due to Grossman's turnover propensity. Everyone else has major question marks.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Only Dallas.

Just ask the 'flavor of the week' and 'Big Tuna @rse Licking consortium'

 

[Marc Levin]

It's still the Bears. I can't see anyone going into Chicago this year and beating them.

Right - b/c the Panthers couldn't do it last year?I could see either the 'boys or the Panthers dominating the Bears in an NFC Champ. game. Either team could hold that pitiful Bears offense to under 14 points, and either team could put up 20+ on the Bears' D.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

You are all way, way off the mark.

The "real threat" in the NFC is Tom Coughlin.

You a Cowboys fan or Bears fan, or even 49ers fan that needs the Panthers to lose in week 14 to help your team out? Coughlin will gut you.

You a Bears or Cowboys fan that needs to see the Saints lose so that you can get a home game in January? Sorry, Coughlin will gut you.

You a fan of a team that needs the just-below-the-bubble teams like Washington and Philadelphia to lose for tiebreaker purposes or just because it gives you physical pleasure? Sorry. Consider Mr. Coughlin your chastity belt.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

 

[Green94]

The Bears just lost on the road to what I think is the best team in the NFL. No real shame in that - they hung in there.

Exactly, and they had a shot to win the game nonetheless.

 

[Your Mom]

It's still the Bears. I can't see anyone going into Chicago this year and beating them.

Right - b/c the Panthers couldn't do it last year?I could see either the 'boys or the Panthers dominating the Bears in an NFC Champ. game. Either team could hold that pitiful Bears offense to under 14 points, and either team could put up 20+ on the Bears' D.

NO ONE will go into Chicago and dominate them in the playoffs. Can someone beat them? Of Course. Some of the people that are in charge of this website make more ridiculous comments than the posters do. Pitiful bears offense? Forget it, this isn't going to end well. We'll talk in January.

 

[Rhino]

It's still the Bears. I can't see anyone going into Chicago this year and beating them.

Right - b/c the Panthers couldn't do it last year?I could see either the 'boys or the Panthers dominating the Bears in an NFC Champ. game. Either team could hold that pitiful Bears offense to under 14 points, and either team could put up 20+ on the Bears' D.

NO ONE will go into Chicago and dominate them in the playoffs. Can someone beat them? Of Course. Some of the people that are in charge of this website make more ridiculous comments than the posters do. Pitiful bears offense? Forget it, this isn't going to end well. We'll talk in January.

Haha - the Bears homers can feel the wheels starting to shake from the weight on the bandwagon and they're getting nervous! "No one comes into Chicago and beats us! Except the Dolphins... who aren't even a playoff caliber team..."

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

The Bears just lost on the road to what I think is the best team in the NFL. No real shame in that - they hung in there.

Exactly, and they had a shot to win the game nonetheless.

Yeah it was too bad they couldn't get ANOTHER pass interference to get them into scoring range. The interference on their TD drive was good defense, bad call by the refs

 

[Ghost Rider]

The Bears just lost on the road to what I think is the best team in the NFL. No real shame in that - they hung in there.

No way are the Patriots the best team in the NFL. As for the NFC, it is all a matter of who gets hot in January. The Bears will be tough if they get home field, but I could see Seattle getting hot and making it to the Super Bowl again. The Panthers are inconsistent as hell, but could be scary if they get hot. I do not believe Tony Romo will keep playing this well, so I do not consider Dallas the top threat yet.

 

[DepthCharts]

uhhh, seattle.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Chicago sliding

Cause they just lost their 2nd game? Ok.

 

[SproutDaddy]

It's still the Bears. I can't see anyone going into Chicago this year and beating them.

Miami did.

 

[Marc Levin]

It's still the Bears. I can't see anyone going into Chicago this year and beating them.

Right - b/c the Panthers couldn't do it last year?I could see either the 'boys or the Panthers dominating the Bears in an NFC Champ. game. Either team could hold that pitiful Bears offense to under 14 points, and either team could put up 20+ on the Bears' D.

NO ONE will go into Chicago and dominate them in the playoffs. Can someone beat them? Of Course.

You mean the same Bears offense that managed 13 points at home against Miami? And the same Bears teamn that gave up four scores to one in the first half last year, at home, in theplayoffs, against Carolina? That same Bears team can't be dominated by either the Cowboys or the Panthers?You must be a Bears fan. If so, you need to step back and get some perspective on your team. Any team can be dominated - especially one with an offense playing as poorly as the Bears' offense when faced with a team like the Cowboys, who are playing lights out on both sides of the ball.

Some of the people that are in charge of this website make more ridiculous comments than the posters do. Pitiful bears offense? Forget it, this isn't going to end well. We'll talk in January.

You sound like the Pats fans Joe was forced to label "tools" a few years ago. We are all allowed to have opinions - sorry if mine doesn't jibe with yours. If you really feel like we make ridiculous comments, why do you bother visiting us?

 

[Marc Levin]

I do not believe Tony Romo will keep playing this well, so I do not consider Dallas the top threat yet.

On what basis do you believe this? The team faces the GIANTS next week - I expect Romo's confidence to soar after that game.I could see the Seahawks playing well down the stretch, but I don't think they will have homefield in the playoffs,and I think they will need it to succeed. The Panthers, OTOH, have a lot of experience winning road playoff games.The team I think that is bound for a fall is the Saints - I am having problems believing in their defense.

 

[BRONG]

Everyone will be talking about Seattle in a month.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

As a Seahawks fan I'm liking all the talk of the Cowboys. The Bears are going to have homefield so they are the team to beat but that second seed will be huge. I still think the Panthers win the NFC South and the winner of their first round game will be headed for Chicago. If Seattle can get the 2nd seed I like their chances vs anyone in Seattle and they should be hitting their stride as the playoffs approach. Teams who go to the Super Bowl the previous year face a lot of heart and mind issues and Seattle has yet to play a game with Branch, Hasselbeck, SA, and Stevens all in the game at once. Although they have looked shaky I think they will get better with each game from this point forward.

But please, keep talking about the Cowboys and Bears because they are two very good teams. Right now they are the two best teams in the NFC and deserve all the press and credit they can get. No need to worry about the hawks. Nothing to see here.

 

[Green94]

The Bears just lost on the road to what I think is the best team in the NFL. No real shame in that - they hung in there.

Exactly, and they had a shot to win the game nonetheless.

Yeah it was too bad they couldn't get ANOTHER pass interference to get them into scoring range. The interference on their TD drive was good defense, bad call by the refs

You're right. The other two no-calls weren't.

 

[BGP]

The Bears just lost on the road to what I think is the best team in the NFL. No real shame in that - they hung in there.

No way are the Patriots the best team in the NFL. As for the NFC, it is all a matter of who gets hot in January. The Bears will be tough if they get home field, but I could see Seattle getting hot and making it to the Super Bowl again. The Panthers are inconsistent as hell, but could be scary if they get hot. I do not believe Tony Romo will keep playing this well, so I do not consider Dallas the top threat yet.

Belichick has got yet another team with lots of versatility. They can run, pass, do it all. Swiss-army knife. He can morph this team into all kinds of crazy gameplans to confuse and beat anyone now. Its what he does best.

 

[Biabreakable]

I am not sure if it is going to matter which one of these teams makes it to the SB because I think they will lose to whichever team from the AFC gets there. I think it is going to be the Chargers. San Diego will be getting Merriman back and thier defense will get even better. I don't think any team has an answer for LT.

It is probobly going to be the Bears or the Cowgurls that will get hammered though.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

NFC:

1. Bears

2. Cowboys

3. Seahawks

AFC:

1. Ravens

2. Patriots

3. Chargers

SB wager (today):

Ravens over Cowboys

 

[PMENFAN]

The best hope for the NFC is that the AFC representative plays poorly.

I seriously have to say it's Dallas. In Romo, I see a more agile, Tom Brady. Unheralded, though he spnt more time on the bench. He didn't complain, just learned the playbook. He makes great decisions. Yes, they've got good weapons, something Brady has never had. But, his field presence is unmistakable. He seems to have a feel for the game. His comfort and confidence level is rising each week. Frankly, I see a Big Tuna/Belichick matchup as destiny.

I don't think you can count the Bears out. They steal the ball. It's like they hang on the South Side, practicing stealing. The Pats moved the ball, and so did the Bears, up and down the field, only to have it taken away, time and again yesterday. I guess that's why they're two of the lowest points against teams in the league? They may give up yards, but not many points. The Bears take is away far more though.

The Giants are done. Manning is the tale of diminishing returns. By the end of the season, he should be averaging about 6-20 and 80 yards. They stacked to stop Tiki yesterday, and he did nothing to stop them from doing it. At some point you've got to put in the Pillsbury Throwboy, because regardless of the name, Manning just isn't getting it done. Every game is worse than the last. Even during the winning streak, it was all about Tiki and the D.

Carolina. They lost an ugly one yesterday. Another ugly one. Saints? I actually think SF looks as strong as any of the 2nd tier teams. Seattle will come strong, but will they be able to gel? That remains to be seen.

But, the AFC playoff road will be so hard that the standing team, Dallas, will have a chance. It sort of reminds me of the hockey playoffs 4-5 years ago, when the west playoffs were so deep and strong. It was a marathon just to get to the Cup finals, and the team that survived was spent when they arrived and easy pickings for the East champoions.

 

[Aussie Cowboy]

No need to worry about the hawks. Nothing to see here.

 

[Billy Bats]

Does anyone want to play the Eagles right now?

 

[sainttillidie]

Does anyone want to play the Eagles right now?

yes, the eagles look good at the right time, but they dont scare anyone in the playoffs. Especially New Orleans. They are playing pretty well too.

 

[omally]

Does anyone want to play the Eagles right now?

yes, the eagles look good at the right time, but they dont scare anyone in the playoffs. Especially New Orleans. They are playing pretty well too.

Yeah, New Orleans looked great against those Redskins in the Superdome.

 

[Your Mom]

No one seems to want to win in this conference. I think it comes down to the bears and saints. tough game to pick.

 

[Doug B]

Does anyone want to play the Eagles right now?

yes, the eagles look good at the right time, but they dont scare anyone in the playoffs. Especially New Orleans. They are playing pretty well too.

Yeah, New Orleans looked great against those Redskins in the Superdome.

Meaningless ... the Saints beat the Redskins handily in a game with bigger implications. A natural "trap game" was all that was. The Bears had similar letdowns against both the Cardinals and Buccaneers (and I suppose Miami, too) -- they were fortunate enough to escape with two wins.