A basic principle that so many sports fans don't seem to understand

Dr. Giganto

The best team does NOT always win.

This stems from all the stuff I hear/read in the media saying "Even if so and so makes it to the playoffs, I don't see them winning it all"

Especially in football, where each round of the playoffs is only one game, all you have to do is get in, and you have a pretty good chance of playing in the Super Bowl. Any team that makes the playoffs can get hot and reel off 2-3 straight wins to get to the Super Bowl. Like the Steelers last year, the Chargers back in 1995 (or whenever it was when they got destroyed), etc.

Especially in the NFC, where there does not seem to be a particularly dominant team, any of the 6 teams that make the playoffs could go all the way. The Bears, Saints, Cowboys, Seahwaks, Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Panthers, Vikings could ALL reasonably make the Super Bowl if they made the playoffs. Perhaps they would have to beat a better team along the way, but upsets like that happen. Its why the game "isn't played on paper".

Nobody could have guessed that the Steelers would go to Cincy, to Indy, and to Denver (statistically the biggest home field advantage in NFL history) and win all 3. But it happened.

So, next time you're talking to somebody and they say "Even if Atlanta,Philly/New York/Kansas City/Jacksonville/Denver makes the playoffs, there's no way they're making the Super Bowl", tell them to shut the fuck up because they have no idea what they're talking about.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

The only thing I can say is that I would not want to be the 5th or 6th seed in the NFL and have to win three road games. That's tough, can be done.. but not likely.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Yeah, the reason is there is no 90's 49ers or Cowboys in the NFL anymore. The parody in the league has created this.

Personally, I freaking love it. Give me a new superbowl champ every year.

Although it does make what the Patriots did with 3 in 4 years that much more special to me.


Personally......I am still sticking with my Seahawks/Patriots pick from preseason.

Slimdust

yeah, its what makes sports good. Anything coud happen in the playoffs.. What if the vikings won? lol.. crazy? Well they do have the best rush d in football history.. I dont see that happening though..

Lets go Cowboys!

Dr. Giganto

One thing I forgot to mention is when people say "Well, so and so has the easiest schedule, so they'll make it to the playoffs"

Something I was reading online was saying that the Rams would make the playoffs because tyhey have the easiest remaining schedule of the teams in the NFC that are in playoff contention.

Nevermind the fact that they are two games back with 3 to play. Nevermind the fact that there are SEVEN teams ahead of them for the wild card, and all 5 have tiebreakers over them. They have an easy schedule so they will go 3-0 and all the other teams will go 0-3 (which is nearly impossible because they all play each other).

Invictus

Seattle were bloody awful last night. Just finished watching the game now. Shaun Alexander and Hasselbeck need to get fit quickly and they miss Darrell Jackson.

I don't think the Patriots will get in either. Just hey like Tom says, who knows could be anyone this year as with exception of the BEars and Chargers no one has really shone as a great team and the Bears have a problem if Grossman throws for 36 yeards again. Greise ain't the solution either.

I think the NFC = Dallas or the Bears in the 'bowl
AFC = Ravens

Ravens vs the Bears would one boring Superbowl but I think that might happen.

Slimdust

nah, in the afc i have the chargers going no doubt.

nfc its tough.. its either chicago, saints, or dallas..

giants have a good shot also if they get in (they will) only if they get into a lil streak, they need to play better.. it kinda seems like a mess there, but they do have the talent.

Invictus

I agree the NFC is pretty tough, but I don't the Cowboys can handle the Bears D IMO. The Saints have a chance against the Bears, that would be an awesome game, Brees and his offense against Urlacher and his D.

The reason I pick the Ravens is because I think they have the D to stop LT. Hell LT is one hell of a player and Rivers is no amateur but I think if any one is gonna stop them it will be the Ravens.

Dr. Giganto

Just to comment on my hometown team, like Slim said the Giants have the talent, but that talent isn't working cohesively.

also, Michael Strahan's availability means a lot to them. The Giants secondary is pretty weak, and they need guys to be able to rush the passer, to take the burden off the secondary. When he's played, Umenyiora isnt playing at the level he did last year, and Kiwanuka looks like he has potential, but isn't nearly the force that Strahan is.

The Giants need Strahan back in the worst way

Invictus

While Strahan is important, I think they are missing Armani Toomer. People are getting on Eli's ass but without Toomer he has Shockey who is either really good or moaning about something or Plaxico Burress who is a loud mouth cocky bitch who runs his mouth and does little else who is Elis supposed to throw to?

Petitgout is severely missed too.