Superbowl XLII favourites

Dr.Slurm

So who do you think are the favourites for next season?

It pains me to say it, but I think the Patriots have a massive chance. They certainly made the best signings in the offseason with Thomas, Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Washington etc. Brady has got top some top quality recievers to catch his passes at last.

I will still be backing my Colts to go all the way again. Their defence proved themselves last postseason and with Addai coming into his own it's like having a new Edge. San Diego have the greatest player in the NFL, so they have a big shot, especially with other great players like Rivers and Gates surrounding him.

Outside of what is considered "The Big 3" I like the look of Dallas with their immense linebacker corps of Ellis, Ware, Carpenter, and now Spencer. Also they will have Tony Romo from the start this time and if Owens stops dropping big passes I think they have a huge chance.

And as a wildcard I think San Fran will be this years Saints. Smith is starting to play very well and with Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie to throw to I think he will have a great season. With Frank Gore running the ball I predict the 49ers will do very well next year.

I know its early, but what do you guys think?

dulpit

RAIDERS!!!

or maybe not...:o I reckon if the superbowl was won on paper (which its not, but hey?) then it can't be going anywhere else except to New England... However, i think that Moss could be a huge factor both ways, if he sucks or acts up then he could be turfed out and the Pats could suffer.... More likely he'll shine and they could waltz to the championship...

RuggieBear

Super super Chargers

kensutz

Titans ftw! Then again I probably need to wake up to reality.

dulpit

Actually, what are the chances of some completely nondescript team winning? Not one of the rubbish teams (Raiders - sorry:( ) or the class ones (Colts, Pats et al) but someone like, i dunno, the browns... QUite possibly one of the most underwheliming or unknown teams... Just thinking about madden games we would play with buddies, nobody EVER has taken the browns... People would take the NFL Europa teams for the laugh, and every other team for some stand out player, but the browns? Never...

So what are their chances of winning? Aside from the fact that they got Thomas and Quinn in the draft, don't know a thing about them... Perhaps we at boards should adopt them as our team for the year? (like when some radio shows pick rubbish soccer teams to follow - didn't ian dempsey support Lincoln town for a year?) We could raise the awareness for the browns and stuff.. Be a laugh too...


Opinions?

Chucky the tree

Hard too look pass the pats to be fair. They are clear favourites and its obvious why.

I dont the Colts have a chance, i wouldnt be suprised if the Jags take that division down. The colts have waited so long for a SB now they have it they wont have the same desire to win it again. The run D is still muck aswell.

Chargers: Great team with norv turner as HC, thats them off the list.

Broncos: Surpised no one has mentioned them, made some great signings this off-season and with Cutler starting i can see these taking down the division, i expect them to lose the AFC final in foxboro though.

Bengals: With their offense you cant rule them out. If they can sort out there defense/criminal element they are a good outside tip, very tough division though.

Ravns: Great D, but i dont think there offense will have enough to make it. Playoffs again.


IT doesnt really matter who wins the NFc because they will lose in the final anyway.

Pherekydes

It's going to be the Packers' year! I can smell the sweet smell of success. Brett Favre can ride off into the sunset with his legacy intact. Last year, the Pack was supposed to be buried, but managed 8-8 with four rookies starting on offence. Things can only get better, and better from 8-8 means the play-offs.

Colts will be this year's Steelers; Pats will be sorry their team gathered too much Moss to roll; Chargers have a new HC.

Dallas, Chicago, Saints and Niners will star in the NFC, while Steelers, Jets and Chiefs will pace the AFC.

Dr.Slurm

Some people don't think the Colts have a chance!:eek: Can anybody deny that we have the best offence in the league?

Best quarterback, great O-line to protect him, two of the best recievers, great Tight End, up and coming RB and a defence that proved everyone wrong and arguably played better than the offence throughout last postseason.

What more could you want? Opinions on this, anyone?

Pherekydes

Dr.Slurm wrote:

Some people don't think the Colts have a chance!:eek: Can anybody deny that we have the best offence in the league?

Best quarterback, great O-line to protect him, two of the best recievers, great Tight End, up and coming RB and a defence that proved everyone wrong and arguably played better than the offence throughout last postseason.

What more could you want? Opinions on this, anyone?

Steelers were supposed to dominate, with their overpowering defence and their new, but very able QB. People said they could only get better. I rest my case.

Hunger is a major factor.

Chucky the tree

Dr.Slurm wrote:

Some people don't think the Colts have a chance!:eek: Can anybody deny that we have the best offence in the league?

Best quarterback, great O-line to protect him, two of the best recievers, great Tight End, up and coming RB and a defence that proved everyone wrong and arguably played better than the offence throughout last postseason.

What more could you want? Opinions on this, anyone?

I think the Pats can. Your defence was only good against KC and the ravens, who were horrible on offense. The pats easily racked up the scores and if there defense wasnt dead they would of won.


As SC said, hunger is a massive factor. After last year the chargers and the pats will be chomping at the bit to get it done. I'd say alot of the Colts players have had there feet up and basking in the glory while the Pats and Colts have been training extremely hard.

I can see the Jags doing the double this year, with MJD and fred running riot.


The packers dont have a chance btw.

Dr.Slurm

Slow coach wrote:

Steelers were supposed to dominate, with their overpowering defence and their new, but very able QB. People said they could only get better. I rest my case.

Hunger is a major factor.

Fair argument, but the Steelers had just lost the immensely influential team leader Jerome Bettis and their quarterback nearly died in the offseason.

Manning is the best around and is only getting better, working as an offensive co-ordinator and quarterback. The Colts haven't lost any key players either and Jo Addai looks set to fill Edge's shoes. Anyway, I think we have a massive chance to repeat last years glory.

I wonder if the Chargers will play will the same style under Norv Turner. Better or worse than Schottenheimer?

Dr.Slurm

It's definitely gonna be a much tougher division for the Colts nest season with the awesome Vince Young leading a much improved Titans, Jax brilliant running game and D and even Houston looking good with Schaub at QB and Green at RB.

kensutz

Young started to come into his own towards the end of the season. Pity it came just a tad too late.

jdivision

Saints and Rams could be outside contenders.

Monkey Alan

It has got to be the Patriots this year!!

Lucas10101

It just has to be the Patriots can't see anyone else winning it.

jdivision

Lucas10101 wrote:

It just has to be the Patriots can't see anyone else winning it.

I could definitely see Chargers winning it

Dodge

Patriots have a lot of new players and may take time to gel. Moss has been debated long and hard and he is not an automatic improvement on last year. San Diego was probably the best team in last years regular season and this year should be stronger (Rivers witha full season under his belt, Merriman available for the whole season).

If the Bengals or Saints can get a defence to match their offence they should improve too, and of course the Colts will be there or thereabouts. The NFL is far too hard to be giving out awards 4 months before the season even starts

tallaghtoutlaws

Dodge wrote:

Patriots have a lot of new players and may take time to gel. Moss has been debated long and hard and he is not an automatic improvement on last year. San Diego was probably the best team in last years regular season and this year should be stronger (Rivers witha full season under his belt, Merriman available for the whole season).

If the Bengals or Saints can get a defence to match their offence they should improve too, and of course the Colts will be there or thereabouts. The NFL is far too hard to be giving out awards 4 months before the season even starts

I don't agree with you when you say the Patriots need time to gel. The only real positions to fit for the Pats this year is receiver and linebacker. Everyone other position is pretty much the same as last year bar the loss of Dillion.

The recievers we have this year given their past experience Moss and Stallworth should fit the mould but if it takes time the Pats still maintain the same balance from last year in Linebackers and Secondary. With backups in Merriweather and Thomas to cover if neccesary. Remeber with alot of injuries the Pats got to the AFC Championship game and only lost because of the lack of depth.

The chargers on the other proved last year that depending on 1 player in LT was wrong as the Pats showed them why by beating them in the playoffs and stuffing them.

Colts and Pats will be up there again this year in the AFC with the Chargers in a close 3rd. The NFC will be again this year will be the toss of a coin with many clubs strenghtening in the Draft and free agencies very hard to choose a NFC team to top the lot.

Chucky the tree

Stuffing them in the play-offs? What match were you watching?

tallaghtoutlaws

Chucky the tree wrote:

Stuffing them in the play-offs? What match were you watching?

The same game you were. The PATs were written off before the game began. And if it were not for LT the game would have finished 24-10. Bill and Tom found the Chargers weakness towards the end as the Chargers start to burn out. Ok maybe stuffing was the wrong word but the PATs tought the Chargers a lesson that night. The PATs won a game they were written off in without their two starting Running Backs. Maroney left the game after the 1st Quarter and Dillion struggled with injury.

So if the PATs play like that with their new additions this year I can't see anyone stopping them. For a long time they have struggled without deep threats now with Moss and Stallworth they have that. And younger LB's to cover the aged ones they will do fine.

Lucas10101

I agree with you tallaght outlaws.

vorbis

not to go off topic too much but the Chargers lost that game by giving LT TOO LITTLE of the ball. Pats couldn't deal with him all game. The 2 messups on 4th downs by the Chargers were critical as well. Ultimately that match came down to individual mistakes that have little to do with coaching.

tallaghtoutlaws

vorbis wrote:

not to go off topic too much but the Chargers lost that game by giving LT TOO LITTLE of the ball. Pats couldn't deal with him all game. The 2 messups on 4th downs by the Chargers were critical as well. Ultimately that match came down to individual mistakes that have little to do with coaching.

Who said anything to do with coaching but you do contradict yourself. Giving LT very little of the ball would be the coaches fault and then you say it was lost on mistakes so which is it? Anyway Ultimately when you depend on one player and as you said they changed tactics. This hurts you as you have very little to offer because you have depended on the one person so much.

Just watching the video again LT was contained very well by the PATs D he made average yards in that game you say because the Chargers didnt give him the ball. Patriots made the Chargers throw the ball and they couldnt do it because Rivers choked.

tallaghtoutlaws

Lucas10101 wrote:

I agree with you tallaght outlaws.

Don't Agree with me in order to promote your own forum. You seem to agree with alot of people on the Sport section of Boards. Do it again to me and I will go to your forum and agree to every single post an aimlessly promote my own site or forum or business now either get your opinion of bugger off.

de5p0i1er

Pats are where the safe money goes this year but never right off the Colts there out to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and will be fighting pretty hard to win.

Neil3030

I'm going with the safers: Colts or Pats...or Browns

[EDIT]On second thoughts, I'm going with the Chargers, on the basis of this article's analysis:

2004: Steelers go 15-1 and lose in playoff divisional round
2005: Steelers go 11-5 and win Superbowl XL

2005: Colts go 14-2 and lose in playoff divisional round
2006: Colts go 12-4 win Superbowl XLI

2006: Chargers go 14-2 and lose in playoff divisional round
2007: ?????


Even in 2004 the Patriots won Superbowl XXXIX after finishing on 14-2 the season previous (only difference being that they won the Superbowl that year also!)

Bottom line: Team with the best regular season record for the last 3 years has gone on to win the SB the proceeding year. Last two years have also seen the regular season undergo a flip of sorts for the winning team from the previous year; e.g. Colts 14-2 -> 12-14; Steelers 15-1 -> 11-5.

Wonder what odds you'd get on Chargers to go 12-4 and win SB XLII? [/EDIT]