Although it’s quite pointless, due to so many factors taking place between one season to the next, i.e. free agency, draft, injuries, etc., everybody does it.
Right after each Super Bowl, experts begin to put out their early favorites/contenders for the following year’s Super Bowl, so here’s Pro Football 101 early look at who might don the field when the Super Bowl is played in Miami next year.
1. New England Patriots. Had Tom Brady not gone down in Week One, is there really any doubt as to which team would’ve been representing the AFC in the 2008 Super Bowl? I don’t think so.
Even with the Brady loss, coupled with Rodney Harrison’s, Adalius Thomas’s , Laurence Maroney’s, etc., the Matt Cassel led Patriots picked up a head of steam at the midpoint of the season and finished with an impressive 11-5 record, three games better than the 8-8 AFC West Champion Chargers.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, due to tie breakers, etc. they were eked out by the 11-5 Dolphins and missed the postseason. With a healthy Brady back in the mix, the Patriots are the early favorites.
2. New York Giants. Injuries are a part of the game, we all know that, but self inflicted ones? Yep, WR Plaxico Burress’s self inflicted gun shot wound signaled the demise of what would’ve been a repeat Championship for the Giants.
At the time of the incident, the Giants were 10-1 and had beaten all four participants in the Championship Games during that stretch.
Unfortunately for New York, the team couldn’t adjust the offensive scheme to account for Plaxico’s loss and the wheels came off in December. This team has very few holes to account for. With a possible trade for a number one receiver, plus some wise drafting, they’ll be the favorites in the NFC to go back to the Super Bowl.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were a good team that won the Super Bowl, not a great team. They caught a lot of breaks in ‘08 with the injuries and down seasons suffered by the premier teams in the conference: New England, Indianapolis and San Diego.
The precipitous drop by the Jaguars was unexpected as well. However, the NFL is a game of attrition and the Steelers were the last man standing. The defense is very solid and will continue to be in 2009.
Offensively, they’ll need to address their offensive line, but that’s about it. This team will be a contender once again next season.
4. Indianapolis Colts. The Colts got off to a slow start in ‘08 primarily because of injuries. Injuries to the offensive line disrupted the entire flow of the offense and the running game never really got going this season.
Defensively, the secondary was ravished by injuries, so having a healthy S Bob Sanders and CB Marlin Jackson will help in ‘09.
The nine-game winning streak was a bit misleading because the only good team they beat in that stretch was the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-20, and aside from that, it was the Texans, Jaguars, and Lions of the league. So it wasn’t surprising to see them ousted in round one when they were forced to play against better competition.
In 2009, it’ll be interesting to see how the Colts will adjust to their new coaching staff, but the talent is still there.
5. Philadelphia Eagles. This is one that can go either way. The Eagles overcame all odds to bounce back from a 5-5-1 record to make it to the NFC Championship Game. Unfortunately for the Eagles though, the NFC Championship Game is like kryptonite to both Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb and they were unable to carry their team into the Super Bowl.
Questions for this team are numerous because they have so many veteran free agents to address: both offensive tackles, safety Brian Dawkins, QB Donovan McNabb and so on. They’ve also seen some of their staff raided by Steve Spagnuolo who’s now the coach of the Rams.
But the nucleus is there; free agency, drafting and the handling of Donovan McNabb will tell you a lot going into 2009.
A few others
San Diego Chargers. The talent is there, and GM A.J. Smith is adept at finding quality players in the NFL draft. But the team is aging, and the Super Bowl window which was once wide open appears to be nearly shut.
We know San Diego will win out in December, the real question is can they get off to a better start this year?
Atlanta Falcons. If Matt Ryan continues to develop at the pace he did in his rookie season, this team will be a force to reckon with. RB Michael Turner was a steal in free agency and this defense rounded nicely into form under rookie HC Mike Smith.
With a few more additions in free agency and through the draft, the Falcons could be calling first place in the NFC South home for a while.
Baltimore Ravens. If the Ravens can find a way to keep the linebacking core intact, they’ll be a force once again in the AFC North. Rex Ryan will be missed, but let’s face it, over Ray Lewis’ tenure, the defense has never been worse than 6th in the league expect for the year he only played five games.
And they’ve been through multiple defensive coordinators in that time frame. QB Joe Flacco should only get better and Ozzie Newsome is excellent in both free agency and the draft, so look for Baltimore to once again be making some noise come January 2010.
Dallas Cowboys. Talent alone doesn’t equal Super Bowls, it equals Pro Bowls. And that’s where you’ll find Dallas players playing in February. Under HC Wade Phillips, the Cowboys have no chance of winning a Super Bowl and very little chance of winning a playoff game. Phillips is 0-5 in the postseason.
Vegas has Dallas as the early second betting choice to win next year’s Super Bowl, so I just had to put my two cents in on the matter.
Jarah Mariano
Hilary Rhoda
2009 Turkeys Of The Year
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Comments (22) Add A Comment
To put the talent that Dallas has at bottom is just showing your hate...they have the team...not like they went 0-16. You are an idiot.
LOVERnottaFIGHTER
Total Comments (6422)
HAHA LOL bitter Cowboy fan
NYGiants: Get Your…
Rockville Centre , NY
Total Comments (4226)
Playoffs? Playoffs? You kidding me???? Playoffs???? Quoted that from Jim Mora, but I'm sure you guys know that.
If the Cowboys do get their **** together, they could very well make the playoffs. But, they have to leave all the BS out of the season, and concentrate on the job at hand, week in and week out. Takes hard work, dedication, and all of that.
Not all of us are bitter..maybe disappointed..........some are more realistic than others.........
Burger Snotter, the Cowboys put themselves in the predictament they find themselves in, not PF101, or anyone else. You know this as well as the rest of the Cowboy fans do. I seen nothing derogatory in this article or pointing towards hatred. He has a right to his opinion as well as we do, and if Jerry Jones don't make any changes for the better, then they won't make any playoffs. Plain and simple.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4034)
They have enough individuals to MAKE a team, but it takes more than numbers to BE a team.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4034)
Last time I checked football is a T.E.A.M. sport not a TO sport. Too many folks worry about the names on the back of their jersey, not the name on the front. Example; Willie Parker of the Sixburg Steelers complained to Mike Tomlin (HC) about not getting enough rushing yards. Mike quickly educated the young man that each day as he walks by the trophy case at the Steelers facility, he does not see rushing trophies instead he sees (5) Lombardi trophies...soon to be (6). So you see having the talent does not bring championships, it's having individuals play for the TEAM???astounding concept.
Stellers-Phan
Steeler Nation, US
Total Comments (212)
"The Steelers were a good team that won the Super Bowl, not a great team. They caught a lot of breaks in ???08 with the injuries and down seasons suffered by the premier teams in the conference: New England, Indianapolis and San Diego."
Oh, give me a break! The 2008 Steeler schedule was the toughest in the NFL and they did this with significant injuries of their own: Roethlisberger playing the early games with a partially separated shoulder, Willie Parker working with a gimpy knee, rookie running back Mendenhall lost for the season to a shoulder injury after the first game with the Ravens, 40% of the starting offensive line on IR and replaced by back-ups, the primary punter and backup qb also out for the season on IR.
As Mike Tomlin points out, injuries are part of the game. Good teams find a way to work around the injuries. Perhaps your "premier" teams are not so premier if they could not find a way to work around their injuries.
JediMaster
Atlanta , GA
Total Comments (1)
EAGLES: Can't see Philly coming in at number 5 on this list. The team is coming apart at the seams both on and off the field. They'll be wiping the slate clean this year and starting from scratch. 8-8 will be considered a very good 2009 for them.
COWBOYS: Romo simply is nothing more than a mediocre QB and certainly not a team leader. There is zero passion in this guy. Bringing in Dan Reeves should help them though.
GIANTS: Another mediocre QB. But with a great O-line in front of him, good RBs behind him and a top-notch WR (if he is not in jail) makes him look better than mediocre. If no injuries in 2009, I agree these guys should win the NFC and that is not a biased opinion.
G-MEN 2007 CHAMPS
Total Comments (80)
SAINTS SAINTS SAINTS..... defencive injurys and a field goal kicker cost them atleast four games this year which would have made them 12-4.. they have their new kicker and an entire offseason to get healthy.. watch the F*** out for this team... they are absolutely a serious threat... One name, four words: Drew MOTHER F*C*ING Brees
2delicious
Total Comments (59)
"The Steelers were a good team that won the Super Bowl, not a great team. They caught a lot of breaks in ???08 with the injuries and down seasons suffered by the premier teams in the conference: New England, Indianapolis and San Diego."
The Steelers won because played as a Team after several injuries, Do you recall the game against Redskins? Ben was hurt and who was the QB? Leftwich, and
for 4 games in the season they were playing with the 3rd option in the RB.
To win this game you need good personal in your bench too.
Hey Burger snooter, please stop criticizing everybody and see what your team was doing hiring players that play as individuals, playing bad game in special in December (the lost against Steelers thanks to Romo and what about the lost against Eagles? Romo again) and some of them with problems out of the field please accept that this year the best team was the Steelers with the toughest calendar in the league without forgetting what the Cardinals did against the teams faced in postseason
Ninke67
Total Comments (43)
G MEN 2007 CHAMPS: I don't really see the EAGLES(that beat you twice after december) falling apart. They have 3 free agents that matter and 10 draft picks(2 in the first round). If anything you should be more worried than last year. Our D will be that much tougher next year. 90% of our defense is under 26 years old. You should worry for a while. Eli=Turfstain.
BirdBrain
Charlottesville , VA
Total Comments (16)
Unfortunately, Dan Reeves will not be coming. I see a few more 5-11 (if that) seasons ahead, because of the owner who refuses to listen and learn. I wish we could trade owners with someone.
Bull_Shirt
Orange, TX
Total Comments (4034)
Why does everyone use the word hate ot hater. The Cowboys last won a Playoff game 12 years ago. Not a very impressive result for all that talent now is it?
LGP: Stanley Cup…
Six Burgh, PA
Total Comments (9095)
"New England Patriots. Had Tom Brady not gone down in Week One, is there really any doubt as to which team would???ve been representing the AFC in the 2008 Super Bowl? I don???t think so."
That's because your a MORON. Roll over and kiss Brady nite, nite.
steelerfaninsouthflo…
Total Comments (38)
STAINS SAINTS AINT...are you serious no cinderalla story here bud, if they were suppose to be 12-4, then they would have been 12-4 let the record show they didn't even make the playoffs...you can wish it, if it, but you know what F***-It...it did not happen...GAME OVA
Stellers-Phan
Steeler Nation, US
Total Comments (212)
Wow ProFootball101 way to sell out on your first pick. I mean, I understand making a safety pick so you don't look too bad if you are wrong, but there is no guarantee that NE would have went to the SB this year if Tom Brady wasn't injured. That is a load of hot, steaming dogshit and you know it. That alone brings down the quality of your list. The fact is that football has so many intangibles that predicting it is difficult. A healthy Brady alone does not guarantee a SB. What if a key O-lineman got injured and his backup couldn't do the job? My point is that arguing the Pats would have gone to the Super Bowl with Brady healthy is not a guarantee. However I do agree with your Cowboys statement (as an Eagles fan)
closer.21(R.I.P.JimJ…
Nowhere, PA
Total Comments (479)
Until the Cowboys show that they can actually win a playoff game then I'd say this article was being generous to the 'Boys.
Trainwreck
Suwanee , GA
Total Comments (427)
One last comment: Where's any mention of the Cardinals? I'm not too familiar with their contract situations, but it appears to me like their pretty young (except for Warner), pretty talented, and pretty motivated to prove that this year wasn't a fluke. I didn't hear any mention of expiring contracts, other than maybe Bolden or Edge.
Trainwreck
Suwanee , GA
Total Comments (427)
Agreed.
G-MEN 2007 CHAMPS
Total Comments (80)
Way to handle victory with real class. I didn't know western PA fans were like southeastern PA fans.
G-MEN 2007 CHAMPS
Total Comments (80)
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