The entire NFC seems weak.

[Dave Gray]

Even the elite elite teams, like the Vikings and Saints don't seem like world beaters.  They're squeaking past mediocre teams as of late.  The NFC East, as I've said before, isn't playing up to its reputation.  And the Cardinals will win their division, just because they have to give it to someone.

Despite close games, the Saints keep winning, as do the Vikings, for the most part, so I'll give them credit.  Other than that, I think the Packers look pretty good.  Overall, though, I don't see that much tough football being played in the NFC.

[fyo]

Green Bay has one of the best defenses in the NFL. Hard not to call that "tough football".

The Vikings have arguably the best run D in the league (but a bad pass D). Hard not to call that "tough football". And whatever you may feel about Favre, "not tough enough" isn't exactly the accurate. Have the Vikes benefited from a weak schedule? Sure, but when you've only lost one of the four games against the AFC, it's hard to fault them too much, especially considering they're 11-2 overall.

The Saints have, of course, won all four of their games against AFC opponents. Those four AFC opponents just happen to be the much-vaunted AFC East and the 38-17 thrashing of the Patriots happened barely a fortnight ago. The Saints D is flawed, sure, but their pass D is very, very good.

How you can take anything away from either of those 3 teams is beyond me. Two of them are certainly among the four best in the league (I have Philly and the Pack vying for 5th).

I'm going to guess you haven't seen all that much of Arizona this season. They actually play very TOUGH on defense. Their defensive front is among the very, very best right now. No team is better at stopping runs for a loss than they are and they're in the top 5 in preventing short-yardage conversions. They also get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks than almost every other team (#3 in sacks, for example). As you get further from the line of scrimmage, Arizona's defense starts to falter -- but the toughness up front is undeniable.

Don't sell the Eagles short, either. They're a very solid team and would take it to any AFC East team any Sunday, IMHO. Sure, the run D gets too little support from behind, but the defensive line is playing pretty well. They're also getting to the quarterback quite often and are only a few sacks from the top performers.

[Sunstroke]

I see great play and crap play out of both conferences, at just about an equal ratio. I still think the best two teams in the NFL are from the NFC (Saints-Vikes) with the Colts a close third. I think there is just such a stench wafting up from the toilet teams in both conferences that it's blurring folks' vision.

[Dave Gray]

Green Bay has one of the best defenses in the NFL. Hard not to call that "tough football".

I specifically mentioned the Packers not being part of that group.

[Tenshot13]

If you ask me, no one in the entire NFL seems like world beaters.  Indy barely beat the Dolphins, the Saints squeak wins out, the Vikes are the same and the Cards are currently getting whooped by the 49ers.  The playoffs are going to be a crapshoot this year, and I'm sure the team that wins the Superbowl this year won't be who people expect.  I'm guessing one of the four wildcard teams.

[Dave Gray]

^ I agree.

When the Pats were winning, they were absolutely crushing people and it looked like nobody could stop them.  The Giants winning was a huge shocker.

But now, even though the Colts and Saints continue to win, it's almost as if they're slumping (if that makes any sense).  They're not playing up to their potential, whereas they were earlier in the season.

The team that wins it all is the hottest team, and not the best.  Neither the Colts or Saints seem to be hot. 

[NADS]

I think the Saints will start destroying people once they lose a regular season game...they'll refocus and get hot again.

[fyo]

I take back everything positive I said about the Cardinals.

[jtex316]

The team that wins it all IS the best team...and the hottest team sometimes. When you win the Championship, you are by definition THE best team. The Patriots of 2007 were the 2nd best team in the league, and the Giants were the 1st best team in the league.

It's the whole Ric Flair philosophy: To be the man, you've got to beat the man. WOOOOOO!!!!!

[Doc-phin]

Dave, you must put down the crack!  It causes severe brain damage and the tendency to do unthinkable things for money!

The NFC elite is very strong this year.  The Saints and Vikings may very well be the top 2 teams in the league.  The Packs, Cards and Eagles are all very explosive and fully capable of beating anyone and it not looking like a surprise.

IMO, the AFC is stronger as a whole but who cares.  When it comes to playoffs and the chances to win the Superbowl, I would rather be elite. 

Personally, I think the Vikings are the best all around team in the league.  The Saints are very close, but they are so streaky.  They have been very fortunate to be explosive enough to make up for some mediocre halves of play.  There is something about the Colts that makes me think they are going to really struggle in the playoffs (no run game, ok special teams, young streaky defense).  Are the Colts truly a clear favorite to represent the AFC in the Superbowl?  Does the AFC even have a true favorite? 

[jtex316]

I know that a Norv Turner coached team (San Diego) does NOT = Championship. So, it's not going to be the Chargers. Maybe it will be the Patriots once again! Can the Cincinnati Bengals really perform in the post-season? This is - pretty much - their 1st ever playoff game (not counting the game that they folded vs. the Steelers after Carson Palmer went down).

It's got to be the Colts. You've got Peyton Manning = You've got a chance.

[fyo]

I know that a Norv Turner coached team (San Diego) does NOT = Championship. So, it's not going to be the Chargers.

I hope the Chargers win this year just so this garbage isn't spouted constantly. There are so few playoff games that looking at "post season record" for coaches is just ridiculous. There's nothing magical about the playoffs causing Norv Turner to suddenly suck.