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Monday Morning Huddle
Every Monday morning let’s huddle up and discuss the latest football news, rumors, and events from around the NFL from this fan’s perspective. Comment if you like, post a question, this is your forum to speak your mind.
Super Bowl Favorites
They have survived 17 weeks of gridiron action, 12 teams have made it to week 18, but who is the favorite to make it all the way to Super Sunday and hold up the Lombardi trophy? With the NFL regular season concluding yesterday, 12 teams have claimed their stake at a Super bowl championship, but which teams have a legitimate shot at Super success in the postseason.
Let’s start with the NFC. The Detroit Lions are a long shot to make it to the big dance having to go on the road to play Seattle. Their best chances were lost yesterday when they fell to the Packers. Looking over the six teams competing; Cowboys, Falcons, Packers, Seahawks, Giants, and Lions, the anchors in this bracket have to be the Cowboys and Packers.
The Cowboys have the formula for success with that offensive line. Dominating time-of-possession, controling the clock and dictating game flow takes so much pressure off the defense and makes it better. The Cowboys have a prolific running game, a mistake free quarterback, with a balanced defense that is tough versus the run (ranked 1st in the NFL) and does a pretty good job against the pass. Playing at home (7-1 this season) throughout the playoffs will undoubtedly make the Cowboys a tough out for everyone.
If there is an NFC team that might pose a real threat to the Cowboys, it has to be the Aaron Rodgers led Packers. Over the past two months few have been as hot as Rodgers, who has led the Pack to six straight wins and another NFC North title. During the win streak Rodgers numbers are off the charts; 278 yards passing/game, 110 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns (15 pass, 1 rush), and no interceptions. The defense could be a liability heading into the postseason, but with Rodgers under center and healthy the Packers are going to be a very tough out in the NFC (even on the road).
The Falcons may be a bit overlooked here and with Matt Ryan calling the signals they always have a chance, but where they he may fall short is on the other side of the ball. Their defense is one of the lowest ranked heading into the postseason and I am not confident they can just hope to outscore their opponents.
The Giants and Seahawks will present problems with their defense, but they have had too many issues with inconsistency on offense this season. It’s hard to imagine either team making a run that rolls through Dallas or Atlanta. Both are capable no question, but it’s a tough task to ask and chances are slim.
Over in the AFC, it’s that time of year to once again jump on the Tom Brady and New England Patriots bandwagon. How can you not like the Patriots chances with Brady under center. Since his return, Brady has been prolific leading the Patriots to an 11-1 record, including seven straight wins. During the run Brady has led the Pats to 28 points per game by throwing 16 touchdowns with only one interception. With homefield advantage throughout the Playoffs, the Pats would appear to have the inside track to Super Sunday.
While all of the AFC participants (Chiefs, Raiders, Texans, and Dolphins) have a legitimate shot, just one stands out like a real threat in my opinion; the Steelers. The defense is not the newly resurrected Steel Curtain, but during their seven game win streak the defense has allowed just 17 points per game while recording 25 sacks and 13 turnovers.
The Steelers defense is playing well, but their wild-card has always been quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the offense. With super weapons like wide receiver Antonio Brown (106 receptions, 1,284 yards receiving, 12 touchdowns) and running back LeVeon Bell (1,268 yards rushing, 75 receptions, 616 yards receiving) the Steelers are going to pose a lot of matchup problems for opponents throughout the playoffs.
If I am going to make predictions, I like Rodgers and the Packers traveling to Dallas in the NFC Championship, while Big Ben and the Steelers will make the trip to Foxboro to meet the Patriots. For the Super matchup on Super Bowl Sunday, I am putting my money on the two best quarterbacks in the league to meet; Rodgers versus Brady, the Packers and the Patriots.
This is just conjecture and speculation, but this is my take for the Superbowl favorites.
~David G. Ortega
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