Where do we think the Packers rate in the NFC ???

[Bretsky]

I OFTEN listen to the NFL network and find their viewpoints and input superior to the muck we read in the press.

It seems like many in here want to believe we're right in the wheel house with San Fran and Seattle as one of the best teams in the NFL

Lately I've been hearing most on the NFL Network mentioning several teams before bringing Green Bay into the discussion among the top teams in the NFL

Among the teams consistently mentioned as being better teams than Green Bay are Carolina, Seattle, and even teams like Arizona and Phily.

Several view us as being right about even with Da Bears and in the third tier of NFC teams.

So where exactly do the Packers fall ?

Are we in the elite tier in the NFC ?

Do we even fall into the second tier ?

[Joemailman]

I guess I see them at the top of the second tier. Just below Seattle and San Francisco, but ahead of New Orleans, Philly, etc. This assumes a healthy Rodgers all year long. They can move into the top tier with improved safety play.

[red]

tier two imo

but i don't know if we're at the top like joe says. i think we're pretty even with NO. the others in that group (philly, carolina) i think we can beat maybe 6 or7 times out of 10 times

[Bretsky]

I would consider us as tier 2; but an average team in tier two. Not really on the brink of tier 1. And a team that could fall into the bottom of tier two very easy......but also perhaps rise as well to be knocking on San Frans door with the right picks.

The homer in me wants to say we're the 3rd best team in the NFC.

What has bothered me lately is most analysts think we're closer to the Bears than the Niners. They think we could fall out of the playoffs easier than rise to the creams of the crop. They automatically mention the Panthers and Saints as being clearly better....then the Eagles seem to be the next popular choice.............and the perception is the Bears and Packers are very very close

I don't like to think of myself as a homer...but I think we're better than what I just described. But of course...theyare not bias'd like me

[red]

I would consider us as tier 2; but an average team in tier two. Not really on the brink of tier 1. And a team that could fall into the bottom of tier two very easy......but also perhaps rise as well to be knocking on San Frans door with the right picks.

The homer in me wants to say we're the 3rd best team in the NFC.

What has bothered me lately is most analysts think we're closer to the Bears than the Niners. They think we could fall out of the playoffs easier than rise to the creams of the crop. They automatically mention the Panthers and Saints as being clearly better....then the Eagles seem to be the next popular choice.............and the perception is the Bears and Packers are very very close

I don't like to think of myself as a homer...but I think we're better than what I just described. But of course...theyare not bias'd like me

well,we haven't drafted well the last few years, and some of our better players have been allowed to leave lately. you could easily say our talent level is dropping

while those of the bears and lions might be increasing. so i can see a quick slip to tier 3

[bobblehead]

I think you are over valuing 2 teams. Tier one is: Seattle, SF, GB, NO, Carolina and potentially AZ. Any of those teams could make the NFCC next year. If you think Seattle is waltzing right back to the superbowl you are nuts (and ignoring history). The media prefers a storyline over reality, but the reality is that any of those teams could be the NFC champs.

[Bretsky]

My thoughs aside, nearly every non bias'd analyst on the NFL network puts Seattle and San Francisco in their own tier above the rest of the NFL

[Bretsky]

I have a hard time thinking Arizona, Carolina, and New Orleans are close to Seattle and San Francisco right now

Settle tore New Orleans apart the last two times they played. It was like a college vs. high school team. I definitely think New Orleans was better than Arizona, and pretty even if not better than Carolina. But Seattle owned New Orleans last year.

the road in 2014 will be different; I get that..........this is more a thread about the current state of the NFC. Certainly it can change

[Bretsky]

I think you are over valuing 2 teams. Tier one is: Seattle, SF, GB, NO, Carolina and potentially AZ. Any of those teams could make the NFCC next year. If you think Seattle is waltzing right back to the superbowl you are nuts (and ignoring history). The media prefers a storyline over reality, but the reality is that any of those teams could be the NFC champs.

If you are going to theorize who could be NFC champs, and if you are going to throw all those teams in the box I think you should definitely add Philadelphia and the Bears as well.

[smuggler]

I think we're the number three team. I have confidence in our squad, at full health, putting up a good fight against Seattle and San Fran, and being favored to win against any other team in the NFC and (excepting perhaps Denver) the entire league.

[bobblehead]

My thoughs aside, nearly every non bias'd analyst on the NFL network puts Seattle and San Francisco in their own tier above the rest of the NFL

Because they played the NFCC game THIS year. Next year will likely be different and the announcers will be giddy for 2 other teams. NO has an elite QB and a top notch defense. Seattle schooled them this year, but are you so sure they will next year? AZ beat seattle late in the year. If Hyde hadn't eaten fried chicken at halftime we would have beaten SF. Carolina's defense scares me more than Seattle and SF. GB has the best QB in the NFC. I just don't see it as a 2 man race.

Go find the thread from training camp where we all predicted the division winners and the playoffs. See how close we all came.

[Bretsky]

This thread is not about predicting nest year; it's about sentiment of where things are now. I have no problem with anybody arguing everything can change next year. But the evidence we currently have showed us Seattle wiping New Orlean out twice last year. I hope next year will be different.

I predicted Green Bay to go 11-5 last year; that record probably would have been within a game one way or the other had Rodgers stayed healthy.

I also viewed Green Bay as the third best team in the NFL when healthy; but deep down I know I'm a homer and wonder if I overvalue how good they really are.

[pbmax]

My thoughs aside, nearly every non bias'd analyst on the NFL network puts Seattle and San Francisco in their own tier above the rest of the NFL

They won the last game by a FG. That's pretty close to same tier with two starters on D lost in the freaking game.

[pbmax]

This thread is not about predicting nest year; it's about sentiment of where things are now. I have no problem with anybody arguing everything can change next year. But the evidence we currently have showed us Seattle wiping New Orlean out twice last year. I hope next year will be different.

I predicted Green Bay to go 11-5 last year; that record probably would have been within a game one way or the other had Rodgers stayed healthy.

I also viewed Green Bay as the third best team in the NFL when healthy; but deep down I know I'm a homer and wonder if I overvalue how good they really are.

Cards are getting love because of record in tough division and defeating the Seachickens on the road. Which, I might remind everyone, the Packers did the year before. But that was one year and they are dependent on an ancient Carson Palmer. No guarantee this year.

Carolina made noise in the playoffs and have a monster D. Right now, they have zero WRs for their passing game and are short in the secondary too.

We'll see, but no one wants to be the top tier of the offseason.

[call_me_ishmael]

Low end of tier two. They get beat 9/10 times to San Fran and Seattle. They are less talented than teams like the Lions, but they are better coached. They are not as good as the Saints. They split games with Carolina because they have elite D, Packers have elite O.

San Fran and Seattle are much better than everyone else in the NFC. The next tier down is NO and Carolina. Then GB, Detroit, Atlanta, etc.