The NFCN just gets weaker

[yetisnowman]

Weak conference compared to what, the English Premier League?

The AFC is New England, Baltimore and dreck.

Of course, San Fran does seem to have lit themselves on fire and the Eagles might be poised to. But the Cardinals are having a nice offseason, even if they haven't solved the basic problem on offense (age of QB).

You seem to love being contrarian with me, but yes the NFC is weaker than the AFC. I really shouldn't have to but if you want me to break it down I will. You already begun to allude to it yourself. Last season and this off season indicates a pretty obvious shift in my opinion.

[pbmax]

You seem to love being contrarian with me, but yes the NFC is weaker than the AFC. I really shouldn't have to but if you want me to break it down I will. You already begun to allude to it yourself. Last season and this off season indicates a pretty obvious shift in my opinion.

Let's break it down.

2014 Playoff Teams AFC
1. Patriots
2. Broncos
3. Steelers
4. Colts
5. Bengals
6. Ravens

Colts might be rising though run defense remains a concern at this point. Steelers have to rebuild an entire defense. Broncos have a new coach, an suddenly very old QB and despite appearances, a mediocre D. Bengals have Andy Dalton at the helm, who has yet to beat top competition on a regular basis. Ravens lost a big WR and their NT, hard to say, but I doubt they drop too far.

Out of these teams, only the Patriots and Colts would frighten the top NFC teams. Ravens maybe. Bills, if they can devise an offense might be tough, but Rex has a terrible record building offenses for his teams and he has another specialty QB at the helm.

NFL Playoffs

1. Seattle
2. Packers
3. Dallas
4. Carolina
5. Cardinals
6. Lions

Seattle and the Packers are a threat to beat any AFC on the road or in the Super Bowl. Dallas, similar to the Ravens only better, have some holes to fill (RB, LB) but if done competently can beat anyone, anywhere as well. Those top three teams outrank their AFC counterparts as a group. The Cardinals, though, provide a trump card. Like a weird combination of the Bengals and Ravens, to ascend to the top level, they are dependent on a QB who is not always available (in this case, its age and injuries). But while he is alive and playing, Palmer can led this team to a victory anywhere as well.

Lions have two big holes to fill plus straighten out an offense with Stafford minus Reggie Bush. Unlike the Bills, Caldwell might be the guy for the job as its his specialty. They might be more stressed to patch the D, though Ngata doesn't hurt. Carolina has a lot of pieces and a good D plus a franchise QB. But like the Bills, its not clear they know how to fix what ails them.

The Eagles should be on this list, but I don't know how to judge the Bradford acquisition.

[Pugger]

I might be alone, but I did not walk away from the Seattle playoff game muttering about how the Seahawks are still the better team. I walked away mad the better team didn't win after stomping them on their home turf.

THIS all damn day.

[pbmax]

Football Analytics from Football Outsiders final tally for 2014

1. Seattle
2. Denver
3. Packers
4. Patriots
5. Baltimore
6. Dallas
7. Philly
8. Pittsburgh
9. Buffalo
10. KC
11. San Fran
12. Indy

That's 5 NFC, 7 AFC out of Top 12. NFC has 2 of top 3, AFC has 3 of Top 5.

Denver is unlikely to repeat. New coach, new running scheme, old QB and aging D. They will slide down this list quite a bit. Seattle and Packers will stay as will New England. Baltimore needs to find pieces like Dallas, each could stay right where they are with a touch of luck. Philly is a mess to predict now. Bradford doesn't even know when he will hit the field. But the Cardinals will get Palmer back. If he stays healthy for most of the season, that team was Top 6 until his injury.

Pittsburgh is undergoing a major D rebuild with new coach. Buffalo needs O help from a HC that doesn't know how to do it. He did get Greg Roman out of San Fran so that might help, but he doesn't have the O line he did in Frisco. San Fran is going to tumble. But they could be replaced in the Top 12 easily by the previous mentioned Cardinals. Among the could enter the Top 12 for the NFC would be the Panthers, the Lions and the Saints.

[Joemailman]

The Bears made significant upgrades on their coaching staff. I would be surprised if they're not better, although Cutler will continue to hold them back. It would be hard for their defense NOT to be better than the disaster they had last year.

[smuggler]

I think it's pretty outlandish to think that the AFC is in any way competitive with the NFC at this point. Not at the top...

[pittstang5]

I might be alone, but I did not walk away from the Seattle playoff game muttering about how the Seahawks are still the better team. I walked away mad the better team didn't win after stomping them on their home turf.

You're not alone. I hope the Packers open the season against them, again. I don't care if it's in Seattle or GB. I want them destroyed.

[esoxx]

You're not alone. I hope the Packers open the season against them, again. I don't care if it's in Seattle or GB. I want them destroyed.

They play them at home this season and I'll be there with blood in my eyes.

Should be a pleasant day.

[King Friday]

The AFC as a whole is getting stronger though...

The AFC East looks to be what we thought the NFC West was going to be last year. If Buffalo gets any kind of decent play from a QB, they are going to challenge NE...and the Dolphins have improved as well. The Colts will probably be better too.

Seattle and Green Bay are still the best teams in the NFL at this point though. It would be shocking if those teams stay healthy are aren't meeting again for a trip to the Super Bowl.

[hoosier]

Weak conference compared to what, the English Premier League?

The AFC is New England, Baltimore and dreck.

Of course, San Fran does seem to have lit themselves on fire and the Eagles might be poised to. But the Cardinals are having a nice offseason, even if they haven't solved the basic problem on offense (age of QB).

Fie! Don't forget Indy!

[mraynrand]

They play them at home this season and I'll be there with blood in my eyes.

It wouldn't surprise me if you got punched in the face before the game even started.

[hoosier]

The AFC as a whole is getting stronger though...

The AFC East looks to be what we thought the NFC West was going to be last year. If Buffalo gets any kind of decent play from a QB, they are going to challenge NE...and the Dolphins have improved as well. The Colts will probably be better too.

Seattle and Green Bay are still the best teams in the NFL at this point though. It would be shocking if those teams stay healthy are aren't meeting again for a trip to the Super Bowl.

The strength of the AFC East is just hypothetical at this point, and depends on the assumption that free agents will be as productive in their new venue as they were in the old. I wouldn't count on that. Buffalo seems finally to have gotten the rebuilding concept right, but the Dolphins are relying on a guy with a checkered past who stands a decent chance of becoming Albert Haynesworth the Second. They sunk way too much money in him, especially considering that their DL was already quite good last year. They would have done much better investing in the offensive line and the secondary. The Pats could take a step back in 2015 due to the loss of their cornerback tandem. And the Jets will always be the Jets.

[Patler]

I might be alone, but I did not walk away from the Seattle playoff game muttering about how the Seahawks are still the better team. I walked away mad the better team didn't win after stomping them on their home turf.

I would like to think that, too; but with how the end of the game played out, I'm not completely convinced of it.
There is something to be said about a team that plays poorly, yet keeps it close enough to win by dominating the end of the game and OT.

[pbmax]

It wouldn't surprise me if you got punched in the face before the game even started.

Which stage of 5 stages is punched in the face?

[pbmax]

I would like to think that, too; but with how the end of the game played out, I'm not completely convinced of it.
There is something to be said about a team that plays poorly, yet keeps it close enough to win by dominating the end of the game and OT.

Agree. But there is also the matter of QB health.