Superbowl Winner

[mjdgoldeneye]

For (mostly) the Americans out there, who do you think will win the Superbowl this year? I have to go with the Patriots. As much as I hate the Pats, you've seen what Tom Brady can do with second rate receivers. Now see him with Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth! If it isn't them, I'd say the Chargers, Bears, Colts, and Cowboys have a chance.

[Crychon]

I'm from New England, but I've always hated the Patriots, go Seattle!

[davebiggs]

My money is on my PATS they lose so many great players yet always seem to get better.

[SadisticBlessings]

The Pats have been perennial contenders for too long for my taste - I'm not saying they're not a great team, far from it - I've just never liked betting with the odds in my favor. Chicago impressed the hell out of me last year - between Anderson and Urlacher, they've got one of the most talented defensive squads in recent memory, and I honestly expected them to take the Super Bowl early on in the '06-'07 season. I also think that Grossman was bashed quite unfairly last year after some great performances through the playoffs, but will agree with the people who say Brian Griese deserves a chance to lead the team from time to time as well. If Chicago doesn't make a repeat performance of last season and simply tear through the other NFC teams like wet tissue paper, I could also see Seattle making a shock run to the big game. They're one of those teams that always seem to be the dark horse, rarely living up to their full potential but always presenting a threat... the fact that they held up well into OT against Chi-town in the playoffs surprised me, and Hasselbeck + Shaun Alexander is probably the most effective combo in the NFL right now. 2007-2008 will, regardless of who winds up playing at XLII, be an exciting season. My beloved Eagles will no doubt come up short once again, but I'll keep watching them every week, as always :D

[PeterHilton]

I'm not buying the Moss thing actually working until I see how he reacts in an offense like the Pats where Brady is really only going to look at him 4-5 times a game. On sheer talent, the Chargers are the best team in the league. But the coaching staff is iffy and Rivers isn't exactly proven. They'd be my pick ..but an iffy QB and iffy coach combination is just asking for trouble. So the Super Bowl winner will be ........ THE COWBOYS Why? because they're America's Team.

[wooodaddy]

what!!!!! no Lions(other doesn't count)... I refuse to vote!!! ;)

[thug saint oga]

[QUOTE=PeterHilton;247440]So the Super Bowl winner will be ........ THE COWBOYS Why? because they're America's Team.[/QUOTE] no words have ever been more true.....ever!

[Remianen]

Okay, this will be long. My pick is either the Chargers or the Colts and here's why: The Patriots are a great organization (much like my beloved Broncos). However, as talented as Randy Moss is on the field, he's a locker room cancer. Even on a team chock full of respected veterans, cancers create dissension (ref: Owens, Terrell & Eagles, Philadelphia) which can derail even the best of teams. The modern day Patriots have ZERO experience with cancers (their players have always been the mature, team first type) so there will be a period of adjustment in dealing with such a "me first" kind of player. The Steelers have zero chance with their best O-lineman refusing to play and many of the others upset over Russ Grimm being passed up for the top job for someone who (they felt) wasn't nearly as respected and/or competent. The Colts are the team to beat, not because they're the champs but because they reloaded beautifully during the offseason. If Daymeion Hughes or Quinn Pit**** contribute in their rookie seasons, that defense isn't going to be a laughingstock compared to that offense. The dark horse, in my opinion, is Tennessee. If Vince Young shows progress, that team is just poised to play spoiler to anyone they face. Plus, their draft was excellent, giving them a ton of depth in the backfield so maybe Vince won't need to "pull a Michael Vick" quite so often. The Chargers are shaky. They rely way too much on LT and they still have no proven performers at the ends of the formation. As was seen last season (especially in the playoffs), teams compacted their coverage to neutralize Antonio Gates because they had no one else who could prevent them from doing so. Craig Davis is more of a possession type receiver and they need deep threats more than anything else. Remember the Cowboys and 49ers in their most recent heyday? Jay Novacek and Brent Jones were constantly finding creases and openings because defenses HAD to pay attention to Irvin/Harper and Rice/Taylor. The Chargers don't have that so defenses can key on LT and Gates to the exclusion of all else. They don't have a mobile quarterback ala Vince Young (I exclude Michael Vick because he has a "run first" mentality, for good reason given how crappy his receivers are) so defenses don't have to worry about Phillip Rivers hurting them with his legs. Anyway, my pick is the Colts, primarily because the NFC pretty much blows (AGAIN!). edit: And Peter, I disagree. Brady's going to look at Moss [B][I]every single passing play[/I][/B]. He's going to be Tom's new Deion Branch. Moss pretty much sucks on crosses and slants, which other receivers turned into first ballot Hall of Fame status (hi Jerry!), so anywhere along the sideline, Tom's going to look at Randy. The key thing, and this ties into my above point, is how Randy's going to react when defenses shade to his side and pretty much force him to have to go over the middle in unprotected fashion. Donte's going to have a HUGE year, I think, but that may set Randy off (since he needs to be the center of the offense or he's not happy).

[machinesxe]

Hate to burst everyones bubble but the NY Giants are taking the rings boys. They are a great team minus Manning but what he lacks people like Shockey, Burress, Jacobs, Tommer and on the Defense to knock you around they go the Sophmore Kiwi...This guy is going to be amazing along side Demps, Strahan. They will take the ring like it our not this year without a doubt. Cowgirl lovers get over Romo he blows only reason he was anything compared to the other QB's is cause he started playing fresh mid-season while everyone else had time to get tired....ROMO is junk and this season you will see that....HELL FIRST GAME YOUR GOING TO SEE ****BAG Manning out play his monkey ass....G-

[SadisticBlessings]

Excellent post Remianen, good evaluations - like I said, I hate playing to the odds and so left the Colts out of my equation, but the NFL championship team are usually the front runners. :D One thing: [QUOTE=Remianen;247460]Anyway, my pick is the Colts, primarily because the NFC pretty much blows (AGAIN!).[/QUOTE] Colts are in the AFC South. The Bears were the NFC champs last year. :D

[wooodaddy]

My prediction........ [B]The Lions[/B].... will only win 3 games... :(

[AfRoMaN36]

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!!! .... will try and make it passed the first round.

[PeterHilton]

[QUOTE=Remianen;247460]edit: And Peter, I disagree. Brady's going to look at Moss [B][I]every single passing play[/I][/B]. He's going to be Tom's new Deion Branch. Moss pretty much sucks on crosses and slants, which other receivers turned into first ballot Hall of Fame status (hi Jerry!), so anywhere along the sideline, Tom's going to look at Randy. The key thing, and this ties into my above point, is how Randy's going to react when defenses shade to his side and pretty much force him to have to go over the middle in unprotected fashion. Donte's going to have a HUGE year, I think, but that may set Randy off (since he needs to be the center of the offense or he's not happy).[/QUOTE] Dunno. Their offense isn't built that way. I actually think Wes Walker made more sense for them than Moss since Randy has a habiut of going into a deep funk if he's not getting touches early. EDIT: Actually, you said about the same thing. So we agree I just phrased it differently. At some point, Randy Moss will not be getting the looks he wants and how he reacts will doa lot to determine just how far the Pats go.

[PeterHilton]

[QUOTE=machinesxe;247463]Hate to burst everyones bubble but the NY Giants are taking the rings boys. They are a great team minus Manning but what he lacks people like Shockey, Burress, Jacobs, Tommer and on the Defense to knock you around they go the Sophmore Kiwi...This guy is going to be amazing along side Demps, Strahan. They will take the ring like it our not this year without a doubt. Cowgirl lovers get over Romo he blows only reason he was anything compared to the other QB's is cause he started playing fresh mid-season while everyone else had time to get tired....ROMO is junk and this season you will see that....HELL FIRST GAME YOUR GOING TO SEE ****BAG Manning out play his monkey ass....G-[/QUOTE] So what Manning lacks, those proven veteran leaders like Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress will make up for? :rolleyes: There's not a single reliable pressure guy on the team other than Tiki Barber and oops he retired. Realistically, the whole NFC East is a mess....so take a breath.

[Mr T Jobs To Me]

Wow, pretty surprised to see my Titans on the list of 10, but that won't stop me from voting for them- GO TITANS!

[Wallbanger]

I voted for Candice Michelle, because she has a better chance than my team, the Vikings. Realistically, the final four will be the Chargers and Colts in the AFC, the Bears and Cowboys in the NFC. I forsee a Chargers/Bears Superbowl, which the Bears win by a touchdown. (You have no idea how painful that was to write as a Vikes fan...) :)

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=PeterHilton;247478]So what Manning lacks, those proven veteran leaders like Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress will make up for? :rolleyes: There's not a single reliable pressure guy on the team other than Tiki Barber and oops he retired. Realistically, the whole NFC East is a mess....so take a breath.[/QUOTE] The Giants are a mess. Trust me, I live in New York and following the Giants is like watching a soap opera. I normally say this about the Yankees, but the diffrence is at the end of this soap opera, the good guy doesnt win.... the good guy gets shot dead 10 episodes before the finale. Shot dead by its own ego. I dont know how many "FIRE THE COACH" Headlines I see in the backpages after a Giants loss. I chalk it all up to arm chair quarter backing, but even withing the organization its a mess. Shockey seriously needs to shut the hell up and play. He has the mouth of Muhamed Ali but lacks the credentials. He needs to keep his mouth shut. Manning wouldnt have a job if his name werent manning. Im sorry, but he isnt that good. He will never be as good as his brother. He isnt even the best QB in the state. The guy crumbles like a wet cookie under pressure and gets the brunt of critisism by idiots like Shockey in the monday morning papers. The Giants will do this year what they did last year.... start off red hot, then collapes midway through the year under the weight of its own ego.

[PeterHilton]

[QUOTE=AfRoMaN36;247487] Shockey seriously needs to shut the hell up and play. He has the mouth of Muhamed Ali but lacks the credentials. He needs to keep his mouth shut.[/QUOTE] HOWEVUH..once his career ends, he could be headlining a PPV in the WWE within six months.

[angeldelayette]

I chose other. Why? Because my CAROLINA PANTHERS will be finally going home with the ring this year. We have a new offensive coordinator in Jeff Davidson and new/better offensive scheme with zone-blocking. A great head coach in John Fox. A dual threat at running back with DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams. I would be remiss if I didn't mention STEVE SMITH! On defense we have a retiring Mike Minter, tha BEAST Julius Peppers, Dan Morgan(who is the best middle linebacker in the league when healthy as shown by his 25 tackles in the Super Bowl against the Patriots). Who's gonna beat us?

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=PeterHilton;247488]HOWEVUH..once his career ends, he could be headlining a PPV in the WWE within six months.[/QUOTE] I can't disagree with you. And the fact that I cant makes me sick to my stomach....

[Remianen]

[QUOTE=machinesxe;247463]Hate to burst everyones bubble but the NY Giants are taking the rings boys. They are a great team minus Manning but what he lacks people like Shockey, Burress, Jacobs, Tommer and on the Defense to knock you around they go the Sophmore Kiwi...This guy is going to be amazing along side Demps, Strahan. They will take the ring like it our not this year without a doubt. [/QUOTE] Wait, is this the same Giants team whose entire linebacking corps spent more time in the trainer's room than on the field? The same Giants team who lost the person who represented 51% of the teams offensive touches to retirement? The Giants team that backed into the playoffs (by the skin of their teeth) and then lost to a red-hot Eagles team led by a journeyman quarterback? The same Giants team who pretty much has to win the Super Bowl or their coach is unemployed? Sorry, besides blind fandom, I don't see any reason to believe the Giants will be any better than third in their own division. Unless Eli becomes Peyton, not gonna happen. Their 1-2 punch at running back consist of a sledgehammer and a jackhammer (where's the change of pace?). People are finally starting to learn that ANY back can rush for over 1,000 yards behind the Broncos O-line in that system (so Reuben Droughns isn't nearly as good as you might think). [QUOTE=SadisticBlessings;247465]One thing: Colts are in the AFC South. The Bears were the NFC champs last year. :D[/QUOTE] Ahh, but to win the Super Bowl, the AFC representative would have to beat who? If the NFC sucks, that makes the Super Bowl relatively anticlimactic, does it not? :) [QUOTE=PeterHilton;247478]So what Manning lacks, those proven veteran leaders like Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress will make up for? :rolleyes: There's not a single reliable pressure guy on the team other than Tiki Barber and oops he retired. Realistically, the whole NFC East is a mess....so take a breath.[/QUOTE] See, I'm a Broncos fan but even I can be realistic. My team's not ready for a prolonged postseason run unless: Jay Cutler & Brandon Stokley both have breakout years (Javon's gonna get his regardless) AND Rod Smith practically consumes the Fountain of Youth AND Jarvis Moss has a huge rookie year AND the linebacking corps handles the added pressure that the addition of a SECOND shutdown corner will put on them. A lot of ifs. Oh we'll challenge for the playoffs (like we do most years) but I don't see a trip to the AFC title game in the cards unless the above happens. But I can just see Champ & Dre chompin' at the bit to face off against the Raiders and their rookie quarterback. :)

[mjdgoldeneye]

Nice to see Candice pulling ahead... Go, Daddy, Go! :D I have to say that my two favorite teams are The Eagles and The Chargers. I know I sound like less of a fan, but I can honestly say that I liked both before I even watched football. The Eagles are my true, local team whose merchandise I've had since I was 4, and the Chargers I learned to like superficially because of their cool colors and logo, before I knew much about football. I can also say that you can't count either team out! The Chargers are always thought of as just Gates/Tomlinson, but Rivers is a great QB. He has no trouble connecting with the likes of Eric Parker and co. (Parker isn't a Hall of Famer, but definitely underestimated!) Also, their front 7 on D are sweet too! (Merriman, Castillo, Phillips, oh my!) They only need a little something in the secondary and one great WR to be a true dynasty. The Eagles never cease to amaze me. They managed to get a great record (compared to expectations) even with McNabb down. Now that he's back, he can continue his record breaking pace! I'd say Dallas has the division down, but Philly would be a nice Wild Card.

[Nevermore]

Unfortunately (as a Giants fan) I agree with most of what's been said against my team. However, last year we were reeling from injuries. A half decent performance in the Wilcards would be a good season in my book. Particularly with Tiki gone; he was such a reliable go-to guy :(. Quote The Raven Nevermore

[juggaloninjalee]

Detroit Lions!!!

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=Nevermore;247578]Unfortunately (as a Giants fan) I agree with most of what's been said against my team. However, last year we were reeling from injuries. A half decent performance in the Wilcards would be a good season in my book. Particularly with Tiki gone; he was such a reliable go-to guy :(. Quote The Raven Nevermore[/QUOTE] But with the way the Post and the Daily news spins it, if they dont win a ring, its a failure and the coach is an idiot and should be hanged. I wasnt aware that those papers hired so many experienced NFL coaches.