Is the NFC a Complete Toss-Up Now?

[Dave2112]

Well, as we've heard, Terrell Owens will miss the rest of the season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Here's the question I post to you:

Does this blow the NFC Playoffs wide open?

I'm not usually one to doom a team based on the loss of one player, but this is an impact player that has accounted for a good percentage of the teams scoring and receiving yardage. And then there's the other thing; Philly has been winning a lot, but just barely. They barely beat the Cowboys, barely beat the Redskins and won against the Vikings due just as much to Daunte Culpepper's horrendous play than anything else.

Now, I'm not knocking the Eagles, so don't jump on me you guys in Philly! I'd love to see the Eagles pull together and show that they can claim the Super Bowl. I'm just being realistic. C'mon...the Browns took it to 'em.

Without Owens as a primary weapon, I think that this makes the NFC a free-for all. Atlanta could get hot again, but can they stay there? Whoever wins the Vikings/Packers game is going to go in with some momentum. And think about this...it's a mathematical certainty at this point that at least one 8-8 or possibly even 7-9 team will make the playoffs. With all things being about even and little separating these teams, all it's gonna take is for one of them to go on a short hot-streak to go to the Super Bowl...even if it means the 8-8 Seahawks. Every one of these teams has the potential to go on a streak.

And now the big question. Deos anyone in the NFC have a legit shot at taking the Lombardi Trophy from the AFC? The way I'm looking at things, the Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Chargers, Jets or even Buffalo if they continue to utterly dominate on defense...could probably beat any team in the NFC.

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

 

[Mimi]

This past weekend of football threw a lot of surprises into the upcoming playoff picture. A lot of unexpected wins and losses, two "painful to even WITNESS" injuries for two key players on two playoff contending teams, and the news that a few under 500 teams are STILL in the running for the NFC playoffs...unbelievable.

Nothing again Philly, for they are an awesome team and have proven so the past few seasons, but I do think losing Owens for the rest of the season is gonna severely damage their chances of getting to the superbowl. Oh sure, they have the best record in the NFC, and have clinched the NFC championship, but it's no secret that Philly tends to choke on really important games...and that's WITH a healthy team. With Owens getting hurt, they just BARELY beat a crappy Dallas team, on their own turf. If they continue that pattern, they won't make it past their first game in the playoffs.

My prediction is it will be an underdog team that will represent the NFC in the Superbowl. Most likely AFC will walk away with the championship, though.

Mimi

 

[Dave2112]

Hey Mimi...I was thinking...

(it's what i do when i'm sitting on the toilet and the power goes out)

While things are even between our teams, and both of us in a real long-shot position...how about a truce? In the spirit of football unity and love of the game, how about we root for either of our teams to pull a huge upset and go to the Super Bowl...

...just to piss everybody off...he he he...🙄

At least someone from the NFC North should go just to prove that parity has finally and truly levelled the playing field. If it's Green Bay, so be it...I'll be happy for ya, kid. 😎 (Besides, even though I'm demanded by genetic breeding to dislike the Packers, I love Brett Favre...love to see the guy play...wouldn't be bad to see him go out like Elway.)

 

[giggleygirl25]

welll i think Philly as just as much of shot as anybody in the NFC...but i'd like to see the Packers get in and whoop NE's butt(come on i doubt anybody but them will make it to the AFC since they are the "dynasty team" *barf,gag,barf*)...but on the off chance Buffalo makes it i want buffalo to win.

 

[Mimi]

Tell ya what. If you really wanna call a truce, I'm fine with it. The spirit of the game itself is far more important, and now it appears we both share a mutual desire to see ANY NFC underdog team make it to the Superbowl, so we're more or less on the same side (well, cept that I will definitely be rooting for the Packers on Friday, and you'll surely be rooting for the Vikings).

But I'm bringing a cheesehead with me to the next east coast gathering I attend. And if you get wise-assed with me.... 😛 😛

Mimi 😀

 

[primetime]

with Owens out, the Eagles are done. D-O-N-E!!!! why? now they have the same choking group from the last 3 years. the other receivers cant catch in big games and McNabb doesnt have a receiver who can bail them out. done, done, DONE!!!! how sweet it is....

as for the rest of the NFC. what a crazy wacky year. but the most dangerous team is Carolina. they are starting to catch fire and if they make they playoffs, watch out.

it would be nice to see Green Bay go to the SuperBowl. how can anyone NOT like Bret Favre?

The Vikings are like the Eagles....chokers.

Seattle was my preseason pick with Green Bay, but unless they start believing in themselves, they're gone. they have the necessary ingredients and Jerry Rice needs to start speaking fire and brimstone speeches considering he has a few SuperBowl ring and even got there with the Raiders. Jerry needs to step up and be a leader.

The Falcons are good, but they're, well, eh. not this year, but next year, they will be the team to beat.

both the AFC and NFC playoffs should be interesting this year!

 

[tommytikl]

Well as an Eagles fan I will say this, the Eagles are wounded but not dead..
They still have Brian Westbrook who WAS NOT around for last years playoffs due to injury, so the Birds are NOT the same team that lost to Carolina last year.
And Brain is a BIG play maker, I would much rather have T.O than not but injuries happen...you move on.

IF the Eagles were in the AFC I would be VERY worried but they are in the NFC and there is NO ONE that can beat the Eagles, even without T.O. Primetime said it very well...and I know it hurts that your Cowboys couldn't beat New Orleans and had a chance to beat the Birds but fell on thier faces AND had Donovan step up...The NFC is soo weak it is pathetic!

The Birds defense is playing great now in both run and pass defense, ever since the Pittsburgh game the Birds have turned things around.

Once the Birds get to the SB that is a different story...but until then I don't see ANYONE beating the Eagles...just my biased opinion 🙂
Go Birds!!

 

[Mimi]

*hands Beaner a paper bag*

Here. You'll be needing this to hide your face in a few weeks when your "unbeatable NFC team" is eliminated from the playoffs before they even reach the Superbowl. 😛

Mimi 😀

 

[pghtickleguy]

I think the NFC is totally up for grabs. It's really funny how that divison as a whole was so dominant just a few years ago. You can't even really say that there is a hot team. Minnesota seems to be coming on a bit now with Randy Moss back but if it wasn't for a botched snap would they have really beaten the Lions? I really like Green Bay. I love Brett Favre and would really like to see them advance. The Eagles it wouldn't matter if T.O. was playing or not. Remember who beat them earlier this year? Not just beat them but beat them up. The Steelers have there swagger back and are back to intimidating teams like the old days. Any representative from the NFC can step up but between The Steelers or even Pats but we beat them up too. It will be an AFC romp in the big dance. For those who may doubt Pittsburgh. They are missing one key ingredient and still keep winning but Mr. Burress will be returning in the next week or two.

 

[Dave2112]

I think the Eagles have just as much chance as anyone in the NFC...which is the point of this thread. The Eagles are now on par with the rest of the moribund conference. Thier D is still good (though not GREAT, as some would have you believe), they can run, McNabb is an intangible.

For some reason (and may the Viking Gods strike me down for saying so), there's a small part of my mind that would like to see Brett Favre get there again before hanging it up. I'm still sure as shit pulling for my Vikes on Friday, but...

And here's another point to discuss...

Is the NFC really that bad? No, I haven't lost my mind, but think about this. Have you really seen a lot of lopsided decimations when NFC teams have played each other this year? I can recall a lot of tough, good games. Close games. Has the NFC just played itself level, while the six good teams in the AFC beat up on everyone else? Hell, even the Niners and Cardinals played two good overtime games against each other. The Bears and Vikes were both close. Almost all of the NFC Esat games were decided by less than a touchdown. So, are there really some good teams in the NFC that just need to shoot ahead and dominate in the playoffs? And could the Super Bowl be a trap game for the AFC team?

Any given sunday....

 

[KoocheeKoo]

Parity has made pro football a crapshoot nowadays.....Tampa Bay wins the Super Bowl in a blowout, then has back-to-back losing seasons. Last year's Cinderella team was Carolina.....I hope this year it's Atlanta.

I'm biased as hell (duh!), but I'd love to see history repeat itself....1998 deja vu. Atlanta goes into a 15-1 teams home turf (Philly) and pulls a huge upset to win the NFC championship. Even though my "Dirty Birds" went on to lose to the Broncos in the Super Bowl....I had more fun that Super Bowl week than in all the Braves World Series years combined (and this time I'd have two weeks to party between the NFC championship and Super Bowl 🙂

If the Falcons don't wear Cinderella's glass slippers in 2004....I hope Green Bay gets there (vs Indy). What a great shootout....the old gunslinger (Favre) vs the new gunfighter (Peyton Manning).

 

[maniactickler]

I think philly is still the class of the NFC, with atlanta as a threat also. vikings and seattle are complete chokers and will go nowhere as usual.

 

[ElectricEye72]

Does it Matter?

I dont think it matters anymore now that the NFL has gone back to the 14 game regular season. You see since because of injuries, meaning EVERY marquee player (too many to name) has an injury that keeps them out a minimum of 2 games I consider the NFL a 14 game regular season again! Of course back in the 80s when you had players who (oh I dont know) actually PLAYED the game was far superior. As for now such crippling injuries such as hamstring tweaks, turf toe, minor concussions might actually keep these men of steel from GASP! the barganing table! Their goal to begin with...dont kid yourself folks it aint the superbowl anymore. God I wonder what Vince Lombardi would have told a player who couldnt play because of turf toe!!!