NFL 2011

[pdga#7648]

I think any team in the NFC will beat the 49ers. just not enough offense to beat the high scoring teams, except maybe the Giants. 49ers will be 1 and done!

and no matter who the #5 seed is in the AFC, they will beat the Broncos or the Raiders!

[tacimala]

Sounds like the NFC will be the champion again this year using Doug logic!

[pdga#7648]

that's what I'm saying.  as much as it hurts to say.  Patriots can score alot of points, but that defense is the worst against the pass.   unless the Giants get in, then upset everybody and make it to the SB, yes an NFC team will be Champs this year!

[tacimala]

December 28th, 2011 is a day that will live in infamy based on reading that response!

[Tom McManus]

Even though it came with little fanfare, that the NFC won the inter-conference rivalry over the AFC on Christmas Eve was significant.


You have to go back to 1995 to find the last time the NFC won a season against the AFC. Sure, there have been ties, but the AFC has had a pronounced edge. It was interesting that this year the series went down to the final two games. The Giants' victory over the Jets and the Lions' thumping of the Chargers were the clinchers, giving the NFC a 33-31 edge.

The NFC has made great strides since 2004, when they lost to the AFC 44-20, and 2006, when they lost 40-24. Quarterbacks are a big reason. The Packers' Aaron Rodgers and the Saints' Drew Brees are the top two candidates for MVP. Eli Manning of the Giants is probably in the top five.

Cam Newton of the Panthers exploded onto the scene with record-breaking numbers. The depth at quarterback was so great that Matthew Stafford of the Lions has thrown for 4,518 yards and is no better than a second alternate for the Pro Bowl.


There is no need for the NFC to get cocky about this year's success because it could be fleeting. Peyton Manning's neck injury helped change the balance. Because Manning's no-huddle offense is a matchup nightmare for NFC teams that see Indianapolis only once every four years, the Colts usually go 3-1 or 4-0 against the NFC. This year they were 0-4. Plus, the AFC South was in a quarterback transition and went 5-11 against the NFC North.

Since the great quarterback draft class of 1983, when the AFC landed John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly, the NFC has often had to play second fiddle. Since 1970, the AFC has won the season series against the NFC 26 times, losing nine and tying seven. In the past 16 years (including 2011), the AFC is 13-1-2.

The quality of quarterbacks in the NFC should keep this rivalry balanced. It's a quarterback-driven league and the NFC has built up its stable of throwers.

John Clayton espn

[pdga#7648]

WOW    Matt Flynn Throws 6 TD's and 480 yds. Both ALL TIME Green Bay records. who would have thought that?? I'm eating  crow once again. The QB's in Green Bay look very good Tom!  Congrats!

[Dan Michler]

WOW    Matt Flynn Throws 6 TD's and 480 yds. Both ALL TIME Green Bay records. who would have thought that?? I'm eating  crow once again. The QB's in Green Bay look very good Tom!  Congrats!

Stafford threw for 520 and 5 TD in the same game.  Apparently defense was optional.

DET@NO next week.  I think thats the most interesting 1st round playoff matchup.

[Dan Michler]

Stafford went over 5000 yards this season with that performance.  3 QB in 2011 with 5000 yards.  This is basically a completely different game than what was played 15 years ago.

Calvin Johnson with 1680 yds 16 TD this season.  Alot of talk about Brees as the runner-up MVP to Rodgers this year, but I think Calvin Johnson should be in the discussion.  He is by far the most dominant WR in football.

[Tom McManus]

It is a completely different game. And not one I am a fan of, but it isn't going back in the other direction. I think Rodgers is the MVP, not that I am biased or anything.  I wonder if Flynn's performance today hurt Rodger's chances of winning the MVP. 

[Dan Michler]

I was talking about MVP runner-up Tom.  Rodgers has the MVP on lock.  There is no question about that.

Doug, that's twenty-five bones buddy!  Denver wins the AFC West.

[pdga#7648]

yep, I got ya.   

[Dan Michler]

Is it PIttsburgh and Denver next week?

I smell another 25 dollar bet Doug!  I'll take Denver and the points (Pitt is the obvious favorite).  You in?  I'll post the line later this week.

[CEValkyrie]

Brees with 5 more TD's today. Backup QB at Green Bay with 6? How hard could it be to QB in GB? Brees for MVP.

[Dan Michler]

Brees with 5 more TD's today. Backup QB at Green Bay with 6? How hard could it be to QB in GB? Brees for MVP.

I'm assuming thats a joke.  Matt Flynn a free agent next year.  Expect him to get a pretty good deal from somebody, similar to Kevin Kolb who got paid based on his success in a couple games as backup in Philly.

Brees had another great year.  But Rodgers is going to win the award in a landslide.  It will not be close.

[pdga#7648]

real men don't need the points in a bet! I'll take Pitt straight up tho! it's in Denver, that should be as good as getting points!

[pdga#7648]

Steelers are favored by 8 points.  If Ben was 100% and Mendenhall was playing, I would take the bet. But since Mendenhall is out with a ACL tear, and Ben is only about 70%, I will give you 3 points??  you in? your already up $25, the worst you could do is break even, you wont owe me anything, but could be up $50!

[Tom McManus]

Brees with 5 more TD's today. Backup QB at Green Bay with 6? How hard could it be to QB in GB? Brees for MVP.

Why so bitter?

Rodgers called the plays in the first half for the Packers.  Peter King in SI made a good case for Rodgers for MVP.  Rodgers threw about 150 less passes, and played 8 less games indoors.  I think that Rodgers will win, but I think it will be closer than Dan believes.

[Dan Michler]

Tom, it will be a total landslide, trust me.  It wasn't even a discussion 3 weeks ago, and any discussion now is manufactured for the sake of drama. 

When it comes to MVP voting in any sport, the voters always lean heavily toward those who play on the best team.  This is why Ryan Braun won over Matt Kemp this year and why Joey Votto won over Albert Pujols the year before.  The Packers were 15-1 this year.  The Saints were 13-3.  The Saints have to play a Wild Card game.  The Packers have home-field throughout the playoffs.  The Packers beat the Saints in Week 1. 

Also,
1.  The Packers defense is generally considered well below average, if not terrible, ranking dead last in terms of yardage. 
2.  The Saints defense is not considered to be good, but not nearly as bad as the Packers, ranking 24th in yardage
3.  The Saints rank 6th in the NFL in rushing yardage.
4.  The Packers rank 27th in rushing yardage.
5.  Rodgers had the most efficient season at QB of all-time, with a 122 QB rating.
6.  Brees had a 110 rating, which is a long ways from 122 for this statistic.

So, basically the Packers were a better team than the Saints, and they relied much more heavily on their passing game than the Saints do.  I don't see any logical case for Brees over Rodgers.  This vote will not be close.  I guarantee it.

[Dan Michler]

No Doug, I'm not in.  I will take Denver against the spread using the sportsbook.com line of +9, not your bogus 3 point line.  I don't really care about your perception of what a real man should do.

I have no confidence in Denver, but figured I'd give you a chance to win back your 25 bucks.  If you'd like to buy a few points, I'll give you the Steelers -6, but you'll be putting up $45 to my $25.  If you can point me toward a sportsbook that will give you better value for your bet, I'll consider it.

[Dan Michler]

5dimes has the moneyline for Pittsburgh at -380.  I'll give you a better deal than that at -340 if you want to bet straight up on Pittsburgh winning the game.  So you have to put up $85 to win back your $25.