How would you pick em?
November 19th, 2009 | NFL
While talking to some people at Nike headquarters in Portland, OR yesterday, I was asked who I think will be in the Super Bowl come seasons end. That made me think…..who would I pick? I can’t take a team that is hot right now. I have to look into the future and see which teams have the staying power to last through the months of December and January, and into February. Those teams have to have a little lady luck on their side as well. I’m also thinking that they have to have multiple play makers on offense and a defense that gets hot at the right time. From the NFC, I obviously had to consider the Saints and Vikings. They are the two best in the conference. Then you can’t forget about the other teams that will get in. The AZ Cardinals can make a run because they have an offense that can get hot. And if the Giant or Eagles get it together, they can be a tough out.
The AFC is a whole different story. There are a few teams that are positioning themselves for a late season run. The Colts are out front once again. They find a way to win double digit games every year, but can they do it in the playoffs? The Bengals are surprisingly in position to finish strong and get a bye in the playoffs, which helps helps their percentage in making it to the Super Bowl. Do I think they can make it? Hmmm, why not? The Patriots are a team that will be a force come post season. I don’t care how they win, I see that team getting hot at the end. And I think that the Pittsburgh Steelers will fight through their Super Bowl hangover and make it to the playoffs and make a run at it. The Chargers and Broncos will fight to make it in, but I don’t see either being a threat to win it all.
So who gets to the Super Bowl in February? I know it’s too early to tell, but if you had $500 to go lay down in the Las Vegas Sportsbooks, what two teams would you pick?
15 Responses to How would you pick em?
Ryan
November 19th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Who Dey versus Who Dat
Cincinnati versus New Orleans
Mike in Chicago
November 19th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Defense wins championships when it comes down to good teams. Indy and Pats don’t like their defenses and have injuries. It’ll come down to Pitt and Cincy in the AFC and unless the Saints can put up 40 points its Minnesota in the NFC.
Cincy vs Minn but round 3 against Pitt will be a very tough game.
TechGuy
November 19th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Tough question, JT. A month ago I’d have said Indy vs New Orleans. But now Indy is getting really banged up, particularly on D, and now NO has had to scratch and claw to beat teams with poor records the last few weeks.
I agree that I don’t see San Diego or Denver making a deep run. Pittsburgh and New England will take a good run at it. I can see one having to take out the other before getting to the AFC championship game.
At this point, I think the Vikings ride AP & #4 to the SuperBowl, and the Bengals rely on Mike Zimmer’s defense to get there.
(Wow, did i just pick the Bengals to go to the SuperBowl?)
Doug
November 19th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I was writing a message to a friend after the game Sunday and made the point that it isn’t inconceivable to think that the Bengals are a contender this year to go to the Super Bowl.
I think as a Bengals fan I need to take a moment and pinch myself.
We could mention several factors for faith in this year’s team, but for me one aspect stands out. It is the play of the cornerbacks. It isn’t just JJ and Leon, I’ve also been highly impressed with the play of Trent Morgan and then you have David Jones as well. It gives us the dimension to really be able to compete for a Super Bowl. Okay that and a stout run defense, a legitimate running game, a passing game and overall team depth not to mention special teams prowless…
Ron E
November 19th, 2009 at 11:52 am
If I betting, I generally don’t take the favorite since there is less money in it, unless of course I believe they are pretty much a lock. New Orleans might just be a lock in the NFC. I like the Giants and the Eagles, but they have not played well as of late. Arizona could sneak into the mix, if they start getting hot again at the right time. The Vikings I think are way overrated, they’ve played a soft schedule, and can Farve and AP stay healthy? I still just don’t respect the NFC as much, they have gotten much better, but they just don’t have the toughness AFC teams do, NFC teams fall apart way too easily. The AFC isn’t as clear cut. The Colts have to have the edge, this is a pretty good team, looking at home field advantage in their dome, so they have a great shot. The problem is they are not everything you typically look for in a playoff team, and injuries have hurt them. Honestly, the Bengals have everything you want in a playoff team, strong run defense and good running game. Teams may struggle to pass in a snowstorm or a cold rain. But the Bengals can pass, and have a QB that can rally the team and come back from behind. One thing that concerns me is the Bengals have not been there before, 1 playoff game in 18 years, and we all know what happened. The last time in the playoffs, the way they came out against Pittsburg, I just felt that they were going to win, and win it all despite the inexperience as a playoff team. I still believe it would have been the Bengals and not the Steelers going to the Super Bowl that year. Maybe a lot of the players from that team felt like they deserved to go to the Super Bowl, and they will not let that happen to them again. This team has a lot more toughness, they’ve been through a lot, and I think they are much better prepared to handle any adversity. Steelers are similar to the Bengals, but they just don’t seem to be as good. One advantage they have is they have been there before. Another thing the Steelers lack is depth, so I think they will be lucky to hold up by seasons end. The Chargers are hot now, but I think LT is pretty much done and they don’t have the workhorse back that can help them in a cold weather playoff game. Denver has a shot, but I’m not that big on them and Orton.
Super Bowl XLIV – Bengals vs Saints
Brad
November 19th, 2009 at 11:58 am
NFC:
I think you have to look at the Saints or the Vikings. These are the 2 best teams in the NFC and have multiple play makers on offense. The defense is what will set these two teams apart. That edge goes to the Vikings. Minn is very capable of making you one dimensional aka turn you into a passing team and when that happens Jared Allen begins to rack up sacks in bunches. Advantage Minn.
AFC.
Everyones obvious choices are Pats or Colts but both of the defenses on those 2 teams are very suspect. Injuries and age have taken a big bite out of those units. Also, neither of those 2 teams can run the ball on a conistant basis. Year after year we see teams that can run the football come playoff time win Superbowls. The year the Colts finally broke through they had 2 players run for 100 yards each in the superbowl. There is an old golf saying, Drive for show put for dough, well huge passing yards might make you look good, but being able to pound the football with the run game wins you titles.
That brings me to the Bengals and Steelers. These are the 2 teams I would watch out for. Both have 2 great defenses. With mendenhal the Steelers could get back to being able to run the football but if they don’t, then the Steelers are dead in the water. The Bengals so far are the only team I see that is capable of running the football on a week to week basis and beat you in the air if need be. Advantage Bengals with a better Defense, running game over the rest of the league.
Bengals vs Vikes would be my pick today.
Patmo
November 19th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Bengals vs Saints. Bengals win it all. My reasoning is that the Bengals have beaten the Steelers twice and I think that the AFCN is the toughest div in the NFL. If Johnson still has his talent ,then the Bengals run game should be formidable . A rested Ced should present an awesome ground attack enabling the pass game to be the best in the NFL. Colts D is suspect. Pats the same and a suspect running game. If it’s true that D wins the playoff games and Super Bowl , then the Bengals or Steelers should prevail . In the SB the Saints have the offense but their D is questionable.
The only caveat in this is that with 7 games remaining injuries could change the whole equation.Imo,Ced can’t get through the whole year without some relief. If he gets help he’ll retain his skills.
JJ
November 19th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Because I’m a homer: Vikings vs. Bengals
If I wasn’t a homer: Vikings vs. Colts
The Saints and Vikings seem destined to meet in the playoffs. I give the Vikings the edge at the moment. Jamal Brown had hip surgery and although he’s supposed to be back soon, Jermon Bushrod in his place has been horrible. Don’t trust him against Jared Allen. If Brown does come back healthy, I’ll give the Saints the edge.
AFC wise, I like the Bengals chances but I wouldn’t bet against Peyton and the Colts, even with the injuries.
Scott A
November 19th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I like most of the comments already posted… this is the first regular season in many moons that I wished Cincy was playing the Colts – I think the D would hold up in a victory against Manning.
Saints are soooo close to stumbling (just ask my Fantasty Team w/ Brees as QB) and the Vikings seem so consistent.
I think the Eagles could right the ship and make a serious run at it… but I go Vikings.
I can’t put a finger on the AFC w/o seemingly being a homer….
Ron E
November 19th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
It is hard to pick the Bengals, being a fan, and a homer, you feel like you’re just being a homer. You think you should pick someone else, but really the Bengals meet the criteria for being a winning playoff team.
What is the criteria for being a solid playoff team…
1. Good defense
2. Good run stopping defense
3. Playmakers on defense that can create turnovers and/or score
4. Good running game
5. Solid mistake free QB play
6. Solid Special Teams
7. Playmakers on offense
8. Playmakers on special teams
9. A QB that can drive the field and score the winning TD
Is this too specific, what else?
Ron E
November 19th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
10. Pass rush, pressure the opposing QB and make them make mistakes
Scott A
November 19th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
You’re on the mark Ron E – on the mark.
bgdabengal
November 20th, 2009 at 1:30 am
Who Dey vs Who Dat with The Who at halftime is just meant to be..
But, I have to go with Bengals vs Vikings.. I just feel that both teams can grind it out and win any type of game that is presented to them.
Do I have to rethink my Bengals pick just because i’m a fan? Yes.. I rethink it by remembering we just swept both teams who were in the AFC Championship last year.
Grundoleum Dynomite
November 20th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Great list Ron E. I think your list implies this but a clock eating offense will help us in the playoffs. Keeps our D fresh, wears the oppt D out and keeps an offense like Indy/NE off the field.
JT,
I love everything Dhani has done for this team. However, do you see Rey taking over MLB next year and Brandon Johnson moving to SLB? Is Brandon able to play SAM?
John
November 20th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I like either the Bengals or Colts in the AFC, depending on who gets the #1 seed. We can take Indy outside in the cold and wind, but I don’t like the chances of playing Manning indoors.
In the NFC, the Saints.