These are the elite teams in the NFL. Some have a better shot than others, but all will make a run at the NFL's crown. The Colts look to repeat, the Bears want to win this time, and the Patriots will do their best to capitalize on big-time free agent class. The Ravens try to take the next step, while the Chargers have a new head coach to help them do the same. These are the squads with the best chance to take home rings in 2007-08.
Baltimore Ravens - 20/1: The Baltimore Ravens, even with the loss of
Adalius Thomas, is still one of the most fearless and feared groups in the NFL.
Much publicity goes to the Bears defense, but in almost every key category,
they fall short to Baltimore. And the Ravens don't play in a weak NFC.
With a defense as strong as the Ravens have, their offense is the only thing keeping them from making a championship push. Steve McNair is in his second season under Brian Billick, and is expected to be more polished in 2007. But the weight of the pressure will lie on new addition, Willis McGahee. This is the chance McGahee has been waiting for, and now we'll see what he can do.
The Ravens will need balance if they want to unseat the Colts, play with the Patriots, and challenge the Chargers, but it all could come together in 2007. Belmont lists them with 20/1 odds to win the Super Bowl. It all depends on their offense - but I'm not sure what I'm willing to risk on Willis McGahee carrying the load.
Carolina Panthers - 25/1: The Carolina Panthers have always had the talent to finish atop the NFC. Defensively, even the Bears can't match up with the beasts Carolina has on the defensive line, nor can the claim to have three corners as talented as the ones in Carolina. To challenge for the top spot, these Panthers will have to meet expectations; something that continues to elude them.
Jake Delhomme returns under center, while a new offensive coordinator plans to better utilize the talents of DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams. Both backs are talented and fast, but were used poorly last year when Carolina struggled.
Steve Smith is still one of the most feared players in football, as he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
The Panthers have a made a pattern of playing one good season of football, and one good season of football. Last year, they didn't meet expectations, so this year I expect an upswing. With 25/1 odd at Belmont, the Panthers combine the best chance with the best payout. I like the odds in Carolina, especially with all the pressure on New Orleans.
Chicago Bears - 15/1: I'm not a huge fan of the Chicago Bears' chances, and not only because they just lost the Super Bowl last year. This day in age, getting to back to back Super Bowls is nearly impossible, but history proves a return after losing is even more difficult.
The thing that has me thinking the Bears can return is what looks to be an improved offensive club. People want to strike Rex Grossman down, but remember, last year was his first full season at the helm. Over his career, he's shown he can gain the confidence of his team and win ball games. Lovie Smith knows that, and the Bears know that. With Cedric Benson in the backfield, the Bears will continue to have a solid offensive unit.
Chicago's defense is what bothers me. With a lack of experience and depth on the defensive line, its very possible that the Bears' linebackers will be effected by blockers often. Neither Brian Urlacher nor Lance Briggs are great at shedding blockers. Tommie Harris' health, and the emergence of Darwin Walker will both play a big roll in the Bears attempt to return to the Super Bowl.
At 15/1, I'm not crazy about the Bears' odds, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be ranked at the Top of the NFC. With an easy schedule, a great coach, and a talented roster, they have a good chance to find their way back to the Big Game.
Dallas Cowboys - 20/1: The Cowboys made a big move when they hired Wade Phillips to take over for Bill Parcells. To be honest, I always had the Cowboys struggling under Bill, but with Wade, I just think the two sides fit better together. Phillips is the players coach the 'Boys needed after certain tyranny.
Offensively, its tough to find a team in the NFC with more weapons. Terrell Owens maybe outspoken, tough to get along with, and impossible to like, but he's still one of the most exciting playmakers in the game. With Terry Glenn alongside him, and Jason Witten at tight end, Tony Romo has 3 very solid options to find in the Cowboys' new passing game.
Julius Jones gets another chance to become the 20+ carry back he thinks he is. Marion Barber will be right on his tail if he stumbles. One is a cutback runner, the other comes after you. Together, they form one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFC.
Wade will do wonders with all the talent in Dallas. He's a defensive genius, and don't think for a minute that he won't instill his defensive coordinating specialty into this unit. They're going to be scary.
At 20/1, I think the Cowboys are a solid bet. Belmont gives 7 teams better odds to win the Super Bowl, but I think the Cowboys easily belong in the Top 5. There is more talent in Dallas than any other team in the NFC.
Indianapolis Colts - 7/1: The Indianapolis Colts obviously have the offensive talent to fight their way into a 2nd Super Bowl. Peyton is one of the best the game has seen, while there isn't a more consistently stellar WR duo than Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. And don't forget Joseph Addai, he fits perfectly in Indy.
However, like many teams that win the Super Bowl, the Colts will face 16 teams that want to dethrone the king. Also, like many before them, the Colts watched as key players found new teams this off-season. Cato June is gone, both starting corners are gone, and Bob Sanders remains an injury concern. Dominic Rhodes played great in the playoffs, but he's with Oakland now. There are plenty of questions in Indy, like how long will Tony Dungy coach, and who will replace recently retired Tarik Glenn?
What's important now is the Colts' defense. Dwight Freeney resigned, and the Colts brought in some solid rookies, but the top 2 picks went to the offense. The Colts defense stepped up in the playoffs last year, leading Indy to their Super Bowl win; but will they have enough talent to get back in 2007? That's a good question.
I don't think the Colts deserve the 7/1 odds that Belmont gives them. Indy has too many questions in key places. However, you won't see me writing off Manning and the Colts - they are too good not to find themselves playing in the post season.
New England Patriots - 8/5: The Patriots should have the best chance to get back to the Super Bowl, at least with the public. No body made more key moves than New England, adding an entire roster of playmaking receivers, stud linebackers, and even a 1st round safety in the draft. Yes, New England is a very popular pick, and for good reason.
However, right off the bat, the Asante Samuel situation has proven to hurt the Patriots. Chad Scott, the corner expected to start if Samuel holds true on his promise to hold out, went down with a knee injury. That leaves the Pats hurting in the secondary. The talent in the front 7 will keep a lot of pressure off the corners, but the secondary is definitely New England's week spot.
I can't say much about the possibility of New England's offense, except, Wow! This group of players could form one of the best offenses ever. I think Maroney is the best running back from last year's stacked class, and finally there are elite receivers for Tom Brady. It could be scary.
Even with their question marks, the Patriots promise to be at the top of the AFC. Many of these players know what it takes to win a Super Bowl, that's a huge plus.
New Orleans Saints - 12/1: The Saints were one bad half of football away from playing for the Super Bowl Trophy. But one half means a lot, and what it meant this time was New Orleans getting trounced by the Bears in Chicago.
This season, the Saints aren't going to sneak up on anyone, and the overall feeling of sorrow for what the team went through a few years back won't be on the minds of their opposition. This year, the Saints will have to work that much harder to earn their spot in the post season. Right now, they're a favorite in the NFC, which just shows how much things can change in one season.
Everyone knows about the Saints offense, but defense is the only thing that can take the Saints to the next level. New Orleans will need better play out of Charles Grant and Will Smith, because the corners need a pass rush to be successful - they aren't lock down guys. Adding the former Colt, Jason David, helps - but he won't dominate.
At 12/1, the payout isn't really nice, but its significant enough for me to take a bet on this extremely talented and well-coached team. Like I said, the Saints can go toe to toe and point for point with any offense in the league, but defense is where the answers lie.
San Diego Chargers - 5/1: This team really believed in what the Chargers coaching staff was preaching last year, as they tormented the rest of the NFL on way to 14 regular season wins. Not only did they lose their head coach, but offensive and defensive coordinators, Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips, are gone as well. It will be interesting to see if the players loyalties can re-gear in this short amount of time.
Norv Turner's addition should immediately help Phillip Rivers' growth as an NFL quarterback. Turner is known for his offensive genius, but especially for his ability to get the most out of his signal callers. With LT getting the majority of attention from opposing defenses, Turner should be able to find ample opportunity for Rivers to succeed.
Defensively, this team is absolutely loaded with explosive playmakers. Shawne Merriman is downright frightening, while Shaun Phillips is no walk in the park. Those two guys combined for 27.5 sacks last season? And Shawne missed 4 games. Its just not them, in the secondary on the defensive line, this team is downright nasty.
I'm not a fan of the small payout on this bet. With a new coaching staff in every key position, there's always a question if a team will buy in to the new ideas. This squad was loyal to Marty Schottenheimer. However, the talent can't be misunderstood - this team has the best offensive and defensive players in football.
Seattle Seahawks - 18/1: The Seahawks don't ever seem to get the credit they deserve. This year, the 49ers are getting better odds to win the Super Bowl in quite a few sportsbooks. But don't underestimate the Hawks, that's exactly when they make their case for one of the league's best teams.
Quietly, the Hawks just keep getting better and better. Last season it was Deion Branch, Julian Peterson, and rookie Kelly Jennings. This season it was Patrick Kerney and Deon Grant. All over the field, the Seahawks are stacked with proven playmakers, and solid team players. Shaun Alexander will return to form in '07.
I think the Hawks are better equipped to make a Super Bowl run this year than they were in either of the last two seasons. The only key player they lost was Darrell Jackson, and I've always thought the Hawks had plenty of depth with Hackett and Burleson. Grant should vastly improve a safety position that lacked consistency in 2006.
The Hawks have as good a chance as any team in the NFC to find themselves back in the Super Bowl this coming February. With 18/1 odds at Belmont, the Hawks are a solid bet.
Philadelphia Eagles - 18/1: The Eagles may be the biggest boom or bust pick of this entire group. On one hand, they have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Donovan McNabb, and a defense full of All-Pro players. On the other hand, Donovan, nor Javon Kearse, Jeremiah Trotter, Takeo Spikes, nor Sheldon Brown have proven to be injury free. They are the definition of Boom or Bust.
With a couple injuries, this team full of stars could crumble like a rice cake. They could also be the class of the NFC. Much will depend on a quarterback that has rarely stayed healthy. However, the Eagles promise to run more in 2007, lessening McNabb's workload. But that may sting the teams most dynamic offensive player, Brian Westbrook, who also been bitten by the injury bug in years' past.
The players are there for the Eagles to win the Super Bowl they city of Philadelphia
has dreamed of for years, but can they stay healthy. At 18/1, I think the Eagles'
roster deserves a wager. Most Super Bowl teams find ways to stay healthy; if
the Eagles can do that, they'll be a force in the NFC.
