Today's NFL.com poll:
Which NFC division winner in 2005 has the best chance of repeating in 2006? 55% Seahawks 21% Bears 16% Giants 8% Buccaneers
57,000 votes at the time of this posting.
Like 55% of NFL.com poll-answering readers, I also voted for the Seahawks. For a reason, just look at the divisions:
NFC South: Right now, this is one of the toughest divisions in football, what with the unpredictability of the Falcons, the never-say-die attitude of the Saints, the constant strong play from the Panthers, and the "holy crap, they really are good" of the Bucs. This division could go to any of these teams, although in terms of experience and overall good play, I'd lean toward the Panthers.
NFC North: Last year, the Bears won the division with amazing defense and efficient offense. This year, they could get better... or they could get worse. The Vikings turned the corner halfway through last season, and don't forget that Brad Johnson is a Superbowl-winning QB. The Packers may have had a bad year last year, but with Favre at the helm anything is possible. And as for the Lions? I predict they'll do well, although they won't necessarily threaten for the title this year.
NFC East: Another strong division. The Redskins, Giants, and Cowboys all have the pieces in place to make a run for the divisional crown. Without a star WR, I don't know how much damage the Eagles can really do this year, but they should at least be close to or at .500.
NFC West: The 49ers... well, you want them to win, but they're just not good enough. Yet. Unless Alex Smith is the second coming of Peyton Manning (terrible first year, then great years after that), they'll be stuck at the bottom of this division for another year. That's not to say that they'll get the first pick or anything, but they definitely won't be much of a threat. The Rams will be changing their offense this year, and while they're always a tough team, they find ways to beat themselves. The Cardinals have added one of only two missing pieces from last year's team -- Edgerrin James. As long as the O-Line plays up to snuff, these guys will make a run. But the Seahawks are the NFC team most likely to repeat as division champions this year. They are in what is currently the weakest division in the NFC. They're a good team, no doubt about it, but they're certainly helped by their opposition.
Josh Cohen writes for three Wizbang sites, but makes his home at Multiple Mentality.
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Comments (1)
They're (the Seahawks) a... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Peter F. | June 7, 2006 1:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
They're (the Seahawks) a good team, no doubt about it, but they're certainly helped by their opposition.
I'll go you one better: They're the most complete team in the NFC, no doubt. They're only weaknesses are possibly in the secordary (after Trufant it's CB by committee) and there's not really a backup QB to Hasselbeck (at least at the moment) or a solid backup RB to Alexander (Morris is capable, but if Sean goes down...).
The Hawks offense not only rivals that of the Colts, but the defense is quickly becoming the class of the league—their post-season performance (save for one run in the SB) was a testament to just how good they are. And they got even better in the offense. Scary stuff.
If the 'Hawks aren't getting 4-1 or less odds in Vegas to make the SB again, something's wrong in the universe.
1. Posted by Peter F. | June 7, 2006 1:35 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 7, 2006 13:35