Is the NFC Now Officially the Superior Conference?
by Anthony Defeo on Feb 8, 2012 10:39 PM EST
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The New York Giants 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday marked the third straight victory by an NFC team in the Super Bowl.
For many years, the AFC was considered the more elite of the two NFL conferences, and for good reason. From 1997-2008, the Super Bowl champion came out of the AFC nine times, and in most seasons, the AFC Championship game was considered the defacto "Super Bowl," as the winner of that game was almost always the significant favorite when it met the NFC representative in the Big Game.
In-fact, starting in Super Bowl XXXVII between the Raiders and Buccaneers, AFC teams were favored in eight-straight Super Bowls by an average of 6 points.
The junior conference's superiority was never more evident than it was in Super Bowl XL, when the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 6th seed in the AFC, were favored by four points against the Seattle Seahawks, the top seed in the NFC.
Maybe the AFC's position as the more dominant conference started to weaken in Super Bowl XLII, when the undefeated Patriots were installed as 12-point favorites against the Giants, but lost, 17-14.
The following year, in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers were 7-point favorites vs. the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals, but had to come from behind to win the game in the final minute.
And just last year, in Super Bowl XLV, things came full circle when the Green Bay Packers, the 6th seed from the NFC, were installed as 4-point favorites against the Steelers, the 2nd seed from the AFC.
And for the Giants/Patriots Super Bowl XLVI re-match, New England was only a 3-point favorite despite the Giants' 9-7 regular season record. In-fact, many questioned why the G-Men were underdogs at all considering they seemed to have the more talented team. Perhaps, if they had won another game or two, the perception may have been a bit different.
League parity being what it is, I doubt the NFC will reach the level of dominance that it had from 1984-1996 when teams from that conference won 13-straight Super Bowls by an average of just over 17-points a game. But with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady nearing the ends of their careers, and Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning just coming into their prime, the NFC might get to wear the crown of "Superior Conference" for at least a few years to come.
The Philadelphia Eagles are among the favorites to win it all next year. That, more than anything, might tell you all you need to know.
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i'd say the NFC is deeper
the Giants are the only repeat NFC super bowl participant since ’02. Only the Steelers, Colts and Patriots have represented the AFC in that time
Really?
Only pitt, n.e., and indy have been in superbowl for last 9 years….didnt realize that.
by SixBurghRoethlamalu on Feb 9, 2012 12:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Huh, guess so now I think about it
by SixBurghRoethlamalu on Feb 9, 2012 12:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The Steelers are in the AFC so...
…the AFC is obviously superior.
Although the NFC has certainly improved now that the NFC West is fielding competitive teams.
"Kompromise, my friend, is the essence of diplomacy, and diplomacy is the kornerstone of love... sweeeeeet looooOOOve"
There seemed to be only 3 truly dominant teams during the regular season IMO, and they all came from the NFC (GB, NO and SF). You had the two best offenses by a wide margin and then a defense that was just sickeningly good, almost to the point of perfection.
In the AFC, the 3 best teams (NE, BAL, PITT) all had some major issues that were preventing them from playing their best football consistently throughout the regular season like those 3 NFC teams did.
Then add on top of that the Superbowl champion Giants having yet another dominant playoff run and incredible SB victory…..yes, the NFC is superior to the AFC right now.
"Picture Me Rollin"
But…do you have meaningless stats to back it up? For example…the Giants won more games against teams with more than two tight ends who’s names had more than five letters each while on natural grass when the temperature is between 45 and 90? I need that type of information
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
Exactly my point
You never have any basis for these comments. Always just spewing out the sameeeee BS trying to ruin any intelligent discussion that I may want to have with some other knowledgeable football fans. Talk about me trolling, you troll your own blog with this ridiculous shit!
Again, if you could provide me with one stat I provided that was meaningless, I would love to see it. But as we all know, you will fail to do so and continue on with your teenage rants for no apparent reason.
God bless your soul.
"Picture Me Rollin"
by Mr MaLoR on Feb 9, 2012 9:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
There were no stats in your comment, but nevertheless, I’d tend to agree.
New England didn’t beat anyone of consequence the whole season, and managed that feat while dragging a sieve of a defense; Pittsburgh had injury issues and was dragging along a brilliant O.C.; and the Browns, errr, Ravens accomplished what they did with an upgraded Village People Dilfer at the helm.
I will say, though, a healthy Steeler club thrashed SF, holds NO, and could go toe to toe with GB.
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
Mountainbiking the Continental Divide in 2012 to raise awareness of human trafficking.
by Fifty-Eight on Feb 9, 2012 11:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
*would thrash
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
Mountainbiking the Continental Divide in 2012 to raise awareness of human trafficking.
by Fifty-Eight on Feb 9, 2012 11:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hate to say it
but I concur with Malor here. No background at all on the past argument, but I pretty much cringed the second the passive-aggressiveness of your comment became apparent.
"It's football the way it's meant to be played. That's who Pittsburgh is, and that's who Pittsburgh has always been."
-- so says Rex Ryan.
What is your evidence?
New England won as many games as either SF and NO. And Pittsburgh and Baltimore were only a game back.
"Kompromise, my friend, is the essence of diplomacy, and diplomacy is the kornerstone of love... sweeeeeet looooOOOve"
by CheekyMonkey on Feb 9, 2012 10:18 AM EST up reply actions
I know this, but some of the losses NE, Baltimore and Pitt had were because of major flaws in their system and rosters. It just didn’t seem like the same dominant performances that we are used to seeing from NE, Baltimore and Pitt. While in the NFC, every time you looked at GB and NO, they were putting up nearly 50 points and getting mass amounts of turnovers. Then watching SF not allow a rushing TD till week 15?
It just seemed that the AFC won in a less dominant fashion this year than the NFC did. Add on top of that the NFC winning the last 3 SB’s, you have to be impressed by that.
"Picture Me Rollin"
What are you smoking?
I was going to write a rebuttal but your facts are so far off they are bordering on fantasy. Did I just see you write that.. “some of the losses NE, Baltimore and Pitt had were because of major flaws in their system and rosters.” You are talking about the teams with the most success in either conference since the 1970 merger, and you are saying they lost because of major flaws in the system? Spend more money on learning how to research and less on the drugs before you alienate everyone.
by Thomas Crawford on Feb 9, 2012 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
Um, what?
I was simply getting at the fact that those 3 teams seemed to not preform up to the standards that they are used to. Each one still finished with the 3 best records in the AFC, but looking at some of their games for each team, you have to scratch your head and wonder if anything was different than previous seasons.
Not sure why you got so upset over that.
"Picture Me Rollin"
MaLoR comes in peace...
…and I have to agree with him; your protestations due to NE, Pitt and Bal since the merger notwithstanding, you can’t honestly say that NE played as well as it could have, had it even an above average defense; Bal if it had some receiving weapons of reliable note to give Flacco. Pitt was the only one of the three that didn’t suffer from systemic flaws, just an inordinate number of injuries.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Exactly my point. It seemed like (to me at least) that GB, NO and SF all played as well as their teams were built to throughout the regular season. They mastered their respected systems and dominated for the most part.
In my opinion, all 3 of NE, BAL and PITT did not play up to their potential and/or talent. That isn’t a knock on you guys, or NE, or even my Ravens. Just saying that I saw alot of greatness in all 3 teams that wasn’t executed at times.
"Picture Me Rollin"
What's your take on the issues you reference...
In the AFC, the 3 best teams (NE, BAL, PITT) all had some major issues that were preventing them from playing their best football consistently throughout the regular season like those 3 NFC teams did.
For NE – aside from some mid-year adjustments, would you agree their defense played as well as it could, given the lack of “marquee” defensive players (aside from Wolfork)? Of course their offense was on fire and performing well. Given that, what were the “issues” that kept NE from playing better than it did (i.e. if their defense was playing up to its abilities, what was holding them back?)
For BAL – Would you say the “issues” were a combination of (a) play calling, and (b) lack of marquee offensive weapons other than Ray Rice?
For PITT – From our perspective, our “issues” were (1) injuries, and (2) OC play calling. How do you view it?
Taking the disparity between the majority of their regular season, and their playoff run, would you agree that the Giants, out of all the teams you mentioned, are the most balanced?
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
NE, you just have to look at how terrible their defense was. I mean, one of the worst in NFL history. GB’s defense was pretty bad also, but they forced a shit ton of turnovers this year which made up for their huge number of yards allowed.
BAL, we struggled against below average teams at times, inept play calling, poor OL for a portion of the season, dropped passes beyond belief. Just a very, very young offense trying to get going in a pivotal season.
PITT, you stated it basically. Injuries killed you, your defense (while still very good) was old and slow and got torched in some games both on the ground and in the air. You maybe had the worst OL in the league, and it led to poor Ben getting his ass whooped while he tried to do everything possible to keep you guys in the game. Then you have Arians, who I am sure I do not need to go into detail with.
Taking the disparity between the majority of their regular season, and their playoff run, would you agree that the Giants, out of all the teams you mentioned, are the most balanced?
Definitely. I am still amazed they finished with only a 9-7 record. They have everything you want. Elite QB, the best WR tandem in the league, quality OL, very good secondary, solid LB’s (although could be better) and that D-Line, man….maybe one of the best D-Lines to ever play.
"Picture Me Rollin"
I'd wait to see if they can keep their performance up...
…before I’d agree to the Giants being
maybe one of the best D-Lines to ever play.
but I agree with you, an extemely well balanced team. The Niner’s only chance to unseat the Giants, is to upgrade their offense; they have the defense to compete, and their punter gives them a distinct advantage on ST, but for all he’s accomplished this year, A. Smith either needs a couple new weapons, or to improve a bit more to compete with the teams capable of high scoring
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
I mean, we are talking about arguably 3 of the top 10 pass rushers in the league all on the same D-Line. Watching those guys, especially JPP, is alot of fun.
Maybe it was good that the Ravens didn’t get to the Superbowl, because JPP and Tuck have 4 FF’s written all over them for Flacco.
"Picture Me Rollin"
I don't necessarily disagree...
…but “to ever play” status requires more than one or two years of high productivity.
The two teams I feared the most to face, (assuming we could have gotten healthy) were in fact the Niners, and the Giants. I felt we had a strong chance against a GB, NO, NE given their lack of defense; but the Niners and Giants have such a ferocius defense, it brings a warm tingle to my “old style football” heart, and gives hope that defense is not dead, despite the League’s efforts to kill it.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Defense is definitely not dead. 2 of the 3 most prolific passing attacks basically in NFL history went down in the playoffs because of ELITE defense, and it would have been all 3 if Baltimore was able to hang on seeing as Brady had his worst playoff game in his career against us.
Trust me, defense still rules the roost in this league buddy.
"Picture Me Rollin"
I'd have to say, based on numbers, yep. At least for now.
I mean, if a creature has feathers, quacks, and has a beak, it’s a duck, right? :)
But I don’t think they’re that far ahead, not as far as the AFC was during their decade of dominance over the NFC. One good win by the AFC, and we’re back in the equals seat.
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
Mountainbiking the Continental Divide in 2012 to raise awareness of human trafficking.
I wouldnt say so
I don’t even think the AFC was dominant in the years before like you said, simply because a lot of those games were close.
Dominance was in the 80’s, when the NFC teams of the 49ers, Redskins, Giants, and Cowboys repeatedly massacred the AFC teams (Elway most of the time) in the big game. I doubt we’ll ever see an era like that again in this day and age.
Stay thirsty my friends.
"I doubt we’ll ever see an era like that again in this day and age."
Good because it sucked ass.
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Franco Harris:
"If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time."
AFC vs NFC doesn't matter to me...
…since its the Steelers against all others, for the Lombardi’s. Whether the stiffest competition comes from our own division, or conference, or whether its the team we meet in the Super Bowl, they all stand in our way.
That said, the 9 year run of just three teams representing the AFC has to end sometime, that end may signify a deepening of talent in the roster of AFC teams (e.g. Texans, Bengals, Broncos(?). But the question remains: Who is the 2nd tier of AFC challengers?
The revolving door of NFC representatives in the Super Bowl speaks more to the narrower gap between the dominant temas in that conference (Saints, Packers, Giants) and the next tier. With Niners so well positioned to become the 4th dominant team, the Cardinals, Falcons and Lions may soon be nipping at their heels.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Super Bowl Wins Aren't the Best Measure
Look at the Inter-conference records instead. The NFC was 31-29 against the AFC this year, so they have the edge for 2011. However, that’s the first time since 1995 that the NFC had a winning record in the inter-conference matchups, so it’s hard to say that it’s a trend or a one-year aberration.
But I will argue that there seems to be more up-and-coming teams in the NFC than in the AFC, where the old guard still holds sway. So yeah, I’d say the NFC probably has the edge right now.
SB wins
In these days of parity injuries are the single most important element to wining the SB and doing well in the playoffs. So I think if you want to find out who is the most dominant in the post season just look to see who is healthy. Is one conference less injury prone than another? I have no idea where you would find those stats.
"Kompromise, my friend, is the essence of diplomacy, and diplomacy is the kornerstone of love... sweeeeeet looooOOOve"
by CheekyMonkey on Feb 9, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
Unless you can demonstrate...
…that the NFC is, as a collective entity, following a uniform regimine that differs materially from what the AFC follows, I think any statistical findings on the rate of injuries between the two conferences would be immaterial. Unless you can link it to a preponderance of number of grass fields vs turf, indoor vs outdoor, etc.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
I agree. I don't think it can be done.
I just think due to the nature of the playoffs that teams that are lucky/uninjured are just as likely to win as more “dominant” teams. That goes double for the SB. I mean come on, if Gronk doesn’t wreak his ankle in the Ravens game, Welker doesn’t drop a pretty easy grab, or, going back a year, if Mendenhall didn’t fumble then the outcome of the last two superbowls is likely different and the supposed “dominance” of the NFC goes out the window.
"Kompromise, my friend, is the essence of diplomacy, and diplomacy is the kornerstone of love... sweeeeeet looooOOOve"
But I will argue that there seems to be more up-and-coming teams in the NFC than in the AFC, where the old guard still holds sway. So yeah, I’d say the NFC probably has the edge right now.
I agree about the up and coming teams, but how much of that has to do with the number of perennial losers in the NFC? How many years have teams such as the 49’ers and Lions had the opportunity to draft in the top 10? At some point, that talent has to produce. The real test for these teams, will be maintaining the level of talent on their rosters, with out the benefit of a high draft pick.
I still think the NFC is inferior
There’s just no defense across the board with very few exceptions. Every year it’s a different team that makes it. That to me says there’s a lot of parity but very little in the way of truly good teams.
The AFC on the other hand has had the same 3 teams go to the Super Bowl for the last nine years, Pats Colts and Steelers. But that’s not to say there aren’t other very good teams beneath them. You have the Ravens constantly knocking on the door, the Chargers who are up and down but usually make the playoffs, Houston was playing great until the QB died. The Jets aren’t terrible, Titans have good years and bad years.
IMO there are more GOOD teams from the AFC. But then again it’s any given Sunday and if the right matchup presents itself I think the NFC has some more flashy players.
If we had played the Eagles instead of the Packers I think we would have won that game. And if the Pats had played the 49ers they probably would have won. Packers had a great matchup: Amazing passing game vs awful secondary. The Giants did too: Great front four against QB that sucks under pressure.
It is an interesting article
The NFL has changed a lot in 30 – 40 years. There is substantially more movement in the league-especially across conferences. Lets face it if I were to trade someone it would be out of my division and preferably out of my conference.
So with that I dont know if there is real differences in conferences any more; what with interconference play teams get to see more with regard to scheme and there are fewer surprises. NE played NY this year. In the 70’s I dont recall that happening unless it was pre -season. The balance can shift season to season. I do believe that the trend of seeing the 5th and 6th seeds winning it all against the a top seed or even another 5th or 6th seed will be more common place as the team with the hot hand (even a 9-7 team) can really get past teams who dominated the conference play. It has become alot like hockey in a way, Its not how you start its how you finish.
Impose your will.
How are the eagles among favorites to win it all?
there is nothing in place right now for that to remotely happen
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."-Bill Shankly
Got bad knees and a high motor? Well cmon on over to PHILLY, we'll do our best to put you in the right position and do a better job!
I’d imagine because with the talent they have acquired, they are bound to be damn good next season. Of course, the defense may still suck, since they felt the need to make on offensive line coach their defensive coordinator. That’s like if I joined a band because I can play guitar , then they hand me a flute. I don’t play no damn flute.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
I’d imagine because with the talent they have acquired, they are bound to be damn good next season
That is exactly what people said last year.
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
Believe it or not it wasnt our D that hurt us
Our Vick led turn over machine un clutch offense KILLED us, our D was average, offense metal mistakes were atrocious tho
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."-Bill Shankly
Got bad knees and a high motor? Well cmon on over to PHILLY, we'll do our best to put you in the right position and do a better job!
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