Category:
AFC conference
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NFC conference AFC vs NFC
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NFL
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The NFL Chick
Now, I know that I will get some slack from my NFC fans for this blog. But I hate to say, but it's true. The AFC has been dominate of the NFC for almost a decade. And while the NFC has star power to take the crown back, I don't see the powers shifting immediately. In 2009, the AFC conference will continue to be THE conference to beat. Here are the reasons why:
1. Top Tier QB Class
When you have Manning, Brady, Rivers and Roethlisberger (yes, even Big Ben) in your conference, then this is almost unfair. Just think, in 2008, Jay Cutler was also listed in this group before being traded to the Bears. Scary. Now, I know the NFC doesn't have slouches for QBs either. Brees, McNabb, Warner and Rodgers are all good too. But anytime you have a team that brings a geriatric old guy who has retired a bunch of times, comes back every year, and even may not be 100% because of a tear in his shoulder become a SB darling, then something is wrong with this picture.
2. More Depth at WR
Okay, I blame T.O. to Buffalo for this. Now, this is just an opinion of mine, so you NFCers, please don't get your panties, thongs and boxer briefs in a bunch. Sure, we know the NFC has more explosive WRs on their roster. We know that Fitzgerald, Boldin, Steve Smith and Calvin Johnson run the show. But the AFC has more consistency, not necessarily star power, in their WR corps. Andre Johnson led the league in receptions and yards in 2008 but never gets talked about. Sure he's on a team that's not on a lot of folk's radar, but he's one of the best in the league right now. Add Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Marshall to the mix and they can compete with the NFC in star power. But the depth that WR, the middle tier WRs, are the ones that catch my eye. The AFC has more players that aren't superstars, but are very important to their teams. The likes of Wes Welker, Vincent Jackson, and Lee Evans show that the AFC is stacked with playmakers. And I can't finish this point without mentioning Chad Ochocinco. Last year was a slow one, but you can never count him out.
3. Better Defenses
This is no disrespect to the Eagles, Giants, Vikings, or anyone else that was a Top 10 defense from the NFC last year. But I think it was clear- The AFC had the nastiest defenses.
Okay, if you want, I'll take it one step further... Pittsburgh + Baltimore's D>>>>> The rest of the Top 10 D.
Now, I have to give props to Minnesota for having the #1 overall rushing D in 2008. But Minnesota slid all the way down to 18th in passing defense. That's a huge drop off. The Ravens and Steelers were Top 3 in both rushing, passing and points per game. Every year these two teams duke it out for top defensive honors. You can't speak about defense and NOT bring up both teams. If you do, you are a bonafide hater and live in a bubble.
If you are a Fantasy Football lover, you know you struck gold if you had either defenses on your roster. Until an NFC team can come in and consistently be a Top 3 defense, you have to give the AFC the top defense spot for these 2 teams alone.
4. Conference Record Says So
The AFC has beaten the NFC for inter-conference play pretty much the entire decade. Not including the Rams win in 2000 (since, technically, they were a 1999 team), the AFC has beaten the NFC in the Super Bowl all but 2 times this decade, with two AFC teams going multiple times to the big game (New England, 4 times and 3 wins; Pittsburgh, 2 times and 2 wins). At the end of the day, everyone plays for a trip to the Super Bowl, and the AFC has dominated hoisting the Lombardi trophy in the new millennium. The NFC had the same power during the 90's, when the AFC only won twice, during the end of the decade (the Broncos won back-to-back for the '97 and '98 seasons), but the power has certainly shifted
We all know the NFL is a parity league. With rising stars such as Matt Ryan, Adrian Peterson and Patrick Willis, the NFC could easily be on a run to shift the dominance back to the NFC. But as of right now, the AFC holds tight to the title of best conference. They have more top tier QBs, defenses and depth at the skilled positions. As of right now the SB wins amongst conferences is almost dead even, with the NFC having 22 wins over the AFC's 21. We'll find out soon enough if the NFC can finally take back the bragging rights of "Best Conference".
But look out, NFC. The AFC is contending to tie, pass and run away with the title.
EVEN Big Ben? Really? REALLY??? *shakes head*
2 Super Bowls and no respect still. I thought you were bigger than this. lol
I agree AFC stronger conference top to bottom
Good article. But the defenses in the NFC East alone scrues my opinion about overall better defenses.
Good points and excellent article. I wonder if they physicality of the NFC is a factor. Think about it...when the NFC East plays one another…it’s a DOG Fight, same with the South. The AFC is mostly finesse and offense, that’s minus the Ravens and Steelers. ;-) Just a thought.
8thlight, I say that because not everyone looks at Ben as a top tier QB. Don't forget, the Steelers won a SB in SPITE of Ben the fist time, and please say that's not a lie. One of the lowest QB ratings in a SB. So yes, I had to say Even Big Ben. However, since then he's gotten much better, but I'm not putting him in Canton yet.
XIKhai, LOL we talked about it on twitter
PLL, I agree, the NFC is more physical. That may be wearing them down when the playoffs come around. I don't know what it is, but the NFC looks like a blood bath and then the AFC comes out like roses LOL.
I feel like you trivialized every answer on the NFC with your points, however I do like the rationale you used.
Truth be told, I don't think there's a difference when it comes to defenses, quarterbacks, runningbacks, or wide receivers...Honestly, I think the biggest point you missed on this piece was that the best COACHES are in the AFC.
I'd rather have Belicheck, Fisher, and Tomlin over any other coach in football, period. When the NFC's best coach is Andy Reid (ask my boy Rev Paul Revere about Andy) then you are in trouble.
-Ed.
Ed, great point, I probably should have added the coaches, they are very important. I think NFC has far better RBs than the AFC. But coaching may be the deal breaker. As for QB's who has been better than Manning and Brady?? 5 trips to the bowl, 4 wins??? I think that is a pretty fair assessment
Good article, but I disagree with the defenses as well. The AFC has better individual defensive players, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, James Harrison, Bob Sanders, etc. the NFC's team defense is better. I agree with @XIKhai the NFC East alone has better OVERALL defenses. QB and WR I can see , but the D is better in the NFC.
P.S. It was an NFC defense that stopped the greatest offense ever seen in the Patriots, the same team that went undefeated in the AFC and ran smack dab into an NFC defense that stopped them cold
*sighs* Ben Ben... not top tier even with two rings. Brady... is back but is he really? Manning will have a stellar year.
I love the article, but will disagree with the AFC being better just because the Boys are not in it. You know I am biased!!! lol *Go Cowboys*
The AFC has Brady, Manning, and Roethlisberger. They have been the breadwinners of the league over the last 10-years. Outside of those 3, Rivers is nice but they have mediocrity the rest of the way.
The NFC has Romo, Manning, Cutler, Rivers, Ryan, Brees, and McNabb. That's without adding the old vets like Warner and Favre to the mix.
As for RB's, well, the AFC has LT, MJD, and Chris Johnson to carry the flame, but everyone else is unproven (D-Mac and) or flaming out (Addai).
The NFC, on the other hand, has Turner, ADP, Portis, Forte, D-Will, Jacobs, Gore, Jackson, and Westbrook.
I think the wide receivers are even.
The AFC has had stronger defenses in Baltimore and Pittsburgh but it's just as nice in Minny and NY...
I guess what I am saying, in the longest comment possible (LOL), is if you take Brady out of the equation, is the AFC still dominant?
It's one team ruling the roost with a tap-in by the Steelers.
Prior to 2000, the NFC was wiping the floor with the AFC, winning 16 0f the previous 20 SB's—that's dominance.
The AFC has had a nice run with Brady and Manning, but once they are gone, the pendulum could sway back towards the NFC.
Okay, I'm done. Hahahahaha.
As an NFC fan, I must agree. Coaches, QBs, WR depth - all better in the AFC. I think the NFC has more 'good' defenses but every year I'm trying to get Baltimore or the Steelers on my FF team. The top 2 defenses are in the AFC.
I love Pigskin Loving Lady's comment about the division contests in the NFC South and East. Talk about Dogfights! The Colts, Patriots and Chargers really don't have much competition in their divisions.
@The NFL Chick
Ben wasn't great in his first Super Bowl, but he was great in the playoff run leading up to that game. Without Ben we wouldn't have been there. He was great against the Bengals, Colts (not to mention THE TACKLE) and Denver (All on the road). He's been lights out during the regular season and he has "The Drive" in this past Super Bowl.
To have Rivers even in the same breath as Ben is insane to me. I still have Rivers on the level of a Cutler, but with more weapons.
It's Brady, Ben & Peyton in whatever order you like and then the rest. lol
Be objective, don't let your Steeler hate cloud your judgement. :-D