Carolina to win the Super Bowl??!!

[JimboJ]

Anyone see the new NFL Preview edition of SI? They have Carolina as the #1 ranked team in the NFL. They predict them to finish 12-4, beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship game, and then beat Indy in the Super Bowl.

I don't see them winning their division, let alone the Super Bowl.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Er, so who is going to win the NFC South?

(This should be good.)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Atlanta wins it (the division that is) if Vick stays healthy.
If not ... who really cares, because they're just first-round playoff fodder anyway.

[NoMyths]

I've heard talk that Carolina may have the best defense in the league this year.

Not that I believe it for a second.

Chiefs are going to win the Super Bowl this year, anyway.

[Wolfpack]

I'm a Panthers fan and I agree with JIMGA. Carolina has never beaten a Vick-led Falcons team and until they do so, they're marked for two losses before they even tee up the football. However, they should be at least 2nd with Tampa rebuilding and New Orleans probably in purgatory with the hurricane situation.

[sabotai]

Well, I think Carolina has a pretty good team and wouldn't bet against them getting to and winning the Super Bowl. But, I wouldn't bet for them either. I can see it, but I wouldn't put money on it.

[Joe]

carolina would've won it last year if all of their starters weren't out for the year.

[ISiddiqui]

Carolina was super scary at the end of last year. If everyone had been healthy, imagine how good they'd have been?!

[Radii]

They've got to figure out how to beat Vick. But honestly, even if they can't do that this year, I think they're still a wild card team who could definitely make a Super Bowl run, and if they can beat Vick, I can see them getting a bye in the NFC playoffs. There's a lot of time for stuff to go wrong still, but I am extremely optimistic going into this season.

[ThunderingHERD]

Julius Peppers is the best player of all time, and perhaps the greatest man the world has ever known.

[rjolley]

The Chicago Bears will win it all this year.

Yeah, I said it....so?

[Blade6119]

it wont be any of them...just as usual, some team everyone predicts to be 9-7 8-8, or maybe even 7-9 will come together and win it...barring last season that has happened for awhile...will happen again...so look at Seattle, St. Louis, Atlanta, Baltimore...on of those teams or someone like it will pull it all together

[B & B]

Originally Posted by sabotai

Well, I think Carolina has a pretty good team and wouldn't bet against them getting to and winning the Super Bowl. But, I wouldn't bet for them either. I can see it, but I wouldn't put money on it.

Well, I would, and I did. Already.

Future Wager 07/28/05 00:55 ET
500.00/4500.00 Result: Pending
Odds to win 2006 NFC Championship
Carolina Panthers 01/22/06 (18:00 ET)
9-1

[FBPro]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

Julius Peppers is the best player of all time, and perhaps the greatest man the world has ever known.

No doubt he is a great player....but WHAT?

[henry296]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

Julius Peppers is the best player of all time, and perhaps the greatest man the world has ever known.

Wasn't he suspended once for violating the league's substance abuse policy?

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by henry296

Wasn't he suspended once for violating the league's substance abuse policy?

Yup. But it was ephedra or some such thing from a workout supplement. Not steroids or pot or anything like that. Not to debate the merits of one drug vs. another, but most people seemed to consider his violation on the very light side of the banned substances spectrum.

[JAG]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Carolina win the division this year, although I don't think they'll beat the Eagles on the way to the Super Bowl. They are extremely well-coached and finished the season pretty decently despite their ridiculous amount of injuries.

[jeff061]

After the way the surged last year I don't think they are a poor pick.

The Steelers, on the other hand, I expect to have a much worse year than people are expecting. Then again, seeing Cowher's children cry in his arms when the Pats beat them in 2001 is one of my favorite sports moments ever.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by NoMyths

I've heard talk that Carolina may have the best defense in the league this year.

Not that I believe it for a second.

Chiefs are going to win the Super Bowl this year, anyway.

Why wouldn't Carolina have the best defense? They did in 2003 and were pretty good last year even with their best players hurt. I see Carolina as easily the class of the South and challenging Philly for #1 in the NFC.

[PackerFanatic]

I haven't gotten that issue yet (hopefully today) and I have been hearing all the talk of Carolina being good...but Super Bowl champs? I think there a few teams in the NFC that could annihilate the Panthers, as well as a few in the AFC in the big game if they got there. The Panthers have a good team...but I can't seem them getting to the big game.

But anything could happen...this is going to be a very interesting year.

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by JimboJ

Anyone see the new NFL Preview edition of SI? They have Carolina as the #1 ranked team in the NFL. They predict them to finish 12-4, beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship game, and then beat Indy in the Super Bowl.

I don't see them winning their division, let alone the Super Bowl.

First and foremost, they have a tremendous defense. Jenkins, Peppers, Buckner and Rucker make up perhaps the best front 4 in football. They have some good guys at LB and in the defensive backfield too. Simply put, their defense is pretty nasty.

Offensively, they have Jake Delhomme, perhaps the most underrated QB in football. With no running game (at one point they had to start their 2nd string FB at RB) and one decent receiver, the guy still posted good stats last year. Foster is back and they have good backups. They have a very solid OL and got a couple of key FA pickups here. And they have a good, solid corps of WRs. Gamebreaker Steve Smith is back from injury.

They have few weaknesses and play an exceedingly easy schedule this year. Look at their road games: Miami, Arizona, Detroit, Tampa, Chicago, Buffalo, NO and Atlanta. It doesn't get much easier than that on the road. So their tougher games are at home, where they will often be favored.

All in all, they have as good a chance as anyone in the NFC.

[Anthony]

i put $10 on the Steelers to win it all. 10-1 odds. in the NFL, anything can happen.

[Maple Leafs]

They seems as good a pick as any right now -- especially if you want to stay away from the overly predictable choices like Philly and New England.

I've always relied on a simple formula for spotting sleeper teams that could go to the Super Bowl. You just look for:
- A team that is not considered a serious contender to do much more than finish .500
- An excellent defense
- A good-to-excellent running back
- A QB who can run an offense without making costly mistakes

Obviously the best example was the Ravens championship team, but I also used this to win a nice sum on the Panthers as NFC champs at 30-1 two years ago (the highlight of my gambling career). The Steelers fit the mold last year too, although it didn't help because we didn't know who the QB and RB would be in pre-season.

This year, I'm not sure who fits the profile best. In theory the Redskins seems like a good match, although Ramsey may not meet even those low standards of a QB. Cowboys are an option as well.

[NoMyths]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Why wouldn't Carolina have the best defense?

Because in my experience, the team closest to my location finds ways to collapse, regardless of its potential.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

I'm a Panthers fan and I agree with JIMGA. Carolina has never beaten a Vick-led Falcons team and until they do so, they're marked for two losses before they even tee up the football. However, they should be at least 2nd with Tampa rebuilding and New Orleans probably in purgatory with the hurricane situation.

Just because they can't beat Atlanta, doesn't mean they won't win the Division. Carolina can't beat Atlanta, Atlanta can't beat Tampa, Tampa can't beat New Orleans, and New Orleans can't beat Carolina (or some similar circular arrangement). I mean, lose 2 to Atlanta, maybe 2 more to others, they're still 12-4.

With that defense, and if the offensive starters can stay healthy, they've got as good a shot as anybody at winning the NFC.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by NoMyths

Because in my experience, the team closest to my location finds ways to collapse, regardless of its potential.

A factor SI obviously failed to consider.

[PackerFanatic]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

This year, I'm not sure who fits the profile best. In theory the Redskins seems like a good match, although Ramsey may not meet even those low standards of a QB. Cowboys are an option as well.

I don't think Bledsoe has it left. I think Parcells was smart in picking him up, they needed ANY help they could get in Dallas, but I just don't think Bledsoe has enough left to make a run. I have a feeling they can do decent, but I wouldn't expect the playoffs. The NFC seems a little tougher this year than last (and I can't see them upended Philly for the East)

[scooper]

I don't think it's a crazy pick. It's not like the NFC is loaded.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by PackerFanatic

I don't think Bledsoe has it left. I think Parcells was smart in picking him up, they needed ANY help they could get in Dallas, but I just don't think Bledsoe has enough left to make a run. I have a feeling they can do decent, but I wouldn't expect the playoffs. The NFC seems a little tougher this year than last (and I can't see them upended Philly for the East)

Well, as a Cowboys fan, I have no lofty expectations this season. That said, anything is possible. And I think Dallas fits what Maple Leafs was saying.

In my humble opinion, their defense will be much improved, especially if their young guys play to potential. The offense will be a question mark, but Julius Jones looks to be the real deal, the O-line has 3 Pro-Bowlers (aging as they are), and Bledsoe should just be able to throw to Witten all day. That's a recipe for a solid team.

I agree that they won't beat Philly in all likelihood, but the WC is definitely open.

[PackerFanatic]

Julius Jones is going to be hot this season. FOr sure.

[Cuckoo]

BTW, didn't Bledsoe make a run last year with Buffalo? I'm not a big Bills fan so didn't really follow them, but the Cowboys had their 1st round pick so I remember being irritated when Buffalo rattled off a bunch of wins and was in the playoff race at the end.

I'm not saying Bledsoe was the reason for that as I think his stats were just decent, but it may be a little premature to toss him in the "has nothing left" category.

[Franklinnoble]

Patrick Ramsey has talent, but he really needs to work on his decision making. Otherwise the Redskins are going nowhere - Brunell isn't going to get it done, and Campbell is your typical idiot rookie.

Washington has a solid O-line this year, good receivers, good RB's, and an H-back that everyone will know about real soon... and the defense should be as solid as last year. Really, it's on the QB's to determine if the Redskins get back to the playoffs this year.

[rkmsuf]

Bledsoe is terrible. I can't even believe there is debate about this.

[jeff061]

If you give Bledsoe 5 seconds to throw, every time, and you have 3 recievers 15+ yards down field every play he can be effective.

[rkmsuf]

Ban the other team from rushing the passer and you've got something.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

BTW, didn't Bledsoe make a run last year with Buffalo? I'm not a big Bills fan so didn't really follow them, but the Cowboys had their 1st round pick so I remember being irritated when Buffalo rattled off a bunch of wins and was in the playoff race at the end.

I'm not saying Bledsoe was the reason for that as I think his stats were just decent, but it may be a little premature to toss him in the "has nothing left" category.

Sure, Buffalo had a shot at the playoffs, mostly riding the legs of Willis McGahee as opposed to Bledsoe. Then, of course, they ran into the meatgrinder that was the Pittsburgh second-string and that train jumped the tracks...

[ThunderingHERD]

[Vince]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Sure, Buffalo had a shot at the playoffs, mostly riding the legs of Willis McGahee as opposed to Bledsoe. Then, of course, they ran into the meatgrinder that was the Pittsburgh second-string and that train jumped the tracks...

I watched a lot of Bills games last year (roommate was a Bills fan), and they were an incredibly solid team. However, most of it was in spite of Bledsoe, rather than because of him. McGahee was incredible, as was the defense. If Losman can be even mediocre, I think the Bills can be a very good team this year.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Bledsoe is terrible. I can't even believe there is debate about this.

Not that preseason means anything, but Bledsoe actually had a good game last night!

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Not that preseason means anything, but Bledsoe actually had a good game last night!

He is arguably one of the greatest preseason qbs of all time. He's like the guard who never misses during warmups before a basketball game.

[JeeberD]

You could have fooled me by the numbers from his three previous games...

[NoMyths]

Originally Posted by Samdari

A factor SI obviously failed to consider.

Their methodology still has some holes in it. Given time they'll work the kinks out.

[MikeVic]

I was watching some preview show on SpikeTV last night, and they said the preview was done by SI. In the AFC North preview, they said that the Ravens would win the division because their defense is the best in the league, and Kyle Boller just has to make sure he makes few mistakes.

I don't know if it's just me, but Boller's mistake-making ability is what makes me pick them as #2 behind the Steelers. I don't see how you can just toss in the Boller thing as an afterthought....

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Originally Posted by Vince

If Losman can be even mediocre, I think the Bills can be a very good team this year.

That's a big "if." Losman looks more like Los(t)man. If the Bills want to win this year Holcolmb should be starting by week 3. That would give Losman a chance, but maybe not throw the whole season away. Maybe he would do well to sit and learn. He could concentrate on goal line situations and come into the game for them using his athletic ability, possibly building his confidence. Right now he just doesn't look ready for prime time.

[ISiddiqui]

I'd agree that Holcomb should start for Buffalo. He wasn't horrible for Cleveland when he played... but Losman just looks crap.