It is that time of year in the NFL season where the contenders start to separate themselves from the pretenders. The difference this season compared to others is the fact the NFL is the more balanced than past years. Even with balanced records there is still four teams that have stuck out in the NFL thus far. There are two teams from the AFC and two teams from the NFC. In the AFC, the two teams have been the Indianapolis Colts and the surprising Denver Broncos. In the NFC, there are the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings. These are four teams that will be in the mix to get to the Super Bowl. Each will be the one and two seeds in its respected conference. In the AFC, the Colts will be the No. 1 seed. There are many reasons behind this, the main one is quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning has the Colts offense at the top of its game. The emergence of young wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie, has helped the offense after Anthony Gonzalez went down in Week One with a knee injury. Let's not forget about wide receiver Reggie Wayne ,who has been electric this season. Add rookie running back Donald Brown, veteran running back Joseph Addai and versatile tight end Dallas Clark to the mix and the Colts have one of the most complete offenses in the league. Not only has the offense looked good, but the teams defense has been solid as well, allowing only 14.2 points per game. This is without one of its stars, defensive back Bob Sanders. The defense is getting pressure on the opposing team with its defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. With Sanders making his return, along with other injured defensive backs, look for the Colts defense to improve on what it has accomplished thus far. The No. 2 seed in the AFC will be the Broncos, who have been a complete surprise after a dramatic offseason. First year Head Coach Josh McDaniels has the Broncos playing as a team, with a 6-0 record. Orton has been phenomenal this season throwing nine touchdown passes to one interception in six games, but the biggest surprise is the defense. The Broncos defense was terrible last season and is now one of the best in the NFL with its new 3-4 defensive scheme and new leadership, with the addition of defensive back Brian Dawkins who was signed as a free agent. The defense is the top team in points allowed per game with 11 and is second in yards allowed. Its pass rush specialist linebacker Elvis Dumervil has a league high 10 sacks this season. The Broncos will continue to grow as a team as it has only played six games with these offensive and defensive schemes. In the NFC, the best team has been the New Orleans Saints. As always, quarterback Drew Brees and his offense have looked electric and continually put up high scores. Against the New York Giants in Week Six the Saints had seven different players score touchdowns against one of the considered elite teams in the NFL, as it defeated the Giants 48-27. The big story for the Saints has been the defense. Head Coach Sean Payton brought in Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams and it has paid off. The Saints have been bringing blitzes and pressuring quarterbacks all season. This aggressive defense has been forcing turnovers and forcing opponents to make mistakes. Like the Broncos, it also brought in a veteran leader in defensive back Darren Sharper who has been making big plays in the passing game. Coming in a close second in the NFC is the Minnesota Vikings. The offense has been phenomenal, led by running back Adrian Peterson and an old quarterback who wears the number four. Behind its great offensive line this offense has given Peterson great holes to run through and its quarterback plenty of time to make plays. With the emergence of rookie wide receiver/kick returner Percy Harvin, the Vikings have had explosive plays in the passing game and special teams. The Vikings strength on offense is the same as its strength on defense. The defensive line has three Pro Bowl players, with defensive linemen Jared Allen, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams. The difference between the Vikings and the other three teams is its defense has been underachieving. Unless it can fix this, the Vikings will be in trouble. The Super Bowl in Miami, Fl, will be a battle between the Colts and Saints featuring two dome teams and two great quarterbacks. The defenses will be key and the Saints aggressive style of play will cause problems for Manning. Brees will continue to exploit teams that blitz and make the Colts pay. The Saints will come away in a great battle, as Super Bowls Champions
I'm going to Miami, Super Bowl
Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Updated: Monday, August 30, 2010 17:08
Be the first to comment on this article!