NFC better than AFC in 2008
For at least the last 5 years in the NFL, the AFC has been known as the power conference. And with good reason too, the New England Patriots have won three Super Bowl championships in that time. The Indianapolis Colts also won a Super Bowl, as did the Pittsburgh Steelers. Add in the San Diego Chargers and you’ve got a handful of dominant teams that the NFC hasn’t been able to compete with.
But the New York Giants’ victory over the New England Patriots in last year’s Super Bowl was more than a dramatic surprise, it also ushered in a power shift. So far this 2008 NFL season, the NFC has been the top conference. This has big implications when you are thinking about placing bets online on the NFL. You can no longer automatically choose a good AFC over a good NFC kit. You have to seriously consider NFC opponents and, in many cases, favor them.
One of the main reasons for this has been because of injuries. First, Tom Brady’s injury has created a power vacuum. With Brady out of season, the New England Patriots are no longer the best team in the league. They’re still good, but they’ve been exposed a bit for having an old defense and trusting Brady to really carry them.
There have also been other injuries in the AFC. Peyton Manning underwent knee surgery this offseason and his offensive line has been destroyed by injuries in the early part of the year. The Chargers have had some key players injured as well, with LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates limping. Shawne Merriman also underwent knee surgery that ended the season, eliminating one of the most fearsome players in the league. Meanwhile, some rising teams in the AFC never made it up! I’m looking at you Cleveland Browns, one of the biggest early disappointments of this season. Coming off their strong 2007 campaign, the Browns were a fashionable playoff pick. No longer.
Arguably the NFC East alone could be better than the entire AFC. The defending champion of the New York Giants has not been held back by his injuries, and Eli Manning has continued to play with confidence. The Eagles have a healthy Donovan McNabb and a strong defense, and the Redskins are starting to fit in under Jim Zorn. Then there is the United States team, the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Add in Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Terrell Owens and a host of other star players, and the Cowboys are tough to beat week after week.
Nobody would have thought it, but so far the NFC is better than the AFC. So when you’re placing your bets, don’t dismiss an NFC as a weaker conference. The NFC is definitely in control right now in the early part of the 2008 football season.
