Some might argue that this year was meant to be the final, ultimate showdown between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the AFC Championship, and that Indianapolis lucked into the championship riding a sub-par performance from Andrew Luck, but that's as may be. The way I see it, this is a great battle between one of the two quarterbacks that have defined this recent generation of football (Brady) and one (Luck) who may dominate the game for years to come.
As for the NFC, I agree: GB vs Seattle was meant to be.
As for the NFC, I agree: GB vs Seattle was meant to be.
Kinda validates the NFL's choice for the season-opening matchup, eh? Should be a heckuva game.
The Seahawks beat the Packers by 20 points in week 1. A one legged Rodgers now goes up against the best defense that the NFL has seen for at least 35 years. Seattle goes to the Superbowl this year.
Seahawks (13-4) vs. Packers (13-4).
Seahawks beaten by Chiefs, Broncos, Rams, Cowboys.
Packers beaten by Bills, Saints, Lions, Seahawks.
Both teams are beatable. Rodgers's condition is a question mark to be sure, but he's not really "one-legged." It's not a given for Seattle, not at all.
When the Seahawks franchise was created I thought they had one of the best helmet logos. Now I just wish they weren't one of the dirtiest teams in the league -- it kind of bugs me when so much of the outcome is determined by penalties and illegal play rather than skill and execution.
Seahawks (13-4) vs. Packers (13-4).
Seahawks beaten by Chiefs, Broncos, Rams, Cowboys.
Packers beaten by Bills, Saints, Lions, Seahawks.
Both teams are beatable. Rodgers's condition is a question mark to be sure, but he's not really "one-legged." It's not a given for Seattle, not at all.
For the record, the Broncos beat the Seahawks at the end of a pre-season game, the Seahawks beat the Broncos in the regular season. Seattle is practically unbeatable at home, especially now that they are healthy.
When the Seahawks franchise was created I thought they had one of the best helmet logos. Now I just wish they weren't one of the dirtiest teams in the league -- it kind of bugs me when so much of the outcome is determined by penalties and illegal play rather than skill and execution.
That is ridiculous. They play hard and also are penalized more than other teams. There isn't a team out there that wouldn't want their players or intensity.
That's how it's looked to me, though I admit I don't see them every week. I'm not questioning either their intensity or talent, just their tactics and techniques.
But then again, I see a lot of "unnecessary" roughness which goes on throughout pro and major college football ... it's kind of ruining the game for me -- I'll tune in to Fox for the NFC but not the UFC ...:-(
I've watched them all year and I really don't think they Sre a dirty team. They have the same number of unnecessary roughness penalties as the 49ers although both teams are only behind the "worst" teams by one penalty (four teams had 9, Seahawks, 49ers and others have 8)
Of their legue leading 136 penalties, 70 are either false start, offensive holding, offside, or neutral zone infraction. None of those penalties are likely to be dirty play.
On penalties that you might suspect the Seahawks would be guilty of like defensive pass interference, they are below the average with six. Illegal contact they were almost at the bottom with only two.
On penalties that you might suspect the Seahawks would be guilty of like defensive pass interference, they are below the average with six. Illegal contact they were almost at the bottom with only two.
Part of "playing dirty" is not getting caught (or getting the top-team/home-field advantage in the officiating). However, I can accept that they are only average in this regard, and that my sample size may be too small to compare them to the rest of the league.
As a Broncos die hard fan I have to say I do not feel the Seahawks are a dirty team as much as a team that plays with a true fire and aggression that is needed to become a championship team. When you play as hard as they do people will feel that are being dirty but in reality they seem to just be able to turn it up a notch when needed. I admire that in a team and even though I have never liked the Seahawks I do like the passion and fire they have been playing with.
Can we all at least agree that the 49ers are the dirtiest team off the field?
Oh, and I occasionally listen to Boston sports radio, and I fear this thread is quite late. According to the talking heads here, the Patriots won the super bowl months ago.
A one legged Rodgers now goes up against the best defense that the NFL has seen for at least 35 years.
Best defense in 35 years ?
No. Not really. Not even close to possibly maybe.
Seahawk defense is good. You want the best in the last few decades? they are not even in the conversation. In no way could they stack up against units like the Pittsburgh Steelers – 1976,Chicago Bears – 1985,New Orleans Saints- 1987, San Francisco 49ers-1988 ,New York Giants – 1990,Philadelphia Eagles -1991,Dalls Cowboys- 1994,Baltimore Ravens – 2000,Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2002.
Any of those defenses are vastly better. In fact this year the Seahawks are 6th in the league in team defense by YPG behind
1. Carolina Panthers 213.0
2. Indianapolis Colts 271.0
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 299.0
4. Detroit Lions 315.0
5. Green Bay Packers 315.0
6. Seattle Seahawks 362.0
Heck they won't even be the best defense in their next game.
Can we all at least agree that the 49ers are the dirtiest team off the field?
Arrests per team in the last 10 years of active players on NFL rosters.
Broncos and Bengals tie for the lead with 40.
Texans and Rams tie for the least with 9
And the Niners had 13 arrests for 26th out of 32 teams.
Th Patriots only had 15 arrests, but the tight end arrested for multiple shootings and a murder (as opposed to not one charge against a 49ers, you know the dirty team, being brought as a felony) leaves New England fans with little room for smack talk on this account
You are entitled to your own opinions, just not your own facts.
I kind of disgusted with the scheduling, with the West Coast game starting an hour earlier than usual, and a night game in Massachusetts in January, starting five hours later than usual. None of those disruptions is likely to enhance the actual performance of the players, only the TV revenue.
