The Year of the Superdivisions

by Rafael Vela on Nov 24, 2008 11:26 AM CST Comment 23 comments

If you heard KC Joyner's interview last Thursday you know that his research has found over 70% of Super Bowl winners come from the first, second or third ranked divisions, as determined by winner percentage.

Using that information it's fair to say that the next champ will come from one of three divisions -- the NFC East, the NFC South or the AFC East.

Three weeks ago, duing the bye, a graphic was flashed during the Giants-Eagles game that Dallas was the first last-place team in decades to have a winning percentage this late in the year.

New records are then being set with every passing week, because today ever team in these three divisions is .500 or better. The Eagles are bringing up the rear at 5-5-1. In the South, New Orleans sits at 5-5 entering tonight's game against Green Bay. In the AFC East the Bills and Dolphins are battling for last at 6-5.

Consider some of the juicy matchups using this formula:

Giants vs. Jets, the Subway Super Bowl
Giants vs. Patriots II
Cowboys vs. Jets
Cowboys vs Patriots
Panthers vs. Patriots II

I'm a little biased but it would be fun to see young Romo versus old Romo with a title at stake.

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The cowboys would absolutely destroy the Jets in a super bowl.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Nov 24, 2008 11:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree, but the Jets are not likely to make the Super Bowl.

At this point, the Cowboys are a bit of a long shot

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Nov 24, 2008 11:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why not?

They just kicked the Titans ass who were considered the best team in the AFC.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 24, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And the Jets D seems to be getting better with each game

It figures that they’re peaking at this juncture of the regular season, because when a team has that many key off-season additions, it takes awhile to gel.

And it sure looks like they’ve developed some chemistry and mojo.

Considering the fact that they just won back-to-back games on the road against two of the better teams in their conference says a lot about how good they are.

Count me impressed.

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Nov 24, 2008 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They are up and down, an Favfre still makes too many #$%& It, I'm Brett Frigging Favre throws

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Nov 24, 2008 4:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably...but...

I would REALLY like to see that game!!!! One of my best friends is a diehard Jets fan…would be great fun.

I would be a little worried about Kris Jenkins…that guy seems to be getting better every week…

I think our D would eat up Favre….at least we did last year…lol

by TLCM on Nov 24, 2008 11:51 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Panthers...

Are going to disappear from this conversation. Mark my words they are in the midst of a late season collapse.

Unless something changes the Giants are just playing way too good to not make it the Super Bowl. They’re winning every game where it counts the most, on the line of scrimmage. The Giants need to have a sudden drop off in play like Dallas did last year.

As much as it pains to me to say it I think it will be the G-men against the Steelers. That will be a very hard Super Bowl to watch as I hate both teams so much

by gee-roj on Nov 24, 2008 11:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I agree

The Panthers are in a free fall with horrible QB play.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Nov 25, 2008 4:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I only agree with the Panthers part, just to clarify

The Midgets are playing well, but I can’t predict them to make it back to the SB, not as a die hard Cowboys fan.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Nov 25, 2008 4:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The AFC west is so bad that they..

have an untalented 6-5 team to be walking away with a division.

make an Al Davis implosion seem middle of the road

have division least losers, not winner

should not get to send a team to the playoffs

Have the most talented 4-7 team in recent memory.

Have a good chance to send an 8-8 team.

Personally I am rooting for the first 7-9 playoff team in the same season that an 11-5 team has to sit out so the league can rethink this whole four team division thing.

by Trey, on Nov 24, 2008 11:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I hear you there.

I hate the whole divisional format. I’d rather see it split by the two conferences w/ the top 6 from each getting in.

Just think, the 7-9 team in your scenario would not only get in instead of an 11-5 team but that they’d also get to hoist a playoff game. Probably hoisting someone with at least an 11-5 record if not better.

by gee-roj on Nov 24, 2008 12:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Boy I wouldnt want to be the team that gets hoisted.

by Sean N on Nov 24, 2008 8:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

afc south

I think the AFC representative will be from the AFC South this year. The Titans are playing very well, and Peyton is getting healthy. Favre and Cassell will implode in the playoffs.

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Nov 24, 2008 12:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

How bout Cassell?

Totally agree he won’t blow up the playoffs, but dude has had a couple impressive weeks.

by TLCM on Nov 24, 2008 12:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

playoffs are different

The first time a quarterback goes into the playoffs, it usually doesn’t end well. Brady is the only exception in recent memory. Both Mannings, Romo, and many other new quarterback just don’t seem to make it very far their first time. Rothlesburger managed to get a win the his first try but lost the next game. The odds just aren’t there for Cassell. Maybe he’ll be different though.

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Nov 24, 2008 12:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and if you recall

Roethlisberger played horrible in his first playoff game against the Jets in 2004, throwing mutiple INTs and the Steelers were really lucky to win that game.

The Jets kicker at the time I think missed 2 crucial FGs or they would have lost.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 24, 2008 1:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Doug Brien

the blame should equally fall on an overly-conservative Herm Edwards. if i remember right, Herm had Pennington come out and actually take a knee with 23 seconds left before settling on a 40+ yarder into the wind.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Nov 24, 2008 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ben has been horrible in the playofsf period.

He has the lowest QB rating of any SB winning QB ever.

by Mandmeisterx on Nov 24, 2008 5:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Looking back at the last 3 Super Bowl winners...

There’s been a lot of discrepancies at the QB position.
A.) The aforementioned Big Ben and his pathetic Super Bowl showing.
B.) Peyton Manning having an uncharacteristically bad stretch of turning the ball over during the playoffs including getting owned by his old nemesis Ty Law and for a half by Bill Bellichick. I will hand it to good ole egghead for being able to overcome a 21-3 halftime deficit against the Patsies; something I didn’t think he had the heart to do.
C.) As efficient as Eli was in the postseason (his only pick came in the Super Bowl on a bobbled pass by his receiver so even that really wasn’t his fault); during the regular season Eli had more turnovers (27) and a worse TD/turnover ratio (-4) than poor Rex Grossman had in ’06.

by MadMick on Nov 24, 2008 5:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs