CFZ There are zero dominant teams in the NFC this year

[quickccc]

Green Bay was supposedly " dominant " last year with the best record in the NFC.
But right off a bye round rest, and having home field advantage, they came out flat offensively .. and eventually were upset by the Niners who went on to play NFC title round vs Rams.

BTW, we were supposedly " dominant" in the NFC in 2016, led by rookies Dak and ZKE., .and coming off bye rest and having homefield advantage . yet Rodgers & co, came to Dallas ground
and flat ended our super year, and sent us home for 2016,..

My point is that is an big achievement to do so well in the regular season, in gaining play mode momentum and home field advantage, ..but when the stakes are on the line.
when its put up or go home ..Any given Sunday. Its who makes the plays to advance in playoffs.. and who doesn't make the plays to send their losing team home.

 

[quickccc]

Its crazy SF is 12-4 with Brock Purdy

- It is ... but that seems to indicate how Shanahan's system is so QB friendly and adaptable for QBs that prove to have a knack for the game.
Makes me wonder what the deal has been with Trey Lance not catching on before his ankle injury end.

- I thought they should've vied for Pats' Mac Jones instead of the more athletic but raw Lance in the NFL draft- but that's mute now.

- If the Shanahan dude can ever manage a big SB game where he stays with the run game, and doesn't abandon it, he can come up with SB wins.
Much is so talked about Sean McVey scheme as also QB friendly and adaptable, but Shanahan brings out the best in his RBs game, in both run and pass
than any offense in the NFL, imo.

- i really envy to have that scheme for our own RBs, Pollard would be awesome in Shanahan's RB scheme.

 

[CouchCoach]

Ya know how people will say “anything can happen once you are in the playoffs”? Well, this year, I feel that is true in the NFC.

The Niners are the front runner to be but not by much.

 

[Flamma]

Playoff success seems to come down to QB play. Anyone betting against Brady or Rodgers if he gets in?

I wouldn't bet against them in any single game. But I'd be willing to bet a months paycheck that neither the Packers or Bucs go to the SB this year. Significantly better teams almost always trump better QBs.

 

[LittleLexodus]

I agree with OP. I'm really interested to see how the playoffs shake out this year. The cowboys seem to have a more complete team than the Bucs/Packers/Vikings. I would say talent wise Eagles and 49ers are better.

Based on playoff experience and success it would be hard to bet against SF, TB or GB in the NFC. It goes without saying but I'd love for Dallas to finally make some noise this year and get past a few rounds of the tournament.

 

[Diehardblues]

First of all any team that has not won anything can be eliminated from any talk of being "dominant." That removes the Bills, Bengals, 49ers from the discussion. Unless they have changed the definition of the word, you cannot be classified as dominant for "almost winning." Hell the Chiefs are borderline because their one win .. is.. well.. just one win. If you don't win you're not dominant.. It's as simple as that. You can be good.. even bordering on great.. but unless you win it all.. you aint dominatin' nothin but headlines and fantasy football leagues.

That may be your definition . But if you don’t believe these teams are dominating the league right now regardless of their SB success then I’d question the definition.

 

[RonnieT24]

I agree with OP. I'm really interested to see how the playoffs shake out this year. The cowboys seem to have a more complete team than the Bucs/Packers/Vikings. I would say talent wise Eagles and 49ers are better.

Based on playoff experience and success it would be hard to bet against SF, TB or GB in the NFC. It goes without saying but I'd love for Dallas to finally make some noise this year and get past a few rounds of the tournament.

Sorry but you will HAVE to bet against two of them because only one can go to the Super Bowl. Frankly my money would be on none of the three all for different reasons. The Niners because at some point there will be enough film on the rookie QB that a DC will devise a plan to undress him. The Bucs because unless the refs let them hold all day (which they might) that line is not good enough to keep a good defense off Brady. And finally the Packers are playing pretty good football.. but let's face it.. They've beaten the Bears, Rams, Dolphins and Vikings. And they were losing to the Dolphins until Tua hurt his noggin again.

 

[RonnieT24]

That may be your definition . But if you don’t believe these teams are dominating the league right now regardless of their SB success then I’d question the definition.

I would question how you dominate if not by winning? Please provide some examples of teams that "dominated" while losing.. If you didn't win then by definition you did not "dominate." You "played well" or "competed" but you DID NOT DOMINATE. You simply cannot dominate and lose. The two words don't belong in the same sentence. Don't the Cowboys have the second most wins in the league over the past two seasons? They have the best record in the league against teams with winning records this season and they are scoring a touchdown a game more than any other team. Why are they not "dominating the league?"

 

[atlantacowboy]

Jimmy Garoppolo, Jared Goff and Nick Foles have all gone to the Super Bowl in the last 5 years. At some point you need people other than the QB to show up.. Those teams had that.. As has every other team that has ever won anything.

Currently, we don't have anybody

I wouldn't bet against them in any single game. But I'd be willing to bet a months paycheck that neither the Packers or Bucs go to the SB this year. Significantly better teams almost always trump better QBs.

I haven't followed Tampa since they thumped us week one. I know if they can get enough guys healthy, they can beat anyone.

 

[LittleLexodus]

Sorry but you will HAVE to bet against two of them because only one can go to the Super Bowl. Frankly my money would be on none of the three all for different reasons. The Niners because at some point there will be enough film on the rookie QB that a DC will devise a plan to undress him. The Bucs because unless the refs let them hold all day (which they might) that line is not good enough to keep a good defense off Brady. And finally the Packers are playing pretty good football.. but let's face it.. They've beaten the Bears, Rams, Dolphins and Vikings. And they were losing to the Dolphins until Tua hurt his noggin again.

That's fair. I just meant that one of those 3 will probably come out on top but as OP said there is no clear front runner like most years. I could even see Vikings getting their groove back if they start playing better defense. The NFC is definitely there for the taking this season. Once again the Aaron Rodgers boogeyman is looming large for our Cowboys

 

[Diehardblues]

I would question how you dominate if not by winning? Please provide some examples of teams that "dominated" while losing.. If you didn't win then by definition you did not "dominate." You "played well" or "competed" but you DID NOT DOMINATE. You simply cannot dominate and lose. The two words don't belong in the same sentence. Don't the Cowboys have the second most wins in the league over the past two seasons? They have the best record in the league against teams with winning records this season and they are scoring a touchdown a game more than any other team. Why are they not "dominating the league?"

If you don’t believe the Mahommes / Chiefs and Wilson/ Bills are dominating the AFC with Burrows/ Bengals on the cusp then we’ll just have to disagree. No other teams in AFC Id place in their category .

NFC is a little different now with Brady and Rodgers down this year.

But these Elite QB’s and their teams have largely been the more dominant teams .

 

[RonnieT24]

That's fair. I just meant that one of those 3 will probably come out on top but as OP said there is no clear front runner like most years. I could even see Vikings getting their groove back if they start playing better defense. The NFC is definitely there for the taking this season. Once again the Aaron Rodgers boogeyman is looming large for our Cowboys

You'd have to almost close your eyes and squint to see that. The Vikings have been the luckiest team in the history of the NFL this year. They are not that good. Don't they have a negative point differential despite having 12 wins? If not for teams inexplicably collapsing against them like the Bills and the Colts they might be .500. I don't see them winning a playoff game no matter who the opponent is.. Well they might beat the Giants.. but that's it.

 

[tyke1doe]

I wouldn't bet against them in any single game. But I'd be willing to bet a months paycheck that neither the Packers or Bucs go to the SB this year. Significantly better teams almost always trump better QBs.

As crazy as it sounds, if the Packers get in, they're the one team I think can beat Philly, San Francisco, Tampa and us.
Never underestimate an underdog mentality and a quarterback who has seen it all. I think Aaron Rodgers is the one quarterback who can dismantle the 49ers with the team he has surrounding him. Plus, the Packers have a running game and are starting to use it.

 

[Flamma]

Currently, we don't have anybody


I haven't followed Tampa since they thumped us week one. I know if they can get enough guys healthy, they can beat anyone.

I hear you. I wouldn't put money on the Cowboys over the Bucs. That would be stupid. But I would expect the Cowboys to win because I think they are the better team. Week 1 doesn't hold a lot of weight for me. But I'm not afraid of Brady with that team.

 

[Flamma]

As crazy as it sounds, if the Packers get in, they're the one team I think can beat Philly, San Francisco, Tampa and us.
Never underestimate an underdog mentality and a quarterback who has seen it all. I think Aaron Rodgers is the one quarterback who can dismantle the 49ers with the team he has surrounding him. Plus, the Packers have a running game and are starting to use it.

Look, dude, I respect your opinion. Who am I to say otherwise? But when has Aaron Rodgers ever done that? If anything, he's underachieved. Took a 15-1 Packers team and lost at home to a 9-7 Giants team. Had the better team and still lost to an inferior quarterback playing on an inferior team. Congrats, you just crapped all over yourself. That's probably the only time that's ever happened. So no, I don't worry about Rodgers on an average team. He'll have to show otherwise for me to take him seriously.

 

[tyke1doe]

Look, dude, I respect your opinion. Who am I to say otherwise? But when has Aaron Rodgers ever done that? If anything, he's underachieved. Took a 15-1 Packers team and lost at home to a 9-7 Giants team. Had the better team and still lost to an inferior quarterback playing on an inferior team. Congrats, you just crapped all over yourself. That's probably the only time that's ever happened. So no, I don't worry about Rodgers on an average team. He'll have to show otherwise for me to take him seriously.

I said underdog mentality. And the only Packer Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers came when Green Bay was the sixth seed and had to win all its playoff games on the road.
He's still an experienced quarterback, and he beat us a few weeks back. With an average team.

 

[atlantacowboy]

I hear you. I wouldn't put money on the Cowboys over the Bucs. That would be stupid. But I would expect the Cowboys to win because I think they are the better team. Week 1 doesn't hold a lot of weight for me. But I'm not afraid of Brady with that team.

So who you got guarding Mike Evans? lol. And with our luck, Fournette will awaken. Their defense is stout. Dak couldn't do anything against it and that was as healthy as the offense has been this year. They did lose Shaq Barrett.......so that should help.

 

[Diehardblues]

Currently, we don't have anybody


I haven't followed Tampa since they thumped us week one. I know if they can get enough guys healthy, they can beat anyone.

Yep and Brady is playing much better. I wouldn’t want to face him or Rodgers. I’d rather go to Minn or Phil.

 

[Diehardblues]

So who you got guarding Mike Evans? lol. And with our luck, Fournette will awaken. Their defense is stout. Dak couldn't do anything against it and that was as healthy as the offense has been this year. They did lose Shaq Barrett.......so that should help.

Yep , I see Bucs knocking us off . But we won’t be an easy out .

 

[McKDaddy]

I agree with pretty much everything the OP said. Still, I could see this team losing to any of them.

We have a lot of the same issues as our opponents. It's there to be taken, I need to see them "take" it.