NFC vs. AFC

[5Stars]

Does anyone know when, or why, and how, the AFC became more dominating then the NFC?

There used to be a time when the NFC was the dominate conference, however, it seems that it's been some time now that the AFC is more dominating...

Any ideas why, or when this change occured...or, am I imagining it?

 

[Rampage]

they started getting the better players just like the nfc used to. now the tides have turned.

 

[5Stars]

they started getting the better players just like the nfc used to. now the tides have turned.

There has got to be more to it then that...because almost all NFL players are good players...

 

[tomson75]

Does anyone know when, or why, and how, the AFC became more dominating then the NFC?

There used to be a time when the NFC was the dominate conference, however, it seems that it's been some time now that the AFC is more dominating...

Any ideas why, or when this change occured...or, am I imagining it?

Perhaps over a number of years the higher draft picks finally start to pay off for the weaker conference. It'll be the NFC's turn soon.

I don't particularly notice a division now as much as I did during the early 90's. It seems to be more of a case of one or two team in the NFL standing head and shoulders above the rest...and they just happen to both play in the AFC. The next tier teams don't seem to impress me on either side. Then again, Cowboy fans noticed it less than fans of other NFC teams, at least this year.

Edit: By higher draft picks I mean the top 2-3 which can easily go to teams in one conference.

 

[5Stars]

Perhaps over a number of years the higher draft picks finally start to pay off for the weaker conference. It'll be the NFC's turn soon.

I don't particularly notice a division now as much as I did during the early 90's. It seems to be more of a case of one or two team in the NFL standing head and shoulders above the rest...and they just happen to both play in the AFC. The next tier teams don't seem to impress me on either side. Then again, Cowboy fans noticed it less than fans of other NFC teams, at least this year.

Edit: By higher draft picks I mean the top 2-3 which can easily go to teams in one conference.

Draft picks...that's a good point!

What about coaches and schemes? It seems to me that around 1996 or so...the AFC sort of took off while the NFC started to decline overall. But, prior to that, the NFC used to own the AFC on a regular basis.

I bet this started to happen when free agence kicked in, along with the salary cap, yes?

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's all about the QB's. When the NFC had the best, they won. Now the AFC has the best and they are winning. There is your answer.

 

[tomson75]

Draft picks...that's a good point!

What about coaches and schemes? It seems to me that around 1996 or so...the AFC sort of took off while the NFC started to decline overall. But, prior to that, the NFC used to own the AFC on a regular basis.

I bet this started to happen when free agence kicked in, along with the salary cap, yes?

I think coaching and schemes also plays a significant role. Our very own 3-4 defensive formation has played a part in several of the AFC's more dominant teams in the past few years...a scheme used to take advantages of whatever current trends other teams in the NFL are using...one simply seems to become dominant for a given amount of time.

Free agency and the salary cap could be factors if you can find the businessmen capable of exploiting it to the fullest....not always though (see Danny Snyder)>

Lots of factors. Just seems to be somewhat cyclical.

 

[tomson75]

It's all about the QB's. When the NFC had the best, they won. Now the AFC has the best and they are winning. There is your answer.

True as well...and many of these QB's are picked up with those top 2-3 draft picks. If those guys pan out...your in business.

 

[EveryoneElse]

People talk like the AFC is just this power house that can't be stopped, and how they are so much better than the NFC, when in fact it may be that the NFC is a lot more balanced, as opposed the AFC having a few dominant teams.

 

[5Stars]

True as well...and many of these QB's are picked up with those top 2-3 draft picks. If those guys pan out...your in business.

The QB's have alot to do with it, however, I don't think that is why the sudden change. Look at some of the past SB winners and see who their QB's were! Now, this year, yes, with Peyton, but some of the others?

Also, as far as the RedStinks, well, that is just an enigma right there...so you can throw that one out the window!

Is it the "parity" thing? I cannot really say that because, really, the AFC has just been so dominating over these last years...so where is the parity for the NFC?

 

[5Stars]

People talk like the AFC is just this power house that can't be stopped, and how they are so much better than the NFC, when in fact it may be that the NFC is a lot more balanced, as opposed the AFC having a few dominant teams.

That's a good point!

I wonder what the overall winning record is of all teams of the AFC vs. all the NFC for, say, the last 5 years?

 

[EveryoneElse]

That's a good point!

I wonder what the overall winning record is of all teams of the AFC vs. all the NFC for, say, the last 5 years?

This last years was:

AFC- 40 wins
NFC- 24 wins

15 game difference

 

[5Stars]

This last years was:

AFC- 38 wins
NFC- 23 wins

15 game difference

See, that is what I mean! And, there are some damn good QB's and players in the NFC. It just does not make sense to me...

 

[Rampage]

See, that is what I mean! And, there are some damn good QB's and players in the NFC. It just does not make sense to me...

the nfc does have good players. but the afc's are just better. does that make sense?

 

[5Stars]

the nfc does have good players. but the afc's are just better. does that make sense?

It makes a little sense, but, I don't think that is the reason at all. There has to be something more to it then just the players.

And, if you say the AFC has the better players...then tell me why they have the better players.

 

[Rampage]

It makes a little sense, but, I don't think that is the reason at all. There has to be something more to it then just the players.

And, if you say the AFC has the better players...then tell me why they have the better players.

better draft picks,better gm's, luck, i mean it could be a number of things.

 

[5Stars]

better draft picks,better gm's, luck, i mean it could be a number of things.

Well, you are right that it could be a number of things...however, it's been going along for LONG TIME now, and that is the part that I don't understand!

 

[Billy Bullocks]

It makes a little sense, but, I don't think that is the reason at all. There has to be something more to it then just the players.

And, if you say the AFC has the better players...then tell me why they have the better players.

Look at the OL's and the DL's. The better ones simply reside in the AFC. Sand Diego, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England, hell even Indy has better pass rushers than most of the NFC teams.

Look at the playoffs, all the NFC teams were horrible in the trenches, especially on the defensive side of the ball, except Chicago. And their D did qutie well against the Colts.

The AFC has better line play and better QB play. That's the biggest difference. Besides Drew Brees, who in the NFC are you really going to throw out there and mention in the same breath as Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Tom Brady. You've got some up and coming guys like Romo in the NFC, but the best still reside in the AFC.

 

[EveryoneElse]

Here are the numbers that prove me wrong I guess, lol.

Last Five years NFC Vs. AFC

AFC- 186-133-1
NFC- 133-186-1

Difference of 53 games over 5 seasons. The AFC wins 10.6 games more a year against the NFC, which averages out to be a record of 42-22.

 

[5Stars]

Look at the OL's and the DL's. The better ones simply reside in the AFC. Sand Diego, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England, hell even Indy has better pass rushers than most of the NFC teams.

Look at the playoffs, all the NFC teams were horrible in the trenches, especially on the defensive side of the ball, except Chicago. And their D did qutie well against the Colts.

The AFC has better line play and better QB play. That's the biggest difference. Besides Drew Brees, who in the NFC are you really going to throw out there and mention in the same breath as Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Tom Brady. You've got some up and coming guys like Romo in the NFC, but the best still reside in the AFC.

That is a good point! The line play...hmmm?

However, again (and I don't mean to be repetive here), but why does the AFC have better line play, QB's, whatever?

Everyone has a salary cap...everyone has free agency...everyone has to play each other (well mostly), yet, the AFC, for such a long time has been the BIG brother to the NFC...and it never, ever used to be that way!

Anyway, maybe there is no real answer...and I'm just peeing in the wind, but, it just seems strange to me how long the AFC has been dominating the NFC.