The Philadelphia Eagles’ off-season overhaul has not gone unnoticed in Green Bay. Neither has the hype that has come with it.
While the reigning Super Bowl champion Packers are taking the Eagles seriously, they have been mildly amused at what they see as a rush to crown new conference favorites before the season. Given the chance, Green Bay is confident it will bring the “dream team” back to reality.
The Eagles positioned themselves as the Packers’ top challenger in the NFC after adding a wealth of top-line talent, including cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Not to mention former Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins.
Photo: AFP
The Eagles are not the Packers’ only serious challengers in the NFC.
The Chicago Bears beat the Packers for the NFC North title last year, then lost to their rivals in the NFC title game at Soldier Field. However, the Bears could be poised to take a step backward unless Jay Cutler’s protection improves significantly. With a fierce defensive line, the Detroit Lions could become the Packers’ closest pursuers in the division — provided quarterback Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.
The conference’s most competitive division might be the NFC South. The Atlanta Falcons drafted wide receiver Julio Jones, although it remains to be seen if they can to fix a defense that Packers passer Aaron Rodgers carved up in the playoffs. The New Orleans Saints are trying to regain their Super Bowl-winning form and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be on the rise.
Then there’s the NFC West, a division there for the taking for any team that can make even a modest improvement. The West was an afterthought last season, and there are not many reasons between St Louis, Seattle, Arizona and San Francisco to think that will change much in the short term.
A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were in flux, with their star quarterback about to sit out a four-game suspension.
Ben Roethlisberger returned after Pittsburgh went 3-1, leading the team to its third AFC championship in six seasons. Now the bitter taste of a Super Bowl loss to Green Bay and a controversy-filled off-season have the Steelers itching to defend their AFC title. After keeping the core of their roster together, they are loaded to make another run.
However, so are plenty of other AFC teams.
Just ask Rex Ryan, who said this is the most talented New York Jets team he has had since becoming the coach. He guarantees — again — this is the year the Jets bring home their first Lombardi Trophy since the days of Joe Namath.
Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots might have something to say about that. After all, they have been the kings of the AFC East for eight of the past 10 years. And Tom Brady — the NFL’s MVP after 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions — has a dangerous new target in Chad Ochocinco.
Watch for the Baltimore Ravens to ramp up the volume — and violent hits — with the Steelers in the AFC North. Ray Lewis is still the fiery leader of an always-dominant Ravens defense and quarterback Joe Flacco has improved in each of his first three seasons.
Peyton Manning’s neck, even more than his arm, will have a big impact not only on the AFC South, but the entire conference.
It’s strange to be concentrating on an injury for the game’s most durable quarterback, but the Indianapolis Colts’ four-time MVP had off-season surgery and he is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game in Houston.
The AFC West could be a free-for-all, with Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers’ quick-strike offense looking to get back to the playoffs after a year away. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs have a new offensive coordinator and the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos are playing under new head coaches.
“I wouldn’t want to think what it would be like with a new coach or a new system,” Chargers center Nick Hardwick said, expecting the lockout to have an impact on teams in that position. “We’re very fortunate.”
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