Who Is The Best Team In The NFC??

[clif]

You know its a tough question to answer. I am not a homer but it is hard to argue that the Cards are the best team despite having two losses. They are #4 in offense AND defense!

It wasn't that the Packers lost to Denver, but it was the way in which it happened! They passed for 50 yards? Is that even possible in the NFL? Take that game and really look back at their games against 49ers, Bears, and Seahawks. If you actually watched that game and then look and see where the Packers offense and defense ranks.

Carolina is legit but you cannot be like the 28th ranked pass offense and go far in the playoffs.

Atlanta is a tough one to figure out. They are a lot like the Cards in that they just make killer mistakes, but can light it up at a moments notice. They just don't have enough weapons.

 

[clif]

Oh and the Rams are one QB away from being legit superbowl contenders. I will hate them forever for taking the one guy I wanted in the draft!

 

[DeAnna]

As I have been saying all along, The Cardinals are the best team in the NFC.

I won't believe it until they beat a team with a winning record.

 

[clif]

I would also like to point out that SOME of the teams that we've beaten aren't that bad. Hell.... the Saints put 52 up on the Giants. Yes I know the giants D is horrendous, but GOT DAMN!!!

The Bears gave Minnesota and the Packers all they could handle. So the NFL truly is a week to week league.

 

[TJ]

I might have misunderstood the purpose of this thread then...I didn't think it was a question about who is the more productive QB, but who is the best "team"...

You were saying that Palmer cant make plays the way Wilson and Newton can, which is true, but Palmer can make plays that Wilson and Newton cant, and that's with the traditional passing game, the most potent way to outscore opponents. The best QBs in the league are still guys like Rodgers, Brees, Luck, and Brady who can throw the ball and consistently connect with their receivers. Palmer's production this season is up there, which is the main reason why this team sits at 6-2.

At the end of the day, it's still a passing league and your chances of being a better team are if you have an offense designed to throw the rock with efficiency. Carolina doesn't have that and neither does Seattle.

The short answer to your question is that Green Bay is the best team in the NFC at the moment.

 

[clif]

You were saying that Palmer cant make plays the way Wilson and Newton can, which is true, but Palmer can make plays that Wilson and Newton cant, and that's with the traditional passing game, the most potent way to outscore opponents. The best QBs in the league are still guys like Rodgers, Brees, Luck, and Brady who can throw the ball and consistently connect with their receivers. Palmer's production this season is up there, which is the main reason why this team sits at 6-2.

At the end of the day, it's still a passing league and your chances of being a better team are if you have an offense designed to throw the rock with efficiency. Carolina doesn't have that and neither does Seattle.

The short answer to your question is that Green Bay is the best team in the NFC at the moment.

What makes you say that?

 

[82CardsGrad]

You were saying that Palmer cant make plays the way Wilson and Newton can, which is true, but Palmer can make plays that Wilson and Newton cant, and that's with the traditional passing game, the most potent way to outscore opponents. The best QBs in the league are still guys like Rodgers, Brees, Luck, and Brady who can throw the ball and consistently connect with their receivers. Palmer's production this season is up there, which is the main reason why this team sits at 6-2.

At the end of the day, it's still a passing league and your chances of being a better team are if you have an offense designed to throw the rock with efficiency. Carolina doesn't have that and neither does Seattle.

The short answer to your question is that Green Bay is the best team in the NFC at the moment.

I'm not at all discounting Carson's ability to make plays from the pocket. With the weapons he has, his production has been amazing!
And truthfully, if the Cards didn't suffer from what I believe will prove to be fatal flaws (no pass rush and lack of top-tier quality ILB play), I would actually have the Cards at #1.
But I see Wilson and now Newton, as QB's who are playing very well without anywhere near the weaponry that Palmer has... And I believe both Seattle and Carolina have better defenses... and in the case of Carolina - maybe even Seattle, better run games.

 

[kerouac9]

I don't think there is a best team. Green Bay is good but last night showed how mediocre the WR's are, Rodgers makes them look better than they are, against a good defense they were exposed.

Carolina is good, nice balance, nice defense they haven't lost yet so they should get the title for now as best in the NFC.

The Cards are right there with the rest of the best in the NFC.

We have a good defense. Denver has an exceptional defense. Playing on the road at altitude in prime time, I don't think it's much to say about Green Bay not being the top team in the conference.

It's not like they got beat by Landry Jones, and it's not like Aaron Rodgers is going anywhere.

For those hating on Cam Newton — (1) he'd kill to have Russell Wilson's receivers, and (2) if Gary Barnidge just set our defense on fire, what's going to happen if and when we visit Newton and Greg Olson.

Want to know who might actually be the conference's best team right now? The St. Louis Rams. They're a half-game behind us having played the NFL's most difficult schedule through seven weeks and the 28th-easiest schedule the rest of the way.

 

[TJ]

But I see Wilson and now Newton, as QB's who are playing very well without anywhere near the weaponry that Palmer has... And I believe both Seattle and Carolina have better offenses... and in the case of Carolina - maybe even Seattle, better run games.

Love you 82, but you must still be catatonic from the ASU/UO game.

Look at these stats. Carolina scores a touchdown less per game and generates 73 less yards per game (!) Meanwhile, Seattle is near the bottom of scoring and while they have the most rush yards in the league, are very mediocre with regards to passing yards.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Want to know who might actually be the conference's best team right now? The St. Louis Rams. They're a half-game behind us having played the NFL's most difficult schedule through seven weeks and the 28th-easiest schedule the rest of the way.

Yep... along with a W already against us...

 

[82CardsGrad]

Love you 82, but you must still be catatonic from the ASU/UO game.

Look at these stats. Carolina scores a touchdown less per game and generates 73 less yards per game (!) Meanwhile, Seattle is near the bottom of scoring and while they have the most rush yards in the league, are very mediocre with regards to passing yards.

Whoops! Meant to say defenses! Clearly, the Cards have the better offense... when they aren't coughing up the ball!

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

Cards are clearly the best team. We have the best WR corp when healthy, the best QB, the best offensive and defensive lines, and the best cover corner. How can we lose, except by beating ourselves!

 

[Russ Smith]

We have a good defense. Denver has an exceptional defense. Playing on the road at altitude in prime time, I don't think it's much to say about Green Bay not being the top team in the conference.

It's not like they got beat by Landry Jones, and it's not like Aaron Rodgers is going anywhere.

For those hating on Cam Newton — (1) he'd kill to have Russell Wilson's receivers, and (2) if Gary Barnidge just set our defense on fire, what's going to happen if and when we visit Newton and Greg Olson.

Want to know who might actually be the conference's best team right now? The St. Louis Rams. They're a half-game behind us having played the NFL's most difficult schedule through seven weeks and the 28th-easiest schedule the rest of the way.

I agree Denver's defense is special, I just meant they really exposed Green Bay's lack of talent at WR right now. I don't think at Green Bay there's a team in the NFC I would pick to beat them, but on the road they're quite beatable right now largely because of that WR group. The OL is adequate, Rodgers ability to improvise helps, but the WR's just can't get open against a good defense.


I agree on the Rams too the problem is their QB is mediocre at best. Gurley is legit, they have speed on offense, terrific talent on defense and a very good kicking game. But for all the Carson lacks clutch gene talk we see here I'd sure rather have Palmer in at QB on a late drive than Nick Foles. Not that Foles is a huge choker or something just that he doesn't elicit a whole lot of confidence from me that he's going to win a game when he has to.

I like Carolina I'm just not sure you can win the NFC with such a mediocre passing game, their defense and running game are definitely good enough they need some WR's to start doing something so Newton doesn't have to do everything.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree Denver's defense is special, I just meant they really exposed Green Bay's lack of talent at WR right now. I don't think at Green Bay there's a team in the NFC I would pick to beat them, but on the road they're quite beatable right now largely because of that WR group. The OL is adequate, Rodgers ability to improvise helps, but the WR's just can't get open against a good defense.


I agree on the Rams too the problem is their QB is mediocre at best. Gurley is legit, they have speed on offense, terrific talent on defense and a very good kicking game. But for all the Carson lacks clutch gene talk we see here I'd sure rather have Palmer in at QB on a late drive than Nick Foles. Not that Foles is a huge choker or something just that he doesn't elicit a whole lot of confidence from me that he's going to win a game when he has to.

I like Carolina I'm just not sure you can win the NFC with such a mediocre passing game, their defense and running game are definitely good enough they need some WR's to start doing something so Newton doesn't have to do everything.

isn't Carolina's formula the exact same thing that the Seahawks have used to get to the Super Bowl the last two years? I feel like everyone discounts them because they're not "flashy".

 

[Russ Smith]

isn't Carolina's formula the exact same thing that the Seahawks have used to get to the Super Bowl the last two years? I feel like everyone discounts them because they're not "flashy".

Yes but I'm not sold that we couldn't have beaten Seattle last year if we had Palmer.

Carolina has the same formula pound the ball great defense QB runs for key first downs etc.

Just not sure they're quite as good at it as Seattle was. Note, I'm not saying Carolina can't get to the Super Bowl I don't think there's a dominant team in the NFC.

 

[crisper57]

isn't Carolina's formula the exact same thing that the Seahawks have used to get to the Super Bowl the last two years? I feel like everyone discounts them because they're not "flashy".

I'd say it is similar except maybe in their rushing attack. I feel the Seahawks rode Lynch (4.7 ypc in 2014) more than Carolina will ride Stewart (4.1 ypc in 2015). I think they will rely on Newton's arm more.

But the biggest difference in the formula is opponent. Carolina should have an infinitely easier schedule this year than the Hawks had last year. Can't do anything about that, but I think they will be exposed as a poor man's Seattle come playoff time. (Of course you could say that about almost any NFC contender at this point.)

 

[Capital Card]

K9 has an interesting point. St. Louis, with Gurley, are charging hard for respect this year. They've swept through the first round of divisional play, and have a lot of "W"'s coming up.

If I was doing a power-ranking for the NFC, I'd still give the nod to Green Bay, though next weeks match-up with Carolina should be very telling.

Next weeks Rams/Vikings game should also be pretty telling as to whether the Vikes are for real or not. They've been under the radar since they crapped the bed against the 49ers opening weekend.

I'm having a hard time buying anything the Falcons are selling, after squeaking by Whiz's titans and losing to Tampa.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yes but I'm not sold that we couldn't have beaten Seattle last year if we had Palmer.

Carolina has the same formula pound the ball great defense QB runs for key first downs etc.

Just not sure they're quite as good at it as Seattle was. Note, I'm not saying Carolina can't get to the Super Bowl I don't think there's a dominant team in the NFC.

I don't see a dominant team either, but if the Pack get HFA, I think that's a major advantage. I think we could probably win anywhere else if we play a great game (except Seattle... jury's out on that one for me).

 

[82CardsGrad]

Yes but I'm not sold that we couldn't have beaten Seattle last year if we had Palmer.

Carolina has the same formula pound the ball great defense QB runs for key first downs etc.

Just not sure they're quite as good at it as Seattle was. Note, I'm not saying Carolina can't get to the Super Bowl I don't think there's a dominant team in the NFC.

Carolina's defense and run game almost guarantees that if the Panthers aren't winning late in a game, the game will be very close. Which is when a QB like Newton (or Wilson for that matter), offer that "X" factor and with a great deal of success, pull out the victory.
It isn't pretty. It isn't classical NFL style play... But it brings a great deal of success.
One last comment - don't discount the throwing ability of both Wilson and Newton. They're amazingly athletic and often produce magic with their feet, BUT, they can are also above average passers to boot.

 

[TJ]

Whoops! Meant to say defenses! Clearly, the Cards have the better offense... when they aren't coughing up the ball!

Clear advantage in that goes to Seattle. Cards have a good defense, good enough with this offense to be a legit title contender.

 

[DeAnna]

that "X" factor and with a great deal of success, pull out the victory.

Funny, this weekend I discovered the meaning of X factor as it relates to "athletes". Interesting story.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Clear advantage in that goes to Seattle. Cards have a good defense, good enough with this offense to be a legit title contender.

They have a good defense that has not been tested by a legit offense... save Gurley who made his debut against us. And he torched us.

Again, until we prove we can beat a top-tier team (yes, Seattle and Cincy will be that test), I just can't buy into our defense being good enough to allow us to be a legit contender.

 

[Bert]

I haven't gotten to watch the Panthers play a game yet this season. So I will wait to answer this question until after the game tonight. Their schedule has been pretty easy with the exception of Seattle and Philly, and really how good are either of those teams? Hey if people get to throw our schedule in our face, I get to do it to Carolina!

Point is I dont know how good they are, so I look forward to watching MNF tonight.

 

[kerouac9]

Clear advantage in that goes to Seattle. Cards have a good defense, good enough with this offense to be a legit title contender.

Legit title contenders don't lose to Landry Jones. It's only halfway through the season, but the Cards are still in a different class of team than the NFL's elite — which doesn't currently include Seattle (their OL is a dumpster fire).

 

[Capital Card]

which doesn't currently include Seattle (their OL is a dumpster fire).

By biggest concern is we don't have the talent to take advantage of it either. Really frustrating.

Go Cards!!!