Unsatisfied with the AFC? Still looking for a better option?
Well, we can continue to guide you.
In case you missed the first part of our series, we went through the 16 teams in the AFC and provided (great) reasons why and why not each team would be ideal to adopt as a fan for 2013 and beyond.
Part I: Adopt a team: AFC
The AFC was once the dominant conference with Patriots, Colts, Steelers and Ravens all the toast of the league, but the tide has completely turned and the NFC has developed into the far superior conference.
There aren’t really any bottom-feeders (Jets, Jaguars, cough cough) and there’s plenty of intriguing options here to choose from.
Again, the criteria are up to you. Whether you want a team with immediate championship aspirations, a team with a rich history, or a team with the best jerseys, you shouldn’t have trouble in this area.
Here we break down each of the 16 teams in the NFC and provide you with a comparison from another sport so you have a clear indication of what you’re getting into.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Last year’s record: 8-8
Coach: Jason Garrett
Core players: Tony Romo (QB), DeMarcus Ware (DE), Dez Bryant (WR)
Why this team? The Cowboys are “America’s team” so you instantly get more media attention and primetime games than you actually deserve. Seriously, the American networks never stop talking about the Cowboys. The roster is better than people think, however, as Dez Bryant is coming into his own as a receiver and DeMarcus Ware remains a fearsome pass rusher. That stadium is damn cool, too. Have you seen it on TV?! It’s glorious.
Why not? You’ve heard of Tony Romo, right? Romo is the ultimate choke artist and has found more creative ways to lose games than any player I can remember. I can’t think of a more frustrating and demoralizing team than Romo’s Cowboys. They also have an owner/general manager in Jerry Jones, who loves big names but has no real concept of running a football team. He’s a great businessman, at least?
Other sport comparison: Montreal Canadiens. Habs fans tend to hang onto their prominent past and that’s the perfect description of the Cowboys fan base. Both teams have had very little to brag about since the mid-1990s and have suffered more demoralizing losses than any memorable wins as of late. The Cowboys have just one playoff victory in the last decade and are now more recognized for their humorous meltdowns than any sort of post-season success.
New York Giants
Last year’s record: 9-7
Coach: Tom Coughlin
Core players: Eli Manning (QB), Justin Tuck (DE), Victor Cruz (WR)
Why this team? The Giants have been built for long-term success with a strong history of accumulating young players and a franchise quarterback that knows how to win big games. They’ve built their roster around a likable group of players, including Eli Manning and salsa-dancing receiver Victor Cruz. Plus, they don’t always get the attention of their cross-town rival, the Jets (who are often in the news for the wrong reasons) but they are a significantly better football team and overall organization.
Why not? You kind of missed the boat here. The Giants had two of the most improbable Super Bowl victories in recent memory and it’s hard to imagine they can pull out that kind of magic again. On the field, the biggest part of those championship teams were a ferocious pass rush, a unit that appears to be in the midst of a drastic decline. The quarterback remains in his prime but if the defence can’t figure itself out, they won’t have the look of a true contender.
Other sport comparison: Chicago Blackhawks. Like the Blackhawks, the Giants are one of the true iconic franchises. They have both won two titles since 2007 and have built one of the most sustainable successful rosters in their sport. In terms of big-name acquisitions, clutch performances, and winning with a true cast of characters (Patrick Kane comes to mind), these two are almost mirror images of each other.
Philadelphia Eagles
Last year’s record: 4-12
Coach: Chip Kelly
Core players: LeSean McCoy (RB), DeSean Jackson (WR), Trent Cole (DE)
Why this team? Chip Kelly might not be a known commodity to NFL fans but the former Oregon coach ran the most dynamic and exciting offence in college football over the last five years. This will be a completely different looking team than what Eagles fans have been used to under the more traditional Andy Reid. Kelly is an outside-the-box thinker and his offence is nothing like we’ve seen before at the pro level. Bill Belichick used to frequently visit Oregon to study Kelly’s offence. If only they could take Oregon’s jerseys with them…
Why not? How well can you deal with stress? Eagles fans are never happy with anything. Ask Donovan McNabb. No wonder they booed Santa Claus. With Reid out of the picture, Eagles fans will have to find something new to complain about. Reid’s questionable in-game management and inability to consistently run the football drove Philadelphia (and my editor, a diehard Eagles fan) up the wall. Kelly still needs to find the pieces to fit the offence he likes to run as Michael Vick seems like more of a stopgap at quarterback right now. Vick isn’t the biggest fan favourite in sports either, and don’t get me started on Riley Cooper.
Other sport comparison: Philadelphia Flyers. It’s amazing how similar the outlook has been for the two Philadelphia franchises since the late 1990s. The Eagles and Flyers have been trendy championship picks and looked ready for a deep run for the most of the 2000s but haven’t been able to capture the big prize in that span. They’ve tried spending big on free agents, bringing in all-star players but nothing has put them over the top. No wonder the fans are so hostile.
Washington Redskins
Last year’s record: 10-6
Coach: Mike Shanahan
Core players: Robert Griffin III (QB), Alfred Morris (RB), Brian Orakpo (LB)
Why this team? Two words and a roman numeral: Robert Griffin III. This guy is so remarkable, he actually made the Washington Redskins look respectable. Considering their ineptness over the last decade, that means a lot. RG3 is the most electric player we’ve seen at the quarterback position in quite some time and gives the Redskins a chance to compete for the Super Bowl every year he’s on the field. You just can’t take your eyes off this guy.
Why not? As dominant as RG3 can look, he still remains a major injury risk. The Redskins aren’t the same team without the game-breaking quarterback and he already suffered two injuries in just his first season in the NFL – including a torn ACL in the playoffs. RG3 may be great but you can’t overlook that they still have Dan Snyder running the show, who has proven to be one of the most disastrous owners since taking over the franchise. He’s as erratic as they come. And I’m not the biggest fan of the team name, but that’s another story.
Other sport comparison: New York Knicks. Before RG3 got there, the Redskins were big spenders that saw little results on the field. The big-market franchises shuffled through numerous overpaid free agents and ineffective trades that did little to help their poor performing teams. Sound familiar, Knicks fans? Before Carmelo Anthony came along, it was almost an identically messy situation in the Big Apple. Snyder and enigmatic Knicks owner James Dolan may or may not be the same person.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Last year’s record: 10-6
Coach: Marc Trestman
Core players: Jay Cutler (QB), Brandon Marshall (WR), Julius Peppers (DE)
Why this team? For as long as I can remember, the Bears have always been built around defence (Brian Urlacher, Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, etc.), but it’s a new day in Chicago. With former Als coach and offensive mastermind Marc Trestman taking over, this is a group worth rooting for. I seriously can’t remember the last time I’ve been excited about a Bears offence. (And who ever gets tired of Mike Ditka and the “Da Bears” SNL skit?)
Why not? Maybe it’s just me, but I find Jay Cutler one of the most unlikable figures in football. Too much whining, pouting and finger-pointing. Not exactly the qualities one wants out of their starting quarterback and face of a franchise. Hopefully Trestman helps with his attitude and body language. He’s just got one of those faces.
Other sport comparison: Indiana Pacers. The Bears are a hard-nosed tough franchise with a rich history. Both teams tend not to spend big money in free agency and have generally built consistent contenders through homegrown players. Indiana might be the toughest team in the NBA today and that’s almost the ideal way to describe how the Bears have built their successful groups.
Detroit Lions
Last year’s record: 4-12
Coach: Jim Schwartz
Core players: Matt Stafford (QB), Calvin Johnson (WR), Ndamukong Suh (DT)
Why this team? While the organization is still trying to get itself on track, they have assembled some of the best high-end pieces in the league. It all starts with Calvin Johnson, who is the carbon copy of what you would want a receiver to look like. He’s big, strong, fast, and explosive; he’s basically perfect. If the running game isn’t for you, this is an ideal fit.
Why not? The Lions certainly aren’t for everyone. They have a history of futility and are the only team in NFL history to finish 0-16 in a season. The franchise is still trying to erase the stink from the Matt Millen era (very similar to John Ferguson, Jr.’s tenure in Toronto) and the current roster is full of knuckleheads and head cases. They take almost as many dumb penalties as the Oakland Raiders. See Suh, Ndamukong.
Other sport comparison: Pittsburgh Pirates. The Lions haven’t won a playoff game since 1991, something Pirates fans could certainly relate to as they haven’t even made the playoffs since 1992. Barry Bonds was tiny back then. It’s been that long. Right now, both teams have the talent to compete but need to prove they have the makeup throughout the entire organization to remain consistent. That’s the big question.
Green Bay Packers
Last year’s record: 11-5
Coach: Mike McCarthy
Core players: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Clay Matthews (LB), Randall Cobb (WR)
Why this team? There’s no better indicator of future success in the NFL than the quality of the starting quarterback and Green Bay is absolutely set with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is arguably the best pivot in the entire league and should have the Packers in contention for the foreseeable future. Lambeau Field is a heck of a place to watch a football game and there’s so much history around the Packers franchise that the championship trophy is even named after one of their former head coaches (Vince Lombardi).
Why not? If you’re worried about bandwagon hopping, this isn’t the pick for you. The Packers have been consistently good for the last two decades and won a title as recently as 2010-11. The roster isn’t foolproof though. The Packers were sacked more than any other team in their conference last year thanks to one of the league’s worst offensive lines, and the outlook doesn’t look much brighter in 2013 with their projected starting left tackle already out for the season.
Other sport comparison: Saskatchewan Roughriders. Green Bay is so unique that we had to make an exception, using a CFL team in this section. The Packers are the lone professional team in their city so their fans live and die with them. Seriously, there’s nothing else to do in Green Bay but go to Lambeau Field. The organizations are iconic in their respective leagues and have the most loyal fan bases in football. The rich history, cold climates, and aura around the franchises make both environments truly special places.
Minnesota Vikings
Last year’s record: 10-6
Coach: Leslie Frazier
Core players: Adrian Peterson (RB), Jared Allen (DE), Harrison Smith (S)
Why this team? Have you see Adrian Peterson run the football? He’s easily the best running back of his generation. There just hasn’t been a player with that combination of speed and power in my lifetime. He might not be human. The Vikings have added five first-round picks the last two seasons and the new regime has done a nice job turning around one of the oldest rosters in the league. The arrow seems to be pointing up for this franchise.
Why not? It’s unfortunate it comes to this but the Vikings won’t be anything more than a fringe playoff team until they can solve their issues at quarterback. They’ve invested in Christian Ponder and he’s done almost nothing to show he’s the guy. You just can’t miss at the most important position in sports. The Vikings haven’t really had a true franchise player here since Fran Tarkenton… and he hasn’t been around since the 1970s.
Other sport comparison: Chicago Cubs. Only Cubs fans could understand what it’s like to root for the Vikings. They’ve had some of the most obscure moments and embarrassing losses of any team in recent memory. Whether it’s been the Loveboat scandal, the Brett Favre interception, or the Gary Anderson missed field goal, they continue to make it hard on their fan base. While the Cubs haven’t won since 1908, the Vikings have never won a Super Bowl and have an 0-4 record in their four appearances.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Last year’s record: 13-3
Coach: Mike Smith
Core players: Matt Ryan (QB), Roddy White (WR), Julio Jones (WR)
Why this team? The Falcons have ridiculous potential on the offensive side of the ball with a quarterback entering his prime and the best group of starting receivers in the league. They could take an even bigger step forward now that they added one of the best veteran running backs in the league with Steven Jackson coming over from St. Louis. Atlanta was 10 yards away from a Super Bowl appearance last year and look even better prepared for another deep run in 2013. And a Chick-fil-A can’t be too far from the stadium. That place is the bomb.
Why not? The Falcons have so much going right for them that it’s hard to find any true flaws without nitpicking. The biggest issue on the field remains the defence where they’ve been a middle-of-the-road unit throughout the Matt Ryan era. They haven’t had the kind of game-changing players they have on the offensive side of the ball. Falcons fans have historically been a pretty flaky group and only seem to consistently show up when the team is winning.
Other sport comparison: San Jose Sharks. Through the Matt Ryan era, the Falcons have been that team that’s good in the regular season but has come up absolutely short in the playoffs. Ryan won the first playoff game of his career back in January but still has work to do in order to overcome his reputation of poor performances in big games. Like the Sharks, the Falcons have some aging stars (Jackson, Tony Gonzalez) atop their roster and this could be their last chance at a title.
Carolina Panthers
Last year’s record: 7-9
Coach: Ron Rivera
Core players: Cam Newton (QB), Steve Smith (WR), Luke Kuechly (LB)
Why this team? One of the things I’d recommend looking for is a quarterback that’s fun to watch on a weekly basis. Carolina certainly passes the grade for this option. Cam Newton is absolutely loaded with pure skill and we can only imagine how good he’ll be once he puts it all together. He’s been a bit of enigma so far.
Why not? While Newton offers the most hope for the franchise, he could be the one piece that limits them. Newton hasn’t handled adversity well early in his career and has been questioned for his lack of leadership when things go awry. He’ll have to take major steps in this area to turn the Panthers into a consistent playoff contender. And seriously, do you actually know any Panthers fans? Other than this one dude at my office who doesn’t even like sports, I can’t think of any.
Other sport comparison: Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning at least have a championship but the two franchises have a very similar outlook. They have the star player (Cam Newton = Steven Stamkos) trying to lift franchises out of the basement and bring them back to relevance. The Panthers will go as far Newton as can take them.
New Orleans Saints
Last year’s record: 7-9
Coach: Sean Payton
Core players: Drew Brees (QB), Jimmy Graham (TE), Marques Colston (WR)
Why this team? You’ll never get sick of this passing game. Drew Brees has led the NFL’s most dangerous offence since coming to New Orleans and they’re primed for another big season now that head coach Sean Payton will be returning to the sidelines after a year-long suspension. You can’t say enough about the job Brees and Payton have done turning around one of the league’s most putrid franchises, especially for a city that desperately needed it coming out of Hurricane Katrina.
Why not? You have to imagine the Saints learned from their mistakes in the bounty fiasco but it’s hard to support any organization that accepted that kind of behaviour. Gregg Williams, who led that whole operation, is no longer part of the organization at least. Now they’re left with Rob Ryan, the loudmouth brother of Rex (is that even possible?) to help fix what was a historically bad defence last season. It doesn’t help that their two best pass rushers are already out for the season.
Other sport comparison: Anaheim Ducks. Like the Ducks, the Saints are an offensive powerhouse that has serious deficiencies on the defensive end. They have both won championships throughout the last decade and remain top contenders in their sport. The city of Anaheim may not be as fun as New Orleans but at least they got a series of Disney movies made about their franchise.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last year’s record: 7-9
Coach: Greg Schiano
Core players: Darrelle Revis (CB), Doug Martin (RB), Vincent Jackson (WR)
Why this team? While the classic Bucs teams were built around dominating defences, Tampa Bay has almost completely changed their identity. The Bucs became an explosive offensive unit last year and actually ranked as one of the worst pass defences. Enter Darrelle Revis, who’s easily the best shutdown cornerback the league has seen in a while. He should help fix that. And hey, you get to see those sweet orange jerseys once a year. Who could hate those?!
Why not? The Bucs have been mostly irrelevant since their Super Bowl win in 2002. Greg Schiano is still a big wild card and isn’t proven as an NFL head coach. They have trouble selling out their stadium and have one of the most underwhelming atmospheres in the entire league. While the team made a number of good moves to help boost the secondary during the off-season, we remain skeptical quarterback Josh Freeman can be a consistent quarterback. He’s the key for them becoming a real playoff force.
Other sport comparison: Carolina Hurricanes. The Bucs are a small-market franchise that have been sort of been a mystery the last five years. They’ve been mostly teetering around the .500 mark and no one has a true grasp on what kind of team they have going forward. They have a pretty good base of high-end talent (Staal bros, Jeff Skinner/Doug Martin, Darrelle Revis/Vincent Jackson) but have some glaring flaws that hold them back from contention. In Tampa Bay’s case, that’s the quarterback.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Last year’s record: 5-11
Coach: Bruce Arians
Core players: Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Patrick Peterson (CB), Darnell Dockett (DT)
Why this team? Arizona may have an uphill climb towards contention but there’s actually some semblance of hope here. They have a new GM, a new coach, and a pretty good base of talent. Remember, they beat New England last year with Kevin Kolb at quarterback. C’mon, that’s impressive. Arizona also makes for a pretty good spot if you’re looking for a football trip.
Why not? Because they’re the freaking Cardinals! Other than the weather and maybe Larry Fitzgerald, they don’t have too much going for them now. Seriously, their best moment might be Rod Tidwell’s breakout performance in Jerry Maguire. Unless you think Carson Palmer can revive his career (insert eye-roll), the Cardinals will middle around the .500 mark… at best.
Other sport comparison: Cleveland Cavaliers. Just like when LeBron was in Cleveland, they had one good run (Kurt Warner era) but mostly haven’t been able to get out of their own way. Despite their history of disappointment, the Cards could take a big jump if their young group can find a way grow up in a hurry. It won’t be easy.
St. Louis Rams
Last year’s record: 7-8-1
Coach: Jeff Fisher
Core players: Sam Bradford (QB), Chris Long (DE), Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Why this team? The Rams don’t get the attention of the Seahawks or 49ers but they quietly had the best record against the division last year. They acquired a ton of draft picks the last two years and have been able to restock the franchise with quality young talent. Already, they may have the best defensive line in the league. Jeff Fisher’s teams are always tough, hard to play against, and he has the roster going in the right direction. Look at how the Titans have done since he left (hint: It’s not good)
Why not? Do you believe in Sam Bradford? Fisher always had good but rarely great teams during his tenure in Tennessee and he could run into the same problem if Bradford doesn’t start producing at a higher level. The NFC West, once known as the NFC Worst, has quickly transformed into the best division in football and the Seahawks and 49ers won’t be going away anytime soon. This division is going to be a bloodbath and the Rams have an inferior option at quarterback.
Other sport comparison: Baltimore Orioles. While the Rams have been one of the least successful franchises over the last decade, the team was able to make a drastic turnaround in their first season under Fisher. They’re no longer led by a declining group of players and are building up the horses to challenge the powerhouses in their division. The NFC West is sort of developing into the AL East of the NFL with all four teams becoming big and strong on both sides of the ball.
Seattle Seahawks
Last year’s record: 11-5
Coach: Pete Carroll
Core players: Russell Wilson (QB), Marshawn Lynch (RB), Richard Sherman (CB)
Why this team? The Seahawks are building what looks like a powerhouse on both sides of the ball. They are one of the youngest groups in the league and may have the brightest future of any team. Their quarterback may look small at first glance but he took the NFL by storm in his rookie season, tying Peyton Manning’s touchdown record and making the Pro Bowl. He just has that “it factor.” There’s an energy about this team that hasn’t been there before in franchise history. The Seahawks stadium is an unbelievable environment and their fans are the loudest bunch in the entire league. No joke, they actually measured on the Richter Scale before.
Why not? The city of Seattle may be cursed. They lost the Sonics, the Mariners stink, and they lost a Super Bowl mostly because of poor refereeing. Head coach Pete Carroll doesn’t rub everyone the right away — his sideline cheering, previous failures in New England/New York, and iffy in-game decisions make him one of the league’s most polarizing figures. Richard Sherman doesn’t stop talking…ever…and half the team may be up for PED suspensions. They actually lead the league in PED suspensions since 2010.
Other sport comparison: Oklahoma City Thunder. Well, we can start with the fact the Thunder originally came from Seattle but the two are young teams with championship potential. Other than the James Harden trade, the Thunder management has made savvy moves to quickly turn around an aging roster and no one has drafted better than the Seahawks since Carroll and savvy GM John Schneider took over. There isn’t a team has better talent/depth than Seattle right now.
San Francisco 49ers
Last year’s record: 11-4-1
Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Core players: Colin Kaepernick (QB), Patrick Willis (LB), Aldon Smith (LB)
Why this team? The 49ers are full of history, loaded with young core players and have the strongest all-around roster on paper. They have a young quarterback (Colin Kaepernick) just coming into his own, the league’s best offensive line, a hard-nosed running game, and an elite defence. What more do you want? They also may have the best coach in football. No one has done a better job the last two years.
Why not? Jim Harbaugh. We mentioned his impressive resume above but his childish sideline antics and overall arrogance make him a very hard guy to root for. Not only that, San Fran plays in the toughest division and will be in tough battles with the emerging Seahawks and up-and-coming Rams for the foreseeable future. Despite all the talent, this won’t be a cakewalk by any means.
Other sport comparison: Boston Bruins. The 49ers are big, tough, physical, and play the game the right away. Sound familiar? Their current roster is a well-coached group that is built around highly-skilled players with speed and size. Like the Bruins, their bread and butter comes on the defensive end. And each team is coming off a championship loss.
