Has the balance shifted?
By MissouriBronc
Has the balance of the league shifted again?
When the Broncos won the Super Bowl for the first time on January 25, 1998, it was significant for more than one reason. It marked John Elway’s accession to the greatest quarterback of all-time, and, maybe more importantly to the future of the league, it ended a 13 year run for the NFC. That started way back in 1985 with the 49ers beating the Dolphins. Ironically, it was Dan Marino’s only appearance in a Super Bowl.
Likewise, the Giants stunning upset of the undefeated Patriots ended a period of time where the AFC won eight of 10 Super Bowls, with the Rams and Bucs being the only two teams to win the Super Bowl from the NFC in a 12-year period.
Historically, there have been several shifts in power between the conferences. One occurred in 1998, during that Super Bowl, and another may have happened last year.
What are the similarities between last year’s Super Bowl, and the Broncos win? Both were underdogs that were given little chance, if any at all, by the media, and by fans of other teams. Both teams were lead by a good pass rush, and a great running game. (However…as a side note, no one is anointing Eli Manning as the next great quarterback, but he was brilliant in the playoffs)
So could this be another shift in power between the two leagues?
Absolutely.
Let’s take a look at the AFC, and the teams expected to be at the top – the teams that make this conference so “dominant.”
New England Patriots – Tom Brady is hurt, and they are being led by a quarterback who hasn’t STARTED a game since high school. Not to mention that their offensive line and defense are aging, and their running game is deteriorating.
Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning appears to be hurt, and they barely squeaked one out against a Minnesota team that couldn’t even get it in the endzone. Defense has always been a question in Indianapolis, and the answer has always been the high octane offense. Manning isn’t old by any standard, but he is starting in his 11th season.
Jacksonville Jaguars – A perennial dark horse, yet they sit at 0-2, and haven’t played well at all. Is it possible that Fred Taylor, the lack of talent at wide receiver and the utter obsession over big players has finally caught up with the Jaguars?
Pittsburgh Steelers – Maybe the only argument for AFC dominance still left. Roethlisberger is the real deal, and continues to be. Willie Parker is a good running back, and Mendenhall lies in waiting. Meanwhile Santonio Holmes is up and coming and Hines Ward continues to produce.
San Diego Chargers – 0-2 again. LaDainian is hurt, Rivers is still whining and still is trying to throw with that noodle, and Michael Turner is running over people in the NFC.
Denver Broncos – The Broncos have a great offense – maybe the best in the league, and certainly the best in the first two weeks – but the defense is questionable.
Buffalo Bills – Are we seriously putting our faith in the AFC over the Bills, who aren’t even sure where they will host home games in the next few years?
Meanwhile, the NFC continues to build. Green Bay looks like it could be a contender in the next five years, the NFC East is the best division in football with two teams that look better than the defending champs, and Seattle is a contender out west. Don’t forget about Drew Brees, the most under-rated quarterback in the league, and the Saints in the South.
Its hard to say if there’s been a complete shift in the dominance of the NFL, but judging off the first two weeks of play, and the Super Bowl back in February, control of league dominance may have just shifted back to the NFC.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.