15. Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Chicago Bears
The Chiefs have come out of nowhere to post a 7-4 record and lead the AFC West by a game over the hard charging San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs are thought of as the Patriots-lite. They have their old backup QB in Matt Cassel, their old offensive and defensive coordinator in Charlie Weis & Romeo Crennel, and their old front office master mind in Scott Pioli. They are a solid team that could be a year or two away from being a big time player along side the Patriots, Jets, and Steelers.
The Bears are the least sexy 8-3 team in football. They don't really wow you with their play but at the end of the day they are able to put up victories. Jay Cutler still scares me at QB but he hasn't been as turnover prone as he was in the past. They are a lot like the Chiefs in that they aren't great at any one thing, though their defense is playing at a pretty high level, and we aren't sure how good they really are.
14. New England Patriots Vs. New York Giants
A rematch of their classic Super Bowl XLII game where the Giants ended the Patriots perfect season. The Giants defense was all over Tom Brady that day and a last minute touchdown from Manning to Burress gave the Giants the 17-14 victory. This game would be similar to that game, except neither team would be chasing perfection. The Patriots have an explosive, high-powered offense and a defense that gives up a lot of yards (and is starting to give up a lot of points). The Giants offense is about as good as it was that year. The defensive front-seven is not as good as it was that year but they can still attack and that makes them a scary team come January.
13. New York Jets Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles make this list a lot but that's because they have the single most compelling storyline in football: Michael Vick. Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he is electrifying and that thinking of potential matchups with him versus some of the great defenses in the AFC would make for great television. This particular matchup has Vick against the third-best scoring defense in football, the Jets. Would Vick be able to create plays with the Jets secondary neutralizing the Eagles weapons on the outside? Would Vick get frustrated and abandon his arm and use his legs?
12. Indianapolis Colts Vs. Green Bay Packers
I can't think of a better QB in the NFC than Aaron Rodgers. There are some who are close (Vick, Ryan) but Rodgers is the best of the bunch. Peyton Manning has to do more than any other QB in football. This matchup with the best QB in the NFC versus arguably the best in the AFC could make for a wild shootout. Of course, that's assuming the Colts are able to get some of their playmakers back to help out Manning.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Philadelphia
A Super Bowl matchup of the best playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, Michael Vick, against the best playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, Troy Polamalu. Add in the tale of redemption for both teams quarterback and you have one of the best possible Super Bowl matchups.
Side note, I do know that both QB's troubles are of their own doing but it's nice to see athletes who at least have tried to remake their image in light of their off-field issues.
10. New England Patriots Vs. Atlanta Falcons
There is an age old question that is often asked when used to determine who is the best QB in football: Who would you want with the ball in the last two minutes of the game? Since 2002, the answer has been Tom Brady. He had a calmness to him, he was like Joe Montana in that regard. It didn't matter if he needed a field goal or touchdown, just give him the ball at the end with a chance to win. Now, Matt Ryan is slowly becoming that type of QB. He has played one postseason game thus far, a loss to Arizona in the 2009 wild-card round. This year, the Falcons look poised to make a run for the Super Bowl in the wide open NFC and Matt Ryan could take the next step and put his name alongside Brady.
9. San Diego Chargers Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The highest scoring team in the NFC vs. the second highest scoring team in the AFC. Michael Vick and all the weapons that are around him vs. Philip Rivers and all the toys that he has. Rivers is arguably the MVP of the NFL, while Vick will likely finish somewhere in the top 5. The Chargers finally getting over that playoff hump and getting to the Super Bowl. Andy Reid exorcising some of his postseason demons and leading the Eagles back to the Super Bowl.
8. Baltimore Ravens Vs. New Orleans Saints
Really any game between Ray Lewis and a great QB is going to make for compelling television. Add to the fact that the Saints can score points as well as anyone and the Ravens have one of the best defenses in the league makes it even better. Joe Flacco is taking on more responsibility with the struggles of Ray Rice and he is turning a corner and becoming of of the better QB's in football.
7. New York Jets Vs. Green Bay Packers
The Jets were built to win this year after getting so close to the Super Bowl last year. The Packers were one of the favorites entering last year's postseason but forgot how to play defense. Now these two teams seem primed to make a deep run into the playoffs this year. Green Bay's defense has been playing really well. The Jets offense, led by Mark Sanchez, seems to have taken a big step forward with the addition of Santonio Holmes. The two teams that won the first three Super Bowls could meet in Dallas this year for the biggest game of the year.
6. New England Patriots Vs. Chicago Bears
A matchup of a great QB and linebacker, although Urlacher has kind of taken a back seat to Julius Peppers on the Bears defense. Plus, this one could turn into a shootout given the Patriots ability to score and the Patriots defense being so porous, especially against the pass. Jay Cutler could have a field day or he could throw five INT's.
5. Indianapolis Colts Vs. New York Giants
Watching the Colts this year, you have to feel bad for Peyton Manning. He has lost every playmaker that he has, except Reggie Wayne, the running game is non-existent and he has had to do more this year than in any other year. It will take a lot of doing for him to be able to get the Colts to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl. On the other side, would be his brother Eli. These two really could not be any more different. Peyton is like a robot, his preparation and study are the things of legend. Eli, while no doubt a thorough studier of the game, is kind of goofy and shows more emotion on the field.
4. New York Jets Vs. New York Giants
I am not one of these people that believes the entire sports world revolves around New York, probably because I am not from New York. That said, the contrast in coaching styles in this game would make it compelling. There is Rex Ryan, the laid back, fun-loving character who can make you laugh and then make you cry as his team is beating on you. On the other side there is Tom Coughlin, the no-nonsense, tough and strict guy who wants to rip you apart. I think most people would like to play for Ryan but both guys definitely get results because of who they are and how they coach.
3. Baltimore Ravens Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ray Lewis versus Michael Vick. The best linebacker of this era taking on probably the best pure athlete in all of football. Imagine seeing Vick lineup under center and Lewis on the other side yelling and screaming at him, letting him know what he is going to feel if he tries to take off. It would be an almost surreal feeling watching these two on the field knowing what they are capable of at any given moment.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Green Bay Packers
Two of the most storied franchises in professional sports history meeting up for the first time in a Super Bowl. Two great quarterbacks, Roethlisberger and Rodgers. Two great defenses. Two outstanding coaches. It's hard to believe that these two have never met in a Super Bowl before given the fact that these teams are so good and so consistent. A matchup in Super Bowl XLV would have all the makings of one of the best Super Bowl games of all-time.
1. New England Patriots Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The best coach in football, Bill Belichick, and (arguably) the best quarterback in football, Tom Brady, going up against the team that they beat in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Philadelphia Eagles. These two teams have very different looks from those teams. In New England, the only real constants are the coach and QB. In Philly, they have remade this team starting with the new and improved Michael Vick. Imagine Belichick and his legendary gameplan ability going up against the most dynamic player in all of football. That would make for some really great television and the best possible Super Bowl XLV matchup.
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