Pelletier's Perspective 08.15.08: The AFC Perspective

Posted by Justin Pelletier on 08.15.2008

Last week’s column created quite a stir, particularly among Lions and Cardinals fans (go figure). This week’s column is sure to create a similar buzz as 411’s Justin Pelletier puts the AFC into perspective, in this week’s Pelletier’s Perspective.

Before we get into the AFC, I'd like to take some time to respond a few of the comments (or hatred) from loyal Perspective readers.

You are a fool if you honestly believe the Bears are better than the Lions.

Posted By: Josh (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 08:45 PM

I am a fool, but not necessarily because I believe the Bears are better than the Lions. I may, however, be a fool because I thought "That 70's Guy" was a good gimmick.

The Lions Are better than the bears because they figured one very obvious fact: Their QB has talent. I mean at the way the Bears are getting Sucky QBs I expect a newsflash on ESPN saying Ryan Leaf was signed by the Bears to be their new starter. and the Panthers season doesn't look loss, Don't go judging them by pre-season issues, I mean if a team was killed by pre-Season Issues then get a Casket for the Packers franchise STAT

Posted By: John (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 09:47 PM

MORE LIONS LOVE! Listen, Jon Kinta does not a good team make. Roy Williams is great and Calvin Johnson is coming along but Detroit's running game is just as sorry as Chicago's and its defense doesn't stack up.

The Bears have fallen down to just 2 levels away from Raiders level of not caring by the general public, I mean their only offensive weapon is Devin Hester and I would not be shocked if They just punted on 1st Down, got the Defense to hopefully stop the other team, and let Hester run it in on the Return

Posted By: John (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 09:49 PM

So this is more Bears hate than Lions love but my stance remains the same. A good defense can carry a sorry offense to a couple of wins and that's what will happen in Chicago.

The Bucs will finish top of their division, the Saints are the Bengals v2.0 with Bress/Palmer carrying that whole team, i dont see the Saints with a TJ or Chad... Bucs win Bucs win!


"A Favre-less NFC means that Tony Romo is the top quarterback in the conference"

*swing and a miss*

Brees is better because, you know he's won a playoff game. Eli is better cause he won a ring. A healthy/16 game McNabb is better because he seems to have the stats and W's to back that up.
Romo is shit, Cowboys will choke ... again.

Posted By: Brad (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 02:44 AM

You ARE aware that Delhomme has been doing great in camp, right? And that teammates fighting doesn't end a season?

And Romo's the best QB? A guy who's never won a playoff game? I'd take Brees over Romo any day. How do they decide who writes these things?

Posted By: Dave (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 05:28 PM


I'm going to let extremely intelligent Perspective reader Adam respond to our friends then I'll take a crack.

According to your logic, Brad, Elvis Grbac is a better QB than Dan Marino. That doesn't fly. Romo's IS the best QB in the NFC.

Posted By: Adam (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 05:37 PM

Thanks Adam. Brad you seem to be an angry Cowboys hater, that's fine but let's not forget that Romo has led the Boys to consecutive playoff appearances and threw for 4,211 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. Hate Dallas all you want, but don't be delusional.

As for you Dave, if you want to put your eggs in the basket of a guy coming off Tommy John surgery, be my guest. As for the Steve Smith issue, fighting teammates don't end season, correct, but suspending your best player for the first two regular season games ain't a good sign. As for who writes for 411, usually they like to have columnists who write in complete sentences rather than fragments. Try starting a sentence that doesn't begin with a conjunction. Just because I don't agree with your opinion doesn't make me a fool. I would put my sporting knowledge up against anyone this side of Howie Shwab.

I would put Brees right up there with Romo for sure due to his experience, maybe even Manning after his playoff performance. Romo is never focused when it matters most. I don't blame TO if he bashes him at least once this season. Btw ESPN only follows Favre because they believe he is God and always have believed it and because they have nothin good on their channel.

Posted By: JM (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 11:52 AM

Thanks for the input JM. Brees and Manning are two of the better quarterbacks, for sure. I'd take Romo, though. Keep in mind that this is only his second, full, season as a starter.

Lazy writing up there....way too shallow. The NFC West discussion was especially shallow. C'mon, telling us the Cardinals won't do anything because "they're the Cardinals"? They were a missed 32 yard FG and a botched fumble play away from a playoff team last year. And St. Louis has the potential to be a huge sleeper team this year....look at the weapons Bulger has this year.

Also in one paragraph you say "with Favre, the Bears would be playoff bound"...in the next paragraph you say they would struggle to make the playoffs with Favre. Which is it?

I just feel like you rushed this one and could have spent a lot more time breaking down each division with the real issues for each team rather than just a 4 sentence paragraph per division.

Posted By: Ego (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 01:07 PM

EGO! Long time no hear from. You USED to write here, didn't you? Come on man, give me a break. I know you're a Cardinals fan but just because they ALMOST made the playoffs in the NFC doesn't make them a contender. You can read details about Edgerrin James' statistics anywhere. We at the Perspective, like to focus on compelling stories, not marginal teams. Also, St. Louis will go NOWHERE if Steven Jackson holds out. I don't like to spend time on non factors (see: Buffalo and Miami later in this column).

As for my Bears statement, read it more carefully. They would make the playoffs, but would struggle to get there. They'd be a wild card team.

so how long did it take you to write this? a couple minutes while on the toilet?

How about you give us some action facts to back up your opinions than "they're the freaking cardinals"

Posted By: Guest#5343 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 09:29 PM

Man, another Cards lover. Fine you want "action facts", here ya go.

Matt Leinart has failed, thus far, to live up to his billing and draft position (number 10). Even though his 2007 season was cut to only five games due to injury, he wasn't exactly amazing anyone with his numbers to that point (53.6 rating, four picks and only two scores). The fact that Kurt Warner is a serious option to start the season, during a year when Leinart should be poised for a breakout, speaks volumes.

At 30, Edgerrin James has clearly lost a step. His 324 rushes left him one off the league lead and that will take a toll in '08. If he falters this year, his backups (J.J. Arrington and Tim Hightower) leave a little to be desired.

Anquin Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are studs but receiver is the most dependent position in football. If Leinart continues to struggle, or the line is shaky, or the running game blows the receivers suffer. Add to that the fact that Boldin is unhappy and you have the possibility for trouble.

Finally, while its defense isn't awful, it isn't great either. The Cards were 17th in total defense, ninth against the run and 28th against the pass! That's not exactly a defense that will carry you to the post season.

So keep all that in mind the next time you are locked in the bathroom dreaming about Matt Leinart.

Having the Eagles behind the Vikes is odd, since they are essentially the same team, but Philly has a QB. Westbrook is too often overlooked. He is as good as, if not better, Adrian. And before anyone says it, yes, the Vikes were #1 against the run, but that's cuz they were last in pass defense and had the 4th fewest rush attempts against.

Posted By: spyman480 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 07:30 PM

All very good points spyman. Personally, I'd rather have the leagues best rushing attack and best rushing defense (even if it is skewed) than a fragile quarterback. Plus Minnesota plays in an easier division, which will add up to a few wins. I like Philly, though. The Birds could surprise.

Man, people take their NFL seriously. I can't wait for the response to this column. With that out of the way we move on to the AFC which now IS the home of Brett Favre. Will number four's trip to his new digs shift the balance of power in the stronger conference? Let's take a look.

Since its inception, the Indianapolis Colts have dominated the South. This year Peyton Manning is still recuperating from off season knee surgery, Marvin Harrison is coming off an injury that sidelined him most of last year and the rest of the division is catching up. NONE OF THAT WILL MATTER. THE COLTS WILL WIN THE DIVISON AGAIN!

Jacksonville will be on Indy's heels all season. Its run defense is serious and David Garrard has the best set of weapons the squad has had in forever. The Jags are on the cusp but are still behind the Colts.

Tennessee will take a step back this season. Alge Crumpler is a big addition and a big target for Vince Young but the Titans, simply, don't enough weapons to make another playoff run.

If rookie Steve Slaton turns to be a game changer the Texans are in good shape. It not, the running game is on Ahman Green and Chris Brown, yikes!

Last seasons surprise team resided in Cleveland but the Browns won't surprise anyone this year. They won't have to surprise anyone, though, they'll just be good. The Brownies will be neck-and-neck with Pittsburgh. Their showdown on the last weeks of the season could determine the AFC North champion.

This is the year Cincinnati bounces back. Chad Johnson will shut up long enough to be productive and the defense can't be any worse.

Baltimore has been good for as long as I remember, but this year…not so much. The defense, which has carried the Ravens forever, is getting older, Willis McGhee is out and Troy Smith is the quarterback. Baltimore is on the clock.

Out west it's basically San Diego and the Chargeretts. The team from So Cal is very, very good and the rest of the division is very, very bad. If Philip Rivers can take that next step and become an elite level quarterback we could see San Diego represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Thank god from Michael Phelps, because without him, the sports world would still be fixated on Brett Favre. Frankly, it wouldn't matter if it were Favre or Phelps starting at quarterback for the Jets because New England will win the AFC East. The Pats are too talented, too deep and too well coached.

The addition of Favre makes New York the second best team in the division but that's not saying much when Buffalo and Miami are your only competition.

With that out of the way, it's time for what you've all been waiting for, the AFC Power Rankings.


AFC Power Rankings

1. New England Patriots
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Cincinnati Bengals
8. Tennessee Titans
9. New York Jets
10. Houston Texans
11. Denver Broncos
12. Buffalo Bills
13. Oakland Raiders
14. Kansas City Chiefs
15. Miami Dolphins
16. Baltimore Ravens


Left-Over Thoughts from an obsessed sports fan.


• As I write this, I'm watching the USA basketball team play our "first real challenge" Greece. My favorite part of the whole experience is watching Chris Bosh rip Greek point guards on the parameter.

• I have to say, however, that this team isn't much different than the pervious disappointing US Olympic teams. The difference is that this team plays defense. If they face at team that can handle the press, however, they could be in trouble.


• Superstars, like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, WILL NEVER GO PLAY IN EUROPE. I don't care how good the Euro is, they want to be global brands and that can only happen in the NBA.

So that's all we've got here on the Perspective this week. Next week we'll finish our preview of the NFL with a look at the 12 playoff teams and the Perspective's Super Bowl prediction. Until then enjoy Coach K's toupee.