Author: Max Greenberg
In terms of figuring out who the clear Super Bowl contenders are, this NFL season has been an absolute mess. We are in Week 12 of the 2021 season, and right now, there is still not a team that stands out from the rest.
In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills’ lack of depth has seemingly caught up with them, the Tennessee Titans are dealing with injuries and lack of consistency, and the AFC East leading New England Patriots just do not have the talent that you would expect from a contender. Even the Kansas City Chiefs have more questions than answers right now, and the rest of the AFC West and AFC North look slated to take each other out as the season progresses.
In the NFC, the once clear favorite Los Angeles Rams have lost two straight and are in for another tough road matchup this week against the Green Bay Packers, who are also coming off of a loss. The defending Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also struggled due to injuries and inconsistency, and the Arizona Cardinals have cooled off recently, mostly due to injuries, but their lack of discipline at critical times could end up costing them big time.
Right now, there is no point in making a prediction as to who is going to end up in the big game on February 6, because all this season has taught us is how pointless they are. The question is, how should we expect this NFL season to fare as compared to seasons prior?
Let’s start off by putting it this way -- in seven of the past eight seasons, at least one of the top seeds in each conference has been in the Super Bowl. And in the season that did not feature a top seed in the game, both of the second seeds were represented.
History indicates that you should expect that trend to continue, but look at what has happened this year. I will say that I have watched football for just over ten years and I have never seen the amount of parity that I have seen this year.
Right now, EVERY team that is or was supposed to be among the most feared has at least one legitimate knock on them. Whereas in seasons past where it seemed as if every team had at least one strength that could not be bested, that is not at all the case this year. Oh, and the seventeenth game for each team further complicates things, since teams could be a lot more tired heading into the postseason.
As far as this year’s playoffs go, it is looking like a completely clean slate. If there is any year that a number one seed is not going to make it to the Super Bowl, this is the year due to how much uncertainty there is.
It is tough if you are a fan of any of these teams that is supposed to be contending, but for the average fan and the NFL itself, this is about as great of a development as there could be. The football is going to be compelling, there is going to be lots of drama, and the fact that there is no clear favorite is going to make it that much more fun to watch.
Do you remember how the 2021 NBA Playoffs were so fun to watch because it was so unpredictable, making the basketball that much more competitive and interesting? That is what the NFL is looking like it is going to be come January.
Right now, we have no idea what to even expect when the big dance starts, and if there is any year that a team is going to come out of nowhere and win it all, this is it. Get your popcorn folks, this is going to be fun.
SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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