Jules
The Colts Fan
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2011
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Since the divisions got re-aligned in 2002, no team that has played the AFC West entirely has ever won the SB. Raiders were the last one to make it having played the AFC West and they lost. Packers played the AFC West this year. Pats are the second team to make the SB for a team that played the AFC West entirely since 2002 and they lost.
But the Pats had the NFC East factor going for them - a team that played the NFC East or from the NFC East has won the SB since 2006. Colts in 2006, Giants in 2007 vs Pats (who also played the NFC East), Pitt in 2008 vs Cardinals (who also played the NFC East), Saints in 2009, Packers in 2010 all fit the pattern.
Note that when the NFC East factor applies to both teams, it is a dog fight in the SB till the end.
That is why I felt the 49ers/Giants winner could be the likely winner in the SB since they did not have the AFC West factor against them but had the NFC East factor going for them.
Now going into next year who plays the NFC East? The AFC North, the NFC East plays each other obviously and the NFC South. BUT, the NFC South plays the AFC West too. The AFC North also plays the AFC West.
By default the NFC East might take the SB title again.
But the Pats had the NFC East factor going for them - a team that played the NFC East or from the NFC East has won the SB since 2006. Colts in 2006, Giants in 2007 vs Pats (who also played the NFC East), Pitt in 2008 vs Cardinals (who also played the NFC East), Saints in 2009, Packers in 2010 all fit the pattern.
Note that when the NFC East factor applies to both teams, it is a dog fight in the SB till the end.
That is why I felt the 49ers/Giants winner could be the likely winner in the SB since they did not have the AFC West factor against them but had the NFC East factor going for them.
Now going into next year who plays the NFC East? The AFC North, the NFC East plays each other obviously and the NFC South. BUT, the NFC South plays the AFC West too. The AFC North also plays the AFC West.
By default the NFC East might take the SB title again.