Toughest Super Bowl Opponent

You have a good point.


I don't think the 49ers are really going to make it in the playoffs. Saints should be above them in power rankings, they have so far only played 2 teams that are playoff worthy, and they lost to both of them.

Don't get me wrong, they have a great, great defense, but not much of an offense, and they have yet to play a top 5 offense. I'm looking forward to a Saints/49ers match up, and then another Saints/Packers game.

I've got a healthy respect for the Saints offense but no, they shouldn't be higher ranked than the Niners after losing to Tampa Bay 20-26, and the Rams 31-21. The Niners blew out Tampa 43-3. The Rams are next for the Niners so we'll see how that goes.
Of all the teams with a 8-3 record, only the Ravens should tied with the Niners because they beat them. Neither the Saints or the Pats should be above us because their record is worse and they don't have a decent defense. The Packers are undefeated so of course they should be first regardless of their D.

The Saints can be beaten. And I like our chances at the 'Stick against them. I'm still looking forward to Niner/Packer NFCCG.

We beat this guy, you didn't means little in the scheme of things. I'll ask this question. Who have the 49ers beaten that is a legitimate playoff team at this point? Only team I see fitting this is possibly Dallas.

Right now I am very torn on a potential Niners/Saints game in the playoffs. It's strength vs. strength. It depends on how both teams end the regular season to me and my general feeling on them going into the playoffs. Saints are killer bees at home but on the road? Completely different story. And regardless if the Saints did beat the Niners in the divisional round they could run out of gas eventually. Win at home in WC round, travel to SF, back to NO, then to GB....thats a tough road. West coast trips often take a toll on teams. In 2006 I remember when NE had to win the WC round, go to SD and then back to NE before heading to Indy to lose a close one.

Steelers at 49ers will be more telling to us then possibly 49ers at Ravens on prime time on a short week.

Silly OP, when you listed TEBOW you ruined this thread.

Yes, I voted on Tebow.

In all honesty, the biggest challenge is still Pittsburgh. It's the one team that has a QB that can play at an elite level (no, he's not elite like Brady, Brees, Rodgers) and that has a defense to back him up (despite Rodgers carving them last year). If Joe Flacco suddenly plays well then it's Baltimore.

The SB isn't the game I'm worried about. It's when we face NO in the playoffs. I still believe we'll come through, particularly at home, but they're the 2nd best team IMHO.

Can Ben be considered "elite"?

He is not a typical "pretty" QB to watch at times like many of the others but the college girl molester gets stuff done at times when needed and quite a bit.

Well, duh. Rodgers is the King of the mountain. Ben just inhabits one of the villages halfway up it.

The Niners beat the Bengals and the Lions but lost to the Cowpukes and the Ravens. They also beat the Giants which I consider a significant win even though they'll probably not make the playoffs. Coming from 20+ points behind in the Eagles game was huge as well.
But both losses were close. The loss to the Cowpukes came in OT and the loss to the Ravens came on a short week after traveling further than any team has for a Thanksgiving game. Stuff happens.

The thing that concerns me now is injuries. The Niners lack depth on the O-line and it showed in the Ravens game. The Niner D didn't force any turnovers either which I believe they lead the league in.

Look on the plus side, you still have Harbaugh. I know from when he was the Colts QB that he is excellent at motivating a team who is receiving a lack of respect. He has the knack on knowing just what to say and do. So entering the playoffs who knows......

That's why I say he's not elite but he can play as one at times.

He's as good as anyone when improvising. But he misses too many easy passes and he makes too many bad decisions to be considered an elite QB.

Thats why sometimes Ben scares me the most at times in the clutch. More so then Tom Brady in the AFC even. Ben just.....does stuff at times and can be difficult to plan for.

I know I know. Those poor girls never saw it coming...

And he is so tough to bring down too with his size and strength.

I gotta stop.....

LOL Ben isn't elite.
They love to talk about how great he is, but he's at best a poor man's John Elway that plays average most games. Without the weapons Ben has, I don't think he would be such a winner.

I think PackersRS said it best. He is not truly elite but can play like one at times.

I am not sure who "they" are either. If it's the media I don't even pay much attention to what they say.

Time to call this thread back up. Looked for the most approprate one. I've said from the start we don't need to fear the 49ers

Probably the Steelers at this point. Saints almost lost to the Titans come on now. Once it reallllly gets cold, I don't see Drew Brees playing better than Aaron Rodgers. Anything can happen but unlikely. As for the Superbowl, Pittsburgh's defense won't stop us(technically no team has) but we're not the #2 defense from last season either. Should be another close one.