15 NFL Teams Most Likely To Win The Super Bowl
#14 Is Peyton The Key For Denver?
Without Peyton Manning, a team can really suffer (the Colts finished 2-14 in 2011) but on a new field and in a new stadium, can the soon-to-be-named gridiron legend work with a new offensive scheme? The Broncos defense holds chemistry, but if offense's bit of youth maintains a stable push forward, Denver won't be seen as a team that's rebuilding.
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15:
Cincinnati Is The Underdog To Beat
Jumping up to a record of 9-7 against opponents last season, you can call the Cincinnati Bengals the decade's underdog in the NFL. Team issues on and off the field seem to be evaporated but for them to repeat a positive year and clinch the division, their sophomore QB Andy Dalton will need to throw at least 30+ TDs and not a flat 20.
14:
Is Peyton The Key For Denver?
Without Peyton Manning, a team can really suffer (the Colts finished 2-14 in 2011) but on a new field and in a new stadium, can the soon-to-be-named gridiron legend work with a new offensive scheme? The Broncos defense holds chemistry, but if offense's bit of youth maintains a stable push forward, Denver won't be seen as a team that's rebuilding.
13:
How Youth Can Save The Cowboys
Overall team health issues are a serious concern but Romo and the Cowboys have a lot to smile about with elite young talent at key positions on the field and an emerging bench that can hit the ground running if youngsters Kevin Ogletree and DeMarco Murray can exceed expectations.
12:
Detroit Rock City
Madden's new poster boy has attracted a lot of fame so far in 2012 but Calvin Johnson, like the rest of the Lions, are severely underrated. While he helped turn Matt Stafford into one of the top-five quarterbacks in the league last year, the wide receiver snagged 16 touchdowns while raking in 1,600+ yards.
11:
Drew Brees & The Saints ignore the drama
Mass suspensions and off-the-field drama highlight the off-season for the Saints with no clear upgrades to either offense or defense, but the lone red flag is on Drew Brees - can he ignore the distractions to make a serious run at the big game or will he become just another one-and-done Super Bowl quarterback?
10:
Da' Bears Look To The New Season
If "Da Bears" need anything this season, it's a run at the playoffs and though quarterback Jay Cutler and linebacker Brian Urlacher have struggled with injuries and inconsistency, they now have a new Pro Bowl receiver in Brandon Marshall who caught nine passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in Chicago's first game of the season.
9:
Roethlisberger and the Steelers can Scramble to the Super Bowl
If you look at the word "veterans", you're bound to see the Steelers lineup scribbled underneath the definition as their time may be now or never. One positive aspect for 2012 is QB Ben Roethlisberger has led the team to the Super Bowl in 2008 and 2010.
8:
Can Ryan Help The Falcons Take Flight?
Since his rookie season, Matt Ryan has been overlooked as a model of consistency and leadership at the quarterback position, but with a focused receiving duo in Roddy White and Julio Jones and a new offensive scheme, things are just about to take flight.
7:
The Eagles Scrap, Run And Soar
The primary discrepancy with the Eagles is their continuing health issues with a handful of their starters (Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy). When in fine form however, they have one of the deepest rosters in the league with enough experience to soar in the playoffs.
6:
Baltimore Returns With A Championship-Worthy Team
Compared to previous years, the Ravens are now built on a mix of old and new faces that bring toughness and speed. Along with linebacker/indesctructible force Ray Lewis, they return 17 starters from the team that played in last year's AFC Championship Game.
5:
Houston has a shot at their first Championship
The Houston Texans have it all - an outstanding set of running backs, a deep offense and an extremely stingy defense from the line to the safeties. The only noticeable improvement would be if wide receiver Andre Johnson could produce a record year to make the Texans an absolutely dominant foe.
4:
The 49ers Will Try To Outlast Everyone
The Giants crushed the 49ers dreams of a championship last year. Now, they face an aging roster. Leaders Frank Gore and Patrick Willis have their work cut out on them on offense and defense respectively, but if quarterback Alex Smith can show true leadership for a second time, a Super Bowl appearance is in the cards.
3:
Does A Giants Win Mean A Repeat?
It's hard to pinpoint whether or not Eli Manning's skill as a quarterback is mainly designed off of sheer luck, but the defending champs are looking to take their offense corps and pass rush defense to the next level as repeat champions. That's if they can refrain from repeating the regular season with a 9-7 record.
2:
Brady Wants Ring #4
Consistency is Tom Brady and with 2012 in full gear, the quarterback looks to excel with tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski rejoining a beefed up receiving corps. Brady's stat line over the past two seasons: 75 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and an average of 285.4 passing yards per game.
1:
The Revenge Of The Pack
When it comes to the Green Bay Packers, a disappointing home exit in last year's playoffs should only push the team to be more stable defensively. When it comes to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, matching his 2011 line of 4,643/45/6 seems highly doable.
