Assuming you CANNOT pick the Patriots or Seahawks, what are your premature picks for next year's Super Bowl?
To me, the AFC comes down to the North or Indy (if we are leaving NE out of the picture). Denver's future is too uncertain, and I don't see anyone else in the West being a serious contender. Other than Indy in the South, I don't see anyone else there either. And NE is the East. So, I think I am going to have to go with Baltimore. Despite their QB just being "adequate," he is a veteran and knows how to keep his team around, and once they are in the hunt, they always seem to find ways to make life difficult for other teams.
The NFC is a little harder. Seattle is done. I wish I could say that the 49ers were my pick. They should be healthier for sure. But I think free agency and cap issues are going to shake up the roster. And the front office has made a complete mess of the coaching staff. I have no faith that this team will be good for the forseeable future despite having one of the most promising QBs in the league and lots of other talent on both sides of the ball. I think this is the year the Cardinals take the West. In the East, I think the Cowboys will build on what they did this year. Green Bay will find a way to take the North. The South...eh, whatever. My heart tells me Arizona, even though my head tells me Dallas. I'm going with Arizona.