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2019 NFC
The NFC seeding will soon shake out however what is clear isn't where you play
this game ... or when you play it ... but in what team your facing. In
other words, the powers in the NFC are about to clash & that what's it all
about. The problem with power rankings, especially at the end of the year,
is that they tend to heavily reflect playoff seeding. In other words, in
2019 seeding just might end up being irrelevant. In short, what matters
are ACTUAL 2019 Power Rankings.
At #1 are the New Orleans Saints however there are red flags everywhere.
Although Drew Brees is once again setting NFL records that in itself is never a
good thing as there is always a price for chasing records. In other words,
you cannot just show up at a contest hoping to show off your accomplishments to
someone that you have to defeat. 1998 comes to mind in a big way
here. How often has the question been asked ... would you rather have RING
or RECORD? Put another way, I'd rather have that Minnesota Miracle the
following week but all that wonderful stuff needed to pop to get us there.
What was alarming in regard to the Saints was that prior track meet versus the
49ers where the last one with the ball won the game. That said two
alarming things about the Saints. Their defense is not immortal where they
are subject to depletion facing a very real efficient running game. If you
recall your history, New Orleans wanted no part of Adrian Peterson in 2009 as
that clearly unhinged both Brees & their Head Coach Sean Peyton. That
defense may be strong coming out of the gate but they may also only be a shadow
of themselves when losing the battle in time of possession. Secondly, if
there was a team that can combine an efficient run game with the ability to
mirror the Saints track meet ... well that could spell their death knell.
It's funny that in recent history this Vikings franchise has been the Saints
tormentor ... maybe for stealing our 2009 championship. It is clear that
the Saints believe that their revenge is within their sights but last years BLACK
MARK looms over them (The World owes us something), however it never works
out that way. What has become very clear is that this Viking franchise has
actually evolved at a much greater rate & capacity as compared to the
Saints. Disappointment ... in WE DAT' ... might be in the making.
It's a good thing that seven of them made the Pro Bowl. Keep in mind that
no dome has an advantage ... if things get out of hand in the wrong direction.
At #3, are the Packers with A. A. Ron, Adams & Aaron Jones however it
is my belief that they are about to get exposed in a big way. It is my
firm belief that you will see Xavier Rhodes reestablish himself versus Adams ...
as for Rhodes this is about pride versus the best. As for Mr. Jones, I
don't expect a repeat performance in the ground game as no one wearing purple is
going to fall for that again as they are more than ready to shut it down.
And, as the entire league knows, A. A. Ron has been crippled by all those
hankies, where if they don't come time & again in the red zone to give him
more downs to score ... the Packers will flounder. The reason that they
are so high on this list is due primarily to the overall health of this team as
compared to others like the Seahawks.
At #4 are the Sea Hawks due in part to Russell Wilson, who in my opinion is the
most dangerous QB in the NFC. Carlson is a boat load to handle but he, in
my opinion is suspect, due to a very long 2019 season of overall depletion,
especially if Seattle doesn't earn that first round bye. Even with a
contest being held in Seattle, without Rashard Penny, now on injured reserve,
Pete Carrol cannot unleash that two headed monster. If Russell Wilson is
forced into being one dimensional, without Josh Gordon, his very suspect
receiving core will not be able to retrieve his bacon from the
fire.
At #6 are the 49ers for numerous reasons. Firstly, they have sputtered
badly versus the NFC elite, were it not for a blown coverage to their #1 threat
Kittle, they'd go home with yet another loss in New Orleans. Also, their
injury report is growing by leaps & bounds. I expect them to sputter
badly down the stretch. Even though the #5 Rams will not be playing for a
playoff birth, it's my belief that the Rams will want to demonstrate that they
should be in the tournament & against this 49er depleted squad where they
are going to want to send that message. As for playing in Seattle, even
without many of their weapons, Seattle will find a way to put on a display
against the 49ers depleted core in the hopes of putting up a false front for the
playoffs.
At #7 are the Eagles, outlasting the Cowboys at #8 due primarily to Jerry Jones,
where he's anxious for a change & has put his franchise into chaos. In
his mind, if he cannot win the prize, making the playoffs isn't his
priority.
This puts this Vikings franchise in the NFC's Power Rankings at the #2 spot
primarily due to it potential playoff seeding which may have them on the road
for three consecutive weeks as they may not be able to catch the Fudgies.
This may have been decided on this 2019 opening day result where the Packers
defeated the Bears, where this Vikings franchise faced a completely different
squad in Chicago. Why are the Vikings so high on this list of very
good NFC teams? Well it's due in part to this franchise's ability to
re-establish itself as a potential track team with the return of a healthy Adam
Theilen with a very stout receiving crew at every possible position ...
including full back. Even without a 100% totally healthy Dalvin Cook,
during what is expected to be a very brutal playoff run, you will see the
emergence of Boone & Abdullah, with Alexander Mattison leading the
way. Why? Because Alexander impact is nothing less than brutal, as
"THEY WANT NO PART OF YOU" (Sometimes very important words are spoken
through those that have no idea what they are saying). Now with the Pro
Bowl snubbing of Cousins, Kendricks & Ham, amongst others, the message is
becoming crystal clear ... you see ... those destined to play in the NFL's
biggest game don't play in the Pro
Bowl.
What you don't do is say, Mr. QB, I'm sorry that they now overlooked you for the
second consecutive year. Instead what you might say is, "Now it's
time that we showed everyone that this isn't a popularity contest ... we're
going to show them that they were wrong". It's time to blow the dust
off this thing.
Now, it's time to prostrate myself. My son would say to me, "Dad, you
know how this all ends ... Don't you dad?" To which I have only this
to say, "Yes son, I know how this all ends ... I've been there many, many
times ... but with every fiber within my body ... I'll fight it all to the
end". You never know.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: December 18, 2019
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