Though the NFL has transformed itself into a year-round entity through the combine, draft and OTAs, all football fans have right now are memories and hypotheticals. Take, for instance, the fact that next year's Super Bowl odds have already been posted by the MGM Grand's sports book. According to those odds, nine teams (four from the AFC, five from the NFC) have better than a 18-to-1 chance to make it to New Orleans.
Looking at these teams, they all have reasons to be optimistic.
New England Patriots, 5-1: The Patriots were a couple misfires away from winning the Super Bowl, but they were also a couple plays away (Lee Evans, anyone? Billy Cundiff in the house?) from not being in the game at all. New England goes into the offseason with almost the same needs it had going into the end of last year. The Patriots need a wide receiver and a pass rusher, and both will be available through the draft. Their secondary should be better with 2011 pick Ras-I Dowling back in the fold. If they can be more balanced, they have the best chance of winning it all next year.
Green Bay Packers, 11-2: How soon we forget that the Packers were 15-1 this season? They got caught in the buzzsaw that was the New York Giants, but they should have another strong year in 2012. Green Bay's defense was the issue, giving up too many yards and points. They'll have plenty of competition in the NFC North with Detroit and Chicago, but as long as Aaron Rodgers is still behind center, the Packers should be title contenders.
Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-1: This is a tough situation. All the headlines are about the offense (Todd Haley's now the offensive coordinator), but it's the defense that needs work. Ben Roethlisberger is still fairly young, but the leaders of the defense are getting old. Baltimore is in the same boat, but Cincinnati (30-to-1) is a team of youth that could give the Steelers real problems. The defense needs youth, and if Pittsburgh finds it, the Steelers will be as good as any team in the league.
Philadelphia Eagles, 6-1: After a year of playing together, the Eagles could be the class of the NFC with all the talent they have. If they let DeSean Jackson go in free agency, however, it'll be hard to get past the Giants and Cowboys in the NFC East.
New York Giants, 8-1: Hard to believe the Super Bowl champions could be this low. The Giants struggled through injuries and inconsistent play during the season, but they have as much balance as any NFC team. A playmaker at linebacker would make them even better.
New Orleans Saints, 10-1: The Saints run as efficient an offense as there is in the NFL, but their defense, however talented, was just bad this season. A new system may help, but if New Orleans can't force turnovers (which it did in abundance during its Super Bowl run), they won't get far in the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers, 10-1: The anti-Saints, the Niners got to the NFC Championship with defense, running the ball and not turning it over. It's definitely a formula that can continue to work, but San Francisco could use a upgrade at receiver (Alshon Jeffery wouldn't hurt) to make their offense more explosive.
San Diego Chargers, 12-1: Maybe if Philip Rivers turns it around, they'll contend, but what's going to put the Chargers back in the hunt? I'm not sure. San Diego hasn't won a playoff game in three years, and the team has lost more talent than it's added. In my opinion, they should be lower.
Houston Texans, 12-1: The Texans won a playoff game for the first time in their history, but how much better would they have been with Matt Schaub and Mario Williams? Especially in the weak AFC South, Houston has a bright future with a strong defense and the offense, with better options at receiver after Andre Johnson, can give them the best balance in the AFC.
Other interesting bets: Detroit Lions (18-1), Baltimore Ravens (20-1), Cincinnati Bengals (30-1), Denver Broncos (50-1)
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