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Despite the New England Patriots’ dominant run at the Super Bowl last year, it would seem the state of the league has never seen more parity or balance in competition.  Whether you prefer the open field of contenders or rather the concise dominance of a select few teams (old school dynasties), it remains to be debated which is best for the fans and the league.

In an era of global capitalism, worldwide media coverage and an overall wider appeal for any sports, I would like to think the parity of competition lends itself to appeal to all sorts of fans casual or hardcore.  Wherein a dynasty would solidify sports history in demonstrating a group of truly talented special winners exerting their dominance over others, it might also lend to frustration from outsiders who support say the Cleveland Browns or the Buffalo Bills.

So this year who are the real contenders?  Based on last year’s results, the Patriots were not so “perfect” even at 18-0 entering the Super Bowl, the New York Giants were immensely opportunistic as they won all their playoffs games within 10 points or less.  In fact, it “could” be safely assumed that the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, and the San Diego Chargers were Super Bowl caliber teams.  Alas all four previously mentioned teams ultimately choked their chances at the big dance.  So really the Patriots dominated their way to the title game as many expected whereas the Giants simply peaked at the right time, and with an extra push of luck and a tenacious pass rush, they also took down mighty New England along the way.

Nevertheless I personally believe the Super Bowl “jinx”, the one wherein participants of the previous year’s Super Bowl usually do not even make it to the playoffs the very next year (observing this trend in the past decade alone).  New England seems to be built for the long haul, and their dominance does not look like it will wane anytime soon, they may not go to the Super Bowl again, but assuredly will make the playoffs based on pedigree in itself.  The loss of CB Asante Samuels would be an immediate concern, but with very little (if any) losses off of that record breaking offense, I fully expect the Patriots to continue their excellence.  Of course it would serve them well to lose a couple games along the way to ease the immense pressure and allow their guys to not be so burned out by the time they get to the REAL important game. That being said, it wouldn’t hurt if the Pats examined closer their starting O-Line and/or the depth of talent on that 2nd string of offensive linemen as strangely enough after a regular season of straight dominance, the line was exposed like an “accidental” random celebrity nipple slip by a relentless pass rush of the Giants that kept Tom Brady uncomfortable throughout the game until the last two minutes.  By then however it was too late as David Tyree and Eli-my-pseudo-last-name-is-no-longer-suck-in-Manhattan-Manning would testify.  Exhibit A:  The infamous helmet catch preceded by Eli’s best impersonation of Keanu Reeves shaking off defenders in the last play of the movie, The Replacements.  Not to worry New Englanders, Belichick will surely have his team reloaded and ready to rumble yet again.  Look for the Patriots to be a little looser and actually more dangerous with the pressure of a perfect season and Spygate somewhat behind them.

New York on the other hand fits the bill of the team that went to the Super Bowl and will be left out of the playoffs the next year.  They lose Jeremy Shockey (who wasn’t much help but losing his talent never is good unless that talent is cancerous which in this case may end up helping the G-men), and Michael Strahan retired, so with essentially the same personnel returning, this team just doesn’t scream repeat. Could I along with 89% of Americans (100% of those outside of New York City) doubt them again only to be proven wrong?  By the way, although proven wrong that they could make it to the SB, thereafter I promptly took NYG with the spread last year in the big game assuming gambling is kosher. ;)

Since we still have less than a month, and I am extremely lazy and still in summer mode, we will make this a two parter and take a closer look at the other teams who have a Vegas’s chance of going to the Super Bowl in part II coming next week!