After picking the brains of NFL scouts, coaches and players, Sporting News’ panel of experts debated the merits of the contenders and demerits of the pretenders. Our Super Bowl 45 pick: Jets over Cowboys.
Coach Rex Ryan enters his second year as the Jets coach.
Why the Jets will win the AFC
1. Talent talks. Some see potential locker room problems with the additions of Santonio Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Jason Taylor. We see a team with a more diverse offense, a better pass rush and an improved secondary. QB Mark Sanchez will improve, too. And coach Rex Ryan is strong enough to handle all distractions.
"I came here to win," Ryan said. "I didn’t come here to be average. I’m going to be held to those standards. Did you deliver a championship? I’m man enough to go for it, where a lot of guys aren’t."
2. Dynamic defense. The Jets had the NFL’s top-ranked defense last season, and it should be better in ’10. Darrelle Revis is the league’s best corner, Taylor will enhance the pass rush and Cromartie and Kyle Wilson give Ryan even more freedom to blitz.
3. Hunger helps. They lost to Miami twice last year, finished second to New England in the division and fell just short of the Super Bowl. It’s payback time.
Wade Phillips has been the Cowboys’ head coach since the 2007 season.
Why the Cowboys will win the NFC
1. Championship continuity. In a league where change is constant, the Cowboys have kept their nucleus — Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Leonard Davis, Anthony Spencer and Terence Newman — intact. Dallas has an abundance of stars in their prime.
2. Romo rising. He cut down on turnovers last year and then won a playoff game, and now he has another weapon in Dez Bryant. Drew Brees was the QB who made a statement last season; Romo is next.
3. Date with destiny. No team has played a Super Bowl on its home field. This will change Feb. 6 at Jerry Jones’ palace, Cowboys Stadium.
Super Bowl edge
With two weeks to prepare for Romo & Co., Ryan’s defense will make enough big plays to prevail.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
After picking the brains of NFL scouts, coaches and players, Sporting News’ panel of experts debated the merits of the contenders and demerits of the pretenders. Our Super Bowl 45 pick: Jets over Cowboys.
Coach Rex Ryan enters his second year as the Jets coach.
Why the Jets will win the AFC
1. Talent talks. Some see potential locker room problems with the additions of Santonio Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Jason Taylor. We see a team with a more diverse offense, a better pass rush and an improved secondary. QB Mark Sanchez will improve, too. And coach Rex Ryan is strong enough to handle all distractions.
"I came here to win," Ryan said. "I didn’t come here to be average. I’m going to be held to those standards. Did you deliver a championship? I’m man enough to go for it, where a lot of guys aren’t."
2. Dynamic defense. The Jets had the NFL’s top-ranked defense last season, and it should be better in ’10. Darrelle Revis is the league’s best corner, Taylor will enhance the pass rush and Cromartie and Kyle Wilson give Ryan even more freedom to blitz.
3. Hunger helps. They lost to Miami twice last year, finished second to New England in the division and fell just short of the Super Bowl. It’s payback time.
Wade Phillips has been the Cowboys’ head coach since the 2007 season.
Why the Cowboys will win the NFC
1. Championship continuity. In a league where change is constant, the Cowboys have kept their nucleus — Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Leonard Davis, Anthony Spencer and Terence Newman — intact. Dallas has an abundance of stars in their prime.
2. Romo rising. He cut down on turnovers last year and then won a playoff game, and now he has another weapon in Dez Bryant. Drew Brees was the QB who made a statement last season; Romo is next.
3. Date with destiny. No team has played a Super Bowl on its home field. This will change Feb. 6 at Jerry Jones’ palace, Cowboys Stadium.
Super Bowl edge
With two weeks to prepare for Romo & Co., Ryan’s defense will make enough big plays to prevail.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
