The NFC seems more wide open today than it’s been in recent memory. And the Green Bay Packers are putting themselves in prime position to challenge for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

JSOnline  wrote:

News flash- You MUST beat at least 1 elite team in order to be considered elite.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

So you're saying there are no longer any elite teams? ... none of current teams have beaten the Browns of the 40s/50s, Packers of the 60, Steelers or Dolphins of the 70s, 49ers of the 80s, Cowboys of the 90s, Patriots of the 00s... as those are the elite teams and none of the current ones have beaten them?


But really the term elite is really too fluid to pin down without more context... but the one loss teams are Cowboys, Eagles, Broncos and Cardinals... and they were beaten by 49ers, 49ers (2), Seahawks, Broncos... so are those 3 teams the only 3 "elite teams" because they're the only ones to beat one loss teams? Or do 2 loss teams count as well? What about 3 loss teams? Or where do you draw the line?

It's much easy to go by their winning % than by who they beat.

Originally Posted by: beast 

Define elite any way you so desire.

I would say over the past few years that the 49ers have been elite. The Seahawks and Denver as well.

My own person definition would not go much more than 3-4 teams and that would be stretching it a bit. If GB wants to be considered in the same light as these teams they have to win against them otherwise they are in the second level of "the very good but can't seem to get over the hump" teams.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

This is not an elite team. Circumstances may have put them in that conversation due to losses by other teams, but let's not delude ourselves.

Did we all see that Seattle game?


Detroit?

MAYBE we get hot at the end a get a shot. We won a Superbowl that way, so let's see.

Conversely, do not be at all surprised if we get our clocks cleaned in New Orleans this Sunday. Odds are, we do.

Our defense is extremely suspect, imo, for example.

Originally Posted by: dfosterf 

So by what you have said in this thread the only teams that are elite are 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos because they're the only ones that have beaten the top 3-4 teams.

Packers won't be playing them until maybe the playoffs...

And a team could go 15-1 and not be elite if they don't have an elite team on their schedule by the way you define it... because they must beat an elite team to be an elite team. If they don't face one of these 3 or 4 teams on their schedule they can't be elite... or even if that's their only loss if they were to have one on the schedule.

Originally Posted by: beast 

Did we all see that Seattle game?

Detroit?

Our defense is extremely suspect, imo, for example.

Originally Posted by: dfosterf 

Packers seem to start off slow most years... and then follow it with a winning streak that gets them back on track...

2014: 1-2 followed by 4-0
2013: 1-2 in Sept followed by 4-0 in Oct
2012: 2-3 followed by 5-0
2011: 13-0 followed by 2-1 (I said most not all)
2010: 3-3 followed by 4-0 (and if I remember right didn't the Falcons rob the game of that game? Other wise it would of been 6-0).
2009: 4-4 followed by 5-0
2008: 2-3 followed by 4-7 in Rodgers first year as starter...
2007: 4-1 followed by 5-0
2006: 1-4 followed by 3-1
2005: 0-4 followed by 2-3 year Sherman
2004: 1-4 followed by 6-0
2003: 3-4 followed by 7-2
2002: 6-1 followed by 6-3
2001: 4-2 followed by 5-1

Originally Posted by: beast 

Beast first of all nothing is set in stone. For every rule there are exceptions.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

Second the odds of not playing another elite team is not possible with the way the NFL schedule is set up. Teams that finish first in their divisionwill be scheduled face other first place teams.

Originally Posted by: wpr