Who Will Be the NFC Super Powers?

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

If you had to pick four NFC teams that you think are going to have the best chance to be in the playoffs most of the next five years or so, who would they be?

OK for the most part the AFC has been same old same old. New England, Pittsburgh, Indy, San Diego (yeah I know Miami, Baltimore, and Tennessee are on the rise, but that isn't what we're talking about). 

In my opinion, the NFC is about to start sprouting some teams that will be regular playoff/Super Bowl contenders to be the NFC's answer to the dominant teams that have ruled the AFC for most of the past five years.

Who are the teams that are about take hold of the NFL's National Football Conference?  I'll place them in no particular order and we'll see how they rank in three to five years.

Atlanta

This team is young but look at how good they are already. Atlanta has great young receiving threats with Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, plus young upstart Harry Douglas (who not only plays a great spot in receiving but is turning into a dynamic punt returner). 

Add in a fantastic and growing running game in Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood and this Falcon's team is starting to look pretty promising. Oh yeah, there is that Rookie of the Year, Matt Ryan running the whole offensive show on the field. 

Matt Ryan is showing no signs of slowing down. Regardless of position, the NFL has seen nearly endless examples of sophomore slumps. This kid is determined and focused beyond anything I have seen in a QB since Peyton Manning's early days in Indianapolis. 

Speaking of Indianapolis, Atlanta is looking a lot like the Indy of recent years, which is the goal of Atlanta owner Arthur Blank. Mr. Blank has idolized what Indianapolis and New England have produced over the last decade or so, and appears to be achieving similar success through the guidance of Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith.

Indianapolis and New England were laughable franchises in the early '90s and are now premier examples of NFL success. It looks as though another, once embarrassed franchise is following in their footsteps.

Let's not forget about the kicking game with Jason Elam, then throw in the addition of Tony Gonzalez and this Atlanta team is offensively amazing. The defense is average and slowly improving.  However, with an offense like Atlanta is going to be fielding, you could field an average defense and still expect to make the playoffs every year.

Expect Atlanta to be in the playoff picture for quite a while.

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