And you also have to like the Falcons at 12, very aggressive in the draft to move up and take Julio Jones to add to their already very impressive offence but they didn't really address their D massively which wasn't the best last season, granted it wasn't the worst but think they'll need to improve on that through free agency to stand a chance. I still like them at 12/1 though.

And the Eagles finished where to be 3rd favourites at the same token?

And what was the score when the Pats played the Steelers?

And who had the best regular season record? 14-2.

Yeah, they blew up in the playoffs, but it was also a team that changed their offense midyear, and I still think that if Bill hadn't benched Welker and upset a lot of the team, we would have been closer to beating the Jets.

Top 5 teams for 2011:
Pack
Pats
Colts (Peyton wont have 2 bad years in a row)
Texans (same division, but now the D is improved, surely it's their time)
Eagles (if Vick stays healthy and they get a CB opposite Samuel)

I see what you are saying about the Cards but even with a decent QB I can't see them going all the way. They need a running game, Wisenhunt won't give Beanie a fair crack at the whip, Hightower is toilet so they're going to be relying on the guy they took in the second round in this years draft, Ryan Williams. Maybe "relying" isn't the right word to use but if Wisenhunt isn't going to give Beanie the bulk of the carries and also keep giving the ball to Hightower who just isn't all that great then he's going to have no choice but to throw Williams in. They really need to find their number 1 RB and stick with him. Too much uncertainty.

Also not a big fan of their receivers past Larry Fitz.

You'll make playoffs for sure, but its what you do once you are in the playoffs that counts, and correct me if I'm wrong but for the last two years you have stunk the place up once there. I'm surprised at our price of 10/1, I would personally have the Falcons and possibly the Bears priced better than us but to have you as joint favourites is ridiculous.

Jets will get closer to a Superbowl next season than the Patriots. There I said it.

I'll have a sneaky take on the Cowboys at that price.

Actually, price on Pats v Cowboys SB next season? ;)

Just give your money to me fella.

Sadly I think the Gnuts maybe good value at 20-1 :(

Put this out here now... if they are one of the top 5 teams in the NFL I will donate a tenner to any charity. No way.

We'll see.

The fact there probably wont be a season doesn't help that though.

And that isn't about the Pats being great, I just think the Jets aren't going to be as good this year. They won a lot of games late on due to other teams mistakes. Losing Holmes or Edwards is big on the offensive side. LT wont be there to run the ball early on meaning Greene will tire earlier in the year.

On the D, the Safeties can be attacked and Cromartie can be beat on short routes. But, any team who can keep their QB upright will find a way to make plays on them. Running the ball will be interesting though. They aren't as good without Kris Jenkins and may lose Shaun Ellis.

Pats will be a different offense this year. Benny and Vereen will take a lot of the slack with a bit of Woodhead. Intrigued by Ridley who doesn't go down when hit. Hopefully, he'll be the closer that we've missed. Well, since Dillon left. The ball hasn't been run really effectively in the 4th quarter since then.

Fkin lockout

No ball this year. Hoops or NFL... I can see it.

Not looking good at the moment is it.

Am i allowed to support both Penn State and Temple next year? Seeing as Eagles have now got a temple player in JJ and they are Philadelphia's uni.

Want to support Penn State as an excuse for a few drinks and a meet up when they play the Buckeyes!

Certain media outlets are more upbeat by this. The players will run out of money. Some already have. They can't afford to gamecheques.

You think Julius Peppers is going to be happy in Week 1 when his $900k cheque doesn't go into his account?

The Owners will get a deal done soon, i'm pretty sure on that.

There is too much money at stake for both players and owner for a lockout to go ahead, I just wish they would hurry up and sort it out so FA can open and the players can start training!

Not sure if it was article originally posted on here, but I did read an interesting piece comparing this situation to the NHL lockout a while back.

The backdrop to the NHL lockout was a business that was failing (much like the NBA is heading towards), and it was understood that change had to occur in order for the NHL to survive. The NFL is completely different. It is flourishing, making more money than ever. It is inconceivable to most that despite making more money than ever, the owners and players are at each other's throats. Inconceivable, because in stretching for more money, they could be jeopardising everything they currently have.

The NHL brand was so tarnished by its lockout that it took many years to recover. They have only just recently started to earn the kind of lucrative TV sponsorship that the NFL takes for granted. So it seems strange that they are willing to put so much on the line for a potentially bigger piece of the pie.

That's until you look at who is pulling the strings for those actually in the court room. For the players, their chief representative has made his name as an expert in litigation. For litigators, the mother lode is protracted legal wrangling, not swift resolution. You have to wonder about the integrity of some of the big players in all this.

It's all about the people involved more than the parties now imo. Obviously a deal could be done, I genuinely believe that, but I agree with VHA's sentiment. It all fell badly.