The NFL’s Super Situation

The National Football League has to be pretty happy right about now. Going into the Conference Championship games, there are four very nice Super Bowl scenarios lined up. Typically, Super Bowl viewership numbers are pretty steady. The game is watched by 40%-43% of households every year, and the NFL doesn’t have to worry about getting eyeballs. Really, year to year, the only difference between Super Bowls is the story being told (You know, in the two weeks leading up to the game, and the twelve hours before kickoff that nobody really watches. Well, we like to think of ourselves as a storytelling agency, so that’s the kind of stuff we get amped for!).

Let’s take a look at the four teams that are remaining, and why the NFL has reason to root for each of them.

Who’s left in the NFC?

The New Orleans Saints is a team with a high-powered offense, a much-improved defense. After starting 13-0 this season, they lost three in a row, but dominated the high-flying Arizona Cardinals this past weekend.

Why the NFL wants them to win: The Saints are a feel-good story. Their success over the past few years has helped to bring the city of New Orleans together after Hurricane Katrina tore it apart in 2005. Combine that with a team that scored 45+ points five times this season, and you are set.

The Minnesota Vikings are another high-powered offense, led by 40-year old Brett Favre. They faltered late in the season, but then beat down a very hot Dallas Cowboys team this past weekend, proving they are for real.

Why the NFL wants them to win: Love him or hate him, Favre has been impressive this year, and he is a huge reason the team has had so much success. He may have lost a few fans with his antics over the last few years, but having the chance for Favre to go out on top with a Super Bowl win would mean big ratings.

Who’s left in the AFC?

The Indianapolis Colts just found a way to win, all season long. They started the season 14-0, then lost to the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills as they rested their starters the last two weeks of the regular season. Last weekend, they mastered a great Baltimore Ravens defense. Now, the Colts’ offense will have to find a way to beat the number one defense in the league in the AFC Championship game.

Why the NFL wants them to win: This season, Peyton Manning won the NFL’s MVP award for a record-setting fourth time. Manning is the NFL’s darling. Not only is he arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game, but he is a great role model with a clean record and a very marketable and brand.

The New York Jets have had the quintessential roller coaster season. Their own coach, Rex Ryan, publicly accepted that his team was out of the playoffs after a late season loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Then, the team caught some breaks, won its last two games, and caught the fifth seed. Led by a dominant running game and shutdown defense, the Jets have won four straight, and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez is turning it on in the postseason.

Why the NFL wants them to win: First of all, New York is a big, big market. While the Jets may be the clear underdog of the final four teams (many football fans believe the Jets don’t even deserve to be in their current position), if the Jets were to win it all, it would really reflect the parity in the NFL, the fact that any team can win on any given Sunday.

The Super-est of Scenarios

You could argue for each of them, but in my opinion, the best match-up the NFL could hope for is the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings, a game that would be billed as Peyton Manning vs Brett Favre. As previously mentioned, Manning is a four-time league MVP, he is one of the best quarterbacks ever, and has a clean, likable image. Brett Favre is a three-time league MVP, and is also one of the best quarterbacks ever. He had one of his best seasons ever in 2009, the same year he turned 40 (quite impressive). Peyton has a Super Bowl victory, but one more would add to his legacy considerably. Favre has one as well, and now has the chance to go out on top.

Both teams have very, very good defenses, but they won’t get talked about too much. If the Colts and Vikings play each other, it will be the offenses that get most of the glory. In a recent interview between ESPN’s Kenny Mayne and Colts’ star defensive end Dwight Freeney, Mayne asked, “Does it feel like defensive players get overshadowed by Peyton’s greatness?” Freeney responded, “Yeah, we don’t get our due. We could give up no touchdowns in a game, but the highlight on SportsCenter would be a seven-yard pass by Peyton to set up a field goal. But that’s how it goes in the NFL. Defense wins Super Bowls, but it doesn’t sell tickets.”

We shall see.

What do you think about the four teams left in contention for the Super Bowl title? Which match-up do you think is best for the NFL? Which do you most want to see?