Think about it objectively. Do any of our opponents outside of our NFC East rivals really put fear into you when looking at:
1. Our upgraded secondary via subtraction
2. Our upgraded secondary via addition
3. Our upgraded backfield via subtraction
4. Our upgraded backfield by addition
5. A full season under Tony's belt
6. A full season of continuity across our offensive line
7. Tank Johnson's improved power and strength
8 Second season under Wade's defense
9 Second season under Red Ball's offense
10. Developmental players like Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, and Isiah Stanback with another season under their belts
11. Bennett over Anthony "I catch a TD, I drop a TD, I catch a TD, I drop a TD" Fasano
Seriously, look at the other teams out there on our schedule and you cannot honestly tell me we won't go into those games as favorites.
Cleveland, we debated this ad nauseum and Cleveland's chances are second only to that of a moth in a blast furnace.
Greenbay. It's going to be early September. Aaron Rogers did okay last season against us, but he did it against Jacques Reeves. We shut down half the field in the passing game and minus that one run by Ryan Grant, we effectively shut down their running game. They didn't have Charles Woodson, but I'll call it an even split with Terry coming back.
Cincinatti. Can they even spell defense on that team? They've got an explosive offense, but I have no qualms taking them against TNew, Adam, Henry, Jenkins, and Hamlin in the dime defense. Carson is a great QB, so this could be a shoot out, which we all know we're more than capable of hanging with. Their defense can't even begin to think of containing our offense. We'll be 5 point favorites, at their stadium, but its in our house, so I give us the 8.
Arizona. Could they be worth a damn this year? Last year it would have worried me with their receivers, but again, I'll take our secondary against any recieving corp in the NFL. We go to Phoenix 4 point favorites.
Tampa Bay. One of my favorite teams except for this week. They rely heavily on their defense. Take a look at Jeff Garcia's numbers from last season. 2440 yards, 13 TD's in 13 games. 1 TD a game. That will not get it done against us. 6.5 point favorites for us.
San Fran. Could be a good team, could be a team that needs another year to move into the next level of the NFL.
Seattle. Name their starting WR's. Enough said. We know their starting RB. Julius see big ugly offensive lineman, fall down, repeat. No hometown ballboy this time for the seahags, revenge is a dish best served cold.
Pittsburgh. If Tootlessburger can get his head out and play like he's occassionally capable of, then this is the one game that could be a good 'un. Then again, if they play like they did last season, one good game then one so-so game then one not worth a damn game......
Baltimore. Damn fine secondary. uh. hold on. I'll take us in this one hands down.
It might be 5:30, and I might be cross-eyed from staring at HTML all night, but every single one of those games either looks very very winable, or like a stats-padding game for either our offense and/or defense.
Sorry fans of other teams, but there's a damn good reason we've been given the best odds in the NFC to represent in the Super Bowl. Talent top to bottom baby. Top to bottom.