Will
The AFC Continue It's SuperBowl
Dominance over the NFC?
Chances
are this is unlikely. The NFC is clearly the stronger conference top
to bottom, while the AFC may posses two of the best franchises in
THE LEAGUE. The NFC made it's strongest push for a title this year
with any of it's top five seeds capable of beating any AFC team. And
had it not been for Kwon Drakes late entrance into the season with
the Carolina franchise, you could make a case for the Panthers as
well. Green Bay and Denver loss to top NFC teams such as Pittsburgh
and Jacksonville. New England and Dallas also were successful in the
AFC. But....NO TITLE......YET! It all started when Wayne Allen's 49ers,
defeated Israel Charles' Indianapolis Colts for the LEAGUE championship
in 1996. Back then Allen, Charles, and Womack, played with two franchises.
The Colts were Charles' second franchise, and the only one to make
to the playoffs because Dallas, was eliminated. With Allen's title
following him into the AFC after the PFL was formally established
in 1997, the Broncos add the second title representing the AFC. And
in addition, Kevin Fox won the experimental league championship with
the Seattle Seahawks of the AFC in 1997. So technically three straight
AFC titles, although the official PFL records shall only reflect two.
If
the conferences stay the same in terms of their alignment next year,
it is no lock for either conference. And although defending champion
Waymon Gresham and his Denver Broncos have upgraded their team in
several key positions, it will not be an easy road to Miami for anyone.
Considering Gresham's inconsistent play this past season, he may not
even make the playoffs next year, while he may win it all again. Fox
and his Packers will be back. And although the Forty Niners are not
the intimidating team they once were, they still must be respected,
and will challenge for the title also. Kansas City will bring a year
of PFL experience back with them next year making them better. Miami
and Oakland will still continue to fight for the cellar of the AFC.
As for the NFC, the defending conference champion Patriots will be
tough as will Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Philadelphia, and
Carolina. With expansion on the horizon, who knows what new challenges
will arise during the season. For example, who expected expansion
Jacksonville to walk away with the first seed in the NFC before the
season started? Anything can happen. This is the PFL.
Look
for the competition to get tougher, and look for the AFC to loose
their grip on the championship trophy in 1999, for '99 will be the
year of the NFC.
