[discostu]

I'd give the Seahawks a better chance of repeating too. Given the division they play in they're almost garaunteed a playoff spot, they were the only team in the division to finish over 500 this year and there's not much reason to think that'll change next (maybe the Rams will sneak to 9-7 but that's the most competition they'll get within the division). And what serious competition is there once you get to the NFC playoffs? The Giants who got shutout at home? The Buc who got beat by a team with 120 total yards of offense at home? The Panthers who are demontrably 1 or 2 injuries away from being 1 dimensional? The Bears that let a 1 dimensional team beat them at home? Really the Seahawks have an inside track on making the playoff, on probably getting the bye, and on winning at least 1 playoff game. The should be the most favored NFC team to make the SB.

On the other hand the Steelers are in the AFC which early looks appear to have 9 viable contenders for 6 playoff spots (the 8 that vied this year plus Miami). Any AFC team that's counting on even making the playoffs needs to cut back on the drugs, the conference is going to present stiff competition in each division so winning any of them will be tough, and with 5 solid non-division winners grabbing for 2 wild card spots teams that don't win their division will probably not make the playoffs. If I were an oddsmaker I wouldn't make ANY AFC team higher than 6-1 at this point, the conference just has too much stiff competition.

[proudpapa]

'The Buc who got beat by a team with 120 total yards of offense at home...'

Aside from 2 plays; a freaky run, and Randle El's pass, it sounds like you were discribing the Steelers overrated offense;)

[OLD REGGIE]

If I were an oddsmaker I wouldn't make ANY AFC team higher than 6-1 at this point, the conference just has too much stiff competition. BR>
The odds I posted from the MGM Mirage were to win the Super Bowl, not just to get there.

Apparently the oddsmakers don't even think the Steelers will get back. If they, and the Seahawks also do, they favor the Seahawks.

Of course, this picture will change greatly as the season unfolds.

It seems to me the bookmakers are saying they don't think the Steelers are all that great,

When all is said and done I am an original AFL Patriots ticket holder. If the Pats couldn't be there this year I am happy to see another AFC team win the Super Bowl.

I think the game was a stinker but I'm not unhappy. :-)