Jumping the gun on Superbowl favorites.

Espn is already talking about this weeks Giants-Steelers game as a Superbowl preview. Granted both teams are playing great football for the most part but I have to believe they are being a little premature on their predictions. There is no doubt that Pittsburgh has played well despite key injuries and with a very tough schedule. The Giants also look good besides that Cleveland hitch they had on Monday night but let's throw a few other teams into the mix before we get ahead of ourselves. First let's talk about the 1 undefeated team left in football. Tennessee has been playing outstanding. Granted their schedule hasn't been the toughest but as good teams do, they are winning they games they are expected to win. Theire schedule gets a little tougher the next 4 to 5 weeks (depending on how you rank the Jets). They host Indy this week who know going into the game that they must win to have a chance at winning the division. Manning and company find a way to drive themselves win they are against the wall. That being said, without Bob Sanders this team can't stop the run and that is what the Titans do best. If they sneak out of thius game with a W they have Green Bay, Chicago, the Jaguars in Jacksonville and the jets. They also will have to play Pittsburgh and time will tell if this team is for real. Staying in the AFC, Buffalo has looked good thus far and are playing on all cylinders. Lynch is a monster, Edwards has been playing solid at QB and the special teams are excellent. The fear here is the Bills struggled against Oakland and got slaughtered by Arizona. Their schedule is pretty soft the rest of the way out and I can't see this team missing the playoffs. If the defense can stay solid and Edwards can keep limiting mistakes this team could cause problems. AFC Honorable mentions: Patriots: They are playing better and have one of the weaker schedules in football but the aging defense to go along with the injury trouble at runningback and Matt Cassell's inconsistancy will limit the Pats chances. But with the weapons on offense and Belichick anything could happen. San Diego:As a Broncos fan this one kills me to say but the Chargers have all the talent in the world. If they can ever get things clicking again this team can beat anyone at any time. They got to get Tomlinson and Gates the ball more often and when/if they do this team will be back in the mix. Baltimore: Flacco is limited but every game he plays a little better and the defense is still the one of the best in football. Indy: Dungy, Manning, Addia, Harrison, Wayne, and Clark to go along with some pretty dominant defensive players are always a threat to show they belong in the superbowl favorites. The defense without Sanders will continue to struggle but if the offense can get on track they will make a push. Denver: If they can get everyone healthy on offense they can keep up with anyone. The defense however will stop this team from going too far. With both Baileys out and no real leadership since Lynch left I can't see them making run but if they can tighten the d up a little and get the running game to move along with the pss game they may be a surprise. Jacksonville: Strong run game to go along with a good defense. They've played alot of close games and have an easier schedule going into the next 3 weeks. If Tennessee can lose a couple games and the Colts keep playing poorly this team can make a run. This is one of those teams that always plays the good teams tough but seem to lighten up against weaker opponents. If they make the playoffs they are as good as anyone. Now to get into the NFC. New York still looks like the best team but the NFC South has 4 teams that are playing very well. Also the 3 other teams in their division can be very tough so I wouldn't crown them superbowl bound quite yet. Hear are the teams that have the chance to dethrown the mighty Giants in my opinion. I will start with the team I think has the best chance if they get it all together. The Philadelphia Eagles have all the tools to be the best team in football. Injuries and small mistakes are holding them back. Westbrook is one of the most dominate all around players in football when healthy. McNabb has now finally gotten some other weapons outside of Westvrook to get the ball to. Jackson has been a shining surprise and seems to have taken over Browns starting role. Kevin Curtis is healthy and is a great tough yardage receiver that will help, along with Westbrook, to get jackson some good long route looks. The defense can be a machine to handle for any offensive line and the abcks are good enough to stick with any reciever. If McNabb can stay healthy and Westbrook gets back to form I feel Philly may make the run to Tampa Bay this year. Chicago has been a surprise and with the offensive surge they have been putting up can score with the best of them. The defensive injurys to go along with Hesters resent problems, isn't helping this team any but they still find themselves in every game. The biggest surprise with the Bears is the defense seems to be the ones letting them down for once not the offense. If this defense can get back to form and Orton, Forte and company keep playing mistake free solid football they will be a hard team to beat. NFC Honorable Mentions: ALL OF THE NFC SOUTH: Saints have the offense to make any team nervous. Tampa Bay has alot of surprising talent. Carolina play on both sides of the ball when they are on track. Atlanta has surprised everyone and Ryan looks like the real deal. The problem with this division as with the NFC East is consistancy. Every team in this division will look great one week and look horrible the next. Atlanta looks like the mostconsistant team but youth and inexperience may hold them back. Arizona Cardinals: This offense with Warner and a healthy Boldin and Fitrzgerald is explosive. The defense keeps getting better but that can't keep giving up so many points. They look like the front runners to win the West with Seattle, San Fran and St Louis all having problems but Arizona can always find a way to fall apart. Washington: Portis is a stud, the WRs are playing great with Campbell and Zorn's new offense. The defense has alot of solid players. The resent games have me wondering about this team though. Losing to St Louis(they are better with Haslett as coach) and a close game against Cleveland makes me think they may not have what it takes to get it done. They still have some tough games against Philly, Pit, Baltimore, Dallas and NY Giants. It will be a tough road in a tough division. Green Bay:Rodgers has played great and the over-hyped Favre-Green Bay story has seemed to pass. The offense is solid and the mix of youth and veteran play makers on defense gives this team a good fighting chance. Dallas: Injuries are killing this team and they have already shown it will be hard to win until Romo comes back. They were overranked before the season started and they are showing it. But if they can stay afloat until Tony gets back into the game they will fight with the rest of the NFC East for those playoffs spots...Now can they win a playoff game will be the question if they finally make it. My mid season superbowl prediction: Philadelphia to rematch against Pittsburgh yes I complained about the Steeler prediction but they are playing well through the injuries. I think if Philly gets there and can make it fully healthy they take down Pitt in the game that matters most. This is my first post and I know I rambled on alotbut I wanted to make the 1st one count. This is all opinion and I always want to hear everyone elses thoughts. Passionate fans are what keeps bringing back to this site. That and the mix of pro athletes makes Yard Barkers unique and I hope to keep being a part of this great sports community.