WhatIfSports: Packers Over Chargers in Super Bowl XLV

WhatIfSports: Packers Over Chargers in Super Bowl XLV

If you're as depressed about the Brewers' fifth straight loss as I am, this might cheer you up: WhatIfSports.com is predicting the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC North with a 13-3 record and then go on to beat San Diego in the Super Bowl.

What we have provided our readers are "what-if" scenarios for the upcoming 2010 NFL season based on the statistical outputs of players and teams from the 2009 season. The sabermetric soiree that our NFL simulation engine spits out after running all the numbers does not directly reflect the views or opinions of Whatifsports.com's writing staff. We are simply providing a voice (in written form) for the data the computer generates. Are some of the results and predictions subject to debate? Absolutely. The computer loves Phillip Rivers and isn't a big fan of Jay Cutler. It loves the Packers, but believes the Detroit Lions will remain in the cellar.

That is what is so beneficial about the content Whatifsports.com's shares with its audience. There is no way of knowing if the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers are going to meet this coming February in the Super Bowl (Watch it on Fox!). Heck, when we ran this simulation Vincent Jackson was part of the Chargers' puzzle and not sitting out the first 3 games due to a Roger Goodell sanctioned timeout. What we can do, unlike many passionate fans, is take the subjective bias out of the argument and let the stats tell the story.

NFL Football Betting – Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

NFL Football Betting – Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.

NFL Division to Win Super Bowl XLV

AFC South +450
NFC East +450
AFC East +500
AFC North +500
NFC South +600
NFC North +650
AFC West +700
NFC West +1600

Saints looking to avoid Super Bowl hangover

Saints looking to avoid Super Bowl hangover

If a secret potion actually exists to overcoming a raging Super Bowl hangover, it should stun no one that the New Orleans Saints insist they have the remedy.

There's only one tried and true method for the Saints to recreate the magic of last season, and it's not a Bloody Mary chaser.

It's more like the hair of the NFL dog -- a repeat Super Bowl championship.
The players and coaches know the score, and history isn't on their side.

Five of the last 11 Super Bowl champions missed the postseason all together the following year, while the New England Patriots (2003 and 2004) are the only team during that time frame to repeat.

The talk of a Super Bowl hangover is already making the Saints woozy, and has defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on the offensive.

"I keep on hearing you guys talking about this Super Bowl hangover," Williams said. "And it's starting to chap me a little bit. It really is. I'm being real honest. If you could see behind the scenes our offseason program from April 19 on, ... I don't have any qualms about the way our defense is because all they did was show up with more hunger, more fire, wanted me to be a bigger jerk and get on their ass more. They begged for me to get on their ass more. So far, I've seen nothing that would not indicate that we can't make another run at this."

Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees called the talk of a hangover "old" one practice into training camp. But Brees has the hangover target all over his chest considering the national spotlight that's shined on him since he held his headphone-wearing son, Baylen, high above his head as the confetti fell in Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

"I got to fly with the F-16 Thunderbirds up in Shreveport which was awesome," Brees said. "I got to go on a USO trip to Dubai, Turkey and Djibouti. I got to play golf with Jack Nicklaus. The ESPYs just a few weeks ago was a thrill, just having so many guys there and our team being a part of so many of the awards.

"That week after the Super Bowl will always be one of the craziest times of my life when you look at Disneyworld and then the talk shows and then the Super Bowl parade, which was just unbelievable and then Mardi Gras, being king of Bacchus. The list goes on and on and is kind of never-ending, but it was all fun."

Was it too much fun? Poll your average Saints fans and they'd tell you it wouldn't be a major disappointment if the Saints failed to "Two Dat" as they're calling it in New Orleans.

It's perception Brees and the Saints will stare down and battle throughout the season. That's certainly not lost on Brees as he said the stigma won’t subside until "we go out and show them that it's not true."

read the rest of the article at cbssports.com