11 AFC Teams Having Winning Records but Only 6 Playoff Spots are Available

It’s going to be a soul-crushing experience in January for much of the AFC.  At the current moment 11 of the conference’s 16 NFL teams have winning records, but just 6 of them will reach the playoffs.  That means that nearly half of the teams that are currently feeling quite good about their season won’t even get to watch their teams compete in a playoff game!  Let’s take a look at who will be figuring to come out of this mess with a postseason berth and who will be looking back at the month of December and wondering what happened.

First, let’s take a look at how this strange scenario has come to be.  One thing odd about the AFC (and the entire NFL) this year is that no team has dominated up until this point.  The best teams stand at 9-3, which is only a 75% winning record.  While good, when we realize that these are the league’s current strongest teams we have great parity.  But at the other end of the standings lies the dark truth.  4 AFC teams have become the dreaded whipping boys of the conference.  The New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Oakland Raiders all sit poorly placed at 2-10 or worse.  Their overall atrociousness has been gifting all the other teams easy victories, which is in large part responsible for the current situation.  However, while some of these AFC teams’ wins may be unjustified, the fact that so many are winning will set up for an enthralling December!

What’s truly astounding about these records is that typically strong teams like the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos have very little wiggle room in the upcoming weeks.  Tom Brady and the Patriots are just 2 games ahead of both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins (both at 7-5).  With games against both teams, New England could possibly lose their division lead and perhaps even a playoff spot!  While I certainly doubt that will happen, the very possibility of it this late in the season speaks to the conference’s strength and equality.

It’s also worth noting that many of these 7-5 teams are going to be playing one another and their records will balance out.  An intriguing situation has developed in the AFC North, where the Cincinnati Bengals hold a 1.5 game lead over the 7-5 Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.  Each team could conceivably win the division or finish in 4^th!  While a Browns surprise would be delightful, I suspect the Bengals should hold onto the lead.

Elsewhere, I expect the Broncos, Patriots, and Indianapolis Colts to hold onto their division leads while the San Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens should claim the wildcard sports.

However, with these wildcard opportunities still hotly contested, the final weeks of the year will be extremely entertaining as the stakes continue to grow.  For all the contending teams of the AFC, the playoffs are basically starting right now.  No one can afford to slip up and it’s all up to play for.  While the current mass of 11 winning teams lopped in the conference will certainly change in the next month, those who do reach the NFL playoffs will have earned their tickets!

No matter which AFC team you root for, AAA Sports Memorabilia has a collectible for you.  We carry only the finest collectibles that are officially licensed by the NFL.  Our specialty is autographed sports memorabilia that are hand signed by your favorite athletes during paid private appearances.  Our autographs are guaranteed for life to authentic and are backed by the most trusted companies in the industry.  AAA Sports Memorabilia also carries display cases made right here in the USA to showcase your collectibles.  Visit us often as we are continuously adding new products.

2013 NFL Season Begins this Week - Our Division Winner Picks

Ravens Super Bowl XLVII Pano Photo Mint

 

Alas, the long wait is over! Long gone are the mind-numbing preseason matches played between backups desperate for a job, gone are the boring reports of which undrafted free agent signee is having a strong training camp. Finally, all the NFL talk is finally set to end and we can actually enjoy professional football once again. With the many burning questions for each NFL team to be answered in the coming days as week 1 begins, here is a full prediction of which teams will be the winners of their division and among the contenders for Super Bowl XLVIII:

 

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens – Although there was a mass exodus of players, including Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, the Ravens are still the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Joe Flacco proved his worth last year during the NFL Playoffs with some incredible throws, and he has the tools to lead this team back to the playoffs. Meanwhile Ray Rice is a tremendous running back. Their division is always highly competitive, but I feel that the Ravens should rise to the top.

 

NFC North: Green Bay Packers – While the other three teams did get better in the off-season, this division has been owned by the Packers for as long as I can remember. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league, and with him at the helm, the Packers will always be favored to win this division.

 

AFC South: Houston Texans – On paper a Super Bowl favorite, the Texans have playmakers all over the field. Matt Schaub has a great arm, while Arian Foster and Andre Johnson will collect scores of touchdowns. The only thing standing in their way is winning in the clutch, and this team has yet to do so, falling short in the last few playoffs.

 

NFC South: New Orleans Saints – Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons have been contenders but I see them losing steam this year. Meanwhile, the Saints have head coach Sean Payton back while Drew Brees is entering his final years as a star player. Something tells me that the Saints will be a major NFC force this season.

 

AFC East – New England Patriots – Forget about the scandals, forget about Tim Tebow. This team is about Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and the pair have won nearly every division crown since 2000. With their rivals scrambling for healthy and manageable qb’s, the Patriots could win even by default.

 

NFC East – Philadelphia Eagles – Probably the most competitive division in which each team has a legitimate shot at winning, I put my money on Michael Vick and the new high-speed Chip Kelly offense. I feel that Vick is always an intriguing prospect to win a game, and that his new coach will get the best out of him. Playmakers LaSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson will ensure that the Eagles outscore their opponents, though this division is totally up for grabs!

 

AFC West – Denver Broncos – Pretty much a given, Peyton Manning is entering his final years and team VP John Elway has assembled the squad necessary for them to get another NFL Championship. After snatching away Wes Welker from the Patriots, I fully expect the Broncos to win the AFC and likely the Super Bowl as well, sending the elder Manning off into his retirement in style!

 

NFC West – Arizona Cardinals – That’s right, the Cardinals are about to snatch this division. The 49ers will experience the typical hangover that follows Super Bowl losers while I just don’t think that the Seahawks are as good as everyone thinks. Enter the Cardinals. With veteran quarterback Carson Palmer linking up with Larry Fitzgerald, and with rookie defensive playmaker Tyrann Mathieu about to become the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year, expect the Cardinals to do the unexpected!

 

Is your team on our list for a division title? Doesn't matter which team you root for, AAA Sports Memorabilia has a collectible for your team. We specialize in authentic autographed memorabilia and officially licensed sports collectibles. We have thousands of autographed photos, autographed footballs, autographed helmets, display cases, and more. Our autographs are guaranteed for life to be authentic and come from some of the most trusted companies in the industry such as Mounted Memories, Upper Deck, Steiner, and more. Visit us today to find your next collectible!

5 Premature Contenders for Super Bowl XLVIII

Training camp is set to begin for most NFL Football teams in the next week or so, and with it will come the hopes and expectations of Super Bowl glory for the fans of every team. However, regardless of exciting drafts and big-name free agent signings, the dreams of many NFL teams are largely worthless considering their poor performances and weak rosters. Here are 5 teams with strong rosters that I foresee having a legitimate shot at winning Super Bowl XLVIII next season:

5. New York Giants – Beyond the fact that playing a Super Bowl in their home stadium would be ideal, the Giants are the mysterious team that keeps winning titles when no one expects them to. Built behind a powerful defensive line and quarterback Eli Manning, who simply makes the necessary plays when the team needs him to, the Giants have routinely emerged as contenders with strong playoff runs. With Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks out wide, this team can move the football too. The team often grows hot and cold throughout the season, but when they get hot in time for the NFL playoffs, look out!

 

4. Houston Texans – The Texans have immense talent all over the field. Offensively, Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, and Owen Daniels ensure that the team scores points. Defensively, the team has a monstrous defensive end pass-rusher in J.J. Watt, and has added veteran safety Ed Reed, who brings game changing abilities and championship-winning leadership from his Super Bowl victory with the Baltimore Ravens. Last year, the Texans had a bright year but stuttered in the playoffs. I expect them to be a stronger force this year.

 

3. San Francisco 49ers – Last year’s Super Bowl runners-ups are loaded with talent. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a beast and so are several members on the defense, including Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, and Ahmad Brooks. The team has brought in several veterans this year including Nnamdi Asomugha, Glenn Dorsey, and Anquan Boldin. Additionally, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and Frank Gore provide serious weapons offensively. With Kaepernick’s dynamic ability to run and pass, the 49ers have the chance to establish dominance in the NFC and contend for next year’s Super Bowl.

 

2. Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers. He is simply too good. Yes, the team has seen the departure of Greg Jennings, Charles Woodson, and Donald Driver, but expect Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones to take over comfortably. Additionally, draftees Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Franklin are hoping to add a spark to the Packers’ running game, and this team might become a force offensively that can manage the clock and score points. With Clay Matthews shouldering the workload on the defense, alongside B.J. Raji and Tramon Williams, the Packers should continue their strong run in this decade.

 

1. Denver Broncos – The is Peyton Manning’s last stand, and he’s been given all the tools to make a championship run to cap off a remarkable career. Damaryius Thomas and Eric Decker proved they are great receivers last year with 1,000 seasons, and the team even brought in Wes Welker, a fantastic slot receiver formerly of the New England Patriots. Last year, the Broncos defense let in fewer points than anyone in the AFC, and they even added cornerback Dominique Rodger-Cromartie to boost their secondary now. In a weak AFC, the Broncos are the clear favorites to get to Super Bowl XLVIII and potentially win it!

 

AAA Sports Memorabilia has great autographed collectibles for all of these great NFL teams, along with all the other teams not mentioned. We hope that your team makes it to the Super Bowl. Let us know who you think will be there.

Quarterback Controversy - Tony Romo vs Joe Flacco

Tony Romo Autographed Dallas Cowboys Photo

NFL fans all know the huge contracts that Tony Romo and Joe Flacco received this year. Flacco got a big contract after his team won the Super Bowl and he was named the Super Bowl MVP. However, some NFL fans are wondering why Tony Romo got a huge contract when the Dallas Cowboys have not done much with him at the helm.

 

So the Dallas Cowboys gave Tony Romo a six-year contract worth $108 million with $55 million of that guaranteed. This is just slightly below the Baltimore Ravens contract with Joe Flacco who is also getting a six-year contract but it's worth is $120.6 million and $52 million is guaranteed. So even though Flacco's is more overall, Romo comes out ahead with the guaranteed money.

 

Let's compare the two and see how they rate neck to neck since 2008 when Flacco came into the league (and winning the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award). Here are the numbers:

 

Tony Romo (Since 2008)

 

Passing Yards: 18,623
Passing Touchdowns: 122
Pass Completions: 1,542
Pass Attempts: 2,383

Completion Percentage: 64.7%
Passes Intercepted: 59
Passes Over 20 Yards: 240
Times Sacked: 133

 

Joe Flacco (Since 2008 Rookie Year)

 

Passing Yards: 17,633
Passing Touchdowns: 102
Pass Completions: 1,507
Pass Attempts: 2,489

Completion Percentage: 60.5%
Passes Intercepted: 56
Passes Over 20 Yards: 225
Times Sacked: 44

So, based on these numbers, is Tony Romo's new contract really out of line. Why is it that he is the guy that everyone loves to hate. He has been sacked 3x's more than Flacco, so is it the Cowboy's offensive line that is at fault, or does Romo not throw it quickly enough? Either way, their numbers are very comparable.

 

Now the question is this, what will quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers going to receive since he is a much better quarterback then both Flacco and Romo. The Green Bay Packers will be paying huge when his contract is up in a couple of years.

 

No matter which quarterback or NFL team you root for, AAA Sports Memorabilia has an autographed collectible waiting for you. We have collectibles for all NFL team and all of your favorite athletes. Visit us regularly as new items are added daily.

The Top 10 NFL Free Agents in 2013 Beginning to Bat Eyes

Wes Welker Silver Coin Photo Mint

Predicting who are the top 10 free agents of 2013 in the NFL will be is not an easy task, especially since many of the free agents will be re-signed by their respective teams in the buildup to the free agency period that officially begins on March 12th. One player in particular, Joe Flacco, is surely going to continue playing as a Baltimore Raven following his Super Bowl victory. Several other players are simply too important to be let go too. Therefore, this list is my prediction of the best players available in the NFL who are highly unlikely to stay on board with their current teams:

10. Cliff Avril – Free agency is always full of big money players who will fail to live up to their hype and I think Cliff Avril will be the guy this year. His statistics appear to be that of a premier pass rusher as he has reached about 10 sacks per year in the last 3 seasons. But Avril is rather poor otherwise, so although he will occasionally get to the quarterback, he does little else for the team, which is why the Detroit Lions will let him go. Expect him to sign a big contract but end up disappointing.

9. Reggie Bush – The world was expected of him when he came to the NFL in 2006, but he has largely failed to live up to the hype. Nevertheless, Reggie Bush has actually been a solid player for the Miami Dolphins in the last two seasons, generating around 1,000 rushing yards and scoring 15 touchdowns while averaging well over 4 yards/carry. He still has a few good years left at age 27 and presents a solid, dynamic playmaking type player who makes an impact. Not necessarily a team’s number 1 running back, Reggie Bush would fit nicely in a running back by committee situation but probably wants premier money.

8. Wes Welker – With five 1,000-yard seasons behind him, Wes Welker has been a great player. He routinely catches over 100 balls a season and is a great receiver to move the chains. However at age 31, Welker is also reaching the end of his talents. Teams will also be wary of his success at the New England Patriots, who are known to get the best out of less than stellar players. Will Welker still be a great wide receiver somewhere else without Tom Brady? I believe so and I think someone will benefit with a couple solid years of production with his signing.

7. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie – He never quite produced for the Philadelphia Eagles despite his solid years with the Arizona Cardinals. Very athletic and talented, I feel that Rogers-Cromartie will benefit from a change of scenery. Although he will command a high dollar amount, he will produce if placed within the right defensive scheme. Clearly the faults of the Eagles went beyond him alone, and I think a fortunate team will be happy to have him, though he is hardly going to be a bargain buy at cornerback.

6. Derek Cox – Another intriguing cornerback on the market has 12 career interceptions in just 44

 starts with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has had some niggling injuries but has also proven to be effective in guarding receivers and making plays. Less known than some of the other stars in the league, Cox is looking for a huge contract and may find just that given his young age and solid potential as a consistent and impactful cornerback.

5. Greg Jennings – A great wide receiver when healthy, it is worth noting that Jennings has missed a good deal of time over the last two seasons and hasn’t surpassed 1,000 receiving yards since 2010. Nevertheless, when healthy he is a great catcher of the ball with an eye for yards after the catch. Approaching 30, he may be reaching the end of the line, but will still command a decent price from a desperate team. How he fares without Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers tossing him the ball is an entirely different question though.

4. Osi Umenyiora – Some teams may shy away from the 31-year-old pass rusher who only earned 6 sacks last year, but Umenyiora can be a beast and performed remarkably in the playoffs during the New York Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl run, forcing a fumble and earning 3.5 sacks. A true professional, he will cement the end position for a team for several seasons and can make the plays. The Giants don’t have much cap room so he has to go, but I do suspect him to make a small fortune in a few weeks and be a solid starter for whomever he signs with.

3. Shonn Greene – Big and strong, Greene has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past 2 seasons and also makes for a great pass blocker. His intangibles make him a great free agent buy and the New York Jets are fools to let him go. Only 27 years old, he will be a force for a lucky team with more direction, and could well be on his way to reinvigorating his career at a legitimate NFL contender.

2. Mike Wallace – He catches a lot of balls for good yardage and scores a lot of touchdowns. What more could a team want? One of the fastest players around he will command a ton of money, and he knows it. The Pittsburgh Steelers rarely cave to players demanding big money, so Mike Wallace is set to hit the road and take his talents elsewhere. Although costly, Wallace will definitely make fans happy and score a lot of points for whomever he signs with. He is surely among the best free agent wide receivers available.

1. Jake Long – A capable left tackle, the Miami Dolphins seem to be annoyed with Long’s late-season injuries the past two seasons and his demands for $10 million per year. As the former top draft pick in 2008, Long has the publicity and talent to command this kind of money. Although this year’s draft is filled with great offensive tackles, Long is proven and will be a foundation for whichever team he signs for. Yes he is expensive, but he will be worth the high price with his great play. His injury worries are a definite concern though and make him a bit of a risk.

AAA Sports Memorabilia has well over 100,000 autographed sports memorabilia and non-autographed officially licensed sports memorabilia for all teams.  New items are added daily and if you don't see what you are looking for, please let us know as we probably have it.

Super Bowl XLVII Highlights Battle of Youth Vs. Veterans as 49ers take on Ravens



Super Bowl XLVII Gold Flip Coin



The cherished game has arrived! This Sunday brings us Super Bowl XLVII and all the wonder and glory that goes along with it. Commercials will entertain the masses while exciting football brings about what should be an enthralling encounter between two fine teams, the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. Adding further intrigue to the match is that the head coaches of both teams are brothers, and that will surely inspire one of the more emotional and tear-filled postgame hugs between the siblings.

But let’s focus on the all-important matter: the football! Both coaches made stressful and season altering changes in the midseason: The 49ers replaced their starting quarterback Alex Smith and the Ravens fired their offensive coordinator. Both moves proved to be vitally correct.

These two teams have been equally impressive in the post-season as well. The Ravens finest moment came in the AFC Divisional round when the faced Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Down a touchdown with under a minute to play, Joe Flacco connected on a 70-yard pass to Jacoby Jones to silence Mile High Stadium and take the game to overtime. Manning was then intercepted by Corey Graham and that fearsome Ravens defense, and the Ravens secured the victory with a field goal.

The San Francisco 49ers’ best moment was the brilliant comeback during the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons. Behind 17 points early in the game, Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore got the offense moving again and came back to win. Tight end Vernon Davis also had several fine catches to help get the team scoring.

And so now, all drumrolls rolling, it is time for the NFL to crown its new Champion! I find it so hard to accurately predict this game. Both teams have beat the best of the NFL: the 49ers absolutely destroyed Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers while the Ravens cleanly dismantled Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, in addition to their other impressive displays.

While the Ravens will see the final match of Ray Lewis, the fearsome middle linebacker, the 49ers also bring on what could be the last Super Bowl for veteran wide receiver Randy Moss. Both teams have rather young quarterbacks who still have everything to play for, but will also feel the sheer awe that only a Super Bowl can bring about.

I sense there will be several interceptions. Although Joe Flacco has avoided a single interception thus far in the playoffs, the 49ers defense will present a new challenge with their impressive pass rush and solid linebackers. Similarly, Kaepernick will have to square off with the Ravens tough defense and players like Lewis and Ed Reed, who thrive off of interceptions.

And I also think that there will be an inability to score early in the game, leading to some field goals, and possibly a half time score of 10-6. However, as the game winds down and the players heat up offensively, I think there could be an exciting 4th quarter shootout. Flacco will prove his big-time ability and lead the Ravens to the top: 30-27.

For all your Super Bowl XLVII collectibles, visit us at AAA Sports Memorabilia.  We have a great selection of autographed memorabilia for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens.  New products are added daily and our autographed memorabilia is guaranteed for life to be authentic.  Each item comes with a certificate of authenticity from the most trusted sports companies in the industry such as Upper Deck, Mounted Memories, Real Deal, APE, and others.

For more great sports news, visit our friends at www.sportspiller.com.