In case you haven’t heard, the National Football League has ended its lockout.
For the last few days, NFL teams have been in a frenzy, scrambling to sign new players, re-sign current players or make trades to make their team better.
There are 32 teams that start each season on a mission to win the Super Bowl every year, but only a hand full have a serious shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
In no particular order, here are six teams who have a legitimate chance at winning the Super Bowl:
Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles went out and got better at their weakest position by adding two cornerbacks, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. If they manage to keep Asante Samuel, they could have one of the best cornerback trios ever. Michael Vick will continue to be a headache for defensive coordinators if he can avoid big hits and stay healthy. Look for Andy Reid and Co. to bring a title to the city of brotherly love.
New Orleans Saints. The Saints have one of the most prolific offenses in all of football and Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton are a match made in football heaven. Rookie running back Mark Ingram will take some pressure off Brees and allow the Saints to have an inside running game. The loss of Reggie Bush will hurt, but the Saints have enough playmakers to make up for it and make a deep playoff run.
Pittsburgh Steelers. I personally don’t like the Steelers (mainly because my brother loves them), but you have to respect what they have done as an organization. Despite his questionable off the field issues, “Big Ben” Roethlisberger continues to lead the Steelers deep into the postseason. Off-season comments made by James Harrison could damage team chemistry, but the Steelers have too much of a winning pedigree to let anything stand between them and their ultimate goal.
New York Jets. Rex Ryan has been guaranteeing championships since he arrived in East Rutherford. This year will be no different. The Jets took a chance and brought in wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who will help make them a better red zone team. If Mark Sanchez can continue to develop, Rex will finally be able to make good on his guarantee.
Green Bay Packers. They are the defending Super Bowl champions, so they have to be in the conversation. They will also be getting running back Ryan Grant and tight end Jermichael Finley back from injured reserve. Aaron Rodgers has asserted himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and will look to build upon his already growing legend.
New England Patriots. Adding a personality like Chad Ochocinco and a troubled defensive lineman like Albert Haynesworth would probably be too much for most teams to handle. Not for New England. Patriot head coach Bill Belichick is known for bringing in players with big egos and making them follow the ‘Patriot Way’. With that said, New England will still need to add a pass rusher at linebacker. If they do, Brady and Belichick could find themselves back atop the NFL world.
Two teams that deserve honorable mentions are the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons. Peyton Manning’s second neck surgery has me worried about his long-term health, and I’m not sure if the Falcons have enough on the defensive side of the ball to win it all.
Well there you have it folks. This NFL season should be another exciting one. Dare I ask… are you ready for some football?
