For at least the last 5 years in the NFL, the AFC has been known as the power conference. And with good reason too, the New England Patriots have won three Super Bowl Championships in that time. The Indianapolis Colts also won a Super Bowl, as have the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throw in the San Diego Chargers, and you have a handful of dominant teams that the NFC hasn't been able to compete with.



But the victory of the New York Giants over the New England Patriots in last year's Super Bowl was more than just a dramatic upset, it also signaled the start of a shift in power. So far in the 2008 NFL season, the NFC has been the superior conference. This has big implications when you're thinking of making online bets on the NFL. No longer can you automatically pick a good AFC over a good NFC team. You have to strongly consider the NFC opponents and in many cases, favor them.

One of the major reasons for this has been because of injuries. First and foremost, the injury to Tom Brady has created a power vacuum. With Brady out for the season, the New England Patriots are not the best team in the league anymore. They are still good, but they have been exposed a little bit as having an old defense and relying on Brady to really carry them.

There have been other injuries in the AFC as well. Peyton Manning had knee surgery in the offseason, and his offensive line has been destroyed by injuries in the beginning part of the year. The Chargers have also had a few key players hurt, with both LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates hobbling around. Shawne Merriman has also had season ending knee surgery, taking out one of the more fearsome players in the league. Meanwhile, some up and rising teams in the AFC never rose! I'm looking at you Cleveland Browns, one of the biggest early disappointments this season. Coming off of their strong 2007 campaign, the Browns were a trendy playoff pick. Not anymore.

The NFC East alone could arguably be better than the entire AFC. The defending champion New York Giants haven't been slowed with their injuries, and Eli Manning has continued to play with confidence. The Eagles have a healthy Donovan McNabb and a strong defense and the Redskins are starting to mesh under Jim Zorn. Then there's America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo is one of the better quarterbacks in the league. Add in Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Terrell Owens and a host of other star players, and the Cowboys are tough to beat week in and week out.

Nobody would have thought it but so far the NFC is actually better than the AFC. So when you're making your bets don't just write off an NFC as being from a weaker conference. The NFC definitely has control right now in the first part of the 2008 season.

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