Question of the day: Who will be the final four teams in the NFL this season?
Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they're wrong. Check back throughout the day for updates.
Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun
In the absence of any truly dominant teams -- no, the Saints don't qualify with their defense -- the race to the NFL's final four is wide open. Starting in the AFC, the Colts probably aren't going to flirt with perfection again, and the Patriots are still clearing the rubble from a wicked playoff loss to the Ravens.
Because of all their upgrades, I like the Ravens to challenge the Chargers in the AFC championship game. Joe Flacco's Baltimore offense should emerge now that it has some receivers. San Diego is transitioning from the glorious, but inevitably flawed, LaDainian Tomlinson years to become Philip Rivers' team. It's about time.
In the NFC, Aaron Rodgers is ready to make everybody forget Brett Favre and lead the Packers to the Super Bowl. But he'll have to get past the improved Falcons and Matt Ryan. Baltimore and Atlanta both went 9-7 a year ago, which speaks to the league's balance.
Photo: Football stadium. Credit: Shannon Stapleton / Reuters.
