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Seattle is currently the best team in the NFL.**
MICHAEL EISEN: Fiction -It's a virtual tossup with Denver. Seattle has the No. 1 defense, the Broncos have the No. 1 offense. The Seahawks have a terrific rushing attack, but the difference is Peyton Manning. Can't go against him in an MVP season.
- JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction -They are clearly the best team in the NFC. I like them on a neutral field against New Orleans, San Francisco, Carolina and Philadelphia. Against Denver on a neutral field, I think I have to go with Peyton Manning and the Broncos. They will be able to run the ball on the Seahawks defense, and do enough through the air to win the game.
- DAN SALOMONE: Fact -Taking a snapshot right now, I'll say they are. The efficiency of the offense and the confidence on defense make them the toughest out in football right now. And forget about it if they're playing at home.
Russell Wilson is the best quarterback of the 2012 NFL Draft Class.
- MICHAEL EISEN: Fiction -I give a slight edge to Andrew Luck. Traditional dropback quarterbacks win Super Bowls.
- JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact -With Andrew Luck as a close second. I think Luck took a step back this year being out of Bruce Arians offense. Wilson has all the tools you want except for height. He scrambles to throw, is smart enough to read coverages, and can make all the throws. He is a leader. I'll take Luck or Wilson, but right now Wilson has a small edge.
- DAN SALOMONE: Fiction -You can't go wrong between the two, but I'd take Andrew Luck in the long run when talking about the "best." You couldn't anoint any of them after one season, and while Wilson has really won me over in the second, Luck has a higher ceiling. That's what gives him the edge in my opinion.
The Giants will hold Marshawn Lynch to fewer than 100 yards on the ground.
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MICHAEL EISEN: Fact - **The Giants have played well against the NFL's top running backs all season.
- JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction -I don't think Lynch will run wild, but I think with his likely 25-30 carries, he will get over 100 yards. Seattle commits to the running game even if it isn't getting large chunks of yards.
- DAN SALOMONE: Fiction -Run defense has been a bright spot in a down season for the Giants, but they did struggle against an average rushing attack last week in San Diego. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are still going to be playing as hard as ever coming off a loss and trying to clinch a No. 1 seed. I think Lynch will get to 100 as Seattle tries to establish the run on the road.
The Super Bowl champion is currently not leading its own division.
- MICHAEL EISEN: Fiction -Last time I looked Denver led the AFC West.
- JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction -The only non-division leaders I could see winning the Super Bowl are the 49ers and the Panthers, I don't think either team has quite enough to get there. My top three contenders are the Broncos, Seahawks, and the Eagles as a real dark horse. I really like the way they are playing recently, especially on defense.
- DAN SALOMONE: Fact -When was the last time the Super Bowl champion hasn't come out of nowhere down the stretch? The 2009 Saints? I'm going to say that trend continues. It's never that neat. Since I said fact, I have to pick one, and I'll say the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh has incrementally taken them deeper in the postseason each year, and after being a runner-up last time, there's only one place to go at that pace.
