Sean B. Fitzgerald It doesn’t go something like this, it goes exactly like this.

Super Bowl XLIII

The NFL is only 12 weeks old, but I believe now is the appropriate time to start salivating over potential Super Bowl matchups. And at this point, there are several teams that we can all agree are not making the Super Bowl. Those teams are as follows: Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detrot Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and St. Louis Rams. Anyone can argue that some of these teams have not been eliminated from playoff contention. But let's be honest with ourselves, if any of these teams are playing in February, lets just disband the league. So with the elimination of those losers, that leaves twenty other teams to form a myriad of possible Super Bowl matchups. Within those choices are the best of the best (Packers v. Jets), to the worst of the worst (Panthers v. Ravens). Let's go through some of the better ones, shall we?

Jets v. Packers (#1)
Lets just preface this by saying that any Super Bowl with Brett Favre would probably be the most watched Super Bowl in history. Whether you like him (Peter King, ESPN, Jets fans), or hate him (everyone else), a Super Bowl with Brett Favre is pure insanity. But a matchup like this could have books written about it until the end of time. Favre, who spent his entire career with the Green Bay Packers and is beloved by every man, woman, child, animal in the State of Wisconsin, is ousted in the off season by the team in an effort to give a chance to understudy quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Brett, who is afraid of growing up, decides that he still has something left in the tank. So Green Bay trades him to the New York Jets. They believe that this move would never bite them in the ass seeing that the New York Jets have not been competitive since the swinging sixties. But look at where we are now. Jets are currently first in the AFC East and one of the best teams in the NFL. While the Packers are struggling behind Aaron Rodgers with a 5-5 record and third in the NFC North. If this Super Bowl were to happen, ESPN would dedicate one of their channels to it. Peter King's erection would have an erection. And if the Jets defeated the Packers in Super Bowl XLIII, the Green Bay organization might be overrun by their "owners". Let's just pray it happens.

Jets v. Giants (#2)
This one is clearly a close second. Both teams play in the same building for God's sake! And once again, Brett Favre is involved! But let's put it this way. The Giants, who pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports in last year's Super Bowl, defend their title against the team who they share rent with. It's roommate on roommate for the last slice of pizza (bragging rights). And Brett Favre's there! Although New York is a baseball town, this would trump the Yankee/Met world series back in 2000. Why? Because it's the Super Bowl. Even people without televisions watch it. And lest we forget, the halftime show will be performed by...Bruce Springsteen. If that's not a New Jerse....New York Super Bowl, I don't know what is. And pssst...Brett Favre's gonna be there.

Giants v. Colts (#3)
This one writers, analysts, talking heads, and the media in general have had a woody over since Eli was drafted in 2004. Up until two years ago, no one thought it was possible because Peyton Manning was a choke artist. And up until last year, still no one thought it was possbile because Eli Manning was not his brother. Now that both of them have their own rings and don't have to share anymore, the prospect of Brother on Brother television is entirely possible come February. Needless to say, this matchup is dripping with intrigue. We can finally put to rest the "Who's the better Manning" argument. Regardless of the outcome, I still say Cooper.

Giants v. Patriots (#4)
I've been told by many a Patriot fan that Matt Cassel is the second coming. These were the same fans who were holding Tom Brady vigils after he went down in the first game of the season. This may sound weird but all New England fans are insanely loyal, they just can't stick to what they are loyal too. Maybe they're just idiots. But anyway, a rematch of last year's Super Bowl would be very fun to watch. Especially since the tables would be turned. The Giants would come into the game as heavy, double-digit favorites against a team that rallied behind their maligned quarterback to the Super Bowl. Except this time, all of America will still be rooting for the Giants. No one, and I mean, no one likes what's going on in Foxboro right now. When Brady went down, it was supposed to be over. Patriots were supposed to go 4-12 and quietly go peacefully into that good night. But no, Matt Cassel is a pro bowl quarterback and the Pats are one of the best teams in the AFC. It's just sickening.

Cowboys v. Patriots (#5)
It's a battle of the most hated teams in America. People would watch it just to yell at the television. Its a lose-lose scenario of any non-Cowboy or Patriot fan. But bottomline: It's good T.V. Owens. Romo. Belichick. Moss. A giddy Wade Phillips. Cassel. What reasonable football fan wouldn't watch that.