The World Cup is awesome. It’s way better than the Olympics.
For one, sports only count when points are scored; anything judged or timed or
measured is just a contest. For another, soccer conjures the kind of atmosphere,
excitement, vitriol, and passion that is rarely reached in an Olympic event.
Spectators watch the Olympics for human interest stories, pushing the human
body to its limits, and vague bragging rights between countries. Spectators
watch the World Cup because they desperately want their teams to win by almost
any means necessary. The World Cup is almost the perfect global athletic event,
and it probably would be if FIFA wasn’t a bunch of corrupt assholes.
I try to follow European professional soccer but it’s
something I am intimidated by because I don’t have a sound knowledge base for any
of the history or the transactional rules. I know the names and faces and
skills of a lot of the top players but admittedly I have a lot of work to do.
In order to help me make comparisons and predictions, I have broken the World
Cup down by group and compared the 32 teams to the NFL (something I have an
almost unhealthy amount of knowledge on). I know these comparisons aren’t
perfect, but they help me maintain a rooting interest in all 32 teams. I
thought I could share these comparisons with you lovely readers.
*NOTE: To make the comparisons fit just a little better, I put
Oakland in the NFC West and St. Louis in the AFC West.
GROUP A / AFC EAST
The Favorite:
Brazil / New England Patriots
Brazil and New England are perennial powers with high fan
expectations and a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. They are well
coached and attack relentlessly on offense while fielding an underrated
defense. Brazil is younger and less experienced than New England, but also more
talented.
Comparisons: Neymer = Rob Gronkowski; Luis Felipe Scolari =
Bill Belichick
Contenders to Advance:
Mexico / New York Jets
Both teams are recent contenders that have kind of fallen
apart due to a combination of age and front office turmoil. The teams have gone
through major reconstruction in the last year. There is still a lot of talent
there, so they are kind of wild cards. It wouldn’t be surprising to see either
team advance to the playoffs or completely fall apart. Plus Mark Sanchez is
Mexican-American so there’s a nice bit of symmetry there.
Comparisons: Hector Herrera = Muhammad Wilkerson, Oribe
Peralta = Chris Johnson
Croatia / Miami Dolphins
Two teams that are solid if unspectacular, Croatia and Miami
have a lot of promise but also a lot of holes. While Miami struggles at
offensive line and skill players, they excel at pass defense. Croatia is very
strong in the midfield, but has mediocre talent on defense and on the outside.
Comparisons: Luka Modric = Dannell Ellerbe; Ivan Rakitic = Ryan
Tannehill
Long Shot:
Cameroon / Buffalo Bills
Two teams with a pretty good history but are small markets
and have recently been under achieving. They still have a lot of talent but
will likely be too inexperienced to compete. Strong on defense but lack
firepower on offense.
Comparisons: Samuel Eto’o = CJ Spiller; Nicolas NKoulou =
Kiko Alonso
GROUP B / NFC WEST
The Favorites:
Spain / Seattle Seahawks
These are two teams that have revolutionized their respective
sports in recent years by giving multiple looks and utilizing insane depth to
keep their opponents guessing. Both Spain and Seattle have been extremely successful
by implementing systems that get the most out of their well-rounded talent.
They are smart and savvy with a good mixture of veterans and young talent. Very
stout defensively. The defending champs.
Comparisons: Sergio Ramos = Earl Thomas; Xavi = Marshawn
Lynch; Diego Costa = Russell Wilson
The Netherlands / San Francisco 49ers
The Dutch and the Niners are both teams that have had a lot
of recent success but are starting to show some question marks. While the Dutch
have been an offensive juggernaut theynow are looking to rely more on the
defense; similarly, the Niners look like they are going to put more emphasis on
their offense this season due to some age and injury concerns on D. The Kevin
Strootman/Navarro Bowman injuries are underrated and could be devastating.
Comparisons: Arjen Robben = Colin Kaepernick; Kevin
Strootman = Navarro Bowman
The Sleeper:
Chile / Arizona Cardinals
Two teams that play with a lot of confidence and surprising
effectiveness despite relatively
unremarkable histories, I see the Cardinals and Chile as teams that are
going to make some noise this season. New coaches have instilled energy and
dare I say, swagger, into these clubs.
Comparisons: Jorge Sampaoli = Bruce Arians; Alexis Sanchez =
Andre Ellington; Arturo Vidal = Larry Fitzgerald; Jorge Valdivia = Darnell
Dockett
The Doormat:
Australia / *Oakland Raiders
Most likely, these are the two worst teams in the field. There’s
just not a lot of talent at either place.
Comparison: Mile Jedinak = Khalil Mack
GROUP C / NFC NORTH
The Muddled Middle:
Colombia / Green Bay Packers
Colombia and Green Bay seem to struggle with injuries but
are always fun to watch with aggressive, attacking offenses. Colombia relies on
distribution from James Rodriguez while Green Bay relies on the same from Aaron
Rodgers. Both squads enjoy rapid fan bases, with solid home advantage.
Comparisons: James Rodriguez = Aaron Rodgers; Falcao = Randall
Cobb; Juan Cuadrado = Eddie Lacy
Ivory Coast / Detroit Lions
The Ivorians and Lions both share an “underachiever” tag,
mostly because of their exciting ability to score but propensity to give up
scores on mental errors. The talent is there for both squads, but for whatever
reason (coaching?) they don’t seem to win games.
Comparisons: Didier Drogba = Ndamukong Suh; Yaya Toure =
Calvin Johnson
Greece / Chicago Bears
These two teams are relatively average because they have
some very significant strengths but also some glaring weaknesses. Their offenses
hinge on inconsistent leaders and their defenses have to overachieve to be competitive.
However, the Greeks as well as the Bears are well coached and get a lot out of
their talent.
Comparisons: Kostas Mitroglou = Jay Cutler; Fernando Santos
= Mark Trestman
Japan / Minnesota Vikings
Because of a lack of offensive firepower, the Samurai and
Vikings have to manufacture scoring (from the midfield and running game
respectively). There are things to like on both squads, but they probably don’t
have enough talent to compete past the group stage, even if they overachieve.
Comparison: Keisuke Honda = Adrian Peterson
GROUP D / AFC NORTH
The Underrated Contender:
Uruguay / Cincinnati Bengals
Both teams can win with offense or defense, but are somewhat
inconsistent. They are loaded talent-wise, however, and don’t really have
glaring weaknesses. They pride themselves on toughness. Luis Suarez and Vontaze
Burfict are intense intimidators who will likely lead all players in penalties
but are the keys to their respective teams. These teams have the talent to
compete with anyone but haven’t proven that they are smart and strategic enough
yet.
Comparisons: Luis Suarez = Vontaze Burfict; Edinson Cavani =
AJ Green
Battle to Advance:
Italy / Baltimore Ravens
Well coached teams that always seem to advance/make the
playoffs despite age and talent concerns, the Italians and Ravens are solid if
unheralded. Strong history and organization make them dangerous squads that you
can’t count out.
Comparison: Andrea Pirlo = Terrell Suggs; Mario Balotelli =
Torrey Smith
England / Pittsburgh Steelers
Two storied franchises that are perennially overrated, but annually
have a good shot to get past the group stage. Expectations are down for this
season which will likely help their chances. Their most important offensive players
(Rooney/Roethlisberger) are kind of assholes but blue collar fans love their
toughness.
Comparisons: Wayne Rooney = Ben Roethlisberger; Daniel
Sturridge = Antonio Brown
Not Ready Yet:
Costa Rica / Cleveland Browns
Talented squads that are up and coming, Costa Rica and Cleveland
are going to have a tough time overcoming some adversity (C.R. with injuries,
the Browns with a pending suspension) in order to topple the other teams in
their groups. Still, they may surprise.
Comparison: Yeltsin Tejada = Joe Haden; Alavaro Saborio
(injured) = Josh Gordon (suspended?)
GROUP E / NFC EAST
Best of a Mediocre Lot:
Switzerland / Philadelphia Eagles
The Swiss and Eagles have fun to watch offensive systems
that emphasize timing and controlled passes. They are always attacking opposing
defenses. The system tends to cover up for a lack of talent, though there are
some good playmakers for both squads. Their up-tempo styles tend to put hefty
strain on their defenses, giving the opponents lots of opportunities to score.
Comparisons: Xherdan Shaqiri = Nick Foles; JosipDrmic =
LeSean McCoy
Semi-contenders by Default:
France / Dallas Cowboys
Heavily criticized by the media for being poorly run
franchises with strong recent histories, France and Dallas could win zero games
despite some intriguing talent. There is a lot of discord among the players and
management. Likely to implode but it will be fun to watch the flames.
Comparisons: Paul Pogba = Dez Bryant; Franck Ribery
(injured) = Tony Romo (injury prone)
Ecuador / Washington D.C. Professional Football Team
Both teams will attack the outside relentlessly but are soft
on defense. Their hopes hinge on an inconsistent young player that has as much
talent as anyone but is still learning the game.
Comparison: Jefferson Montero = Robert Griffin III
Honduras / New York Giants
Teams that are better when conservative because they avoid
costly mistakes, their respective playing styles can be frustrating. Honduras
and the Giants just don’t have enough to compete in the playoffs, but they can
get their due to a weak group/division.
Comparison: Jerry Bengston = Eli Manning
GROUP F / AFC SOUTH
Cakewalking through Stage One:
Argentina / Indianapolis Colts
The beneficiaries of a poor group/division, the blue teams
are best when chaos ensues and their best players (Messi and Luck) are allowed
to create independently. Frustrating at times but almost always entertaining,
they have the capability of scoring in bunches. Rather poor defenses. They
should be well set-up for the playoffs after dominating their respective
groups.
Comparisons: Lionel Messi = Andrew Luck; Sergio Aguero = TY
Hilton
Poop, Fart, and Throw up:
Bosnia-Herzegovina / Houston Texans
Unbalanced teams but with elite skills (BIH = goal scoring,
HOU = pass rush) that will help them stay competitive at times but get blown
out at others.
Comparison: Miralem Pjanic = JJ Watt
Iran / Jacksonville Jaguars
Perhaps the least talented of all qualifying teams, Iran and
Jacksonville nonetheless play hard and may win a defensive struggle or two. The
owner of the Jaguars, Shad Khan, is also from a Muslim country in Southwest
Asia.
Comparison: Javad Nekounam = Paul Posluszny
Nigeria / Tennessee Titans
The Super Eagles and Titans always seem to be shifting
identities and aren’t noted for any particular strength. However, they could
surprise and reach the playoff round with some elevated play from their young
talent.
Comparison: Victor Moses = Jake Locker
GROUP G / AFC WEST
Another Favorite:
Germany / Denver Broncos
Two teams with incredible firepower, a plethora of weapons,
and possibly weak defenses, Germany and Denver will likely smash a lot of teams
but might not be strong enough to win the title. It is going to be very hard
for teams to keep up with their scoring pace, but they are prone to easing off
once they get big leads, allowing teams to come back against them.
Comparisons: Mesut Ozil = Peyton Manning; Bastian Schweinsteiger
= Demaryius Thomas; Lukas Podolski = Julius Thomas; Thomas Muller = Wes Welker;
Phillip Lahm = Vonn Miller
Some More Contenders:
Portugal / San Diego Chargers
The teams’ success relies on unlikeable superstars
(Cristiano Ronaldo & Philip Rivers) to generate almost all of the scoring,
but more often than not, they come through.
Comparisons: Cristiano Ronaldo = Philip Rivers; Pepe = Eric
Weddle
United States / Kansas City Chiefs
After some underachieving seasons, both teams brought in
heralded coaches to turn the culture around and it looks like it’s working.
There is a lot of talent, but lack of depth and continuity is a concern.
Comparisons: Clint Dempsey = Jamaal Charles; Jozy Altidore =
Dwayne Bowe; Michael Bradley = Eric Berry; Graham Zusi = Dontari Poe; Jurgen Klinsmann = Andy Reid
Surprisingly Frisky:
Ghana / *St. Louis Rams
The Black Stars and Rams are stuck in tough groups, but they
could make some noise due to intriguing mixes of veteran and young talent. Not title
contenders but sort of scary.
Comparisons: Michael Essein = Robert Quinn; Kwadwo Asamoah =
Chris Long; Asamoah Gyan = Tavon Austin
GROUP H / NFC SOUTH
Under the Radar:
Belgium / New Orleans Saints
The Belgians and Saints have quietly built really solid
clubs that emphasize spreading the football around and ball control to help
their defenses. By spreading the field, they give multiple players opportunities
to score but sometimes are susceptible to giving the opposition scoring
opportunities.
Comparisons: Eden Hazard = Jimmy Graham; Dries Mertens = Marques
Colston; Kevin Mirallas = Kenny Stills
Former Whipping Boys:
South Korea / Carolina Panthers
The Taeguk and Panthers have quietly developed decent
programs and have some nice young talent in place. There are glaring weaknesses
for both squads, but they are using a well set up system to cover their
weaknesses and are consistent playoff contenders.
Comparisons: Son Heung Min = Cam Newton; Kim Young-Gwon =
Luke Keuchley
Aging and Overrated:
Russia / Atlanta Falcons
Dependant on aging stars and seriously lacking depth, the
Ruskies’ and Falcons’ reputations are probably greater than their talent. Will
look to be up-tempo but are ironically susceptible to up tempo attacks on the
defensive end.
Comparisons: Sergei Ignashevich = Roddy White; Alexander
Kokorin = Julio Jones
Young and Underrated:
Algeria / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Green Stars have used some nationality loopholes to amp
up their talent, while the Bucs have used free agency to do the same. Both
teams’ futures are looking much brighter after regime changes in the coaching
staff.
Comparisons: Sofiane Feghouli = Doug Martin; Yacine Brahimi
= Lavonte David
I hope this helps some of NFL Fans make some connections to
the World Cup. Enjoy the next few weeks!
