Has Balance of Power in N.F.L. Swung Back to the N.F.C.?

Was it really only two seasons ago that the A.F.C.  was in the midst of a 13-year-long stretch of dominance over the N.F.C.?

In December 2009, Indianapolis was at the top of the N.F.L. heap. The Colts nearly completed a perfect regular season, falling short in Week 16. And that loss was controversial because  Coach Jim Caldwell pulled many of his starters in the second half of a Jets victory. At the time, many observers considered the ironman Peyton Manning to be the best quarterback in the N.F.L.

When the Colts got to Super Bowl XLIV weeks later, they were favorites to beat New Orleans and give the A.F.C. its 10th Super Bowl championship in 13 seasons, dating to Denver’s victory over Green Bay after the 1997 season.

How times have changed.

Since the Saints upset the Colts, the N.F.C. has been rejuvenated. Tonight’s season-opening game between the N.F.C. powerhouses New Orleans and Green Bay will be a matchup of the last two Super Bowl champions. Both quarterbacks — the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers and the Saints’ Drew Brees — are considered to be two of the best in the league.

And Peyton Manning?

His run of playing in every game since coming into the N.F.L. in 1998 (227 consecutive starts, including playoffs) is over, and there is no timetable for his return.

Jets Coach Rex Ryan may not agree, but these are just a few of the reasons to believe that the pendulum has already swung back to the N.F.C., which won 13 consecutive Super Bowls from 1985-1997.

1) How has the A.F.C. gotten weaker?
Let’s start with Manning. The Colts’ announcement that Manning is out indefinitely with his neck injury sounds ominous. Could he be back in a few weeks? Maybe. But his type of injury  doesn’t seem to have a history of quick recoveries.

There are other reasons besides the Colts in the South Division. Jacksonville’s decision to cut starting quarterback David Garrard doesn’t inspire confidence, especially since the Jaguars are coming off an 8-8 season and Maurice Jones-Drew is still on the mend from off-season knee surgery. The division’s other teams, Houston and Tennessee, were 6-10 last season. The Titans’ star running back, Chris Johnson, missed almost all of training camp in a contract dispute, and his durability could be in question. The A.F.C. South very well could challenge the N.F.C. West from last season for ineptitude.

Want more? The Patriots’ Tom Brady is 34 and going on four years since he last won a playoff game. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati’s former Pro Bowl quarterback, is sitting out the season. You don’t have to look far to see the drain of talent from the conference.

A bright side for the A.F.C.? It holds the three best defenses in the N.F.L. from 2010 (San Diego, Pittsburgh and the Jets).

2) How has the N.F.C. gotten stronger?

For starters, Brees and Rodgers have established themselves as superstars and Super Bowl champions in the last two seasons.

There is plenty more. Michael Vick’s return to prominence last season has put a new face on the Eagles’ franchise, and helps put Philadelphia in any Super Bowl conversation. The Eagles are loaded on both sides of the ball and may be deserving of their Dream Team moniker.

Although much maligned, Jay Cutler helped lead Chicago to the N.F.C. championship game in his second season with the Bears since being being acquired from Denver. Detroit appears to be on an upswing led by Coach Jim Schwartz and Matthew Stafford, both heading into their third year. And, yes, it was defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh who reminded everyone earlier in this preseason that the best way to slow New England is to get in the grill of quarterback Tom Brady.

In the West, the Rams second-year quarterback Sam Bradford has  shown that he could become a star in the near future.

Could a rivalry between New Orleans and Green Bay emerge and be comparable to New England’s and Indianapolis’s from the previous decade? Are the strongest divisions in the N.F.L. in the N.F.C.?  The road to Super Bowl XLVI begins tonight.

Extra Point Are you ready to talk some football? Join a live discussion tonight from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. by clicking on the box below as George Bretherton and Bret Leuthner host a season kickoff show. Listen in or call us at 480-409-3547.

Live broadcasting by Ustream

E-mail: Georgeb@nytimes.com or follow George on Twitter