Which cities and states produce the best football talent? It’s an age-old debate, and Touchdown Wire asks you to help determine the answer.
We’ve imagined NFL rosters for the ages composed of the greatest players who grew up in the areas of the 32 current franchises. Our selection methodology is explained in detail in this article.
Touchdown Wire columnist Doug Farrar revealed his power rankings for our 32 Homegrown Legends rosters, providing the seedings for an epic virtual tournament.
Here’s where you come in. Cast your votes below in the conference finals of our Homegrown Legends tournament, and check back on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at approximately noon ET for results and the opening of voting in our championship matchup.
Third-round results:
AFC semifinals: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 12. Kansas City, 67-33%; 2. Miami def. 6. Pittsburgh, 52-48%.
NFC semifinals: 1. Dallas def. 5. Atlanta, 73-27%; 3. Los Angeles Rams def. 2. New Orleans, 53-47%.
AFC championship
2. Miami vs. 8. Los Angeles Chargers
How Miami can win: The Dolphins’ identity is rooted in having a spectacular athlete at quarterback and spacing the field with four career 10,000-yard receivers. Los Angeles simply doesn’t have the cornerbacks or the pass-rush to combat this formula, which should give Miami plenty of time and room to operate in the passing game. With the box stretched thin, Miami should be able to spring RB Frank Gore for chunk gains, too. Defensively, Miami offers a better pass-rush than the Chargers can block against — and although QB John Elway is a mobile passer, he’ll need his offensive linemen to play the game of their lives against Joey Bosa, Elvis Dumervil, Geno Atkins and Derrick Thomas. Having Patrick Peterson to lock down Michael Thomas helps Miami funnel extra attention to Tony Gonzalez as well. — Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
How Los Angeles can win: This will be the Chargers’ toughest task yet, but our team has the juice to get the job done. The Chargers’ offense should be able to stay balanced, despite the Dolphins’ stout front seven, behind Hall of Fame tackles Gary Zimmerman and Ron Mix. QB John Elway has a plethora pass-catching options in Michael Thomas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tony Gonzalez. If Miami is able to limit the passing game, Terrell Davis and Marcus Allen will be eager to run the ball down their throats. Although the Dolphins boast a slew of weapons, the Chargers’ tenacious defensive core of Junior Seau, Anthony Barr, Clay Matthews III, Eric Allen, John Lynch and Ronnie Lott is capable of slowing down Lamar Jackson and Co. — Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
NFC championship:
NFC championship
1. Dallas vs. 3. Los Angeles Rams
How Dallas can win: There hasn’t been a defense in this tournament that can figure out how to slow down QB Patrick Mahomes while containing the rushing prowess of Earl Campbell, LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson in the modified Wishbone — and the Rams’ defense won’t, either. Granted, this is the first matchup for Dallas where its defensive line won’t dominate, so it’s fortunate that the Cowboys have so much talent on the back end to force turnovers. Harvey Martin, Von Miller, Bob Lilly and Mean Joe Greene against Tyron Smith, Anthony Munoz, Larry Allen and Bruce Matthews? Lawd have mercy. The Dallas secondary is savvy enough to be opportunistic and create turnovers thanks to ballhawks Aqib Talib and Everson Walls, while Jamal Adams plays matchups. — K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
How Los Angeles can win: This will surely be Los Angeles’ toughest matchup of the tournament, going up against a potent offense led by Patrick Mahomes, Adrian Peterson and LaDainian Tomlinson. Not to mention, Earl Campbell — so L.A.’s linebackers definitely will be tested in this one. The Rams’ defensive line isn’t particularly dominant, so LB Bobby Wagner will have to be active on the second level. Offensively, Warren Moon will have to pick his poison against two ballhawks in Dallas’ secondary: Aqib Talib and Everson Walls. Jamal Adams is a playmaker at safety, too, with the ability to impact the game in several ways. Fortunately, L.A.’s offensive line is outstanding and should give Moon time to find receivers James Lofton, Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson downfield. — Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
AFC championship:
Third-round results:
AFC semifinals: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 12. Kansas City, 67-33%; 2. Miami def. 6. Pittsburgh, 52-48%.
NFC semifinals: 1. Dallas def. 5. Atlanta, 73-27%; 3. Los Angeles Rams def. 2. New Orleans, 53-47%.
Second-round results:
AFC: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 1. Houston, 67-33%; 12. Kansas City def. 13. Tennessee, 66-34%; 6. Pittsburgh def. 3. Cleveland, 61-39%; 2. Miami def. 10. Las Vegas, 74-26%.
NFC: 1. Dallas def. 8. Washington, 79-21%; 5. Atlanta def. 4. San Francisco, 52-48%; 3. Los Angeles Rams def. 6. Carolina, 73-27%; 2. New Orleans def. 10. Detroit, 67-33%.
First-round results:
AFC: 1. Houston def. 16. Denver, 62-38%; 8. LA Chargers def. 9. Buffalo 74-26%; 12. Kansas City def. 5. Jacksonville, 68-32%; 13. Tennessee def. 4. Cincinnati, 53-47%; 6. Pittsburgh def. 11. Baltimore, 83-17%; 3. Cleveland def. 14. Indianapolis, 70-30%; 10. Las Vegas def. 7. NY Jets, 62-38%; 2. Miami def. New England, 87-13%.
NFC: 1. Dallas def. 16. Minnesota, 76-24%; 8. Washington def. 9. NY Giants, 65-35%; 5. Atlanta def. 12. Tampa Bay, 58-42%; 4. San Francisco def. 13. Seattle, 67-33%; 6. Carolina def. 11. Arizona, 68-32%; 3. LA Rams def. 14. Green Bay, 64-36%; 10. Detroit def. 7. Philadelphia, 59-41%; 2. New Orleans def. 15. Chicago, 58-42%.
AFC rosters:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC
NFC rosters:
Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
- Coming Tuesday, Oct. 6: Homegrown Legends tournament bracket championship matchup
