Fact or Fiction: Seahawks still NFC's best?

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Everyone has an opinion about what will happen during the NFL season. And the predictions will prove to be either true or false.

So we've made four bold statements and asked our ESPN experts -- former NFL players Eric Allen and Joe Theismann -- whether they believe the statements eventually will become fact or fiction.

On which side of the fence do they sit? Click on the links below for their answers.

Eric Allen Fact: The Ravens are back to playing excellent defense again. This team has proven through the first three weeks of the season that it has one of the best defenses in the league. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Chris McAlister are all healthy. All three of those guys are equally proficient at stopping the pass and the run, and that trend will continue this week. The Ravens are going to put eight and nine men in the box to force the Chargers to rely on the arm of young quarterback Philip Rivers to be successful. As good as the Ravens are on defense, they don't want to put the game in the hands of Tomlinson, because he's one of the best running backs in the game.

Joe Theismann Fact: The Ravens will find a way to stifle the best running back in the NFL, but it won't be easy. Tomlinson is a multifaceted back who has proven he can decimate opposing defenses on the ground or through the air. Heck, he'll even throw a few passes to make things really confusing. The Ravens will have to commit extra men in the box and make sure that someone other than a linebacker is covering Tomlinson out of the backfield. They can't afford for him to get into single coverage against a linebacker because he's simply too dangerous. The Ravens have a smart enough and talented enough defense, and it won't slip up this week.

Eric Allen Fact: Even without Shaun Alexander, this team still has enough weapons to be the best team in the NFC. They have the best passing offense in the NFC with Matt Hasselbeck throwing to Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson and Deion Branch. That's a dangerous group for opposing secondaries to have to deal with. All those guys are extremely talented and can stretch defenses with their speed or play the role of possession receiver, depending on what the Seahawks need. Add that offense to an aggressive defense that does a great job of executing its game plan, and it's obvious the Hawks have the best team in the NFC.

Joe Theismann Fiction: With Shaun Alexander out indefinitely, the Seahawks take a step back and the Bears become the best team in the NFC. Chicago has a tremendous defense that has the ability to dominate teams. The Bears also have a solid offense that has added a passing game (thanks to Rex Grossman) to a solid running game. The Bears are doing an excellent job of implementing coach Lovie Smith's ball-control offense, while also taking enough shots downfield to keep opposing defenses honest. This team has all the tools to make a deep playoff, run thanks to the strong coaching hand of Smith.

Eric Allen Fiction: I understand the Cardinals' concerns that Kurt Warner is making too many mistakes, but this is a team that is built to win right now with the addition of RB Edgerrin James, and Warner gives them the best chance to win. For all of Warner's faults, he's still an extremely good quarterback when he's given time to get the ball downfield. At this point in his career, I don't see Matt Leinart doing as good a job with the same amount of time that Warner is receiving.

Joe Theismann Fiction: The Cardinals should stick with veteran Kurt Warner for the foreseeable future because most of his problems stem from a lack of pass protection. The Cardinals are mistaken if they believe Leinart will do a better job with that line protecting him. It's a shame to say this, but this team is better served right now with Warner out there taking the lumps, while Leinart stays on the sidelines and learns. There's no reason for the Cardinals to rush their future franchise quarterback and risk injuring him when they don't have a solid enough offensive line.

Eric Allen Fiction: The Saints are riding a wave of emotion, so we shouldn't get too carried away right now. But even after they eventually come down from the high of their Monday night win, this is still a good team. They are doing an excellent job of executing and are playing within themselves. This isn't a squad that is going to go out and dominate and win games every week. This is a team that will do enough to win every week, it just needs to limit its mistakes. I don't think the Saints are a playoff team yet, but I do believe they are just a player or two away on the defensive side from making the postseason.

Joe Theismann Fact: If you'd asked me this question a week ago, the answer would've been a quick no. But after sitting in the Superdome and watching this team demolish the Atlanta Falcons, I think the Saints are a playoff-caliber team. They have a good defense that follows the game plan and doesn't make stupid mistakes, and the offense has enough playmakers to be dangerous. This team has averaged a little over 25 points a game so far this season and they've done it through a mix of passing and running. This team can definitely make the playoffs.

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