Funny! We've gotten into some debates lately about schedule and how some people seem to view it as inconsequential as to a measure of how good a team really is.
Here's what PFW has to say on the issue as it relates to the playoffs:
"NFL realignment causing playoff problems
Some claim that division realignment, which leaves both leagues with only two wildcard spots, will hurt a handful of teams in the strong AFC. The realignment has left the AFC East and West stronger than other divisions, leaving these teams to fight a battle of attrition. In the NFC, most criticism has been directed toward the makeup of the NFC North, which is composed of league-power Green Bay and hapless Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago.
Buchsbaum: Right now, the NFL’s new setup of four teams per division, and four divisions per conference, is not working out at all because it is creating huge disparities. Just look at the AFC: in the East and the West, you do not have a team with a losing record. They are obviously the two toughest divisions in football and the teams in those divisions beat each other up twice a year, so those teams will be closer to the .500 mark than the 10 or 11 wins normally needed to reach the playoffs. On the other hand, in the AFC North, there is only one team with a winning record — the Steelers at 5-4-1. In the AFC South, Indianapolis and Tennessee lead the way with 6-4 marks, but both have played relatively easy schedules.
In the NFC, there is one division with three good teams — the South. The West seems to feature pretty good balance, but there is only one decent team in the North division and the other three teams may be the worst teams in the league. In the East, with the Eagles’ injuries, there are no really strong teams and the Giants may cash in on their golden opportunity.
As a result, there is no way the NFL will have the best 12 teams in the playoffs and teams in the AFC East and West are bound to get the wrong end of the deal. Actually, you probably have six of the top 10 teams in the AFC in those divisions."
You're always asking for backup statements Judge. It does support my earlier points that you attempted to make seem totally ridiculous. Nevertheless, it seems to me that they are saying that strength of schedule is so impacting that it's almost unjust given the scenarios mentioned above! Just curious if you'd care to comment on this at all? Of course it's open to anyone else who hammered that viewpoint prior as well.
Here's what PFW has to say on the issue as it relates to the playoffs:
"NFL realignment causing playoff problems
Some claim that division realignment, which leaves both leagues with only two wildcard spots, will hurt a handful of teams in the strong AFC. The realignment has left the AFC East and West stronger than other divisions, leaving these teams to fight a battle of attrition. In the NFC, most criticism has been directed toward the makeup of the NFC North, which is composed of league-power Green Bay and hapless Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago.
Buchsbaum: Right now, the NFL’s new setup of four teams per division, and four divisions per conference, is not working out at all because it is creating huge disparities. Just look at the AFC: in the East and the West, you do not have a team with a losing record. They are obviously the two toughest divisions in football and the teams in those divisions beat each other up twice a year, so those teams will be closer to the .500 mark than the 10 or 11 wins normally needed to reach the playoffs. On the other hand, in the AFC North, there is only one team with a winning record — the Steelers at 5-4-1. In the AFC South, Indianapolis and Tennessee lead the way with 6-4 marks, but both have played relatively easy schedules.
In the NFC, there is one division with three good teams — the South. The West seems to feature pretty good balance, but there is only one decent team in the North division and the other three teams may be the worst teams in the league. In the East, with the Eagles’ injuries, there are no really strong teams and the Giants may cash in on their golden opportunity.
As a result, there is no way the NFL will have the best 12 teams in the playoffs and teams in the AFC East and West are bound to get the wrong end of the deal. Actually, you probably have six of the top 10 teams in the AFC in those divisions."
You're always asking for backup statements Judge. It does support my earlier points that you attempted to make seem totally ridiculous. Nevertheless, it seems to me that they are saying that strength of schedule is so impacting that it's almost unjust given the scenarios mentioned above! Just curious if you'd care to comment on this at all? Of course it's open to anyone else who hammered that viewpoint prior as well.
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