The NFL Thread

[Alan]

Alan, I deleted that. Unintentional but doesnt look good.

It went over my head anyway.

 

[Alan]

The #1 is massively over-valued in the current system. And by comparison there is no real difference perceived between 2 and 3. Hence Philadelphia resting half a team against the Commanders as they literally didn't give a stuff about #2 or #3, but they really gave a stuff about star player rest schedules.

There’s a train of thought that having the bye is actually a negative. Dunno the stats on that, though.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

There’s a train of thought that having the bye is actually a negative. Dunno the stats on that, though.

During the regular season teams tend to perform better the game after their bye week, so it has to be something every team would want in the playoffs.

 

[Alan]

I believe the idea is that they're coming into the Divisional Round "too cold". When Peyton Manning and the Colts were constantly getting a 1 or 2 seed and then not making Super Bowls, I remember this conversation being all over the place.

I don't really I know if it matters whatsoever, really. You're definitely right that it's almost always a benefit during the regular season. And that teams generally prefer to have the extra week of rest, recuperation, etc., at least in theory.

In the playoffs I would bet that it's very much team-by-team. Mentality and all that American rah rah shit.

 

[Dire Wolf]

I think the stats show that the number 1 seed has done well in the divisional round since the 7 seed format began. But they typically face either the 5, 6, or 7 seed so whether its a result of the bye or just facing the worst team left in is open to debate. But facing the worst team left plus having a week to rest is a MASSIVE advantage youd have thought.

In this year's AFC I'm not sure that anyone would argue that the Broncos are that much of a better team than the Bills, but they do have the advantage because of the extra rest while the Bills are totally injury riddled again, and it is Mile High. Same with Seattle and San Fran. For both Denver and Seattle the competitive advantage has swung massively in their favour because of:

1. An extra week of rest
2. Their opponents coming off a short week.

In both cases because of that you'd give them the edge rather than either team really being the better team.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

Traditionally in non-american sports there are no playoffs. The winner is the team with the best record over the regular season. Playoffs are a money making scheme that also provide excitement for the fans but are not actually 'fair'.
Obviously fairness is an alien concept to the US and NFL is so physically demanding that it isnt possible for teams to play every other team, so playoffs are actually necessary. But the teams with the best record do deserve a reward, and ironically the extra week rest might actually be the fairest outcome.

 

[Jack Regan]

Harbaugh heading to the Giants according to the Athletic.