2007 Schedule Strength, the big picture

Danno · 06-26-2007, 11:55 AM

I don’t put much stock in strength of schedules, but since its deadtime and we need something to discuss, here goes...

Ranking the divisions from toughest to easiest in both conferences, I come up with this. You may disagree with my rankings, but its probably close.

AFC
1. AFC West (SD, KC, DEN, OAK)
2. AFC North (BAL, CIN, PIT, CLE)
3. AFC South (IND, JAX, HOU, TEN)
4. AFC East (NE, MIA, BUF, NYJ)

NFC
1. NFC East (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS), The NFC East must play the NFC North (easiest) and AFC East (easiest).

2. NFC South (NO, CAR, TB, ATL), The NFC South must play the NFC West (2nd easiest) and AFC South (2nd easiest).

3. NFC West (SEA, SF, ARZ, STL), The NFC West must play the NFC South (2nd toughest) and AFC North (2nd toughest)

4. NFC North (CHI, MIN, GB, DET), The NFC North must play the NFC East (toughest) and AFC West (toughest)

So we’re playing the 2nd easiest AFC division and the 2nd easiest NFC division. We also get the Bears (who are falling apart daily) and the Eagles (who we beat twice last year)

It looks like, on paper, the NFC East will probably have 2, or maybe even 3 playoff teams at seasons end, but since they are a well balanced division they will probably beat each other up.

The NFC South looks like 1, maybe 2 playoff teams if Carolina puts it together.

The NFC West looks like its gonna have a tough time getting 2 teams in, being pretty balanced and having to play 2 other tough divisions.

The NFC North looks to ONLY get 1 team in. I can’t see two North teams finishing above 8-8 with their schedules.

So basically, buy your playoff tickets now…

Division Winners - Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle, Chicago

Wildcards – Dallas, Carolina

Close but no cigar – San Fran, St Louis, Washington

Thoughts???

WhoDat205 · 06-26-2007, 12:44 PM

Is it too late to change the rules that one team from every division makes the playoffs? The NFC north is garbage. I think the combination of the SB loser's curse, the Briggs debacle, the Tank debacle, Lovie putting it on cruise control after signing the new contract, and the fact that Rex Grossman is still QB puts Da Bears out of the playoffs. You could realistically have 4 sub .500 teams in the NFC-N. I think MIN takes it though, just because no one is thinking about them and somebody's gotta win.

Actually, the more I look at it, the NFC West and East has the same level of mediocrity. Seriously, you could make a valid playoff argument for every team in the North, West and East. The only teams in the NFC without a prayer are the Bucs and the Falcons.

As for my total crap shoot picks:

Conference winners:
NO (12-4)
DAL (10-6)
SEA (9-7)
MIN (8-8 )

Wild Cards:
CAR (10-6)
SF (9-7)

papz · 06-26-2007, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

I don’t put much stock in strength of schedules, but since its deadtime and we need something to discuss, here goes...

Ranking the divisions from toughest to easiest in both conferences, I come up with this. You may disagree with my rankings, but its probably close.

AFC
1. AFC West (SD, KC, DEN, OAK)
2. AFC North (BAL, CIN, PIT, CLE)
3. AFC South (IND, JAX, HOU, TEN)
4. AFC East (NE, MIA, BUF, NYJ)

NFC
1. NFC East (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS), The NFC East must play the NFC North (easiest) and AFC East (easiest).

2. NFC South (NO, CAR, TB, ATL), The NFC South must play the NFC West (2nd easiest) and AFC South (2nd easiest).

3. NFC West (SEA, SF, ARZ, STL), The NFC West must play the NFC South (2nd toughest) and AFC North (2nd toughest)

4. NFC North (CHI, MIN, GB, DET), The NFC North must play the NFC East (toughest) and AFC West (toughest)

So we’re playing the 2nd easiest AFC division and the 2nd easiest NFC division. We also get the Bears (who are falling apart daily) and the Eagles (who we beat twice last year)

It looks like, on paper, the NFC East will probably have 2, or maybe even 3 playoff teams at seasons end, but since they are a well balanced division they will probably beat each other up.

The NFC South looks like 1, maybe 2 playoff teams if Carolina puts it together.

The NFC West looks like its gonna have a tough time getting 2 teams in, being pretty balanced and having to play 2 other tough divisions.

The NFC North looks to ONLY get 1 team in. I can’t see two North teams finishing above 8-8 with their schedules.

So basically, buy your playoff tickets now…

Division Winners - Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle, Chicago

Wildcards – Dallas, Carolina

Close but no cigar – San Fran, St Louis, Washington

Thoughts???

Pretty much agree with all the rankings there... just switch KC and Denver. I think the AFC North will probably be the toughest division this year.

ScottyRo · 06-26-2007, 05:46 PM

By time we played the Cowboys, the Saints were not being overlooked. They did not take us for granted. They got their butts handed to them by a better team - plain and simple. Philly may have overlooked the Saints the first time, but it didn't help them much the second time being "ready". The Giants were on the edge of being a complete joke. Now, with Tiki gone...they are.

I like how you broke that down Danno. I think it is a good way to look at it because things generally remain at least somewhat constant with each division strength-wise. Sure you'll have a team here and there that does better and another that does worse.

Take the NFC South from '06. Everybody predicted Carolina to be the strong one. It ended up being the Saints, but the toughness of the division didn't change that much.

Tobias-Reiper · 06-26-2007, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

So basically, buy your playoff tickets now…

Thoughts???

Damned straight, Skippy ...

06-26-2007, 11:55 AM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	2007 Schedule Strength, the big picture I don’t put much stock in strength of schedules, but since its deadtime and we need something to discuss, here goes... Ranking the divisions from toughest to easiest in both conferences, I come up with this. You may disagree with my rankings, but its probably close. AFC 1. AFC West (SD, KC, DEN, OAK) 2. AFC North (BAL, CIN, PIT, CLE) 3. AFC South (IND, JAX, HOU, TEN) 4. AFC East (NE, MIA, BUF, NYJ) NFC 1. NFC East (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS), The NFC East must play the NFC North (easiest) and AFC East (easiest). 2. NFC South (NO, CAR, TB, ATL), The NFC South must play the NFC West (2nd easiest) and AFC South (2nd easiest). 3. NFC West (SEA, SF, ARZ, STL), The NFC West must play the NFC South (2nd toughest) and AFC North (2nd toughest) 4. NFC North (CHI, MIN, GB, DET), The NFC North must play the NFC East (toughest) and AFC West (toughest) So we’re playing the 2nd easiest AFC division and the 2nd easiest NFC division. We also get the Bears (who are falling apart daily) and the Eagles (who we beat twice last year) It looks like, on paper, the NFC East will probably have 2, or maybe even 3 playoff teams at seasons end, but since they are a well balanced division they will probably beat each other up. The NFC South looks like 1, maybe 2 playoff teams if Carolina puts it together. The NFC West looks like its gonna have a tough time getting 2 teams in, being pretty balanced and having to play 2 other tough divisions. The NFC North looks to ONLY get 1 team in. I can’t see two North teams finishing above 8-8 with their schedules. So basically, buy your playoff tickets now… Division Winners - Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle, Chicago Wildcards – Dallas, Carolina Close but no cigar – San Fran, St Louis, Washington Thoughts???

06-26-2007, 12:44 PM	#2
WhoDat205 Prediction Pain Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 1,082 Blog Entries: 2	Is it too late to change the rules that one team from every division makes the playoffs? The NFC north is garbage. I think the combination of the SB loser's curse, the Briggs debacle, the Tank debacle, Lovie putting it on cruise control after signing the new contract, and the fact that Rex Grossman is still QB puts Da Bears out of the playoffs. You could realistically have 4 sub .500 teams in the NFC-N. I think MIN takes it though, just because no one is thinking about them and somebody's gotta win. Actually, the more I look at it, the NFC West and East has the same level of mediocrity. Seriously, you could make a valid playoff argument for every team in the North, West and East. The only teams in the NFC without a prayer are the Bucs and the Falcons. As for my total crap shoot picks: Conference winners: NO (12-4) DAL (10-6) SEA (9-7) MIN (8-8 ) Wild Cards: CAR (10-6) SF (9-7)
	"defence's personal to allwats double team or watch is over, that one reason why the saints or not any good." - Vador101

06-26-2007, 02:03 PM	#3
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	Originally Posted by Danno I don’t put much stock in strength of schedules, but since its deadtime and we need something to discuss, here goes... Ranking the divisions from toughest to easiest in both conferences, I come up with this. You may disagree with my rankings, but its probably close. AFC 1. AFC West (SD, KC, DEN, OAK) 2. AFC North (BAL, CIN, PIT, CLE) 3. AFC South (IND, JAX, HOU, TEN) 4. AFC East (NE, MIA, BUF, NYJ) NFC 1. NFC East (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS), The NFC East must play the NFC North (easiest) and AFC East (easiest). 2. NFC South (NO, CAR, TB, ATL), The NFC South must play the NFC West (2nd easiest) and AFC South (2nd easiest). 3. NFC West (SEA, SF, ARZ, STL), The NFC West must play the NFC South (2nd toughest) and AFC North (2nd toughest) 4. NFC North (CHI, MIN, GB, DET), The NFC North must play the NFC East (toughest) and AFC West (toughest) So we’re playing the 2nd easiest AFC division and the 2nd easiest NFC division. We also get the Bears (who are falling apart daily) and the Eagles (who we beat twice last year) It looks like, on paper, the NFC East will probably have 2, or maybe even 3 playoff teams at seasons end, but since they are a well balanced division they will probably beat each other up. The NFC South looks like 1, maybe 2 playoff teams if Carolina puts it together. The NFC West looks like its gonna have a tough time getting 2 teams in, being pretty balanced and having to play 2 other tough divisions. The NFC North looks to ONLY get 1 team in. I can’t see two North teams finishing above 8-8 with their schedules. So basically, buy your playoff tickets now… Division Winners - Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle, Chicago Wildcards – Dallas, Carolina Close but no cigar – San Fran, St Louis, Washington Thoughts??? Pretty much agree with all the rankings there... just switch KC and Denver. I think the AFC North will probably be the toughest division this year.

06-26-2007, 08:25 PM	#5
Tobias-Reiper Merces Letifer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,161	Originally Posted by Danno So basically, buy your playoff tickets now… Thoughts??? Damned straight, Skippy ...

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06-26-2007, 05:46 PM	#4
ScottyRo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA (ugh, the food here) Posts: 1,704	By time we played the Cowboys, the Saints were not being overlooked. They did not take us for granted. They got their butts handed to them by a better team - plain and simple. Philly may have overlooked the Saints the first time, but it didn't help them much the second time being "ready". The Giants were on the edge of being a complete joke. Now, with Tiki gone...they are. I like how you broke that down Danno. I think it is a good way to look at it because things generally remain at least somewhat constant with each division strength-wise. Sure you'll have a team here and there that does better and another that does worse. Take the NFC South from '06. Everybody predicted Carolina to be the strong one. It ended up being the Saints, but the toughness of the division didn't change that much.