Quote:For sure D6. Only the most ignorant and biased Texans fans can believe Houston will be the first Super Bowl city to host its own team.
One thing is certain: the best division is in the AFC.
Why is it certain the best division is in the AFC?
Quote:Why is it certain the best division is in the AFC?
I affectionately call it the AFC Best this year.
Raiders: 9-2
Chiefs: 8-3
Broncos: 7-4
Chargers: 5-6
It is conceivable that three of these four teams will make the playoffs.
Quote: Why is it certain the best division is in the AFC?
She probably means the AFC West, with three teams with winning records, and one might finish with a winning record and still miss the playoffs. Denver is currently on the outside looking in even at 7-4; Dolphins have a better conference record so if the season ended today they would take the final spot.
An argument could also be made for the NFC East, as they're in the same boat. I feel like the echoes for a different playoff system that reward berths automatically for division titles is going to be heard again this offseason. We may have two teams with winning records out of the postseason. But I think they should keep it the way it is
Quote:She probably means the AFC West, with three teams with winning records, and one might finish with a winning record and still miss the playoffs. Denver is currently on the outside looking in even at 7-4; Dolphins have a better conference record so if the season ended today they would take the final spot.
An argument could also be made for the NFC East, as they're in the same boat. I feel like the echoes for a different playoff system that reward berths automatically for division titles is going to be heard again this offseason. We may have two teams with winning records out of the postseason. But I think they should keep it the way it is
Yes, I was referring to the AFCW. The NFCE always had the "Cowboys and everyone else" feel. After their 10-1 record it looks like this: 8-3, 6-4-1, 5-6. Not exactly what I consider on the AFC Best level.
The playoff format is fine. It is one of the reasons I always preferred the NFL.
D6 is probably excited about the NFCN race. Check this out:
Lions (7-4)
Vikings (6-5)
Packers (5-6)
Bears (2-9)
When was the last time Detroit won its division? Way too long for Lions fans; I know that much.
But we can't count out the Packers yet. Even if a division title is unlikely in 2-3 weeks, there is still hope for a wild card berth. And you never know - any given Sunday. OTOH Minnesota is more likely to get in if two NFCN teams are represented.
Quote:Yes, I was referring to the AFCW. The NFCE always had the "Cowboys and everyone else" feel. After their 10-1 record it looks like this: 8-3, 6-4-1, 5-6. Not exactly what I consider on the AFC Best level.
The playoff format is fine. It is one of the reasons I always preferred the NFL.
The NFCE record is two games from identical to the afc west. The cowboys arent running away from the giants like you keep implying. They're extremely similar divisions.
Quote:The NFCE record is two games from identical to the afc west. The cowboys aren't running away from the Giants like you keep implying. They're extremely similar divisions.
AFCW: 9-2, 8-3, 7-4, 5-6
NFCE: 10-1, 8-3, 6-4-1, 5-6
The Redskins would be in big trouble if they played in the AFC because of those pesky Broncos.
Quote:She probably means the AFC West, with three teams with winning records, and one might finish with a winning record and still miss the playoffs. Denver is currently on the outside looking in even at 7-4; Dolphins have a better conference record so if the season ended today they would take the final spot.
An argument could also be made for the NFC East, as they're in the same boat. I feel like the echoes for a different playoff system that reward berths automatically for division titles is going to be heard again this offseason. We may have two teams with winning records out of the postseason. But I think they should keep it the way it is
What you illustrated is in essence my point, in that it's very subjective whether the AFC West is the NFL's best division. An argument can clearly be made that the NFC East is the best division in the league at present. It feels like a toss up.
I agree with you that division winners automatically should be in the playoffs. Otherwise, why even have divisions?
Quote:D6 is probably excited about the NFCN race. Check this out:
Lions (7-4)
Vikings (6-5)
Packers (5-6)
Bears (2-9)
When was the last time Detroit won its division? Way too long for Lions fans; I know that much.
But we can't count out the Packers yet. Even if a division title is unlikely in 2-3 weeks, there is still hope for a wild card berth. And you never know - any given Sunday. OTOH Minnesota is more likely to get in if two NFCN teams are represented.
The last time Detroit won its division was the 1993 season. It's indeed way too long for Lions fans.
Being that the Packers already have a win against the Lions and probably have a more favorable schedule, it would be crazy to count the Packers out at this time. In most scenarios, the Packers would win a 2 or 3 team tiebreaker.
The Lions own the head to head tiebreaker against the Vikings. In essence, the Lions have a 2 game lead against both division opponents.
Quote:What you illustrated is in essence my point, in that it's very subjective whether the AFC West is the NFL's best division. An argument can clearly be made that the NFC East is the best division in the league at present. It feels like a toss up.
I agree with you that division winners automatically should be in the playoffs. Otherwise, why even have divisions?
First time I ever saw you get the NFL and college football mixed up. All eight division winners do automatically get in the playoffs.
Quote:AFCW: 9-2, 8-3, 7-4, 5-6
NFCE: 10-1, 8-3, 6-4-1, 5-6
The Redskins would be in big trouble if they played in the AFC because of those pesky Broncos.
the AFCW top team has one more loss than the NFCEs and its 3rd place team has one more win as opposed to a tie. Theyre equally as good.
Quote:First time I ever saw you get the NFL and college football mixed up. All eight division winners do automatically get in the playoffs.
How did I get this mixed up? I was agreeing with what SamusAranX mentioned that the current formula shouldn't change.
Quote:The last time Detroit won its division was the 1993 season. It's indeed way too long for Lions fans.
Being that the Packers already have a win against the Lions and probably have a more favorable schedule, it would be crazy to count the Packers out at this time. In most scenarios, the Packers would win a 2 or 3 team tiebreaker.
The Lions own the head to head tiebreaker against the Vikings. In essence, the Lions have a 2 game lead against both division opponents.
What about Green Bay's loss at Minnesota? That one could bite them in the butt later. Their next meeting is on Christmas Eve.
MNF will actually have a good game that week with the Cowboys hosting Detroit. Sucks I have to root for the Lions when they are in playoff contention.
Quote:What about Green Bay's loss at Minnesota? That one could bite them in the butt later. Their next meeting is on Christmas Eve.
MNF will actually have a good game that week with the Cowboys hosting Detroit. Sucks I have to root for the Lions when they are in playoff contention.
It's going to be hard for the Packers to win the NFC North Title if they lose either to the Vikings or Lions. They already have 6 losses. If the Packers end up in a tie for 1st place, it's much more likely than not that they will win their final 2 games ( Vikings, Lions. ).
I'll never tell anyone who to root for. But guaranteed, I'm rooting for the Cowboys tonight against the Vikings even though I dislike Jerry Jones as an NFL owner.
MJF, one other thing worth keeping in mind regarding potential tiebreakers in the NFC North that favor the Packers. Both the Lions and Vikings lost to the Bears earlier this season. A 3 team Divisional record tiebreaker probably will go in the Packers favor.
Quote:MJF, one other thing worth keeping in mind regarding potential tiebreakers in the NFC North that favor the Packers. Both the Lions and Vikings lost to the Bears earlier this season. A 3 team divisional record tiebreaker probably will go in the Packers favor.
That is crazy. The Bears did not beat anyone else this year. And that win over Minnesota was on the road.
If only the media would spend more time talking about how Green Bay can get in via divisional tiebreakers instead of just look at their record and say they are in danger of missing the playoffs. So much anti-Packers bias this year.
Quote:That is crazy. The Bears did not beat anyone else this year. And that win over Minnesota was on the road.
If only the media would spend more time talking about how Green Bay can get in via divisional tiebreakers instead of just look at their record and say they are in danger of missing the playoffs. So much anti-Packers bias this year.
Some NFL media members are aware of the divisional tiebreaker scenarios but many aren't.
One thing I've learned over the years is when it comes to playoff scenarios, it's best to do your own research if you have the time. Then use that research as a comparison to what's been said.
Also, many good NFL writers make factual mistakes ( no human being is perfect ), let alone the not so good NFL writers.
Right now Green Bay is not in the playoff picture, and neither is Minnesota. Detroit may not need a divisional tiebreaker to clinch the NFCN.