Quote:Thanks, Bullseye, for actual football talk.

 

Looking at other divisions in the NFL over the past 6 years I've noticed that most divisions usually have 2 good teams and 2 below average/bad teams. I think the AFCS was no different, with the exception of 2014 when the Texans only won 2 games. The Colts and Texans have actually been the best teams in the division over that span -- both having winning records simultaneously. In 2016, there were 3 teams with an even or winning record in the AFC South. I think going forward, the AFCS will be a tightly contested division, so we will see how Luck fairs the remainder of his career.

 

1.  You may have a point in comparing the AFC East in Manning's time VS AFCS in Luck's, however, there are too many variables to consider, such as, the division only accounts for 6 games out of 16 games played in a season. How tough were the other teams that they played against is something to consider as well. 

 

2.  Lastly, the Manning led Colts had a better O-line at the start of Manning's career, as well as a better run game (Faulk and then E. James) and an all-pro receiver, M. Harrison. Luck has not had a good O-line, or a good run game, or a good defense. T.Y. has been terrific, but that's really about it.

(Numbering added)

 

1.  Prior to realignment, the AFC East, like most divisions, had 5 teams, so for Manning, he had eight (8) division games a year, not six (6) like Luck had.  In 1998, Manning's divisional opponents had records of 12-4, 20-6, 10-6, and 9-7.  In 1999, the records were  11-5, 9-7, 8-8 and 8-8.  In 2000, they were 11-5, 9-7, 8-8 and 5-11.  2001 showed AFC East records as 11-5, 11-5, 10-6, and 3-13.  Note: 2001 was the season Brady and Belichick won their first Super Bowl together.  Luck's divisional opponent's records? 2012:  12-4, 6-10 and 2-14.  2013:  7-9, 4-12, 2-14.  2014:  9-7, 3-13, 2-14.  2015-9-7, 5-11, 3-13.  Without even figuring out which two games replaced the divisional games, you'd be hard pressed to argue Luck faced a comparable schedule over his first four years vs. Manning's.

 

2.  I agree Manning had better surrounding talent than Luck had during the same period listed above. 

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