Boatdrinks

Of course I can’t prove it either way, but what I’m saying is a few cherry picked stats from games don’t prove anything on their own. Without even knowing where they were played on top of it. Not enough data. It’s not a provable thing, just a theory that NE would probably not end up with a bye week or the 1 seed as often if they were in a tougher division with better QBs.

Doesnt prove anything as we don’t know where the games were played . Division games tend to be closer than others due to familiarity and teams “ building” themselves to stop another opponent. The AFC east has had terrible QB play throughout Brady’s career. A different division would likely have changed the playoff seeding some of the time. It’s not really hard to envision. A win here or there has ensured a bye week most of the time. The Bills have beaten Brady exactly twice in games that NE tried to win. The Jets probably haven’t done a ton better. That’s a lot of easy wins a season.

Nice cherry pick there with the Steelers. However they lost to them this season and a bogus rule interpration was the only reason they didn’t lose last year’s matchup. Curiously, both games were away. The oddity vs the perpetually mediocre Dolphins defies explanation. That aside there have been stronger teams in other divisions throughout Brady’s career, even Super Bowl winners like the Ravens and Broncos. The afc east has been a terrible division for twenty years and offered little resistance to the Pats cushy home field playoff path.

Not saying it isn’t . Just that they have an easier path to the 1 seed than most. It’s not exactly some great revelation. There have been much better teams with a lot better QB play in other divisions. The difference between a bye week or no bye week has often been a single win or a head to head win vs another playoff team that happened to be played at NE. They’ve lost their last 3 road title games. It matters and it’s often secured by a narrow margin. A weak division is a great help to being home in the playoffs.

Okay, sure. They never lose games vs teams with good QBs. If they were in a more difficult division they would likely not have home field virtually every year. It’s simple as that. 6 almost guaranteed wins ( except for a weird thing with losing at MIA around 40% of the time ) from very weak division play has made a difference.

Odds are they wouldn’t have ended up with home field all the time. 6 games a year vs teams without a good QB will do that. Odds are being in a different division would have left them with a more difficult road at least some of the time. To think otherwise , that it had no impact is presumptuous and statistical folly. They don’t go undefeated every year, so some stiffer competition that has existed in other divisions would matter. Often they’ve been the 1 seed by virtue of a single win or a tiebreaker. That’s life in the afc least.

Yep. The playing in the AFC Least has given them a very cushy path most years.

I agree, and I had to wonder about rushing to get that play off. I figured they had nothing to lose by waiting, as every second preserved would be handed to Drew Brees when they scored. From that spot on the field they’d run out of downs before they ran out of time. Could have happened after the 2 minute warning Insuppose, but it just seemed hurried and the play wouldn’t have gained a first down much less produced a score. Very odd choice.

As well as their last 3 road AFC title games. They’ve had the luxury of residing in the AFCE during a horrible run for QB play in the division.

You know, they just mentioned that this is the first time in the SuperBowl era that the top 4 offenses made it to the Championship round. The rules changers got their wish. Defense has been eradicated from the game.

Too difficult to play perfect defense without getting called for PI and holding. So in that regard it’s not sustainable. However, the Saints game ended on an INT, rather than an Eagles TD, so take it for what it’s worth. Those who felt the Saints were going to pour on a 40 point victory vs Eagles were definitely mistaken. Saints peaked in October.

Yeah, although I hated the complete lack of defensive prowess on display in that game. Can’t have everything though, so I’d take it as there is no NE involvement.

Damn. Yeah I might root for NE to win a game , grudgingly I add, if it meant the Bills get in the playoffs or get home field or something. That’s about it

Could have, but I just didn’t like the strategy and thought they were hurrying to squeeze off a relatively inconsequential 5 yard pass. Maybe I could live with it if they threw it to the end zone or even past the sticks.

I’m not convinced by today’s showing. They were ripe to get beat, I still don’t see the benefit of getting a 5 yard passing play off before the two minute warning there. Never will. Let it tick down and regroup plot your strategy . They were in a great spot, not their own 30

Wow. They stayed the anti Christ last year, so they get a lifetime free pass from me.

I’ll never understand that decision. Time was no longer a factor and the Eagles were set up in prime territory. Settle things down and think about it at the two minute warning. You don’t want to have to defend a potential 1 point lead for very long vs Brees . So freaking dumb

Difference is you can root for a guy like Foles to win

Just something about that team with Foles...

Is it too much to ask for a competently and fairly officiated game ? Oh wait, NE isn’t playing so I guess this will be different

Actually, he’s not. Teams refuse to do what it takes. The proper plan is well documented.

Most of them haven’t since they stopped paying the elite defensive players. It’s been about 10+ years now Stubborn coaches, the rules, and poor officiating

Yeah that would suck. Credit too you, I don’t know what would’ve have kept me watching if it wasn’t for the early 80’s then late 80’s to 90’s Bills.

Hope it’s different away from the friendly confines.... Torbor shouldn’t be doing playoff games. Better not be him. Vinovich would be good.

An obligatory “ see , I threw a holding flag on NE “ call. Pencil it in just like clockwork. Freaking joke