I wonder if the psychological effect of the bye week coming up has anything to do with a team having a crappy game.
The players don't work as hard the week before or keep their focus. They have a tendency to let up, especially when everyone is telling them they are so much better than their upcoming opponent.
Granted, it's probably bullcrap, but look at what happened to the Pats* when they played Miami before their bye? Blown out at home.
Teams that got slobberknocked before their bye weeks:
KC shut out by Carolina (well, the Chefs just suck anyway)
St. Louis losing by 17 to Buffalo (ditto)
Oakland losing by 10 to SD after having a 15 point lead at half time. (yep, fired coach too)
Should the bye be considered as another reason a team loses intensity? Or is it just bad coaching?