quick nfl query

[Ken Gargett]

i see the playoffs have started (sadly without the glorious skins). i'm sure that there is a simple reason (probably relating to individual divisions) but i see that the falcons (11-5) are at the cards (9-7) and the colts (12-4) are at the chargers (8-8). so obviously home ground is more than just a winning/losing record? i assume to do with divisions? can someone kindly clarify.

[Ken Gargett]

ken--you are correct. division winners get first game at home with top two teams in each conference getting byes the first week. wild card teams have to travel. the bye teams get home field next week in their first games. that's the reason why a wild card team that goes all the way to the super bowl will probably have to win three in a row on the road. best regards, john

much thanks for that. i assumed something along those lines. shows up curiousities when a 12-4 team has to travel to an 8-8.

[anacostiakat]

much thanks for that. i assumed something along those lines. shows up curiousities when a 12-4 team has to travel to an 8-8.

Depends on the divison. It is confusing and doesnt always seem fair. . .

[SethG]

much thanks for that. i assumed something along those lines. shows up curiousities when a 12-4 team has to travel to an 8-8.

The NFL is so national these days it's hard to remember that it's still divisional, like the electoral college. 2 conferences (AFC & NFC) and 4 divisions each. You can be 14-2 and be a wild card team, if someone else in your division went 16 and 0.

Each division sends it's best team, the wild cards are throw outs and are given the most punishing schedule because they have to earn it more. The divisions are very important, with 2 games per team, meaning a 16 game schedule includes 6 games against the same division opponents every year. The other 10 games focus on the other 28 teams in the NFL, meaning that we often never play other teams. So the division is king.

Once the wildcards are out it's simple worst vs. the best, by seed number not regular season record.

And again, no team cares about their record, only the ring. "If you don't got a ring, it don't mean a thing." So, 12-4 is worthless. Colts would've gone 4-12 all season long if it meant they won that play off game. Chargers went 14-2 and lost their first home playoff game vs. the pat's a couple years back, they'd trade that season for this one any time.

[Van55]

much thanks for that. i assumed something along those lines. shows up curiousities when a 12-4 team has to travel to an 8-8.

And lose to 8-8 to boot. LOL