I remember back in 1990 there was serious talk within the league about switching the Eagles and Bills withing their conferences - partly to help balance the strength of the conferences (the NFC was widely regarded as the dominant conference) but also to make the AFC television package more appealing to the networks, Buffalo/Western NY is a smaller market than Philadelphia/South Jersey.
Looking back with almost 30 years hindsight, how different would the Giants fortunes have been if they were able to play the Bills twice a season and the Eagles only once every four years?
Baltimore has all that history with Cleveland and the Pittsburgh rivalry is intense.
The divisions are fine. If you guys were really that worried about geography (and we're talking an extra 45 minutes on a flight here) - then Dallas would be in the NFC or AFC West.
NE is essentially spotted 5 - 6 games a year because of their pathetic division
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
based on location would be great. You'd have some major shake ups but also be able to keep some rivalries in tact. Basically, the NFC & AFC North would be the same
In the not to distant future when the Pats will comeback to reality and all of their fans will endure a 2-14 season
Yep. And all their "fans" will scatter."
I sit across from a New England kid who's 23, and has literally never known the Pats to be bad in his NFL watching life.
It's the equivalent to Yankees fans born during their frequent glory years, Celtics, Habs, Steelers etc.
You can't underestimate what an 18 year run of dominance does to build a fan base.
There's a generation of Pats fans that are obsessed with football. No reason to think they will disappear when things get tough, just as other fanbases haven't.
based on location would be great. You'd have some major shake ups but also be able to keep some rivalries in tact. Basically, the NFC & AFC North would be the same
we will be the 2019 season opener at the Pats. Eli vs Brady one last time
Zero chance they are putting the Giants in that game. The Giants have sucked shit every year besides one fluke year for 5 years now. The NFL would be brain dead to put the Giants in the opening game. The Patriots would beat the Giants by three touchdowns.
Chiefs-Patriots seems like a good bet to be the opener. Zero point zero chance the Giants will be in that game
NE is essentially spotted 5 - 6 games a year because of their pathetic division
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
OK and the other teams haven’t been given a fair chance to improve and compete since the Patriots started doing well in 2000?
In the not to distant future when the Pats will comeback to reality and all of their fans will endure a 2-14 season
Yep. And all their "fans" will scatter."
I sit across from a New England kid who's 23, and has literally never known the Pats to be bad in his NFL watching life.
It's the equivalent to Yankees fans born during their frequent glory years, Celtics, Habs, Steelers etc.
You can't underestimate what an 18 year run of dominance does to build a fan base.
There's a generation of Pats fans that are obsessed with football. No reason to think they will disappear when things get tough, just as other fanbases haven't.
The Cowboys have sucked more or less for 20 years now. Those 3 Super Bowl wins in the early 90s cemented die hard fans. They used to be front runners but they ended up staying loyal I guess.
Outside of the Peyton Colts, what team in the last 20 years could come close even if we swapped them w/ NE to the AFCe? I love NYG but outside of maybe an few extra one and dones what would have changed for us? Hell if we swapped w/ any of the other AFCe teams, we likely have no SBs (hypothetical, but very plausible)
Also they've made the AFCC & SB so many times it means they consistently beat the best teams in the league in the biggest games, not just in division and they do this in season as well. They consistently beat several good teams outside of the AFCe every year
Yes they've gotten away with calls, possibly cheating. But for all the 'easy div' comments they still are better than everyone else in the entire NFL almost annually, as much as I hate to say it. We can't say any given Sunday then ignore it requires consistent solid execution to go 6-0 regardless of opponent, that much more over 2 decades
Back in the eighties and nineties , the only competition came occasionally from the Rams
These things help a little bit, but I think weak division is a bit of an overrated thing.
Niners didn't always sweep the Saints or Falcons. Maybe in the SB winning years, but the rest not so much. Patriots tend to lose 1 or 2 at worst in non SB winning years.
And then there's the train of thought that says that iron sharpens iron, which would have made playing in the NFC East and advantage.
The Rams have tended to do well against the NFC East in playoffs (Cowboys in '85, Eagles/Giants in '89).
Rams were good back then. Didn't have the SB hardware to show for it, but neither did the Eagles.
Outside of the Peyton Colts, what team in the last 20 years could come close even if we swapped them w/ NE to the AFCe? I love NYG but outside of maybe an few extra one and dones what would have changed for us? Hell if we swapped w/ any of the other AFCe teams, we likely have no SBs (hypothetical, but very plausible)
Also they've made the AFCC & SB so many times it means they consistently beat the best teams in the league in the biggest games, not just in division and they do this in season as well. They consistently beat several good teams outside of the AFCe every year
Yes they've gotten away with calls, possibly cheating. But for all the 'easy div' comments they still are better than everyone else in the entire NFL almost annually, as much as I hate to say it. We can't say any given Sunday then ignore it requires consistent solid execution to go 6-0 regardless of opponent, that much more over 2 decades
I sit across from a New England kid who's 23, and has literally never known the Pats to be bad in his NFL watching life.
It's the equivalent to Yankees fans born during their frequent glory years, Celtics, Habs, Steelers etc.
You can't underestimate what an 18 year run of dominance does to build a fan base.
There's a generation of Pats fans that are obsessed with football. No reason to think they will disappear when things get tough, just as other fanbases haven't.
Because of the histories of the Celts, more recently recently Red Sox and their awesome ballpark, and even the Bruins, most Pats fans will disappear when they aren't consistently good.
Outside of the Peyton Colts, what team in the last 20 years could come close even if we swapped them w/ NE to the AFCe? I love NYG but outside of maybe an few extra one and dones what would have changed for us? Hell if we swapped w/ any of the other AFCe teams, we likely have no SBs (hypothetical, but very plausible)
Also they've made the AFCC & SB so many times it means they consistently beat the best teams in the league in the biggest games, not just in division and they do this in season as well. They consistently beat several good teams outside of the AFCe every year
Yes they've gotten away with calls, possibly cheating. But for all the 'easy div' comments they still are better than everyone else in the entire NFL almost annually, as much as I hate to say it. We can't say any given Sunday then ignore it requires consistent solid execution to go 6-0 regardless of opponent, that much more over 2 decades
Here are some numbers over 18 years.
Division: 6-0 twice, 5-1 eight times, 4-2 8 times. That's 84-24. This helped New England only play ONCE in the wildcard round.
Playoffs at home: 20-4, losses to Baltimore twice, NYJ, and Denver.
Playoffs on the road: 4-3, Losses to Denver twice and Indianapolis.
The easy division sets up NE to 1) make the playoffs. It then 2) helps them acquire home field.
New England is great at home, but just like any other NFL team, struggles on the road.
Instead of winning 4 to 6 games in the division, say they only won 2 to 3. This would make New England play in the wildcard round more and not have a week off. And it would put them in more road situations.
New England is the best team in the NFL, but part of their success is playing in the AFC East.
RE: Yes making the AFC East even shittier is a good idea.
NE is essentially spotted 5 - 6 games a year because of their pathetic division
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
Tom Brady has won more than 75% of his starts against non-AFC East opponents. They are a 12-4 team against the entire NFL over nearly two decades.
2018 was the first time they've won fewer than 12 games since 2009.
NE is essentially spotted 5 - 6 games a year because of their pathetic division
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
People still really believe this bullshit? They've won 6 SBs and been to 9 SBs since 2001. Has nothing to do with divisions.
And has been posted many, many times here... the Pats divisional record isn't any better over that span than their records against other divisions, NFC games, etc.
If anything, the Dolphins and Jets have given them more fits - along with the Ravens and Giants - than any other teams over the years.
RE: RE: Yes making the AFC East even shittier is a good idea.
And has been posted many, many times here... the Pats divisional record isn't any better over that span than their records against other divisions, NFC games, etc.
If anything, the Dolphins and Jets have given them more fits - along with the Ravens and Giants - than any other teams over the years.
Exactly, although in the regular season Tom Brady is 9-2 combined against Baltimore and the Giants - the Ravens have gotten him twice in Foxboro in January though. The only teams that have really bothered Brady in the regular season are Denver (7-6) and Carolina (2-3).
In the not to distant future when the Pats will comeback to reality and all of their fans will endure a 2-14 season
Yep. And all their "fans" will scatter."
people keep saying this, but they'll likely be no different than any other fan base, only the team they root for will have more rings than all but 1 (who they're tied with).
fan jealousy puts unprovable thoughts in people's heads.
Looking back with almost 30 years hindsight, how different would the Giants fortunes have been if they were able to play the Bills twice a season and the Eagles only once every four years?
This makes too much sense.
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Dolphins to south and colts to Midwest.
This makes too much sense.
It's rivalries that keeps the divisions static. Absolutely would make sense as would swapping Dallas and Carolina...
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Dolphins to south and colts to Midwest.
This makes too much sense.
Baltimore has all that history with Cleveland and the Pittsburgh rivalry is intense.
The divisions are fine. If you guys were really that worried about geography (and we're talking an extra 45 minutes on a flight here) - then Dallas would be in the NFC or AFC West.
Yep. And all their "fans" will scatter."
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
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In the not to distant future when the Pats will comeback to reality and all of their fans will endure a 2-14 season
Yep. And all their "fans" will scatter."
I sit across from a New England kid who's 23, and has literally never known the Pats to be bad in his NFL watching life.
It's the equivalent to Yankees fans born during their frequent glory years, Celtics, Habs, Steelers etc.
You can't underestimate what an 18 year run of dominance does to build a fan base.
There's a generation of Pats fans that are obsessed with football. No reason to think they will disappear when things get tough, just as other fanbases haven't.
I agree. It'd be much easier.
Zero chance they are putting the Giants in that game. The Giants have sucked shit every year besides one fluke year for 5 years now. The NFL would be brain dead to put the Giants in the opening game. The Patriots would beat the Giants by three touchdowns.
Chiefs-Patriots seems like a good bet to be the opener. Zero point zero chance the Giants will be in that game
They want traditional teams because they will use it to honor kicking off the 100 year anniversary of the league
Lookin at their opponents you are probably right.
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we will be the 2019 season opener at the Pats. Eli vs Brady one last time
Lookin at their opponents you are probably right.
They have the Chiefs at home (AFC Championship rematch) Pittsburgh, Dallas and Giants. I'd bet one of the other 3 get it over the Giants
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
OK and the other teams haven’t been given a fair chance to improve and compete since the Patriots started doing well in 2000?
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In comment 14286536 djstat said:
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In the not to distant future when the Pats will comeback to reality and all of their fans will endure a 2-14 season
Yep. And all their "fans" will scatter."
I sit across from a New England kid who's 23, and has literally never known the Pats to be bad in his NFL watching life.
It's the equivalent to Yankees fans born during their frequent glory years, Celtics, Habs, Steelers etc.
You can't underestimate what an 18 year run of dominance does to build a fan base.
There's a generation of Pats fans that are obsessed with football. No reason to think they will disappear when things get tough, just as other fanbases haven't.
The Cowboys have sucked more or less for 20 years now. Those 3 Super Bowl wins in the early 90s cemented die hard fans. They used to be front runners but they ended up staying loyal I guess.
Link - ( New Window )
Especially since they don’t play each other next year
It's rivalries that keeps the divisions static. Absolutely would make sense as would swapping Dallas and Carolina...
Jerry Jones would never let the NFL move Dallas out of the NFCE. He would have it tied up in court for years.
I'll give you two reasons - Barkley and Beckham - the NFL loves stars.
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It's rivalries that keeps the divisions static. Absolutely would make sense as would swapping Dallas and Carolina...
Jerry Jones would never let the NFL move Dallas out of the NFCE. He would have it tied up in court for years.
It's exactly the opposite.
It's the other owners in the NFC East that won't let Dallas go anywhere.
Dallas is the cash cow of the division, and no one wants to lose their cash cow.
1) Kansas City
2) Dallas
3) Pittsburgh
4) New York
Kansas City has too much appeal not to be the game.
Also they've made the AFCC & SB so many times it means they consistently beat the best teams in the league in the biggest games, not just in division and they do this in season as well. They consistently beat several good teams outside of the AFCe every year
Yes they've gotten away with calls, possibly cheating. But for all the 'easy div' comments they still are better than everyone else in the entire NFL almost annually, as much as I hate to say it. We can't say any given Sunday then ignore it requires consistent solid execution to go 6-0 regardless of opponent, that much more over 2 decades
These things help a little bit, but I think weak division is a bit of an overrated thing.
Niners didn't always sweep the Saints or Falcons. Maybe in the SB winning years, but the rest not so much. Patriots tend to lose 1 or 2 at worst in non SB winning years.
And then there's the train of thought that says that iron sharpens iron, which would have made playing in the NFC East and advantage.
The Rams have tended to do well against the NFC East in playoffs (Cowboys in '85, Eagles/Giants in '89).
Rams were good back then. Didn't have the SB hardware to show for it, but neither did the Eagles.
Also they've made the AFCC & SB so many times it means they consistently beat the best teams in the league in the biggest games, not just in division and they do this in season as well. They consistently beat several good teams outside of the AFCe every year
Yes they've gotten away with calls, possibly cheating. But for all the 'easy div' comments they still are better than everyone else in the entire NFL almost annually, as much as I hate to say it. We can't say any given Sunday then ignore it requires consistent solid execution to go 6-0 regardless of opponent, that much more over 2 decades
Patriots are a real solid team.
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One thing I am absolutely 100% sure of is that we will not see an opener that pits the Patriots against the Saints
Especially since they don’t play each other next year
If they did it would not be scheduled as the opener.
My guess is it will be Patriots @ Eagles.
I sit across from a New England kid who's 23, and has literally never known the Pats to be bad in his NFL watching life.
It's the equivalent to Yankees fans born during their frequent glory years, Celtics, Habs, Steelers etc.
You can't underestimate what an 18 year run of dominance does to build a fan base.
There's a generation of Pats fans that are obsessed with football. No reason to think they will disappear when things get tough, just as other fanbases haven't.
Because of the histories of the Celts, more recently recently Red Sox and their awesome ballpark, and even the Bruins, most Pats fans will disappear when they aren't consistently good.
Bet on it?
You’re right they probably only get to 7-8.
Also they've made the AFCC & SB so many times it means they consistently beat the best teams in the league in the biggest games, not just in division and they do this in season as well. They consistently beat several good teams outside of the AFCe every year
Yes they've gotten away with calls, possibly cheating. But for all the 'easy div' comments they still are better than everyone else in the entire NFL almost annually, as much as I hate to say it. We can't say any given Sunday then ignore it requires consistent solid execution to go 6-0 regardless of opponent, that much more over 2 decades
Here are some numbers over 18 years.
Division: 6-0 twice, 5-1 eight times, 4-2 8 times. That's 84-24. This helped New England only play ONCE in the wildcard round.
Playoffs at home: 20-4, losses to Baltimore twice, NYJ, and Denver.
Playoffs on the road: 4-3, Losses to Denver twice and Indianapolis.
The easy division sets up NE to 1) make the playoffs. It then 2) helps them acquire home field.
New England is great at home, but just like any other NFL team, struggles on the road.
Instead of winning 4 to 6 games in the division, say they only won 2 to 3. This would make New England play in the wildcard round more and not have a week off. And it would put them in more road situations.
New England is the best team in the NFL, but part of their success is playing in the AFC East.
Move Miami Dolphins to AFC South.
Move Baltimore Ravens to AFC East.
Move Indianapolis Colts to AFC North.
You would then have a correct geographically aligned AFC.
And at least the Ravens might actually make the AFC East a competition for a change.
Bingo I was gonna say Dallas to the midwest but too much
history with rivalries ..
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
Tom Brady has won more than 75% of his starts against non-AFC East opponents. They are a 12-4 team against the entire NFL over nearly two decades.
2018 was the first time they've won fewer than 12 games since 2009.
that means they have to only go 500 with the rest of their schedule to get to 11-5
which they seem to do every year .
People still really believe this bullshit? They've won 6 SBs and been to 9 SBs since 2001. Has nothing to do with divisions.
And has been posted many, many times here... the Pats divisional record isn't any better over that span than their records against other divisions, NFC games, etc.
If anything, the Dolphins and Jets have given them more fits - along with the Ravens and Giants - than any other teams over the years.
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.
Move Miami Dolphins to AFC South.
Move Baltimore Ravens to AFC East.
Move Indianapolis Colts to AFC North.
You would then have a correct geographically aligned AFC.
And at least the Ravens might actually make the AFC East a competition for a change.
What are your plans to make the NFC East more competitive (e.g., a team actually wins 11+ in it once in a while)?
And has been posted many, many times here... the Pats divisional record isn't any better over that span than their records against other divisions, NFC games, etc.
If anything, the Dolphins and Jets have given them more fits - along with the Ravens and Giants - than any other teams over the years.
Exactly, although in the regular season Tom Brady is 9-2 combined against Baltimore and the Giants - the Ravens have gotten him twice in Foxboro in January though. The only teams that have really bothered Brady in the regular season are Denver (7-6) and Carolina (2-3).
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In the not to distant future when the Pats will comeback to reality and all of their fans will endure a 2-14 season
Yep. And all their "fans" will scatter."
people keep saying this, but they'll likely be no different than any other fan base, only the team they root for will have more rings than all but 1 (who they're tied with).
fan jealousy puts unprovable thoughts in people's heads.