Last three SB champs did not have byes (1 Viewer)

[The Jerk]

Not that exciting, but just wondering what exactly to make of these facts.

Makes all the media blowhards discussing the race for home field advantage in September seem even more of a waste of air. Of course, each time the loser was a #1 seed, so it's just a small sample size thing. Still, it makes me wonder why suddenly this is happening now compared to how rarely it happened for 15+ years beforehand. Any thoughts?

 

[weasel3515]

I think this is a very good observation...good thought!!

 

[The Jerk]

Thanks! Unforunately, I haven't been able to go anywhere with it beyond the simple fact.

Certainly it points out the importance of peaking late in the season, but there's no way to facilitate that kind of thing. It just kind of happens.

For the Steelers and Colts, their SB wins came one year removed from stellar regular seasons where they peaked too soon (arguably like NE this year, and not just because of the loss tonight but also their final 4-5 games overall).

2005 Colts 13-0 before losing to SD then of course lost to PITT in playoffs

2004 Steelers 15-1 and beat undefeated NE and PHIL in midseason but lost to NE in playoffs

This one breaks that mold given the Giants 8-8 2006.