At 8-8, Which is better: Starting 6-2 like the Giants, or starting 2-6 (1 Viewer)

[Mungo Burrows]

I realized something this weekend that I hadn't noticed before. The Giants started the season 6-2 then went 2-6 to finish 8-8. The Steelers started 2-6, then went 6-2 to finish 8-8 as well. I can't recall the last time a team (let alone, two) split the season in such a Jeckyll and Hyde fasion.

This got me thinking, is one better than the other? I generally don't buy the "how you finish carries into the beginning of next year" theory (see: Dolphins, Miami), but I was just wondering what others thought. For the sake of argument, leave out the fact that the Giants made the playoffs since that's just a function of them being in the NFC.

Discuss.

 

[Reaper]

I'm not a Giants fan but, take the top 2 DE's from any team, the Left Tackle and #2 WR away and I think you'd see a big drop off... Just too many injuries to overcome, it happens.

I think they should keep Coughlin - Or at least have someone solidly lined up before they booted him.

I see the Steelers taking the early lead - Thing is Injuries played a big role in both, the Giants injuries were unfortunate - Ben's injury was just STUPID and probably did have a big effect on their season, I could be wrong.

 

[Banger]

I would be surprised if this wasn't a run away in the 2-6 category. The playoffs is about momentum and if you start off 6-2 and fall apart down the stretch it's obvious you have some serious issues. Making the playoffs after a 2-6 start is probably due to a young team gelling, a personnel change (i.e. VY at QB) and chances are no one is going to want to play the team that went 6-2 down the stretch.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

I would be surprised if this wasn't a run away in the 2-6 category. The playoffs is about momentum and if you start off 6-2 and fall apart down the stretch it's obvious you have some serious issues. Making the playoffs after a 2-6 start is probably due to a young team gelling, a personnel change (i.e. VY at QB) and chances are no one is going to want to play the team that went 6-2 down the stretch.

I guess my assumption is that, except for occasional cases where you've got a very weak conference like the NFC this year, you aren't making the playoffs either way at 8-8.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

I got thinking about this, just checked, and Tennessee also went 2-6 followed by 6-2. Maybe it's not that rare?