Home teams get no respect (1 Viewer)

[gonzobill5]

When I first saw the lines for this weekend's games, I can't say I was all that surprised that each road team was favored. If I had to bet, I'd put my money on each one. However, when you consider some of these underdogs, you have to wonder if they are getting no respect.

Miami Dolphins

-Have a QB who finished second in MVP voting

-Have a pretty solid defense that is top ten in points allowed

-Are going up against a rookie QB and a first year head coach

Arizona Cardinals

-Have a QB that was the consensus favorite for MVP this year (came in 7th in the voting), has won an MVP before, and who has a ring

-Are going up against a rookie QB and a first year head coach

-Have a defense that was (imo) better than the falcons d before their late season collapse

Minnesota Vikings

-Have a running back who came in 4th in the MVP voting

-Have a defense that is among the most talented in the league

-Their QB has caught a lot of ridicule, but he is playing the best ball of his career right now

San Diego Chargers

-Have a QB that finished 6th in MVP voting

-Have a defense that was considered the best in the league coming into the year

-Have won 4 straight game

I know there are is A LOT of spin in the statements above, but generally speaking good quarterback play, good good defense are what you are looking for in a playoff team. Some things to consider:

Which team do you think is getting the least respect?

Which team do you think will win a game or four?

Which team is the biggest fraud?

Which team has the worst home field advantage?

 

[Troutfarmer]

When I first saw the lines for this weekend's games, I can't say I was all that surprised that each road team was favored. If I had to bet, I'd put my money on each one. However, when you consider some of these underdogs, you have to wonder if they are getting no respect. Miami Dolphins-Have a QB who finished second in MVP voting-Have a pretty solid defense that is top ten in points allowed-Are going up against a rookie QB and a first year head coachArizona Cardinals-Have a QB that was the consensus favorite for MVP this year (came in 7th in the voting), has won an MVP before, and who has a ring-Are going up against a rookie QB and a first year head coach-Have a defense that was (imo) better than the falcons d before their late season collapseMinnesota Vikings-Have a running back who came in 4th in the MVP voting-Have a defense that is among the most talented in the league-Their QB has caught a lot of ridicule, but he is playing the best ball of his career right nowSan Diego Chargers-Have a QB that finished 6th in MVP voting-Have a defense that was considered the best in the league coming into the year-Have won 4 straight gameI know there are is A LOT of spin in the statements above, but generally speaking good quarterback play, good good defense are what you are looking for in a playoff team. Some things to consider:Which team do you think is getting the least respect? Which team do you think will win a game or four? Which team is the biggest fraud? Which team has the worst home field advantage?

Nice thread. I'm a Vikings homer, and I'm actually glad we get no respect, as we seem to play better in games where the media doesn't pat us on the back.I'm also a realist - we don't match up well with the Eagles, which is why they're favored on the road. I still think we will battle to the end.Dolphins could also surprise - they don't cough it up, which could take the wind outta Baltimore's sail. If the Phins have no turnovers, they can win.The Vikings played the Falcons recently and to me they looked solid, mistake free and very talented. Cardinals are the most likely 'fraud,' as you put it.... they also have the worst homefield advantage, as they are pretty new to the spectacle.This is a weird year for sure. So many home teams are underdogs.Again, thanks for the quality and quantitiy.Thanks for all the work you put in.

 

[Slider]

I like Arizona a lot this weekend. The Dolphins a little bit. I think Manning is too good for the Chargers. And I think Minny gets smoked.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

This shouldn't come as a surprise. In fact it should become a near annual occurence during wildcard weekend in this era of eight 4-team divisions. By having four divisions in each conference you're all but guaranteeing at least 1 weak division in each conference. Add in the fact that it's highly unlikely that the four best teams in each conference will be spread equally with one per division, and you set yourself up with some pretty mediocre teams hosting some pretty darn good division runner-ups by virtue of giving division winners an automatic home game.

If the NFL sees it as a problem down the road, they'll simply determine that a spot in the playoffs is reward enough for winning a division and give the homefield to the team with the better record.

Personally I don't have a problem with it either way they go. But I'm not going to be duped into believing that Miami, San Diego, Minnesota, and Arizona are better than Baltimore, Indy, Philly, and Atlanta just because they won some pretty weak divisions. Miami being the exception of course. The only home team I see winning this weekend is Arizona and I expect Atlanta to give them a good game.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

After thinking about this a moment more, I like the current set-up. Giving Miami, San Diego, Minny, and Arizona home games probably makes for better games. It's appropriate that they aren't considered favorites. The important aspect being though that playing these games on their home turf gives them a better chance to keep things close.

 

[Blue-Kun]

Have you seen the overall record of home-teams this season?

 

[stevegamer]

San Diego deserves no respect for being 8-8. They finished .500 and are hosting a team that basedon your thoughts, should be favored: Indy has a better QB and has won more consecutive games. What SD's defense was considered coming into the year is irrelevant - it wasn't as good as thought , and Merriman isn't there.

Arizona deserves no respect for being 9-7, considering how they've looked against teams outside the NFC West. They laid down against the Pats, and looked bad against the Eagles. They have essentially no spine, but if Boldin's back that should help a lot. This is pretty much the 1st playoff run for both teams as constructed, so HC experience is pretty even.

Miami gets some respect, but they lost to Baltimore already this year, so there's a decent reason Baltimore is favored. Miami also has a first year head coach, so that's somewhat of a wash.

Minnesota gets some respect, but their coach is going against his mentor, and the Eagles defense & RB are pretty good themselves.

I think Minny started out favored brifly, and then the line swung, but the other 3 home teams have ben straight dogs. We'll see how many win.

 

[gonzobill5]

Have you seen the overall record of home-teams this season?

No, but I know that historically HFA is much larger in the playoffs. If you have the stat, please post it!

 

[awesomeness]

The home team i like the best is miami. Other than that i like the road teams.

 

[Grid71]

San Diego deserves no respect for being 8-8. They finished .500 and are hosting a team that basedon your thoughts, should be favored: Indy has a better QB and has won more consecutive games. What SD's defense was considered coming into the year is irrelevant - it wasn't as good as thought , and Merriman isn't there.

San Diego was outright robbed of one win by a blown call. I seem to recall them getting shafted out of 1 or 2 other contests. That's a 10/11 win season right there which isn't a pushover.

Arizona deserves no respect for being 9-7, considering how they've looked against teams outside the NFC West. They laid down against the Pats, and looked bad against the Eagles. They have essentially no spine, but if Boldin's back that should help a lot. This is pretty much the 1st playoff run for both teams as constructed, so HC experience is pretty even.

ARZ really went overboard with coasting into the playoffs as soon as they clinched this weak division. It's hard to say wether or not they would have won another game or two if they mattered to the team. Also, HF advantage my play a big role here. ATL hasn't fared so well on the road and Turner's results on grass vs. turf are huge.

Miami gets some respect, but they lost to Baltimore already this year, so there's a decent reason Baltimore is favored. Miami also has a first year head coach, so that's somewhat of a wash.

Agreed.

Minnesota gets some respect, but their coach is going against his mentor, and the Eagles defense & RB are pretty good themselves.

I think Minny started out favored brifly, and then the line swung, but the other 3 home teams have ben straight dogs. We'll see how many win.

Philly doesn't have a great record, but they have put it together at the right time. I wouldn't want to face this team.

 

[massraider]

San Diego was outright robbed of one win by a blown call. I seem to recall them getting shafted out of 1 or 2 other contests. .

I don't recall this at all.

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

San Diego was outright robbed of one win by a blown call. I seem to recall them getting shafted out of 1 or 2 other contests. .

I don't recall this at all.

I think he is referring to the game against Denver early in the season ... the Ed Hochuli game

 

[massraider]

San Diego was outright robbed of one win by a blown call. I seem to recall them getting shafted out of 1 or 2 other contests. .

I don't recall this at all.

I think he is referring to the game against Denver early in the season ... the Ed Hochuli game

I recall that. I also recall SD letting them score a TD (and 2 pt conversion) after that.What I don't recall is SD getting shafted out of "1 or 2 other contests"........

 

[gonzobill5]

San Diego was outright robbed of one win by a blown call. I seem to recall them getting shafted out of 1 or 2 other contests. .

I don't recall this at all.

I think he is referring to the game against Denver early in the season ... the Ed Hochuli game

I don't know about shafted, but they lost three games in the closing seconds to carolina, pittsburgh, and indy. This is my choice for team getting the least respect.

 

[Grid71]

San Diego was outright robbed of one win by a blown call. I seem to recall them getting shafted out of 1 or 2 other contests. .

I don't recall this at all.

I think he is referring to the game against Denver early in the season ... the Ed Hochuli game

 

[massraider]

San Diego was outright robbed of one win by a blown call. I seem to recall them getting shafted out of 1 or 2 other contests. .

I don't recall this at all.

I think he is referring to the game against Denver early in the season ... the Ed Hochuli game

Yeah. I got that. Everyone remembers that game. What I don't recall is the 1 or 2 other contests that they got shafted out of............maybe you can refresh my memory.