Most difficult schedule in 2008 (1 Viewer)

[FUBAR]

IIRC, we can add the poll later, so I'll just take nominations now.

Anyone beat

Houston Texans

Home: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, Miami

Away: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Minnesota, Oakland

The home schedule isn't horrendous, but the only team well out of the playoffs away is Oakland. Minnesota and Cleveland could / should improve on last year, and the other 5 were in the playoffs.

And to get it out of the way

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Considering that the NFC East had 3 playoff teams and Philly (8-8), I'd bet Dallas looks pretty tough.

Tons can happen between now and then.

For assistance with this:

NFL Opponents - 2008

 

[ptsteelers]

I always ignore the Division games because they are ALWAYS tough ... regardless of who it is. When you play a division game, it always seems to add fire to both teams and is usually a hard fought battle.

With that said, my vote goes to

Pittsburgh Steelers

Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, San Diego

Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, New England

Facing the NFC East that had 3 or the 4 teams making the playoffs and the Eagles who came on strong at the end.

Facing the AFC South that had 3 of the 4 teams making the playoffs and Houston (okay, not great there)

Plus San D and New E

That's 8 playoff teams plus our 6 division games

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I always ignore the Division games because they are ALWAYS tough ... regardless of who it is. When you play a division game, it always seems to add fire to both teams and is usually a hard fought battle.With that said, my vote goes toPittsburgh Steelers Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, San DiegoAway: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, New EnglandFacing the NFC East that had 3 or the 4 teams making the playoffs and the Eagles who came on strong at the end.Facing the AFC South that had 3 of the 4 teams making the playoffs and Houston (okay, not great there)Plus San D and New EThat's 8 playoff teams plus our 6 division games

This has to be one of the toughest schedules of all time.

 

[Captain Hook]

another vote for the Steelers - that is brutal - so much for FWP being a Top 10 RB next year

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Pittsburgh wins/loses this going away.

 

[FUBAR]

I always ignore the Division games because they are ALWAYS tough ... regardless of who it is. When you play a division game, it always seems to add fire to both teams and is usually a hard fought battle.With that said, my vote goes toPittsburgh Steelers Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, San DiegoAway: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, New EnglandFacing the NFC East that had 3 or the 4 teams making the playoffs and the Eagles who came on strong at the end.Facing the AFC South that had 3 of the 4 teams making the playoffs and Houston (okay, not great there)Plus San D and New EThat's 8 playoff teams plus our 6 division games

If I agreed with your premise, you'd make a good point. As it is I do not see how plaing Cincinnati and Baltimore is the same as playing Indianapolis and Jacksonville. Another to consider, if we assume all division games are equal:Green Bay PackersHome: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, DallasAway: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Seattle6 playoff teams plus Division, 2 easy home games is the only break they get. Away schedule is brutal, New Orleans could return to NFC Championship game level.

 

[FUBAR]

I always ignore the Division games because they are ALWAYS tough ... regardless of who it is. When you play a division game, it always seems to add fire to both teams and is usually a hard fought battle.With that said, my vote goes toPittsburgh Steelers Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, San DiegoAway: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, New EnglandFacing the NFC East that had 3 or the 4 teams making the playoffs and the Eagles who came on strong at the end.Facing the AFC South that had 3 of the 4 teams making the playoffs and Houston (okay, not great there)Plus San D and New EThat's 8 playoff teams plus our 6 division games

This has to be one of the toughest schedules of all time.

It's tough, but I wouldn't go that far.The division, outside of Pitt and Cleveland, is not good. Cincy and Baltimore are among the worst teams in the NFL. Admittedly, their home schedule aside from the division, is tough, but it is at home.Philly might be starting a new QB and they aren't that good. Washington gets a new Head Coach, which usually means a downward slide for a year, even if the DC is the new HC. Aren't they likely to lose Saunders as well?I count 6 somewhat easier games.

 

[ptsteelers]

... If I agreed with your premise, you'd make a good point. As it is I do not see how plaing Cincinnati and Baltimore is the same as playing Indianapolis and Jacksonville.

That's okay.However, if you ask the players, I will bet you dollars to doughnuts they say it is TOUGHER to play division games, regardless of your/our percieved ease of talent.

Trust me, Indy fears (respects) Houston just as Pitt fears (respects) Balt.

(Notice how Houston and Tenn always play Indy (who should stomp them) tough as nails? ... same for any team, any division)



EDIT : had to change the "fear" wording ... did not mean that the way it came across

 

[Captain Hook]

Considering that the NFC East had 3 playoff teams and Philly (8-8), I'd bet Dallas looks pretty tough.

Not so much JP - Cowgirls play the NFC West patsies

 

[FUBAR]

... If I agreed with your premise, you'd make a good point. As it is I do not see how plaing Cincinnati and Baltimore is the same as playing Indianapolis and Jacksonville.

That's okay.However, if you ask the players, I will bet you dollars to doughnuts they say it is TOUGHER to play division games, regardless of your/our percieved ease of talent.

Trust me, Indy fears (respects) Houston just as Pitt fears (respects) Balt.

(Notice how Houston and Tenn always play Indy (who should stomp them) tough as nails? ... same for any team, any division)



EDIT : had to change the "fear" wording ... did not mean that the way it came across

It's been awhile since I asked them, but I do agree, division rival is tougher than otherwise. That said, Division rival vs. Indianapolis is tougher than division rival vs. Baltimore. Sure Pittsburgh respects Baltimore, every player should respect each opponent, but that doesn't mean they're as tough a game.Take college as an example, intraconference games are supposed to be tough. Does that mean Kansas beating up on Iowa State and Kansas State = LSU playing Tennessee or Florida?

But hey, if you believe that the Patriots saw their game against Miami or Buffalo as difficult as the game against Dallas,

 

[pizzatyme]

Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Ravens, Bengals, Bears, Lions, Patriots

Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Browns, Steelers, Packers, Vikes, Chargers

That is your 2008 Indianapolis Colts schedule.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I always ignore the Division games because they are ALWAYS tough ... regardless of who it is. When you play a division game, it always seems to add fire to both teams and is usually a hard fought battle.With that said, my vote goes toPittsburgh Steelers Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, San DiegoAway: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, New EnglandFacing the NFC East that had 3 or the 4 teams making the playoffs and the Eagles who came on strong at the end.Facing the AFC South that had 3 of the 4 teams making the playoffs and Houston (okay, not great there)Plus San D and New EThat's 8 playoff teams plus our 6 division games

Jesus. That looks brutal.

 

[treat88]

SOS fluctuates dramatically year to year. Even the toughest looking schedule at this point may end up comparatively easy.

That being said, Pittsburgh wins this going away.

 

[dickey moe]

I always ignore the Division games because they are ALWAYS tough ... regardless of who it is. When you play a division game, it always seems to add fire to both teams and is usually a hard fought battle.With that said, my vote goes toPittsburgh Steelers Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, San DiegoAway: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, New EnglandFacing the NFC East that had 3 or the 4 teams making the playoffs and the Eagles who came on strong at the end.Facing the AFC South that had 3 of the 4 teams making the playoffs and Houston (okay, not great there)Plus San D and New EThat's 8 playoff teams plus our 6 division games

yikes

 

[wadegarrett]

Browns is pretty tough. Not as tough as Pittsburgh's though. I recall hearing their SOS is the toughest in the league next year.

Cleveland Browns

Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Denver

Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo

Playoff teams in bold.

 

[Sinrman]

Is it me, or do the Patriots, after having a 16-0 regular season, have a pretty cupcake schedule next year?

 

[Marc Levin]

Is it me, or do the Patriots, after having a 16-0 regular season, have a pretty cupcake schedule next year? every year until the AFC-E catches up.

With that amendment, yes. Look, it is the luck of the rotation that the AFC-E drew the NFC-W and AFC-W for next year. From the league's standpoint, they face as many other division winners as possible. I do believe, however, that they could have yanked one of the A/N FC-W opponents and slipped either G.B. or Dallas onto the Pats' schedule. Unless they have changed something with the scheduling rules, they do not have to schedule EVERY AFC-W and every NFC-W team for the Pats to play. I think they could yank off one of the NFC-W teams and sub an NFC divisional winner.

New England Patriots

Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Kansas City, Arizona, St. Louis, Pittsburgh

Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Indianapolis

 

[ptsteelers]

.... Unless they have changed something with the scheduling rules, they do not have to schedule EVERY AFC-W and every NFC-W team for the Pats to play.

I am not 100% sure, but I am pretty sure they do.Isn't that the way the new schedule works?You play your division twiceone entire division (rotated every three years) of an NFC and an AFC divisionand the other two games come from where each finished in the division

 

[Pskov1420]

Is it me, or do the Patriots, after having a 16-0 regular season, have a pretty cupcake schedule next year? every year until the AFC-E catches up.

With that amendment, yes. Look, it is the luck of the rotation that the AFC-E drew the NFC-W and AFC-W for next year. From the league's standpoint, they face as many other division winners as possible. I do believe, however, that they could have yanked one of the A/N FC-W opponents and slipped either G.B. or Dallas onto the Pats' schedule. Unless they have changed something with the scheduling rules, they do not have to schedule EVERY AFC-W and every NFC-W team for the Pats to play. I think they could yank off one of the NFC-W teams and sub an NFC divisional winner.

New England Patriots

Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Kansas City, Arizona, St. Louis, Pittsburgh

Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Indianapolis

Yes they do.A team always plays:

6 games in your own division, 3 home and 3 away

4 games against all teams in another division in your conference

4 games against all teams in another division in the other conference

2 games against the other two teams in their conference that finished in the same divisional place as you did the previous year

The two divisions other than your own that you play are on a rotation that is set years in advance.

 

[awesomeness]

... If I agreed with your premise, you'd make a good point. As it is I do not see how plaing Cincinnati and Baltimore is the same as playing Indianapolis and Jacksonville.

That's okay.However, if you ask the players, I will bet you dollars to doughnuts they say it is TOUGHER to play division games, regardless of your/our percieved ease of talent.

Trust me, Indy fears (respects) Houston just as Pitt fears (respects) Balt.

(Notice how Houston and Tenn always play Indy (who should stomp them) tough as nails? ... same for any team, any division)



EDIT : had to change the "fear" wording ... did not mean that the way it came across

So you think the patriots had a tougher time beating Buffalo, the jets, and the dolphins than they did the Eagles, the Ravens, and the Cowboys?

 

[Koya]

It seems to get harder to do this every year with so much transition in the NFL. Outside of a small handful of teams (maybe only a couple?), you really don't know who will sustain into next year.

Baltimore was 13-3 before having the wheels fall off... can they find a QB and coach to build on the D and running game?

Will Cincy finally rise to their potential, or suck. Again.

The browns REALLY this good?

St. Louis - healthy and 10 wins? Or another way to find a lost season.

What about Seattle... coach staying? Is this specific run over for a year of regrouping?

Just injuries in general can mean SO much when most teams are very close in talent. One QB going down means a 10+ win team can easily become a 4-6 win team.

Outside of NE and Indy (coaching aside, I don't see Manning with his offensive weapons losing more than 5-6 games and that is even a stretch) who can we really count on? Many will say SD, but I am not fully convinced especially because Rivers seems to have a tendency to get dinged. Pittsburgh should certainly be up there, but they really underwhelmed me overall... very hard to judge next years success in the NFL nowadays.

ETA - Well I see the Ravens have a coach at least (just waking up here )

 

[ptsteelers]

... If I agreed with your premise, you'd make a good point. As it is I do not see how plaing Cincinnati and Baltimore is the same as playing Indianapolis and Jacksonville.

That's okay.However, if you ask the players, I will bet you dollars to doughnuts they say it is TOUGHER to play division games, regardless of your/our percieved ease of talent.

Trust me, Indy fears (respects) Houston just as Pitt fears (respects) Balt.

(Notice how Houston and Tenn always play Indy (who should stomp them) tough as nails? ... same for any team, any division)



EDIT : had to change the "fear" wording ... did not mean that the way it came across

So you think the patriots had a tougher time beating Buffalo, the jets, and the dolphins than they did the Eagles, the Ravens, and the Cowboys?

Yes, that is exactly NOT what I am saying.

You either get it or you don't, those that know what I am saying get it, those that don't ... don't.

It's really not that hard guys. I am not saying team A is easier to beat than team B ... I am saying that ALL division games, year after year are tough games. Teams try and push for the exta wind, they go that extra distance, just to beat a division team. This is not astro-physics, it's just football.

Did your coach never stress to you the importance of playing in games against divisional foes?

Oh, well ... Okay, I give up.

 

[awesomeness]

... If I agreed with your premise, you'd make a good point. As it is I do not see how plaing Cincinnati and Baltimore is the same as playing Indianapolis and Jacksonville.

That's okay.However, if you ask the players, I will bet you dollars to doughnuts they say it is TOUGHER to play division games, regardless of your/our percieved ease of talent.

Trust me, Indy fears (respects) Houston just as Pitt fears (respects) Balt.

(Notice how Houston and Tenn always play Indy (who should stomp them) tough as nails? ... same for any team, any division)



EDIT : had to change the "fear" wording ... did not mean that the way it came across

So you think the patriots had a tougher time beating Buffalo, the jets, and the dolphins than they did the Eagles, the Ravens, and the Cowboys?

Yes, that is exactly NOT what I am saying.

You either get it or you don't, those that know what I am saying get it, those that don't ... don't.

It's really not that hard guys. I am not saying team A is easier to beat than team B ... I am saying that ALL division games, year after year are tough games. Teams try and push for the exta wind, they go that extra distance, just to beat a division team. This is not astro-physics, it's just football.

Did your coach never stress to you the importance of playing in games against divisional foes?

Oh, well ... Okay, I give up.

the concept you are speaking of is not abstract at all, im pretty sure everyone understand what you are trying to say. But just because the Dolphins might give it everything they got when they play a divisional opponent, that doesnt take away from the fact that the Dolphins straight up suck.

 

[QuizGuy66]

The difference is always only 2 games for each division member. The whole AFC North really has it tough. Of course my heart just pleads for the poor poor Steelers that they get NE and SD, instead of:

Cleveland: Buffalo/Denver

WhoDeys: Jets/Chiefs

Ratbirds: Dolphins/Raiders

It's a little more stark given the difference in the level of play of the teams in those 2 divisions.

If the Patriots are perfect this year, they have a legitimate chance to challenge the streak of the Los Angeles Lakers, depending on how the order of the schedule falls. They have only 4 games against '08 playoff teams (Seasquawks, Steelers, Colts, Chargers) and only one additional game against a team with so much as a .500 records this year (Cardinals).

-QG

 

[FUBAR]

The difference is always only 2 games for each division member. The whole AFC North really has it tough. Of course my heart just pleads for the poor poor Steelers that they get NE and SD, instead of:Cleveland: Buffalo/DenverWhoDeys: Jets/ChiefsRatbirds: Dolphins/RaidersIt's a little more stark given the difference in the level of play of the teams in those 2 divisions.

When you consider that each of them have to play Pittsburgh twice, it sort of balances out.

 

[pizzatyme]

Steelers 2007 combined record of their '08 opponents= 160-96

Colts " " " " = 152-104

I'm trying to decide which division appears tougher for next season, the AFC North/NFC North, or the NFC East/AFC South?

I'd have to agree that the Steelers have a tougher schedule on paper. But, the Colts schedule is a bear!

 

[chook]

My beloved 49ers have once of the toughest schedules.

Why?

Because they're rubbish and pretty much every team they play will be much better than them.

 

[kwantam]

This has to be one of the toughest schedules of all time.

The top ten toughest schedules of the Superbowl era were

0.6020 ATL19680.6071 GNB19700.6071 KAN19770.6071 NOR19700.6071 NYG19760.6122 BUF19720.6122 HOO19720.6224 SFO19730.6420 BLC19820.6480 CLE1975

PIT's schedule as stated above, using this year's win/loss numbers, would be .5977, or the 12th hardest schedule of the superbowl era.The standard deviation of strength of schedule in the superbowl era has been .0406, obviously with a mean of .5. This means that PIT's schedule next year (again, using this year's winning percentages) looks to be about 2.4 standard deviations above the mean, or the top 2% in difficulty.Ouch.-=kwantam

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Gonna be effin sweet when we steamroll though that schedule next year.

 

[ptsteelers]

psssttt ... "now with pole?"

 

[Darth Cheney]

Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Ravens, Bengals, Bears, Lions, Patriots

Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Browns, Steelers, Packers, Vikes, Chargers

That is your 2008 Indianapolis Colts schedule.

That flat out sucks.

 

[Marc Levin]

Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Ravens, Bengals, Bears, Lions, Patriots

Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Browns, Steelers, Packers, Vikes, Chargers

That is your 2008 Indianapolis Colts schedule.

That flat out sucks.

Texans' schedule is just as hard, IMO, b/c they have to play Indie twice and they are not as strong a team as Indy. Indy should steamroll the Texans next year, which will make up for having SD and NE as opposed to Oakland/Miami. That AFC-S is a tough division.

 

[pizzatyme]

Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Ravens, Bengals, Bears, Lions, Patriots

Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Browns, Steelers, Packers, Vikes, Chargers

That is your 2008 Indianapolis Colts schedule.

That flat out sucks.

Texans' schedule is just as hard, IMO, b/c they have to play Indie twice and they are not as strong a team as Indy. Indy should steamroll the Texans next year, which will make up for having SD and NE as opposed to Oakland/Miami. That AFC-S is a tough division.

The Raiders and Dolphins are 2 gimmes. I'd say the Texans are past the gimme stage. An 8-8 team in the AFC South is no gimme.And to have to play the Pats and Chargers again on top of it. :sheesh:

 

[Marc Levin]

Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Ravens, Bengals, Bears, Lions, Patriots

Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Browns, Steelers, Packers, Vikes, Chargers

That is your 2008 Indianapolis Colts schedule.

That flat out sucks.

Texans' schedule is just as hard, IMO, b/c they have to play Indie twice and they are not as strong a team as Indy. Indy should steamroll the Texans next year, which will make up for having SD and NE as opposed to Oakland/Miami. That AFC-S is a tough division.

The Raiders and Dolphins are 2 gimmes. I'd say the Texans are past the gimme stage. An 8-8 team in the AFC South is no gimme.And to have to play the Pats and Chargers again on top of it. :sheesh:

IMO, being Indy and playing Houston twice plus SD Pats < being Houston and playing Indy twice plus Miami Oakland, but I will agree that in pure SOS terms, Indy has the harder road to hoe.