Here is a link to the thread where I review this year's playoff clubs and go into more detail about what these numbers mean:
http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...opic=213704&hl=
"magic number" rankings:
Seahawks (2nd offense, 4th defense) 2+4 = 6
Panthers (10th offense, 5th defense) 10+5 = 15
Efficiencies:
sea 13.21 O, 18.73 D
car 13.62 O, 17.01 D
Comments:
The Sehawks had the best magic number in the NFC. The Panthers had the second-best number. Both would be considered legitimate super bowl contenders because their magic number was below 20.
Turning to the efficiencies, the Seahawks are better on offense and defense than the Panthers. Teams better on both sides of the ball in this round or in the super bowl are 19-2 since 1990. The two losses were the 1998 Vikings to the Falcons and the 2003 Eagles to the Panthers - led by John Fox, who is still coaching the Panthers today.
The system tells us to take the Seahawks. However, note that John Fox is 5-1 lifetime in postseason as a head coach. His only loss was to Belichick who is 11-2. And Fox almost won that game, too. Fox has beaten that (as of now) 19-2 before. If he beats it again, I think it really elevates him as a head coach in the NFL.
http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...opic=213704&hl=
"magic number" rankings:
Seahawks (2nd offense, 4th defense) 2+4 = 6
Panthers (10th offense, 5th defense) 10+5 = 15
Efficiencies:
sea 13.21 O, 18.73 D
car 13.62 O, 17.01 D
Comments:
The Sehawks had the best magic number in the NFC. The Panthers had the second-best number. Both would be considered legitimate super bowl contenders because their magic number was below 20.
Turning to the efficiencies, the Seahawks are better on offense and defense than the Panthers. Teams better on both sides of the ball in this round or in the super bowl are 19-2 since 1990. The two losses were the 1998 Vikings to the Falcons and the 2003 Eagles to the Panthers - led by John Fox, who is still coaching the Panthers today.
The system tells us to take the Seahawks. However, note that John Fox is 5-1 lifetime in postseason as a head coach. His only loss was to Belichick who is 11-2. And Fox almost won that game, too. Fox has beaten that (as of now) 19-2 before. If he beats it again, I think it really elevates him as a head coach in the NFL.