So the 12-4 Steelers will travel to Denver to face the 8-8 Broncos (1 Viewer)

[DangerMonkey]

I don't think anyone is really too upset about the quirk of a 12-4 team visiting an 8-8 team. But it is at least worth discussing.First, this doesn't happen 'every year'. That is simply not true. This isn't some massive problem, that screws up the balance of pwer in the playoffs every single year, and something must be done!! It happens every once in a while, and will happen again.The only option, to ensure that the 'better' team doesn't get screwed in the playoffs, is to make the divisions a thing of the past. Don't have them, and seed the teams 1-6. No more divisional rivalries. Let's get rid of those pesky, boring Jets/Patriots, Cowboys/Giants, Raiders/Chiefs, and Packer/Bear games that have been cluttering up the schedule. No more divisional races, crazy wild card chase with a myriad of playoff possibilities. No more Cinderella teams, everyone hates those stories anyway. I am being a smart#ss here, but really, the price to have our current down-the-stretch drama, is that occasionally, a wild card team has to go on the road, and play a lesser team. Occasionally, a lesser team wins a division. Small price to pay.

There's no reason that you'd need to change any of that if homefield in the playoffs was determined by best overall record. Teams that win their division get a playoff spot but don't get an automatic home game.

But then we'll have the argument that a team only has a good record because they play in a weak division. If Team A beats team B in the regular season but finishes 1 game behind them in the standings, because B went 6-0 in a weak division and A went 4-2 in a strong diviison, is B really better?Their total wins says yes, but their play probably suggests not. It doesn't matter how you seed them, there will always be something to argue about.I like it just the way it is.

 

[kolejo]

No Mendenhall and Ben hopping around on one leg. The Steelers just put up 13 on the Browns, 3 on the 9ers and 14 on the Browns - those are the last 3 games under Ben. Ben hasn't thrown a TD pass in 4 weeks.At Denver. Vs Tebow. Playoff frenzied crowd.

You do realize denver has a hard time having more fans against teams that have a huge fan base right? Steelers fans will be at least half of the crowd if not more. Happens with the Steelers and Bears especially due to the relocation of tons and tons of fans.

 

[nxmehta]

No Mendenhall and Ben hopping around on one leg. The Steelers just put up 13 on the Browns, 3 on the 9ers and 14 on the Browns - those are the last 3 games under Ben. Ben hasn't thrown a TD pass in 4 weeks.

At Denver. Vs Tebow. Playoff frenzied crowd.

BINGO. People who think this will be a cakewalk for the Steelers haven't been watching them play the last few weeks. The Browns SUCK (I have to watch them every week) and the Steelers are barely eeking out wins against them. Redman is pretty good but he won't be able to carry them in the playoffs. Ben is nowhere near 100% (or even 80%).I still think the Steelers are going to win, but this will be a close game. If the Broncos are smart they will aim directly for Ben's ankle and put him out early. If that happens Tebow might just be able to pull it out if he doesn't fumble the game away.

 

[kolejo]

No Mendenhall and Ben hopping around on one leg. The Steelers just put up 13 on the Browns, 3 on the 9ers and 14 on the Browns - those are the last 3 games under Ben. Ben hasn't thrown a TD pass in 4 weeks.

At Denver. Vs Tebow. Playoff frenzied crowd.

BINGO. People who think this will be a cakewalk for the Steelers haven't been watching them play the last few weeks. The Browns SUCK (I have to watch them every week) and the Steelers are barely eeking out wins against them. Redman is pretty good but he won't be able to carry them in the playoffs. Ben is nowhere near 100% (or even 80%).I still think the Steelers are going to win, but this will be a close game. If the Broncos are smart they will aim directly for Ben's ankle and put him out early. If that happens Tebow might just be able to pull it out if he doesn't fumble the game away.

The Browns are better then the Broncos i'm pretty sure, just didn't get miracle wins like denver did

 

[Wombat1]

I don't think anyone is really too upset about the quirk of a 12-4 team visiting an 8-8 team. But it is at least worth discussing.First, this doesn't happen 'every year'. That is simply not true. This isn't some massive problem, that screws up the balance of pwer in the playoffs every single year, and something must be done!! It happens every once in a while, and will happen again.The only option, to ensure that the 'better' team doesn't get screwed in the playoffs, is to make the divisions a thing of the past. Don't have them, and seed the teams 1-6. No more divisional rivalries. Let's get rid of those pesky, boring Jets/Patriots, Cowboys/Giants, Raiders/Chiefs, and Packer/Bear games that have been cluttering up the schedule. No more divisional races, crazy wild card chase with a myriad of playoff possibilities. No more Cinderella teams, everyone hates those stories anyway. I am being a smart#ss here, but really, the price to have our current down-the-stretch drama, is that occasionally, a wild card team has to go on the road, and play a lesser team. Occasionally, a lesser team wins a division. Small price to pay.

There's no reason that you'd need to change any of that if homefield in the playoffs was determined by best overall record. Teams that win their division get a playoff spot but don't get an automatic home game.

But then we'll have the argument that a team only has a good record because they play in a weak division. If Team A beats team B in the regular season but finishes 1 game behind them in the standings, because B went 6-0 in a weak division and A went 4-2 in a strong diviison, is B really better?Their total wins says yes, but their play probably suggests not. It doesn't matter how you seed them, there will always be something to argue about.I like it just the way it is.

I mean sure you can do the divisional strength argument but in the end overall record is still a better way to decide it IMO. Also it would help a lot with the debacle that week 17 often ends up being since teams would likely be playing for seeding until the very end in most cases.

 

[Godsbrother]

BINGO. People who think this will be a cakewalk for the Steelers haven't been watching them play the last few weeks. The Browns SUCK (I have to watch them every week) and the Steelers are barely eeking out wins against them. Redman is pretty good but he won't be able to carry them in the playoffs. Ben is nowhere near 100% (or even 80%).

The Browns DO suck but a healthy Ravens team only beat the Browns by 6 at HOME a couple weeks ago. To borrow a quote from Bill Cowher "there is a fine line between winning and losing in the NFL". Any NFL team can beat another on any given Sunday -- the key is to find a way to win close games and this is where the Browns more often than not fall short.I do agree with you about Ben though. He normally plays when dealing with injuries but this ankle is really affecting his performance. He needs to play better or the Steelers will be one and done.

 

[Godsbrother]

I have no problem with the division winners getting the home game but I think an interesting alternative to the current seeding would be to have it based on the order that teams clinched a playoff spot.

This way each division winner qualifies for the playoffs but the first team that clinches would be the #1 seed, the #2 seed would go to the second team that clinches, etc. In the case of a tie you would use the current tie breaking rules.

 

[cmv5]

I have no problem with the division winners getting the home game but I think an interesting alternative to the current seeding would be to have it based on the order that teams clinched a playoff spot. This way each division winner qualifies for the playoffs but the first team that clinches would be the #1 seed, the #2 seed would go to the second team that clinches, etc. In the case of a tie you would use the current tie breaking rules.

The problem with that is you would have these clinching teams sitting players even earlier. Fans would be watching meaningless games earlier.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

I mean its not like its going to matter where the game is played since the Broncos don't have a professional quarterback

It was a long trip for the Saints to Seattle last year too.

#noneedtosearchbeyond1st2posts

 

[General Tso]

Pittsburgh getting beat, as beautiful as it was, only strengthens the argument that playoff seedings in the NFL are unfair. Pittsburgh had the better season, by a mile, and didn't get rewarded for it. I guess I have a hard time wrapping my brain around why this unfair seeding system is a good thing. It doesn't help poor divisions get out of their rut. It actually prolongs the rut by not letting them get better draft picks. Is it the lottery factor? What about it is good for the league or good for the viewing public?

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

looks like the better team had homefield -- what's the problem?

 

[Mile High]

Oh please. In 1997 a 12-4 Denver team had to go to 11-5 Pittsburgh in the playoffs. It happens all the time. GB won as a wild card team last year. That's the rules can't change them just because it doesn't favor your team.

 

[Wombat1]

Pittsburgh getting beat, as beautiful as it was, only strengthens the argument that playoff seedings in the NFL are unfair. Pittsburgh had the better season, by a mile, and didn't get rewarded for it. I guess I have a hard time wrapping my brain around why this unfair seeding system is a good thing. It doesn't help poor divisions get out of their rut. It actually prolongs the rut by not letting them get better draft picks. Is it the lottery factor? What about it is good for the league or good for the viewing public?

Lol exactly. Bumping this thread after Denever wins strengthens my point. The shot I took at Tebow can be made fun of, and I admit to being wrong about what I expected to happen in this game. The funny part is I am in no way a Steelers fan. I am sick of them and hate Ben like everyone else.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

I don't think anyone is really too upset about the quirk of a 12-4 team visiting an 8-8 team. But it is at least worth discussing.

First, this doesn't happen 'every year'. That is simply not true. This isn't some massive problem, that screws up the balance of pwer in the playoffs every single year, and something must be done!! It happens every once in a while, and will happen again.

The only option, to ensure that the 'better' team doesn't get screwed in the playoffs, is to make the divisions a thing of the past. Don't have them, and seed the teams 1-6.

No more divisional rivalries. Let's get rid of those pesky, boring Jets/Patriots, Cowboys/Giants, Raiders/Chiefs, and Packer/Bear games that have been cluttering up the schedule. No more divisional races, crazy wild card chase with a myriad of playoff possibilities. No more Cinderella teams, everyone hates those stories anyway.

I am being a smart#ss here, but really, the price to have our current down-the-stretch drama, is that occasionally, a wild card team has to go on the road, and play a lesser team. Occasionally, a lesser team wins a division. Small price to pay.

This should be your sig line..