Shitty teams winning in the playoffs

[ZoneBlitz]

Recent trend of non-winning record teams in the playoffs pulling the major upset:

2011
8-8 Denver Broncos beat 12-4 Steelers

2010
7-9 Seattle Seahawks beat 11-5 Saints

2008
8-8 San Diego Chargers beat 12-4 Colts

2004
8-8 Minnesota Vikings beat 10-6 Packers (on the road)

2004
8-8 St. Louis Rams beat 9-7 Seahawks (on the road)

If you play an 8-8/7-9 team in the playoffs, WATCH OUT!

 

[NAHSTE]

It is almost as if the outcomes of playoff games are random.

 

[mgoblue2290]

It is almost as if the outcomes of playoff games are random.

It also seems like a majority of teams are somewhat close in talent and that anything can happen in one game. Very strange.

 

[ZoneBlitz]

It also seems like a majority of teams are somewhat close in talent and that anything can happen in one game. Very strange.

The last 5 playoff teams without a winning record have won their opening game. Very strange indeed.

 

[1ke]

Meh... The last three winners have been at home and I can tell you for a fact that the 2011 Steelers and 2010 Saints both had glaring problems.

The Steelers line has been bad for awhile now and when Ben hurt his ankle he couldn't hide their weaknesses anymore. Denver has two of the best outside pass rushers in the game and Von Miller is finally getting used to having a club instead of a hand.

The 2010 Saints couldn't tackle anyone and that Marshawn Lynch run pretty much summed up the problem with that match-up in one play..

The bottom line is you don't overlook anyone in the playoffs because every team in there had to be the best at something to make it.

I'll never forget Mark Brunell running all over a Broncos team in 1996 that I was sure would be in the Super Bowl that year and just breaking my heart.

Not trollin, just curious, what are the Broncos the best at?

 

[ZoneBlitz]

Not trollin, just curious, what are the Broncos the best at?

Praying.

 

[Sharkweather]

Not trollin, just curious, what are the Broncos the best at?

#1 rushing offense in the league.

 

[steeljake]

It is almost as if the outcomes of playoff games are random.

so it's not like the nba then?

 

[StealthShot]

0-0 in the playoffs.

 

[Youk]

0-0 in the playoffs.

Thanks Coach.

 

[NAHSTE]

so it's not like the nba then?

Sup

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

It's called the wild card round for a reason. Long as the bottom seed doesn't make SB visits common I don't think it affects the regular season. You're goal should always be the number 1 or number 2 seed . Bye + HFA should be enough to overcome some hot fluke team.

 

[ram29jackson]

thats the thing with parity though...

I wouldnt call the Steelers a good team this year...you knew they were beat up, you knew they were getting older..I'm not saying they suck at all. But comparitively, just because you have a winning record against seemingly weaker teams,..it doesnt mean you are that much better/stronger..teams are winning more on athleticism than they are on execution and training lately..The Steelers were smart enough to do well in the regular season, but not young enough to handle another 2-3 weeks of football. A healthier Ben may have changed that, but even the number one D was getting beat deep.

in the age of Parity , 12-4 is not dominant and 7-9 isnt weak.

3 teams with a great chance to go to and win a Super Bowl are in the bottom 5 in defense but they had conference leading records...? its just not right LOL

the Giants are the only team that looks balanced..so what if they were 9-7 ( i think thats what finished with ?) the Packers ,with all their passing yards could well lose to them

 

[ZoneBlitz]

It's called the wild card round for a reason. Long as the bottom seed doesn't make SB visits common I don't think it affects the regular season. You're goal should always be the number 1 or number 2 seed . Bye + HFA should be enough to overcome some hot fluke team.

lol @ hot fluke team...when Denver had lost its last 3 games heading into the playoffs.

And the past 3 non-winning teams have knocked off super bowl contenders...so it has an impact.

 

[ZoneBlitz]

It is almost as if the outcomes of playoff games are random.

So you are saying that anyone could win a game? Wow, thanks for the amazing insight.

The fact is the past 5 non-winning teams have won their playoff game. That is a trend, and its worth noting.

 

[Senser81]

As someone else mentioned, I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that since we have 4 divisions now, you are going to get some division winners with mediocre records but who still are getting to play at home. Last year, Seattle got to play a home game against New Orleans...I would guess if that game were in the Superdome the outcome would have been different. This year, the Steelers had to go to Denver so their FS Ryan Clark couldn't play, and their backup FS gives up the game-winning TD.

I think in the past the shitty 8-8 or 9-7 teams would have to play on the road, so it was less likely for them to pull the upset.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

In this era of NFL, the difference between 8-8 and 12-4 is negligible in regards to the quality of team.

Then when you have the 8-8 team in a home game?

 

[nwfisch]

Green Bay Packers.

 

[NAHSTE]

The fact is the past 5 non-winning teams have won their playoff game. That is a trend, and its worth noting.

One of those "non-winning" teams you listed was from eight years ago and they only beat a 9-7 team. An 8-8 team beats a 9-7 team sometimes in 1-game playoff scenarios. It's crazy, I know.

How exactly is this a trend? Sometimes teams beat teams they aren't supposed to beat. One time a 9-7 team beat a 16-0 team in the Super Bowl! OMG! GROWING TREND! SUPER BOWL UPSETS!