Does the NFL do this on purpose?

[TrueBeliever]

I've noticed that for the third year in a row, we play at the Jets in Week 2 of the season. Then when I thought about it, we played at the Jets for the opener the year before that (2007). And when I checked, I see we played there in Week 2 in 2006, too.

Is that just a coincidence, or does the league like having that particular match-up that early in the season? Or maybe it's just a by-product of the Jets playing in the only stadium that still has two home teams.

 

[italia44]

I've noticed that for the third year in a row, we play at the Jets in Week 2 of the season. Then when I thought about it, we played at the Jets for the opener the year before that (2007). And when I checked, I see we played there in Week 2 in 2006, too.

Is that just a coincidence, or does the league like having that particular match-up that early in the season? Or maybe it's just a by-product of the Jets playing in the only stadium that still has two home teams.

"Benny" Goodell and the Jets.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

I am very happy to be playing the Jesters early this season. I think we are going to blow them out.

Revis will be out still or just back.....the Pats will be healthy and are clicking....definitely looking a lot better, in pre-season than the Jesters.

 

[patriot lifer]

yeah, it's deliberate. It's the entertainment biz after all.

if it was completely random, then it's likely that we'd play our divisional opponents in back-to-back games from time to time.

 

[The Dynasty]

I am very happy to be playing the Jesters early this season. I think we are going to blow them out.

Revis will be out still or just back.....the Pats will be healthy and are clicking....definitely looking a lot better, in pre-season than the Jesters.

Kind of a bold prediction considering the preseason means nothing and starters havent played more than a half of each game, and the Jets best defensive player hasnt even reported to camp yet. I would expect him to sign within the next few days and I think some media members have reported this as well.

 

[Isaac]

Yup, there's nothing random about the NFL schedule--which is probably for the best.

I actually love the annual Week 2 Meadowlands Showdown. Let's set Mike Reiss to hunt down what the record is for identical scheduling by the NFL. I say make it permanent.

 

[QB12]

I agree preseason wins and losses don't count but disagree that preseason "means nothing" as you say.

 

[Metaphors]

I would expect him to sign within the next few days and I think some media members have reported this as well.

Other Reporters Come Forward With Doubts Over Report On Revis Contract

Your definition of "some" is different than mine.

 

[The Dynasty]

Other Reporters Come Forward With Doubts Over Report On Revis Contract

Your definition of "some" is different than mine.

We'll see if Cawlishaws report is correct or not, that is who I was referring too and I thought I read a few other similar reports. Either way Revis will be signed before the first week of the season

 

[Satchboogie3]

I agree preseason wins and losses don't count but disagree that preseason "means nothing" as you say.

Yep, while wins and losses don't mean a thing, the overall play of each unit and each individual DOES matter. It means a ton to the team but also gives us fans the opportunity to see who looks ready, who looks like they might have a break out year, how the youth is coming along, etc. So you can glean a good bit of information from the preseason (don't forget practices).

 

[The Dynasty]

Yep, while wins and losses don't mean a thing, the overall play of each unit and each individual DOES matter. It means a ton to the team but also gives us fans the opportunity to see who looks ready, who looks like they might have a break out year, how the youth is coming along, etc. So you can glean a good bit of information from the preseason (don't forget practices).

The preseason is more for the younger players and players that are not guaranteed a starting job. It gives them a chance to gain experience and work their way up on the depth chart. I'm not saying the preseason doesnt mean anything for starters and each unit, but I dont think it is as big as some people make it. It is a completely different game, preseason compared to regular season. In 2007 Brady struggled in the preseason, 3 TDs and 2 INTs in 3 games, but look at the regular season that he had. I just dont think you can really take much out of the preseason, besides how younger players and role players will fit in

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Yup, there's nothing random about the NFL schedule--which is probably for the best.

Part of it is ratings-driven, to be sure (it's why Colts-Pats is always in sweeps month).

That said, some of it is random, some of it reflects the vagaries of having the JEST/Giants and 49ers/Raiders combos, and some of it actually reflects requests from teams.

As an example, when the Patriots had to play four West Coast games in 2008, Kraft and Belichick requested that they be scheduled as two sets of back-to-back games.

 

[jmt57]

I've noticed that for the third year in a row, we play at the Jets in Week 2 of the season. Then when I thought about it, we played at the Jets for the opener the year before that (2007). And when I checked, I see we played there in Week 2 in 2006, too.

Is that just a coincidence, or does the league like having that particular match-up that early in the season? Or maybe it's just a by-product of the Jets playing in the only stadium that still has two home teams.

I think the Pats-Jets early is just a coincidence, but I'm curious if that will continue to be the schedule going forward. Goodell has said that he wants to reserve the last two weeks for in-division games; I wonder if that is a signal that other parts of the schedule will be more consistent.

As a fan I would prefer to see all four teams in a division have a bye at the same time - it just makes it easier for me when looking at team's records and division standings. I doubt that will happen though, because the NFL wants fans to still watch even when their team has a bye week. If your favorite team is off, the next most important game is that of division rivals, and that's not going to happen if every team in the division has a bye at the same time.

The Pats always play the Colts around week nine or ten, because that is the biggest matchup in the NFL. That's right about the beginning of Nielsen ratings sweeps, so it stands to reason that game will stay in that part of the schedule. Eventually that will change once one of the teams slips to mediocrity but as long as both teams are good, and the networks can promote Manning vs Brady, it will stay there - just like Dallas vs SF was always a big deal fifteen or twenty years ago.

Anyways, I am curious to see if the NFL will try to have a little bit more of a 'set' schedule in the future with division rivals, the way college football does. For example if you are an SEC fan you know Florida plays Tennessee early right after the first couple of cupcake non-conference games, Auburn meets Alabama at the end of the season, etc. The Pats could similarly always meet the Jets in September, have a rematch about a month later, and always finish with games against the Dolphins and Bills, for example.

 

[BlueThunder]

Lasy season the early game benefited the Jets as Brady was still rusty...I believe they had a couple of key players missing also ( Welker and Warren)

This year it may benefit the Pats as Holmes will be missing and Mevis may not be back.

Even with those two playng, Brady should win the shootout. It will be up to the Patriot D to stop the Jets running game.

<end homer rant>

 

[Sivy]

Kind of a bold prediction considering the preseason means nothing and starters havent played more than a half of each game, and the Jets best defensive player hasnt even reported to camp yet. I would expect him to sign within the next few days and I think some media members have reported this as well.

Is it really that bold, considering the patriots blew them out the last time they played?

 

[Isaac]

Part of it is ratings-driven, to be sure (it's why Colts-Pats is always in sweeps month).

That said, some of it is random, some of it reflects the vagaries of having the JEST/Giants and 49ers/Raiders combos, and some of it actually reflects requests from teams.

As an example, when the Patriots had to play four West Coast games in 2008, Kraft and Belichick requested that they be scheduled as two sets of back-to-back games.

Is there really any randomness at all? My understanding is based on an NFL network piece they did on schedule making a few years ago (a very cool piece). I don't recall anything being done at random--picking out of a hat or random number generators or something like that--but maybe they didn't mention it or I've forgotten. It was basically just one guy, with a lot of help, trying to put together a big puzzle that best fit all the requirements.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I've noticed that for the third year in a row, we play at the Jets in Week 2 of the season. Then when I thought about it, we played at the Jets for the opener the year before that (2007). And when I checked, I see we played there in Week 2 in 2006, too.

Is that just a coincidence, or does the league like having that particular match-up that early in the season? Or maybe it's just a by-product of the Jets playing in the only stadium that still has two home teams.

I think it's intentional. The League and the Networks trying to stoke interest before any teams or divisional races take shape. Jets and Pats; big rivals and both play in large media markets.

 

[Rob0729]

We'll see if Cawlishaws report is correct or not, that is who I was referring too and I thought I read a few other similar reports. Either way Revis will be signed before the first week of the season

Actually, every other reporter including both local Jets reporters and national ones dispute Cawlishaw's report and say Revis and the Jets are nowhere close to a deal. Many think Cawlishaw mistook Mangold with Revis since Mangold is about to anounce a new deal with the Jets.

I wouldn't bet on Revis being signed by the first week of the season. I don't think the Jets want to give him $30-40 million in guarantees with uncertainty with the CBA and the 2011 season. I don't see a long term deal in his immediate future. If he is in, I am betting he gets a deal like one year $15 million and the Jets agree not to pick up his two year option and make him a free agent after this season.

 

[spacecrime]

I agree preseason wins and losses don't count but disagree that preseason "means nothing" as you say.

Double Ditto that. If you only look at the final score, the preseason is not helpful, but if you watch the games and follow the practice session reports, you can tell a lot from preseason. 32 teams use it to decide who will make the team and who won't.

There are always a guy here and there whose pre-season looks don't match the regular season. Davey looked great in preseason and Cassel looked bad, but focusing on the exceptions gives a false indication.

From what we have seen so far, I expect the preseason told us that Hernandez and Gronk do not have hands of stone and that Hernandez can block decently in space (and Gronk is a powerful in-line blocker), that Tate looks good but is not the next coming of Terry Glenn, that Edelman was not a one-year wonder, and that our pass rush might be better than last year, but is not up to 2003-2004 standards. Not even close.

 

[The Dynasty]

Is it really that bold, considering the patriots blew them out the last time they played?

It is a completely different team than the one we played last November. A lot has changed since then. The Jets made their deep run in the playoffs and they also got better this off season. You have to give them credit when it is due. I still think the Pats can beat them, but it wont be easy and it definitely will not be a blow out.