The one pitfall of being the #1 seed

[Fahrenhype]

Employing the use of the online interwebs, I have confirmed a suspicion I had earlier in the day: The Patriots may be hosting the tougher opponent during the divisional round, despite being the first seed. Two issues:

01. Four of the best teams in the conference were in two divisions - East and North. Yeah, we gotta see if the Jets are still deserving of this distinction (the only thing keeping them in the picture was the victory over the Steelers) but either way you're getting teams that were at one point looking like division winners as wild card contenders. This doesn't impact the Pats immediately since they have the bye, but...

02. The Chiefs seem to be a total wrench in the prognostication machinery (sounded better than calling them the "wild card"). They have only played ONE of the other AFC playoff teams this year in a loss to the Colts. The NFC division they played isn't going to a field a + .500 team in the playoffs. I have no idea how anyone predicts how they fare in the wild card round. It would be easy to write off their lack of a tough schedule but the Cardinals made it to the superbowl two years ago.

The way I see it, the Chiefs could be better than people are giving them credit for, but not quite as good as a team they are seeded higher than like the Ravens. The Steelers could be sitting pretty with the #2 seed, not having to play Baltimore in the divisional round. There is no way the Patriots play the Chiefs in the divisional round, so they could be looking at either Indy or Baltimore. Despite recent performances, it is hard to even consider the Jets as a lesser team since they played a considerably tougher schedule and have the same number of wins right now. The plus side there is a recent matchup indicates the Pats are simply the better team right now, even with the expectation of a playoff game being closer. Wild card weekend is going to be very, very interesting.

 

[zoffle]

I think any of the teams that are going to make the playoffs will be tough (except if Jacksonville manage to make it). I'd rather have home field advantage than having to travel any where to play, regardless of who they are playing.

 

[ausbacker]

There is no problem with being the number 1 seed. It is the best outcome a team can hope for after the regular season.

 

[pherein]

I think the the thing the Patriots should work most toward, if I many be so bold, is the fact that #1 #2 seeds have a very hard time winning Super Bowls, especially in the AFC.

Release » Top Seeds

We are well aware of this, but did not see a reason to bring it up, as much doubt was already pretty prevalent last year. This made us very nervous.

Im not sure how to handle it, but it seems the #1 #2 seed do not have a very good history of making or winning the show. Our hope is that you prevail.

 

[Fahrenhype]

There is no problem with being the number 1 seed. It is the best outcome a team can hope for after the regular season.

Didn't say there was a problem, just a potential wrinkle in terms of the #1 seed supposedly getting the "lesser" of the wild card round winners. I'd rather have home field throughout particularly since they only need one win to get into the conference championship game. It's weird that the third best team in the conference is probably going to be the fifth seed.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think the the thing the Patriots should work most toward, if I many be so bold, is the fact that #1 #2 seeds have a very hard time winning Super Bowls, especially in the AFC.

Release » Top Seeds

We are well aware of this, but did not see a reason to bring it up, as much doubt was already pretty prevalent last year. This made us very nervous.

Im not sure how to handle it, but it seems the #1 #2 seed do not have a very good history of making or winning the show. Our hope is that you prevail.

Well, the Colts deserve a large share of the blame for that. . . .

 

[pherein]

Well, the Colts deserve a large share of the blame for that. . . .

yes they certainly helped. I don't believe 22 will ever be allowed on a colts jersey for some time.

But the trend did worry us greatly, and it bothers us with your team. BB is exceptional, so maybe nothing. It is one reason we dont care if the Falcons get #1 seed, no reason to temp fate 2x.

 

[sbpatfan]

yes they certainly helped. I don't believe 22 will ever be allowed on a colts jersey for some time.

But the trend did worry us greatly, and it bothers us with your team. BB is exceptional, so maybe nothing. It is one reason we dont care if the Falcons get #1 seed, no reason to temp fate 2x.

If history means anything both the number one seeded Patriot teams from that list made the Superbowl. Maybe that's a good sign.

 

[Guts]

Patriots only have a lone loss at home in the playoffs if I'm not mistaken(correct me if I'm wrong) and that was on a year Brady was of his knee surgery and our defense was declining. Pats at home are nearly unbeatable its possible but its not an easy thing to do I'm comfortable with any team that comes to Foxboro.

 

[Omega Supreme]

The Pats were either the #1 or #2 seed in the AFC in all three of their Super Bowl victory seasons. I don't think that stat really applies to them.

 

[ALP]

only thing i dont like is that chiefs aside, weve already faced every other AFC playoff team, and it would be difficult to sweep ANY playoff team in a season

but thats what the patriots are gonna have to do if they want to get out of NE and get to dallas

it wont be easy, but this team could do it, and it wouldnt matter which opponents its faced, though i think an easier match up for us would be a team with a better defense than offense

 

[pherein]

If history means anything both the number one seeded Patriot teams from that list made the Superbowl. Maybe that's a good sign.

Forgive me if mistaken sbpatfan, but the Patriots won 1 super Bowl as a top seed and that was 2003. Not that it would be unusual for BB to change history and do it again, we certainly hope he does. by no means am I trying to cast a shadow on your accomplishments. Im sure if we could, but could not, we would have done the same. I believe my point is that we are worried, because success is not favored by the stats when top seed, tho most might think it is.

 

[ausbacker]

Didn't say there was a problem, just a potential wrinkle in terms of the #1 seed supposedly getting the "lesser" of the wild card round winners. I'd rather have home field throughout particularly since they only need one win to get into the conference championship game. It's weird that the third best team in the conference is probably going to be the fifth seed.

I'm not concerned with any wrinkle at any point during the playoffs as the #1 seed. You have home field advantage. The rest is over to the Gillette crowd and the Patriots.

 

[sbpatfan]

Forgive me if mistaken sbpatfan, but the Patriots won 1 super Bowl as a top seed and that was 2003. Not that it would be unusual for BB to change history and do it again, we certainly hope he does.

Yeah, you're right. I was just glancing through the thread. For some reason I thought people were saying the #1/#2 seeds had trouble making the Superbowl, but I see you guys are talking about winning it.

 

[pherein]

Yeah, you're right. I was just glancing through the thread. For some reason I thought people were saying the #1/#2 seeds had trouble making the Superbowl, but I see you guys are talking about winning it.

We would be exceptionally happy if our wildcard team met you in the Super Bowl But , yes , as you smartly showed its about you winning. For some reason theres not a high % for top seeds winning the show. I was just posting this so it would be noticed, and become a viable concern.

My team , on the other hand, has a lot more to prove than old figures and trends that might not matter, and is in no position to preach.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Yeah, you're right. I was just glancing through the thread. For some reason I thought people were saying the #1/#2 seeds had trouble making the Superbowl, but I see you guys are talking about winning it.

Under BB, the Patriots have been the #1 or #2 seed 5 times (including this year). Their record in the past 4 years as the #1 or #2 seed? They are 1 missed in the grasp call from a perfect 12-0 record. Conversely, they have not made the SB the other 3 times they were in the playoffs without a bye (exits in the WC, division, conference games).

Letting the injuries heal/rest up, extra time for BB to game plan, all games at home and a 10 year history that says we go to, and likely win, the SB as the #1 or #2.....this is precisely where the Patriots want to be without a tangible pitfall associated with it.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Anyone but Manning for me please

Still the best QB we'll face (we have the other one) with the ability to shred our secondary

 

[patsfan-1982]

there is no downfall to haveing the #1 seed you get a week off you play one less game and you got home field through out... i dont see a downfall it's the playoffs your going to face a Good team evey week at lest you get them at home

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The Pats were either the #1 or #2 seed in the AFC in all three of their Super Bowl victory seasons. I don't think that stat really applies to them.

And people wonder why Bill says stats are for losers...

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Pat's were the #1 or #2 seed in their last 5 superbowls. We have better success going in as a high seed....