Why are we playing the Colts?

[BananaRepublican]

Did the Colts slip onto the schedule before Manning got traded? I can't figure out why else we'd be playing them. I always thought that we played them ever year because the league wanted to highlight the QB matchup. Or was I wrong? Maybe it had something to do with the old AFCE? Jeezuz, I can't figure this out. They should not be on our schedule from what I can see. If we needed an injection of good teams wherever possible it would not be them.

 

[thenepatsrule]

Did the Colts slip onto the schedule before Manning got traded? I can't figure out why else we'd be playing them. I always thought that we played them ever year because the league wanted to highlight the QB matchup. Or was I wrong? Maybe it had something to do with the old AFCE? Jeezuz, I can't figure this out. They should not be on our schedule from what I can see. If we needed an injection of good teams wherever possible it would not be them.

We would end up playing them each year coz both the teams would win their respective divisions,this year we play them ,the titans, the jags and houston..... i.e afc south

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Did the Colts slip onto the schedule before Manning got traded? I can't figure out why else we'd be playing them. I always thought that we played them ever year because the league wanted to highlight the QB matchup. Or was I wrong? Maybe it had something to do with the old AFCE? Jeezuz, I can't figure this out. They should not be on our schedule from what I can see. If we needed an injection of good teams wherever possible it would not be them.

IIRC, it's the year we play that entire division. They rotate the schedule so the Pats play one division in the NFC every 4 years ( last year was NFC East, this year its the NFC West) and each division in the AFC every three years. Last year it was the AFC West and this year it is the AFC South, hence Tenn, Indy, Hou, and Jax. The reason they seemed to play the Colts every year was that the Pats would play the team in the other two AFC divisions that finished in the same spot as them the year before. Since the Colts and Pats were [perennially winning their respective divisions, they played each other the next year...

 

[Hok]

I'm always amazed by the sheer amount of people who don't realize that NFL schedules are determined by a formula that was devised in 2002.

 

[Deus Irae]

AFCE (twice)
AFCS
NFCW

AFCN #1
AFCW #1

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Was 2002 the last time we didn't play them? Meaning this would mark the 10th season in a row we played them despite not being in their division

 

[PatsWSB47]

Don't knock it. We just might be getting a chance to see a future hall of famer in Luck playing against a future hall of famer in Brady. Record that one for posterity. I have Brady's 1st career start against Peyton Manning as luck would have it, on DVD . I think I've watched it at least once every year since.

 

[WhiZa]

Was 2002 the last time we didn't play them? Meaning this would mark the 10th season in a row we played them despite not being in their division

It's true and baring a fluke in the standings we probably won't be playing them next year which will be kind of weird.

 

[Rob0729]

Was 2002 the last time we didn't play them? Meaning this would mark the 10th season in a row we played them despite not being in their division

Considering they both won their division almost every year for the the last decade, this isn't that unusual. Although I think in 2009, the Pats wouldn't have played them if the AFC East didn't play the AFC South. So that was a coincidence.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

We would end up playing them each year coz both the teams would win their respective divisions,this year we play them ,the titans, the jags and houston..... i.e afc south

THIS.


It wasn't done on purpose by the schedulers. We play the AFC South every 4 years.... and the Colts are in the AFC South.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Andrew Luck vs. Brian Hoyer for the next great QB matchup head to head starting in 2016

 

[ctpatsfan77]

THIS.


It wasn't done on purpose by the schedulers. We play the AFC South every 4 years.... and the Colts are in the AFC South.

Every third year, in fact (it's every fourth year v. NFC teams).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Andrew Luck vs. Brian Hoyer for the next great QB matchup head to head starting in 2016

Hoyer's not likely to be a Patriot next year, and might even get traded this preseason. . . .

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Hoyer's not likely to be a Patriot next year, and might even get traded this preseason. . . .

I know,but I also don't see Mallett here by 2016 either...

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Did the Colts slip onto the schedule before Manning got traded? I can't figure out why else we'd be playing them. I always thought that we played them ever year because the league wanted to highlight the QB matchup. Or was I wrong? Maybe it had something to do with the old AFCE? Jeezuz, I can't figure this out. They should not be on our schedule from what I can see. If we needed an injection of good teams wherever possible it would not be them.

It's a formula. Same since 2002.

Three teams from AFC East (2X)
Four teams from an NFC Division, rotating every four years.
Four teams from an AFC Division, rotating every three years.
In the two other AFC Divisions, the teams that finished in the same spot as the Pats the prior season (parity).

EDIT: I see other posters have enlightened you as well.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Considering they both won their division almost every year for the the last decade, this isn't that unusual. Although I think in 2009, the Pats wouldn't have played them if the AFC East didn't play the AFC South. So that was a coincidence.

That's the crazy part, not only that they both won their division 8 out of 10 years, but the 2 years they didn't it was their turn to play our division anyways. I don't think non-division opponents have ever played each other this many consecutive years though I could be wrong

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

It's true and baring a fluke in the standings we probably won't be playing them next year which will be kind of weird.

Last year already felt pretty wierd not having any anxiety heading into a Colts matchup

 

[sly24]

I'm always amazed by the sheer amount of people who don't realize that NFL schedules are determined by a formula that was devised in 2002.

This.

Choosing who gets to play who sure would be a fun job though haha!

 

[Joey007]

Did the Colts slip onto the schedule before Manning got traded? I can't figure out why else we'd be playing them. I always thought that we played them ever year because the league wanted to highlight the QB matchup. Or was I wrong? Maybe it had something to do with the old AFCE? Jeezuz, I can't figure this out. They should not be on our schedule from what I can see. If we needed an injection of good teams wherever possible it would not be them.

Learn your NFL Scheduling......SIR.

 

[WhiZa]

Last year already felt pretty wierd not having any anxiety heading into a Colts matchup

But it came back quick late in the 4th quarter