Playoff Team Records Against Playoff Teams via Greg Bedard

[Rob0729]

Greg Bedard posted some info about records of the current playoff teams vs. teams in the playoffs. Interestedly, only the Pats and Steelers on the AFC side have winning records and not only does Denver have a losing record, they haven't beaten a playoff team since October 5th.

If my eyes don't deceive me, only Seahawks (6-1), Steelers (5-1), Patriots (4-1) & Packers (3-2) have winning records vs. other playoff tms

Left out Dallas 2-1

Denver (2-3) hasn't notched a victory over playoff team since AZ on 10/5 in 4th game. Baltimore is 2-4 and 9/28. Amazing to me.

(Note: one of the Ravens' two wins vs. playoff teams was against the Panthers who have a losing record)

Seattle is 5-1 vs playoff teams.

https://twitter.com/gregabedard

 

[dales804]

Good bit of information. Didn't help NE, though, in 2010 when they wiped the floor with a bunch of playoff teams (6-1, L to NYJ in wk 2).

 

[Nunchucks]

I take this all with massive grains of salt. Teams have ebb and flows during the season and what matters is how the team plays this week. In the NFL, any team can beat any other team at any time.

 

[Rob0729]

I take this all with massive grains of salt. Teams have ebb and flows during the season and what matters is how the team plays this week. In the NFL, any team can beat any other team at any time.

I agree that it doesn't necessarily mean anything, but wins against quality opponents usually do indicate how playoff ready a team is come January (although not always).

The fact that the Broncos are 0-2 vs. playoff teams in the last two months says something to me. Of course they could turn it around in the playoffs, but it does indicate they gotta be worried that they could be one and done in the playoffs.

 

[TomPatriot]

The Pats had winning records against playoff teams in the 2003 and 2004 SB years, but not in 2001. They were only 2-3 v. playoff teams that year.

 

[lillloyd]

They probably ought to put an "*" next to the AFCN wins where Carolina is concerned....But that said, it kind of illustrates the other point, right? CAR had all kinds of issues earlier in the year but has made considerable improvements over the past month. Would it shock anyone if they beat ARI with Ryan Lindley at QB?

Bedard should have had his research team look up whether Strength of Victory or record against playoff teams actually matters in real terms in the playoffs, i.e. is there a statistically significant correlation between regular season records vs. playoff teams and actual playoff success.

I'd also be interested to see a further breakdown of records against the "elite" teams (#1/#2, teams with byes). Pitt's record looks shiny --they beat everyone from Indy on down, including the teams that just missed (KC and Houston) -- but they were never tested against the New Englands and Seattles of the world.

I agree generally though that these kinds of stats should be taken with a grain of salt, teams are vastly different at different times of the year, plus there's the home/away consideration, etc.

 

[Kontradiction]

Good bit of information. Didn't help NE, though, in 2010 when they wiped the floor with a bunch of playoff teams (6-1, L to NYJ in wk 2).

The next season, the 2011 Pats didn't beat a team with a winning record all season then beat the Ravens in the AFCCG. These records mean next to nothing.

 

[dales804]

The next season, the 2011 Pats didn't beat a team with a winning record all season then beat the Ravens in the AFCCG. These records mean next to nothing.

Exactly. As @borg would say, it's about as useful as tits on a bull.