Idiot opposing fans complaining about our strength of schedule next year

[pheenix11]

So I saw this on facebook:

And of course the top comment is:

"Oh man, the Pats aren't in the top ten? Again? Shocked..."

Hmm let's see, the entire AFC West is here. They were the one of the best divisions last year and oh look they're playing the AFC East and the NFC East next year. Yup, makes sense.

Hmm, everyone in the AFC East is here, well they're playing the AFC West so that makes sense. Oh hey look the Patriots aren't here. It must be a conspiracy, those cheaters! That's why they win, they have an easy schedule!

Obviously, these people aren't math majors. Part of the reason these opponent winning percentages are so high for the AFC West and AFC East is because they all include a 14-2 Patriots team.

The Patriots can't play themselves, although that would be more entertaining at times. So of course their strength of schedule is less when you take out that lopsided 14-2 record.

Duh.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Well of course the Pats don't have the toughest schedule, they don't have to play themselves.

 

[Gumby]

So I saw this on facebook:


Obviously, these people aren't math majors.

The Patriots can't play themselves, although that would be more entertaining at times. So of course their strength of schedule is less when you take out that lopsided 14-2 record.

Duh.

28-4 for the AFCE

 

[patfanken]

Clearly a statistical flaw. 2 of the AFCE teams are in the top 10 and the Pats are playing pretty much the same schedule except for 2 games. And in those 2 game, by vertue of winning the division, they will play to TOP team of the other division.

So clearly not being able to play their 14-2 selves creates the statisical error.

 

[RecoveringCowboy]

So how are you going to change the schedule? 14 of the 16 games is decided in advance, and the other two are against the AFC division winners not in the AFCW.

 

[pheenix11]

I doubt the mental midgets complaining even understand that the divisions rotate each year and that by finishing first we have to play two other first place teams.

I guess the only solution is intra squad scrimmages! Brady vs Jimmy!

 

[FCB02062]

This schedule talk reminds me of a scheduling anomaly and the Pats.... They were, I think, the last team in league history (along W Seattle) to play a non division opponent twice the same regular season. They played Seattle twice in 93 when Seattle was in the AFC west...because both teams were so bad in 92

 

[ausbacker]

SOS is rubbish. What relevance does the season prior have to the upcoming season?

 

[RecoveringCowboy]

This is never going to happen, but what if the Pats could swap a couple of low-feeder teams for a couple of any divisional champs, even if it's the second time in a season? In return, the Pats get extra tie-breakers for HFA.

I can see Haters giving themselves a concussion in this scenario.

 

[supafly]

SOS is rubbish. What relevance does the season prior have to the upcoming season?

Especially when we have gotten used to seeing one of the division winners go from worst to first almost every single year.

Edit: lately, as in past 10-15 yrs

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Well of course the Pats don't have the toughest schedule, they don't have to play themselves.

More often than not, the Pats divisional rivals seem like they're playing with themselves.

 

[Minitron]

The Pats SOS next year is 0.528. So probably 11th.

 

[Wordsmyth]

This just in: Omissioner Roger Goodell* suspends the entire Patriots organization for the upcoming 2017 season. The charge: selecting--and implementing--their own season apart from his tacit approval. More details at 11!

 

[convertedpatsfan]

The Pats SOS next year is 0.528. So probably 11th.

Technically 12th, as the Eagles are tied with the Cowboys for 10th. But good observation.

2017 NFL strength of schedule: Colts have it easiest, Broncos face a slate of doom

We also play 7 games against teams that made the playoffs. 7 of the 10 teams on this list also play us, which artificially boosts their SOS.

 

[Bonkowski]

All they have to do is beat this sham of a team that coasts by on an easy schedule in the playoffs. Should be simple enough.

 

[MitchKumstein]

Cycle Of Hatred:

Feb - Sept: "It's not fair that the Patriots get such an easy schedule"

Sept - Dec: "Of course the Patriots are winning, they haven't played anyone"

Dec - Jan: "Now the Patriots are in trouble, they have to play real teams!"

Feb: "%#&^#!!! Why won't Brady and Belichick just retire!?!?"

Feb -Sept: "It's not fair that the Patriots get such an easy schedule"

 

[Uncle Rico]

Even opposing fans must know that if the Patriots played themselves ... they'd still win.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Yeah, but look at their practice schedule. Factor in the Saints and 1 other team and it looks like they have to go up against a .86 schedule. That's rough, most other teams have it much easier.

 

[PatsDeb]

Well of course the Pats don't have the toughest schedule, they don't have to play themselves.

That's what I was thinking. The Jets, Dolphins & Bills are on the list because they play US twice. Hey fans, how about you complain how bad your teams are, rather than spout this nonsense?

 

[1960Pats]

There's no way to come up with a truly accurate SOS, but using the records of the last season is probably the worst. If there was some way to include all of the other factors then we might have something.

I was hoping to try and put together the most accurate SOS that I could this off-season. I'd be grateful to know what everyone feels are factors that should be taken into account.

Does past history have anything to do with a current game or is it more the style that each team plays? Or is it the individual match-ups? How do we account for injuries? Some players are more valuable than others. Is it about the rankings? There's a lot to consider.