Fun Fact: NFL Playoff teams

[slam]

If the playoffs were to start today, the teams would be
AFC: Pats, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Bills, Chiefs
NFC: Niners, Saints, Vikings, Packers, Seahawks, Cowboys

That means that of the last nine teams that Pats have played in the playoffs, only TWO would make the playoffs this year.

2017-18: Chargers, Chiefs, Rams
2016-17 Titans, Jaguars, Eagles
2015-16 Texans, Steelers, Falcons

The Chiefs and Texans are also barely in the playoffs, and could conceivably fall out in favor of a team the Pats haven't faced in the playoffs recently (Oak, Indy).

2014-15 were Ravens, Colts, Seahawks, so two of those three would make the playoffs. And each had a losing season since making the playoffs before returning this year.

It just goes to show how hard it is to maintain a quality team, this Patriots run being the ultimate outlier.

 

[brdmaverick]

Another fun fact (for me, at least) is that winning the super bowl is first and foremost.

but in a perfect world we would beat a team we haven’t beaten before. The more we win the harder that is, only the Seahawks could spoil it as they are the only team currently in a playoff spot that we've beaten before.

So if we are fortunate enough to win again it will likely be against someone new.

 

[brdmaverick]

Another fun fact to help make your point....surprisingly the afc south had two teams make the playoffs in two consecutive seasons in 2017 and 2018.....and it wasn’t the same teams

Tennessee and Jacksonville qualifies in 2017
Houston and Indy qualified in 2018

 

[Uptown]

 

[maust]

If the playoffs were to start today, the teams would be
AFC: Pats, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Bills, Chiefs
NFC: Niners, Saints, Vikings, Packers, Seahawks, Cowboys

That means that of the last nine teams that Pats have played in the playoffs, only TWO would make the playoffs this year.

2017-18: Chargers, Chiefs, Rams
2016-17 Titans, Jaguars, Eagles
2015-16 Texans, Steelers, Falcons

I know we tend to discount a Tomlin coached team but best look again. Three not two of the last 9 teams the Pats have played in the playoffs would make the playoffs this year.

 

[Wax Frog]

in a perfect world we would beat a team we haven’t beaten before... only one of the teams in playoff position (seahawks) meet that criteria.

Either I haven't had enough caffeine yet or... huh?????

Super Bowl XLIX - Wikipedia

 

[brdmaverick]

Either I haven't had enough caffeine yet or... huh?????

Super Bowl XLIX - Wikipedia

Yup, completely butchered the wording, meant to portray that the Seahawks are the ONLY team that could ruin it (b/c they are the only team that from the NFC current playoff teams that we have defeated.

The other team in contention are San Fran, Green Bay, New Orleans, Minnesota, and Dallas.

Sure, last year we had to defeat the Rams (again), but at least it was a different city than the first time (LA vs ST. Louis)

 

[tasmlab]

If the playoffs were to start today, the teams would be
AFC: Pats, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Bills, Chiefs
NFC: Niners, Saints, Vikings, Packers, Seahawks, Cowboys

That means that of the last nine teams that Pats have played in the playoffs, only TWO would make the playoffs this year.

2017-18: Chargers, Chiefs, Rams
2016-17 Titans, Jaguars, Eagles
2015-16 Texans, Steelers, Falcons

The Chiefs and Texans are also barely in the playoffs, and could conceivably fall out in favor of a team the Pats haven't faced in the playoffs recently (Oak, Indy).

2014-15 were Ravens, Colts, Seahawks, so two of those three would make the playoffs. And each had a losing season since making the playoffs before returning this year.

It just goes to show how hard it is to maintain a quality team, this Patriots run being the ultimate outlier.

Nitpicking, but the Steelers would be bolded in your exercise if I understand it correctly. They are in 2016 and this year.

Steelers started 4-1 this year. They turned it around.

 

[Uptown]