The Definitive 'Are We the #2 Seed Right Now?' Thread

[QB12]

Tell us here why we're the #2 seed right now in the AFC, because NFL.com has us #4. Or even why you believe we have the inside track on the #2 seed.

NFL Standings: Conference

QB12

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Tell us here why we're the #2 seed right now in the AFC, because NFL.com has us #4. Or even why you believe we have the inside track on the #2 seed.

NFL Standings: Conference

QB12

No.

The good thing is we have the same conf. record.

SD and CIN play, so one of them will have a head-to-head win tiebreaker over the other.

The important thing for us to take care of business the next two weeks, wins over NO and MIA. That would put us in a strong position for the #2.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

if the NFL lists us as the number 4 seed then we are in fact the number 4 seed. we just have to win out and have a good shot at that bye. cincinnatti has a couple of tough games as does San Diego. the good thing is that San Diego and Cinci play one another in December. I will be rooting for the bengals in that game because i don't think the remaninig teams on the chargers' schedule have a realistic chance of beating them.

 

[102 Pat]

Let's beat the Saints next monday night, then we can talk about the #2 seed...

 

[Wide_Receiver]

I bet we'll play you guys in the Wildcard round. You being the 3 seed us being the 6. That said, I don't like our chances in Foxboro in January with a first year starter at QB.

 

[Feep50]

Let's beat the Saints next monday night, then we can talk about the #2 seed...

I gotta echo this sentiment. Let's just keep winning football games.

 

[Patspsycho]

I bet we'll play you guys in the Wildcard round. You being the 3 seed us being the 6. That said, I don't like our chances in Foxboro in January with a first year starter at QB.

Nobody has ever survived in Foxboro in January.

 

[bostonia3333]

Pats don't NEED to be at home to go far in the playoffs. It's just that extra week off means one less game and obviously less risk of losing!

I think the whole Foxboro mystique (if there ever was one) is a bit overblown. Dean Pees almost blew that Jacksonville game. It took a near perfect performance by Brady to win that game. Also the SD game was scary as heck to watch too. If anything, the Pats play better offensively in a dome. The last two Colts games the Pats scored 34 points.

 

[shmessy]

Pats don't NEED to be at home to go far in the playoffs. It's just that extra week off means one less game and obviously less risk of losing!

Fact: The Patriots have never won a Super Bowl without having the bye.

There has never been a "Four Games to Glory" DVD.

 

[Grizzafted]

I bet we'll play you guys in the Wildcard round. You being the 3 seed us being the 6. That said, I don't like our chances in Foxboro in January with a first year starter at QB.

last i checked you're very far on the outside looking in here.

 

[PYPER]

I'm not sure the NFL is actually paying attention to the order as of yet. All three teams have 5-3 records.

SD and Cincy play one another so they can't win out. However, if Cincy and New England both win out they'll have identical 3-2 records vs common opponents as well as identical conference records. I'm not sure what the next tie breaker would be.

If SD and NE both win out, we'll take that one based on a 4-1 record vs common opponents to their 3-2.

Not that any of this means jack sh!t right now. There's still a lot of football to be played. Our next two games are HUGE. We've got to take care of business in New Orleans and Miami.

 

[pats1]

I bet we'll play you guys in the Wildcard round. You being the 3 seed us being the 6. That said, I don't like our chances in Foxboro in January with a first year starter at QB.

You won't make the playoffs.

 

[Patjew]

Sure, why not.

 

[Pats726]

I bet we'll play you guys in the Wildcard round. You being the 3 seed us being the 6. That said, I don't like our chances in Foxboro in January with a first year starter at QB.

I would be surprised if that happened...nice dream, but...I think your team has a very tough last few games...Jax...then after Tenn..Hou..Pitts...THREE of the teams are fighting for the playoffs..my guess is your team will be gone.. out..

 

[alamo]

Tell us here why we're the #2 seed right now in the AFC, because NFL.com has us #4. Or even why you believe we have the inside track on the #2 seed.

In past years the rankings at NFL.com didn't take all the tiebreakers into account until the season was over. The obvious ones like division and conference record were reflected in the standings, yes, but more complicated ones like record against common opponents and strength of victory were not. So how they are ranked now is relatively arbitrary.

 

[fillylabinga]

I'm not sure the NFL is actually paying attention to the order as of yet. All three teams have 5-3 records.

SD and Cincy play one another so they can't win out. However, if Cincy and New England both win out they'll have identical 3-2 records vs common opponents as well as identical conference records. I'm not sure what the next tie breaker would be.

If SD and NE both win out, we'll take that one based on a 4-1 record vs common opponents to their 3-2.

Not that any of this means jack sh!t right now. There's still a lot of football to be played. Our next two games are HUGE. We've got to take care of business in New Orleans and Miami.

Thanks for the legwork.

According to NFL.com after Conference Record and Common Games it's something called "Strength of Victory".
Link: NFL Tie-Breaking Procedures

Of course, NFL.com doesn't tell you what "Strength of Victory" actually is but About.com explains it like this:

"If two teams end with identical records, combine the records of the opponents in each of the team's wins and calculate the total winning percentage. The team whose opponents have the higher winning percentage wins the tiebreaker."

Link: About Football Glossary - Strength of Victory

How this applies to the Pats is unclear at this point but I guess we need to root for the Jets to win out, huh?

 

[Kontradiction]

If we win the next two games then we're going 13-3. There is no doubt about it. I'm not taking Carolina lightly, but I think we'll beat them so I discounted them out of that equation. If we can beat New Orleans then sweep Miami, we can win out for the rest of our season. If 13-3 cannot lock up the second seed in the playoffs then the AFC is very, very good this year.

 

[fillylabinga]

If we win the next two games then we're going 13-3. There is no doubt about it. I'm not taking Carolina lightly, but I think we'll beat them so I discounted them out of that equation. If we can beat New Orleans then sweep Miami, we can win out for the rest of our season. If 13-3 cannot lock up the second seed in the playoffs then the AFC is very, very good this year.

Agreed. But the number #2 seed will go at least 12-4. Winning out will probably guarantee the bye. 1 loss and there is still a slim chance (especially if that loss was to NO or Carolina). 2 losses and there is no hope.

The thing that worries me is looking at the schedules of the other contenders--Cincy, Denver, Pitt, SD all have cream puff opponents for the most part.

 

[Kontradiction]

Agreed. But the number #2 seed will go at least 12-4. Winning out will probably guarantee the bye. 1 loss and there is still a slim chance (especially if that loss was to NO or Carolina). 2 losses and there is no hope.

The thing that worries me is looking at the schedules of the other contenders--Cincy, Denver, Pitt, SD all have cream puff opponents for the most part.

So do we after New Orleans and Miami...

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I bet we'll play you guys in the Wildcard round. You being the 3 seed us being the 6. That said, I don't like our chances in Foxboro in January with a first year starter at QB.

We haven't heard from you in awhile. Anyways, the Dolphins aren't making the playoffs over the Steelers.