I always take these with a grain of salt, but given our condensed pre-season I'd say a bigger cube of salt needs to be taken. Part of the reason we're getting the 3rd hardest schedule in the NFL is that we play a division that is considered the strongest overall. Another reason is we're NOT playing ourselves in the division, and we were the lowest ranked in our division. So some of that is just inevitable ... its a rotation.
It is worth noting that originally the playoffs were done on a rotational basis too--not earning home field advantage. For instance, in the 1972 season the Dolphins famously went undefeated ... but they STILL had to go up to 3 Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh to play a playoff game in the snow against the Steel Curtain. Yes, we won, and marched on to the Super Bowl and the Undefeated Season. People love to talk about how it was easier because there were fewer games .... but they never mention that the #1 seed in the AFC had to play at Pittsburgh in the snow to get there. Guess that's just how other teams' fans want to remember it ... as foggy as possible until it disappears from their memory.
It is worth noting that originally the playoffs were done on a rotational basis too--not earning home field advantage. For instance, in the 1972 season the Dolphins famously went undefeated ... but they STILL had to go up to 3 Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh to play a playoff game in the snow against the Steel Curtain. Yes, we won, and marched on to the Super Bowl and the Undefeated Season. People love to talk about how it was easier because there were fewer games .... but they never mention that the #1 seed in the AFC had to play at Pittsburgh in the snow to get there. Guess that's just how other teams' fans want to remember it ... as foggy as possible until it disappears from their memory.