The problem with our schedule

[burger13]

looking at our schedule, I see a disturbing trend.............all of our games against "weaker" teams are on the road except 1.

The teams we play which I view as below average are: TB, NO, CLE, OAK and TEN. I know that a couple of these may be good, and some of the ones I left off may be bad, but as of right now, those are the easier games on our schedule IMO.

Well, we have to travel to TB, NO, CLE and OAK. We play TEN at home. So if we play like a .500 team, we will have to be a decent road team to actually come away with a .500 record.

But looking at our home schedule, that's where we play the majority of our tough opponents. Using Dr. Z's preseason rankings, our average home opponent (not counting division opponents, since we get them home and away) is ranked 13th in the rankings, while our average road opponent is ranked 22nd. We are ranked 26th in his rankings.

I guess what I'm getting at is that we would have a much better chance at a decent record if we had these "easier" games at home, then on the road.

And just a quick note, if we are to upset any non-division at home (I don't think that TEN would be an upset), our best shot seems to be Week 1 against Denver, who is ranked at #18. The other home games are against #2 Carolina, #10 KC, and #6 Atlanta.

 

[NLude33]

I think the opposite. The harder games I want at home. For the advantage of home field to help balance us out. The "easier" games, we can play on the road.

 

[Canadianfishfan]

i believe we can beat Denver... Our defense is looking encouraging. But Oakland maybe a difficult road game. Moss is going to prove lethal against our secondary.

 

[nick1]

the weak teams are TEN and CLE all the other teams are average or better in my opinion but we have the ability to upset any team on our schedule

 

[BrazForPhins]

I think the opposite. The harder games I want at home. For the advantage of home field to help balance us out. The "easier" games, we can play on the road.

exactly bro..I dont see it as a problem. I see it as a benefit. I'd rather play the tough ones at home

 

[burger13]

exactly bro..I dont see it as a problem. I see it as a benefit. I'd rather play the tough ones at home

If we were an above average team, then I would agree with you both. But I think that EVERY game is going to be tough.......and I would rather have the more more winnable games here. Take Carolina for instance, we will be big underdogs to them even at home, not much chance in that one, If we played them on the road, what's the difference....still big underdogs.

But then look at the Bucs game, in Miami we would be favored as of right now....but in Tampa, they have to be the favorites.

see the difference.

 

[rafael]

If we were an above average team, then I would agree with you both. But I think that EVERY game is going to be tough.......and I would rather have the more more winnable games here. Take Carolina for instance, we will be big underdogs to them even at home, not much chance in that one, If we played them on the road, what's the difference....still big underdogs.

But then look at the Bucs game, in Miami we would be favored as of right now....but in Tampa, they have to be the favorites.

see the difference.

I see the difference. I just don't agree. We can win any given Sunday against any team. I'd rather have the better teams at home.

 

[BenchFiedler]

i believe we can beat Denver... Our defense is looking encouraging. But Oakland maybe a difficult road game. Moss is going to prove lethal against our secondary.

What I saw out of Denver last week v.s the Colts, I wouldn't say that yet..The Colts probably got one of the best O-line in football besides Kansas City, and Manning was running for his life the whole time.

Now, Imagine our O-Line v.s these Broncos navy seals up front.

 

[burger13]

I see the difference. I just don't agree. We can win any given Sunday against any team. I'd rather have the better teams at home.

I understand the "any given Sunday" view.........but that takes away any reason to analyze the schedule, which was my point in this thread.

And it wouldn't matter whether we played the better teams at home...... because "any given Sunday" we could beat them on the road too.

 

[burger13]

i believe we can beat Denver... Our defense is looking encouraging. But Oakland maybe a difficult road game. Moss is going to prove lethal against our secondary.

I think we have a decnet chance against Denver......all depends on if we can slow down the running attack.

As for Oakland....they will score a lot of points, but I think that they will give up even more. Everyone loves the marquee name, and wants to say that they will be so much better because of the Moss acquisition......but they had a good offense last year, and then this year, that's all they oimproved. Their defense was GARBAGE last year and they didn't do anything to address it, except trade away Napolian Harris.

 

[MtnFinFan]

As I posted in my first thread, my biggest concern with the schedule is the brutal 4 cross-country trips in as many weeks they will be making in late November/early December. Good for their frequent flyer miles, but bad that I'm afraid it will take it's toll.

 

[rafael]

I understand the "any given Sunday" view.........but that takes away any reason to analyze the schedule, which was my point in this thread.

And it wouldn't matter whether we played the better teams at home...... because "any given Sunday" we could beat them on the road too.

Not really. I feel every team in the NFL is fairly close talent wise. Some are slightly better (primarily in execution) some are slightly worse. I'd rather have any advantage (homefield) I can get against the teams that are slightly better and hope our preparation will maintain our advantage against the ones that are slightly worse.

 

[BrazForPhins]

i see your point,makes sense too..it's just different opinions..mine is that if we play tough teams at road it will be almost all lost games (considering we're an average/below average team), and playing "easy" teams at road we'll at least have some chance of win despite being the under dog...

Agreeing with u, playing at home against weaker teams would give us almost guaranteed victories..but playing at home against better teams would give us some chance (even if it's little) at defeating them...

btw..I have a thought that if u want be a champion u can't choose where and who u play, just play your best and defeat whatever comes in front of you, there's no schedule that will give u the title or the lost if you're prepaired to be the champ...and that's not our case just yet :D

 

[painnotpleasure]

I think the opposite. The harder games I want at home. For the advantage of home field to help balance us out. The "easier" games, we can play on the road.

Agreed. I think playing all of these "weaker" teams on the road is to our advantage because we have a better chance of beating some of these "better" teams at home than if we were on a road. DEFINITELY an advantage in my honest opinion and I agree with you NLude33... I definitely want out harder games to be at home.