11-04-2015, 01:36 PM
(11-04-2015, 01:29 PM)PDub80 Wrote: - You realize that when looking at just records that the strength of schedule IN THE DIVISION matters. Sometimes the AFCN teams beat up on each other record wise. I don't think it makes sense to weight their records the same way as most other divisions because the strength of the Steelers, Ravens, & Bengals is so high compared to the other teams in other divisions. How are the top 3 in the AFCN OUTSIDE of the division?
- If you want to evaluate things on just a per year basis, then you are correct. This year the teams have been up and down. The Steelers, in particular, have had key injuries or I think they would be MUCH better. I would argue that you could take a healthy Steelers & Bengals this year and put them in ANY division in football and they would contend or win it. You can't take the top 2 teams out of any other division and say that this year.
- If you want to look at things from a consistency and long term basis in terms of how strong is the AFCN in a particular era, than you are wrong.
I think that it is fair to look at the AFCN from 2000 to now. At the very least I would say the time Marvin Lewis came in with the Bengals to now. Why? Because compared to the rest of the NFL there has been incredible consistency: The Bengals, Steelers, & Ravens have had little turn over in management or coaching over that time compared to the rest of the divisions.
It's no different than acknowledging that the NFCEast was the toughest division throughout the 90's and (mayyyybe) early 2000's. It was because of the Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants.
Teams "beating up on each other" within the division doesn't mean so much when you're talking purely about W/L record because every division plays the same amount of division games per year. If you subtract the 6 division games from every team, you're going to end up with the exact same W/L percentage for each division at the end of the year. This is just simple math.
Why are you asking about the top 3 of a division, you realize they have 4 teams in them, right? Can't just pretend the Browns don't exist to strengthen your argument.
The past 10 years have zero relevance to Andy's career, only the last 4 mean anything to this conversation. The AFCN has been the 2nd best division in football for the first 4 years of Andy's career, and looks like it's going to be weak this year due to the Ravens not being as good as advertised and the Steelers suffering some injuries and suspensions.
I don't know why it's so important for some people to think the AFCN plays football in a much different way than the rest of the league. They don't, but yes, they've been the best division in the conference in the last 4 year span. If you look purely at W/L records, they aren't miles ahead of the competition though. We have some perennial contenders, but a lot of people waaaay over exaggerate how great the AFCN really is.
