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Thread: 2008 Strength of Schedule
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Old 03-27-2008, 12:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jnova View Post
Well they say to be the best you gotta beat the best. Using that logic, I think the only way for this team to really improve is to beat top competition.

Dont get me wrong, Ill certainly take a winning season regardless of the schedule. Winning is always better than losing. But if I had the choice I would rather play a tough schedule. Why? Because in order for this team to be among the elite, they have to beat the elite teams. Building up your confidence against weak competition can be dangerous, because it may provide a false sense of confidence or bravado especially in our young players.

If you play the tougher schedule and only win 5-6, well at least you know where you stand compared to the big boys. Does momentum carry into the following season? It certainly can. However, how many times have we seen a team finish strong, become a chic pick to "surprise" the following year only to fall flat on their face?

For example, the Dolphins in 05 finished the season on a 6 game winning streak, ended up 9-7 and some picked them to go to the Super Bowl the following year. They went 6-10, the streak at the end of 05 was really a product of a lame schedule filled with a bunch of teams who had already packed it in. Including the Raiders.

Winning is always better than losing, but if I had a choice I would take the tougher schedule. If you are a fraud you will eventually be exposed no matter how good your record is. Winning games against crappy teams is fine but it can also turn out to be fools gold.
Good points.I would agree if we were a playoff team and wanted to prove we can beat the best,like the colts a few years ago.They knew they had to prove they could beat the Pats because they would be between them and the superbowl.Where we are now i will take the easier schedule with a rookie QB and new players.I think the wins will build some confidence.You make a good argument,nice to have an intelligent football conversation for a change,thanks.Either way we should see more wins next year and i hope we see improvement as the year goes on
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