2008 Strength of Schedule

[RaideRaul]

The fact of the matter is that every team plays hard against the Raiders, so the strength of schedule does not count with the Raiders.

[Jnova]

Originally Posted by WookieRaider

Lest we forget the play Miami (1-15), NY Jets (4-12), and Buffalo (7-9) each twice. That will go along way to making your strength of schedule look like a cake walk. No conspiracy here, move along, nothing to see...

Exactly, when 7-9 Buffalo is by far the best team in your division, youre going to have an easy schedule.

[leafs43]

Notice how all AFC west teams have it easy. It is because the AFC west drew the NFC south, so we get the falcons, panthers, Saints and the only playoff team in that division the Bucs.

The AFC east drew the NFC west, really can;t complain, the NFC west is just piss poor.

And this is based on last years standings, it really has nothing to do with how this year will turn out.

[Twisted-Panther]

Originally Posted by THEE805RAIDER

Wtf!!! Pats And Dolts?

Look at the divisions they play in especially the AFC East - thats half their schedule and their is no real competition there.

Now I do agree with the fact that they should NOT have an easier schedule than any other team especially the Fins who get the #1 pick in the draft and looks to have the hardest schedule of any east division members and the same can be said about the AFC West - Chargers by virtue of winning the division should not have an easier schedule than the Chiefs or us.

But as stated Politics and Money Rule

[buckwild187]

Schedules really don't mean shiit this time of year. I bet every team was looking at Cleveland as an easy win last year but then they turned out to be quite a tough team.

[Jnova]

Originally Posted by buckwild187

Schedules really don't mean shiit this time of year. I bet every team was looking at Cleveland as an easy win last year but then they turned out to be quite a tough team.

Exactly, things change quickly in this league. Also Im glad you brought up Cleveland because they are a perfect example of what a mediocre team can do with a gravy schedule. Do we really want a soft schedule? I mean would you rather have the roughest schedule in the league and win 10 games? Or get a false sense of confidence by winning 10 games against weak competition?

Cleveland is already a chic pick as next years "surprise team" and Im not the least bit impressed by them. Cleveland is not that good and neither is their flash in the pan QB, Quinn will be starting for that team by midseason.

I would rather face the tough competition, its better for the long term success of this team. I would much rather have a sustained run of success than have a flash in the pan 10 win season because of a soft schedule.

[or24]

Originally Posted by Jnova

Exactly, things change quickly in this league. Also Im glad you brought up Cleveland because they are a perfect example of what a mediocre team can do with a gravy schedule. Do we really want a soft schedule? I mean would you rather have the roughest schedule in the league and win 10 games? Or get a false sense of confidence by winning 10 games against weak competition?

Cleveland is already a chic pick as next years "surprise team" and Im not the least bit impressed by them. Cleveland is not that good and neither is their flash in the pan QB, Quinn will be starting for that team by midseason.

I would rather face the tough competition, its better for the long term success of this team. I would much rather have a sustained run of success than have a flash in the pan 10 win season because of a soft schedule.

You might be right. Cleveland beat 1 really good team last year in seattle. Niners, Bengals, Bills, Ravens, dolphins, jets, and texans. The texans were 8-8 and bills were 7-9. Some great wins there. At least they are capable of beating the crappy teams, which makes them a DECENT team.

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

Originally Posted by Jnova

Exactly, things change quickly in this league. Also Im glad you brought up Cleveland because they are a perfect example of what a mediocre team can do with a gravy schedule. Do we really want a soft schedule? I mean would you rather have the roughest schedule in the league and win 10 games? Or get a false sense of confidence by winning 10 games against weak competition?

Cleveland is already a chic pick as next years "surprise team" and Im not the least bit impressed by them. Cleveland is not that good and neither is their flash in the pan QB, Quinn will be starting for that team by midseason.

I would rather face the tough competition, its better for the long term success of this team. I would much rather have a sustained run of success than have a flash in the pan 10 win season because of a soft schedule.

I disagree on this one.I would much rather win more games,who wouldnt?I dont get why a tougher schedule and losing more games is good.Do you think it carries over to the next season?Its not like we are a contender and will have to face the good teams in the playoffs anyways.With our schedule i think we can win 7-8 games if all goes right.I dont see how we would benefit from a tougher schedule and winning 5-6.Im not knocking your point of view i just dont get where its coming from

[trur8r]

Strenght of schedules are overrated IMO. They have been pre-determined and teams improve every year or get worse.

[Jnova]

Originally Posted by FLORIDARAYDAH

I disagree on this one.I would much rather win more games,who wouldnt?I dont get why a tougher schedule and losing more games is good.Do you think it carries over to the next season?Its not like we are a contender and will have to face the good teams in the playoffs anyways.With our schedule i think we can win 7-8 games if all goes right.I dont see how we would benefit from a tougher schedule and winning 5-6.Im not knocking your point of view i just dont get where its coming from

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.

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

Originally Posted by Jnova

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