Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule

[GMScud]

Shouldn't the Giants and the Dolphins both have their bye's week 7 considering they have to play week 8 IN FRIGGIN' LONDON?? That is so dumb. And it's considered a home game for the Dolphins! That would make me puke if I was a Fins fan. And as a Skins fan I'm glad the Giants have to play a game overseas...

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

why do we play TB every year? It makes no sense.

As I recall, when the nfl realigned the divisions a few years back, the formula for determining out of divison games was to be based on 2 things in no particular order:
- geography, keep teams playing close to home to build regional rivalries, improve travel attendance
- won-loss records, we have been about equal to tampa in recent years so that's probably why we get them as opposed to Carolina, which is closer & would be a natural rivalry if we played them every year

[JWsleep]

We have to play in the Meadowlands TWICE this season--Joe Gibbs can't be happy about that!

But, as always, the big thing is the division. Control the division, and you control your fate.

THe schedule looks fine to me--Chicago has a short week as well, and they have to travel, so that's no so bad. The quick bye is a bummer, but that's the way it goes.

And I agree about the fact that we don't have to play teams coming off their bye weeks--that sucked last year (3 teams? 4?).

[Monkeydad]

How can Tampa be a regional rivalry?

Sure we're in the same time zone...but as you said, Carolina would make more sense.

Actually, BALTIMORE would make the most sense...I'd like to see us start an in-state rivalry that could be as good as the Cleveland/Pittsbugh games.

The formula is obviously broken since the teams in the same states don't play each other (PIT/PHI, NJ Jets/NJ Giants, TB/MIA) unless they're in the same division (Jets/Bills, CIN/CLE).

I think chimps are making the schedules.

[JWsleep]

well paid chimps...

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

As I recall, when the nfl realigned the divisions a few years back, the formula for determining out of divison games was to be based on 2 things in no particular order:
- geography, keep teams playing close to home to build regional rivalries, improve travel attendance
- won-loss records, we have been about equal to tampa in recent years so that's probably why we get them as opposed to Carolina, which is closer & would be a natural rivalry if we played them every year

No. The formula is:

- Every year, you play your division foes twice apiece, home and home.
- Each year, you rotate against an out of conference division. For example, year one, you play all four teams in the AFC East, as do the other teams in your division. The next year, you face the AFC North. And so on. This year, the AFC East squares off against the NFC East.
- Each year, you rotate against the 3 other divisions within your conference. This year, the NFC East faces the NFC North, and the NFC South faces the NFC West. You rotate this every year.

That makes a total of 14 common opponents between division rivals. It balances the schedule.

- The remaining two games on the schedule are against two teams from your conference, outside of your division, outside of the division you're already facing, and who finished the same place as you last year in their division. Last year, we were last in the NFC East. Last year, the Bucs were last in the NFC South. So we match up. We also match up against the Cards, who were last in the NFC West. Meanwhile, the Eagles (first in the NFC East) get the Saints (first in the south) and the Seahawks (first in the West).

So, the reason we've faced Tampa every year is simply luck of the draw. We've finished in the same place as them just about every year.

[sbaughone]

vagiants get bye after they go to london. I guess this is what ernie acorsi was talking to NFL about when he "paid them a visit" last week. Schedule blows...2-14 at BEST.

[Skinny Tee]

You guys notice how the NFC Beast will have 6 primetime games in the first 9 weeks of the season.

That's the Beast that I know and love!

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

No. The formula is:

- Every year, you play your division foes twice apiece, home and home.
- Each year, you rotate against an out of conference division. For example, year one, you play all four teams in the AFC East, as do the other teams in your division. The next year, you face the AFC North. And so on. This year, the AFC East squares off against the NFC East.
- Each year, you rotate against the 3 other divisions within your conference. This year, the NFC East faces the NFC North, and the NFC South faces the NFC West. You rotate this every year.

That makes a total of 14 common opponents between division rivals. It balances the schedule.

I knew that!

Originally Posted by Schneed10

- The remaining two games on the schedule are against two teams from your conference, outside of your division, outside of the division you're already facing, and who finished the same place as you last year in their division. Last year, we were last in the NFC East. Last year, the Bucs were last in the NFC South. So we match up. We also match up against the Cards, who were last in the NFC West. Meanwhile, the Eagles (first in the NFC East) get the Saints (first in the south) and the Seahawks (first in the West).

So, the reason we've faced Tampa every year is simply luck of the draw. We've finished in the same place as them just about every year.

I did NOT know that! Makes sense. Thanks!

[BigSKINBauer]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I think week 9 is the last week of byes. That being the case, we are just slightly less than halfway to the bye midpoint, if that means anything. Week four does feel early though.

byes run weeks 3-10 so 4 is quite early. That is the only thing about our schedule that i hate.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

It has nothing to do with regional rivalries. It's actually pretty easy to figure out.

We're in the NFC East, obviously. That means that we play the 3 other teams in our division at home and away (6 games, total). Then we play another division from the NFC and one from the AFC (8 total games) The divisions that we play rotate each year. For the last 2 games we play the teams from the other two NFC divisions that we did not play that had the same divisional ranking that we did last season.

So, last year we played TB because we played the entire NFC South. This year we play them because we both finished 4th in our respective divisions last year. It's pure coincidence that we've had to play them 6 years in a row (or whatever).

As far as having to play them in TB 4 times in a row, I'm at a lose on that one.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Damn you Schneed! I wanted to sound smart for once!

[mooby]

This schedule isn't that great, but I'm not complaining. Look at the Raiders schedule, they were the worst team in the NFL last year and this year they have the worst schedule. I do wish the NFL would have a lot more change when it comes to passing out national t.v. games, I can't believe the Cowboys got 7.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by Buster

Actually, BALTIMORE would make the most sense...I'd like to see us start an in-state rivalry that could be as good as the Cleveland/Pittsbugh games.

Pitt and Cleveland are in the same state? DC is in Maryland?

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by sbaughone

vagiants get bye after they go to london. I guess this is what ernie acorsi was talking to NFL about when he "paid them a visit" last week. Schedule blows...2-14 at BEST.

That was determined when they announced the game months ago. Both teams get a bye coming off of it. It is a condition of the whole situation.