Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post - Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 12-06-2005, 02:45 PM

It is very simple to say, “we are what we are…a 6-6 team.” I think we all realize that our record ultimately determines whether we get into the playoffs. However, it is very simplistic to judge the quality of a team by examining a W-L column.

If a team lost all 22 starters but still managed to squeeze out an 10-6 record, I would say that team is better than 10-6. If a team spiked opponents’ Gatorade coolers with heavy doses of barbiturates but still only managed to win 5 games, I would say that team is awful. If Commissioner Tagliabue made all of a team’s games home games, I would say that their record might be inflated. If the Eagles were ordered to play all of their games against the Texans and they went 4-12, I would say the Eagles really stink.

The bottom line is, it’s easy and sexy to say that the record is the ONLY way to determine the quality of a team. It’s also incredibly simplistic to take that approach. As I said earlier, for purposes of determining who gets into the playoffs, the W-L column is all that matters. But, if you don’t take into account the strength of schedule in assessing how “good” a team is, I think you are being pretty simplistic.

12-06-2005, 02:45 PM	#7
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 47 Posts: 8,317	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team It is very simple to say, “we are what we are…a 6-6 team.” I think we all realize that our record ultimately determines whether we get into the playoffs. However, it is very simplistic to judge the quality of a team by examining a W-L column. If a team lost all 22 starters but still managed to squeeze out an 10-6 record, I would say that team is better than 10-6. If a team spiked opponents’ Gatorade coolers with heavy doses of barbiturates but still only managed to win 5 games, I would say that team is awful. If Commissioner Tagliabue made all of a team’s games home games, I would say that their record might be inflated. If the Eagles were ordered to play all of their games against the Texans and they went 4-12, I would say the Eagles really stink. The bottom line is, it’s easy and sexy to say that the record is the ONLY way to determine the quality of a team. It’s also incredibly simplistic to take that approach. As I said earlier, for purposes of determining who gets into the playoffs, the W-L column is all that matters. But, if you don’t take into account the strength of schedule in assessing how “good” a team is, I think you are being pretty simplistic.