Originally Posted by
Eydugstr
How did we get such a tough schedule after we posted a 2-14 season?
Your record from the previous season only affects two games on your schedule. And not when they are to be played.
With sixteen games per season, and those two that will be based of you divisional standings from the previous season, that leaves fourteen games.
Consider that every team will play their divisional foes twice, every season. (six games) That leaves us with 8 games on the schedule.
Four of those eight games will be against another complete division, within the same conference. There is a rotation to determining which division that will be.
For example...
Season - Same conference divisional opponents.
'06 - AFC North
'07 - AFC South
'08 - AFC East
And back to the start of the rotation...
'09 - AFC North
So, with 2 games determined by our standings, 6 games against our own divisional rivals and 4 games on the same conference divisional rotation, we have 12 games.
The remain four games are based much like our same conference divisional rotaion, except with opposite conference divisions.
And, with four divisiona in the opposite conference, since playing our own division doesn't eliminate one, that rotation goes on a four year cycle.
For example...
Season - Opposite Conference Divisional Opponents
'05 - NFC East
'06 - NFC West
'07 - NFC North
'08 - NFC South
And now, back to the same division...
'09 - NFC East
Now, for those two games that are based on our standings from the previous season. (Standings, not record.)
Whichever AFC (same conference) division falls into the rotation, there are two divisions remaining, and we will play against the team that finished the same in their divisional standing from each of them.
For this season, that gives us The Jaguars and The Browns. Jags finshed last in The AFC South and the Browns finished last in The AFC North.
So, as long as no more teams are added, or subtracted from the league, our schedule, with those two games aside, can be determiend for as many years as you like.
'10 schedule..(NFC West and AFC South)
Chargers
Chargers
Raiders
Raiders
Broncos
Broncos
49ers
Cardinals
Seahawks
Rams
Colts
Jaguars
Texans
Titans
Team with same spot in standings from AFC North
Team with same spot in standings from AFC East
2011... (AFC East and NFC North)
Chargers
Chargers
Raiders
Raiders
Broncos
Broncos
Patriots
Dolphins
Bills
Jets
Bears
Packers
Lions
Vikings
Team with same spot in standings from AFC South
Team with same spot in standings from AFC East
And you can go as far as you want. Unless the league/division arrangement doesn't change, then you can count on the schedule to line-up.
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