The sky may not be falling after all.

**m0ef0e** · 09-05-2007, 06:49 PM

Excerpts taken from original article at: http://www.nfl.com/preseason/story;j...o&confirm=true

Last year, not one division winner had a winning record in the preseason.

New England Patriots2-2
Baltimore Ravens2-2
Indianapolis Colts1-3
San Diego Chargers2-2
Philadelphia Eagles2-3
Chicago Bears2-2
New Orleans Saints1-3
Seattle Seahawks2-2

If you go back and look at the division winners over the last three years, it's clear that winning in preseason isn't very significant. There have been 24 division winners in three years and the number of those teams that had a winning record in the preseason: 4.

Lets take it a step further and look at the significance of an undefeated preseason. Carolina, Cincinnati and the New York Giants all posted 4-0 preseason records last summer, leading to heightened expectations from fans and media alike. Lots of people proclaimed the Panthers were headed to the Super Bowl, the Bengals could outscore any team in the NFL and the Giants were building a dynasty. All three teams finished 8-8.

Since 2003, nine teams wrapped up the August schedule 4-0 and only four of them produced winning record in the fall.

The Colts have won four straight AFC South titles and, of course, are the reigning world champions. Their preseason record during that four-year run is 5-12. In other words, nobody should be alarmed that they are 0-2 right now. The Eagles have won the NFC East three of the last four years; during those championship seasons, they managed to deliver a combined 4-9 summer record. The Panthers have gone undefeated in the preseason in three of the last four years. A perfect 12-0 and only once in those three years (2003) did it translate into a division title. The only year they didn't go undefeated in the dress rehearsal season was 2005 when they finished at 2-2. And they made the playoffs that year as a wild card.

Did the Saints' 1-3 record last summer leave anyone thinking they would be the story of the year in the NFL?

**Chiefster** · 09-05-2007, 10:35 PM

Excellent points all around m0ef0e; good read!

I get so hyped up over the thought of the return of football season, and wanting to see my Chiefs win that I lose sight of the whole reason for pre-season, and that is to evaluate the talent on the field and to determine your starters while getting your team into football shape. I think Herm merely sees pre-season as a necessary evil in which to merely get past.

**DrunkHillbilly** · 09-06-2007, 01:40 AM

Preseason records mean nothing to me. You are right about the fact that it is to evaluate talent and get guys into shape. I think the Colts have won one game in the last few years or something like that.

**AkChief49** · 09-06-2007, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by Chiefster

Excellent points all around m0ef0e; good read!

I get so hyped up over the thought of the return of football season, and wanting to see my Chiefs win that I lose sight of the whole reason for pre-season, and that is to evaluate the talent on the field and to determine your starters while getting your team into football shape. I think Herm merely sees pre-season as a necessary evil in which to merely get past.

Roger Chiefster! and remember it's only a bad snap and a bad call away from being 2-2 in the preseason. The chiefs D had either the best or one of the best redzone scoring % too!!

**peekaboo224** · 09-06-2007, 04:10 AM

Good points made. Pre-season doesn't mean anything in the end. It's the regular season that counts and I think most teams don't want to show all their plays and play all out during the preseason taking chances of someone getting hurt and gone for the season. Our boys for the most part should be pretty good.

**Chiefster** · 09-06-2007, 04:29 AM

It's settled then; the panic is over!

...At least until we see what we have in week one.

**swmochiefsfan** · 09-06-2007, 08:48 AM

preseason is worthless as far as wins and losses go, agreed. Now bring on Sunday, then we'll know a little more and things should start to get interesting.

**m0ef0e** · 09-06-2007, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by peekaboo224

Good points made. Pre-season doesn't mean anything in the end. It's the regular season that counts and I think most teams don't want to show all their plays and play all out during the preseason taking chances of someone getting hurt and gone for the season. Our boys for the most part should be pretty good.

Yea, I don't know how many times I've heard this year that preseason play-calling is very "vanilla". You're right. Nobody wants to tip their hand during the preseason.