Does playing in a tough division leave you tired or better?

I was wondering lately about how much we benefit from playing in the NFC East. On one hand we get to face a tough opponent usually as many as 6 times a year. However at the same time we find ourselves in games longer with our starters getting more reps setting the stage for a collapse down the stretch. So which do you guys think is the lesser of the two evils?

There is no benefit to any team playing in the NFC East.

Look at the Niners in their heyday. What Divisional competition did they really have?

Certainly makes it easier to win.

Alls I know is first year head coach Jim Zorn finished in last place in the NFC East with an 8-8 record last season...while 10 year veteran took the AFC West crown...with an 8-8 record. Where's the justice?!

To add to the post above...Pats had crap in their division when they won 3 of 4, How was PITs division in the 70s? If that is the case then it makes the Skins , giants and Girls look better for thier SB wins

Move the Redskins to the SEC!

I believe it can work both ways, if you play in a crappy division like AZ or NE(when they won)it kinda takes lightning in a bottle to win(in NE case Tom Brady was a sustained lighting in a bottle). If you play in a brutal division, you most likely have to find a way to be good year in year out, yes it still takes some cards falling the right way to win it all, but your overall team is just better.

Personally, I like our team playing in a brutal division because it makes for awesome drama, and great sky is falling threads on the warpath, but I don't think it helps our SB chances that much either way.

Since 2002 when the divisions were realligned the following have been sent to the Super Bowl.

NFC West - 2 (Cardinals, Seahawks) - The Rams were in it the year before the divisional changes took place
NFC East - 2 (Eagles and Giants)
NFC South - 2 (Bucs and Panthers)
NFC North 1 - (Chicago)

AFC West - 1 (Oakland lol)
AFC East - 3 (New England X3)
AFC South - 1 (Indianapolis)
AFC North - 2 (Steelers X2)

Competition benefits if you make the play-offs. Until then it's a game of excuses where every sentence involves "Well if we were in that division, we would be winning it easily. Or If you played 6 tight games in your division each year you would be easily last place

I was wondering lately about how much we benefit from playing in the NFC East. On one hand we get to face a tough opponent usually as many as 6 times a year. However at the same time we find ourselves in games longer with our starters getting more reps setting the stage for a collapse down the stretch. So which do you guys think is the lesser of the two evils?

Eh. Division opponents tend to play each other tough regardless of the records. The Skins used to beat Dallas when they sucked and Dallas would beat the Skins when they sucked. The Bills play the Pats tough, the Niners just beat the Falcons. I don't think it matters. Division games are tough across the league.

yes a disadvantage to be in the east right now