Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 12-05-2005, 08:47 PM

Sally Jenkins' recent boneheaded article got me thinking, "What is our strength of schedule?" It turns out that our opponents combined records thus far is 82-60. Pretty tough. Plus, we have faced 4 of the league's 8 division leaders (Chicago, Seattle, Denver, and the Giants) and split such games (beating Chicago and Seattle and losing to Denver and the Giants).

We are beating and losing to some pretty darn good teams. The only team that beat us that shouldn't have beaten us is Oakland. Oakland aside, the combined record of the teams that beat us is a whopping 41-19. Moreover, with the notable exception of the Giants game, those losses have been decided by the last play of the game.

In short, we are at worst an average team and at best, an above average team that has faced, and lost to, some damn fine opponents.

Gmanc711 · 12-05-2005, 09:00 PM

I say...we are what we are, a 6-6 ball club. If we had lost those games more convisingly (that we were actually a worse team), then I would say we fell victim to our record. Outside of the Cheifs and Giants games, we pretty much outplayed all our opponents but couldnt finish the job. Therefore, I think we are what we are.

Warpath · 12-05-2005, 09:06 PM

I agree with Gmac If if werent for turnovers and penalties we would have a better record. Those reasons being Nobodys fault but theirs they are what they are. (sorry I voted the other way tho)

FRPLG · 12-05-2005, 09:18 PM

According to NFL.com we have a .577 strength of schedule which is good for the second hardest in the NFL this year(Poor Houston has a .601). Our strength of victory is good for 3rd. So we have officially played a pretty hard schedule this year. The good news is that of the remaining NFC teams in the hunt we have the easiest strength of schedule prior to this weekend, All this adds up to diddly poo as Jim Mora Sr, would say. Just win our next four and we're almost guranteed to be in.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 12-05-2005, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRPLG

According to NFL.com we have a .577 strength of schedule which is good for the second hardest in the NFL this year(Poor Houston has a .601). Our strength of victory is good for 3rd. So we have officially played a pretty hard schedule this year. The good news is that of the remaining NFC teams in the hunt we have the easiest strength of schedule prior to this weekend, All this adds up to diddly poo as Jim Mora Sr, would say. Just win our next four and we're almost guranteed to be in.

It's always nice to see people use facts in support of their arguments.

JWsleep · 12-05-2005, 09:27 PM

Actually, part of what makes our strength of schedule hard is that WE lost games, making our opponents record stronger, at least as you look back over the season (not sure if that's clear--sorry!).

Anyway, wins talk, everything else walks--we're 6-6 because we have a bad TO ratio, couldn't hold some late leads, and have trouble on 3rd-and-short at crucial moments. No one to blame but our selves--if we take care of our own house, our record will improve.

(I'm not saying anyone disagrees with that, just that it's hard for me to see much in this strength of schedule thing.)

onlydarksets · 12-05-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Actually, part of what makes our strength of schedule hard is that WE lost games, making our opponents record stronger, at least as you look back over the season (not sure if that's clear--sorry!).

That's a good point - I wonder how it works out when you subtract your own losses from your opponents' wins?

Paintrain · 12-05-2005, 10:19 PM

We are what we are, an average team. Good teams don't beat themselves and don't let themselves be put in position to lose close games due to referee errors, coaching decisions and fate.

onlydarksets · 12-05-2005, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintrain

We are what we are, an average team. Good teams don't beat themselves and don't let themselves be put in position to lose close games due to referee errors, coaching decisions and fate.

I agree - all but three of our games have been close, and we have won some and lost some. We could easily have won more, but we didn't. We could easily have lost more, but we didn't. 6-6 sounds about right.

GoSkins! · 12-05-2005, 11:07 PM

We have won almost as many close games as we have lost, but here are my thoughts.

We are better than our record simply because Alstott did not get in. We won.
We are better on offense than we were last year.
We have had one hell of a tough schedule and are still alive to make the playoffs.

If we go 9-7, I would be happy. We need another receiver and a couple of d-linemen to be dominant.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 12-05-2005, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Actually, part of what makes our strength of schedule hard is that WE lost games, making our opponents record stronger, at least as you look back over the season (not sure if that's clear--sorry!).

Anyway, wins talk, everything else walks--we're 6-6 because we have a bad TO ratio, couldn't hold some late leads, and have trouble on 3rd-and-short at crucial moments. No one to blame but our selves--if we take care of our own house, our record will improve.

(I'm not saying anyone disagrees with that, just that it's hard for me to see much in this strength of schedule thing.)

We lost as many games as we won, so it's a push when it comes to our opponents' strength of schedule.

skindogger47 · 12-06-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Actually, part of what makes our strength of schedule hard is that WE lost games, making our opponents record stronger, at least as you look back over the season (not sure if that's clear--sorry!).

Anyway, wins talk, everything else walks--we're 6-6 because we have a bad TO ratio, couldn't hold some late leads, and have trouble on 3rd-and-short at crucial moments. No one to blame but our selves--if we take care of our own house, our record will improve.

(I'm not saying anyone disagrees with that, just that it's hard for me to see much in this strength of schedule thing.)

I would attribute some of the Texans' strength of schedule to their number of losses, but as a .500 team, I think you can toss that out. Their is no doubt that we have had the hardest schedule in the NFL (next to the Saints) to this point if you look at who we've lost to and where. That said, we still have a ways to go, and must address the problems you mentioned.

Sammy Baugh Fan · 12-05-2005, 09:49 PM

We're a better team than the record but not by a ton.

dmek25 · 12-06-2005, 07:58 AM

if we are a better team than our record indicates,than running the table is not out of the question.im not sold on eli manning and the giants.but i am impressed with their defense.i think plaxico is big time over rated

TheMalcolmConnection · 12-06-2005, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmek25

if we are a better team than our record indicates,than running the table is not out of the question.im not sold on eli manning and the giants.but i am impressed with their defense.i think plaxico is big time over rated

I agree with you on that one. Everyone is like, "Wow, the Giants have so many weapons." What's different from us and them besides the fact that they can actually close out games?

Cooley is our Shockey
Portis is our Barber
Brunell is better than Manning in my opinion so that's an advantage we hold there
Moss is better than Burress
Both teams have great defenses

What makes them so explosive? It's because they are on the better part of the turnover differential is what makes the difference, namely because they have a great pass rush.

View Poll Results: Are we better, worse, or as good as our record?
We are a better team than our record suggests, we've just lost to some great teams	52	62.65%
We are worse than our record suggests	0	0%
We are what we are, a 6-6 team	31	37.35%
Voters: 83. You may not vote on this poll

12-05-2005, 08:47 PM	#1
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team Sally Jenkins' recent boneheaded article got me thinking, "What is our strength of schedule?" It turns out that our opponents combined records thus far is 82-60. Pretty tough. Plus, we have faced 4 of the league's 8 division leaders (Chicago, Seattle, Denver, and the Giants) and split such games (beating Chicago and Seattle and losing to Denver and the Giants). We are beating and losing to some pretty darn good teams. The only team that beat us that shouldn't have beaten us is Oakland. Oakland aside, the combined record of the teams that beat us is a whopping 41-19. Moreover, with the notable exception of the Giants game, those losses have been decided by the last play of the game. In short, we are at worst an average team and at best, an above average team that has faced, and lost to, some damn fine opponents.

12-05-2005, 09:00 PM	#2
Gmanc711 Thank You, Sean. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Age: 39 Posts: 7,506	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team I say...we are what we are, a 6-6 ball club. If we had lost those games more convisingly (that we were actually a worse team), then I would say we fell victim to our record. Outside of the Cheifs and Giants games, we pretty much outplayed all our opponents but couldnt finish the job. Therefore, I think we are what we are. __________________ #21

12-05-2005, 09:06 PM	#3
Warpath The Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Potomac Falls, VA Age: 48 Posts: 1,762	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team I agree with Gmac If if werent for turnovers and penalties we would have a better record. Those reasons being Nobodys fault but theirs they are what they are. (sorry I voted the other way tho)

12-05-2005, 09:18 PM	#4
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 10,164	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team According to NFL.com we have a .577 strength of schedule which is good for the second hardest in the NFL this year(Poor Houston has a .601). Our strength of victory is good for 3rd. So we have officially played a pretty hard schedule this year. The good news is that of the remaining NFC teams in the hunt we have the easiest strength of schedule prior to this weekend, All this adds up to diddly poo as Jim Mora Sr, would say. Just win our next four and we're almost guranteed to be in.

12-05-2005, 09:27 PM	#6
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 55 Posts: 4,714	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team Actually, part of what makes our strength of schedule hard is that WE lost games, making our opponents record stronger, at least as you look back over the season (not sure if that's clear--sorry!). Anyway, wins talk, everything else walks--we're 6-6 because we have a bad TO ratio, couldn't hold some late leads, and have trouble on 3rd-and-short at crucial moments. No one to blame but our selves--if we take care of our own house, our record will improve. (I'm not saying anyone disagrees with that, just that it's hard for me to see much in this strength of schedule thing.) __________________ Hail from Houston!

12-05-2005, 10:19 PM	#8
Paintrain Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 54 Posts: 5,006	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team We are what we are, an average team. Good teams don't beat themselves and don't let themselves be put in position to lose close games due to referee errors, coaching decisions and fate. __________________ Paintrain's Redskins Fandom 1981-2014 I'm not dead but this team is dead to me...but now that McCloughan is here they may have new life! Jay Gruden = Zorny McSpurrier Kirk Cousins = Next Grossman

12-05-2005, 11:07 PM	#10
GoSkins! The Starter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Yorktown, Va Age: 55 Posts: 1,587	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team We have won almost as many close games as we have lost, but here are my thoughts. We are better than our record simply because Alstott did not get in. We won. We are better on offense than we were last year. We have had one hell of a tough schedule and are still alive to make the playoffs. If we go 9-7, I would be happy. We need another receiver and a couple of d-linemen to be dominant. __________________ Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. A. Einstien

12-05-2005, 09:49 PM	#13
Sammy Baugh Fan Playmaker Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northern Virginia, Woodbridge Age: 62 Posts: 2,507	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team We're a better team than the record but not by a ton. __________________ Check out Mike Hedrick - The Next Food Network Star. Please Click and give me a Thumbs Up and Positive Comment. Thanks

12-06-2005, 07:58 AM	#14
dmek25 MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: lancaster,pa Age: 63 Posts: 10,672	Re: Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team if we are a better team than our record indicates,than running the table is not out of the question.im not sold on eli manning and the giants.but i am impressed with their defense.i think plaxico is big time over rated

Redskins' Strength of Schedule: We Are A Decent Team

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