Originally Posted by notorious (Post 17812931)

Our division has played the shit teams this season (except for KC).

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania (Post 17813031)

On paper before the season, it looks fairly significant… no so much though as it plays out. Yeah, the Bills are the biggest difference, but that’s expected. It’s not as if Denver and Chargers have been feasting on winless teams and KC has run through this gauntlet of mega teams.

Originally Posted by RedinTexas (Post 17813059)

So, if it doesn't make a difference, then why do it? How about next year we give the Broncos the "most difficult" schedule and the Chiefs the "easiest" schedule? You say it's only "on paper," but if you take a look at the current standings, you'll notice that those 2 AFC games that the Chiefs have scheduled differently than the Broncos were both against teams either in first place in their division or nearly so, but both well above .500. OTOH, the Broncos had those 2 games against a last place team, and another that while in 2nd place in their division is still under .500.

The NFL is an extremely difficult league in which to win. Having 12% of your games against competition that is clearly much better than average, versus 12% of your schedule against competition that is either clearly much worse than average or around average is a decided advantage.

The competition for the #1 seed and the final playoff spots will be fierce. A single game decided by the bounce of a football can put teams either in or out of the playoffs. Playing a more difficult schedule makes a big difference.

Originally Posted by Bearcat (Post 17813096)

That's exactly what's happened.

SoS is of course similar, but the Chiefs' SoV is .474, 2nd best in the AFC, while the Chargers' is .315 and Broncos .349.

The Broncos have beat one team all season with a winning record (6-5), and the Chargers none.

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania (Post 17813100)

I’m not suggesting that it doesn’t make a difference… it’s just not as vast as some think. Through week 11, with Denver having played one more game… the total opposition wins for KC is 54 and Denver is 58.

The difference in teams played between the two so far.. CIN, 49ers, Bills for KC and SEA, PIT, Jets, Panthers for Denver.

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania (Post 17813115)

KC - teams faced are a combined 54-52
DEN - teams faces are a combined 58-56

Take out the common teams faced
KC - 24-19
Den - 28-23

Again, what teams look like on paper in the preseason and 11 weeks later are not the same.

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania (Post 17813115)

KC - teams faced are a combined 54-52
DEN - teams faces are a combined 58-56

Take out the common teams faced
KC - 24-19
Den - 28-23

Again, what teams look like on paper in the preseason and 11 weeks later are not the same.

Originally Posted by Bearcat (Post 17813122)

Uh no, that's a big ****ing difference. LMAO

The Bills and Bengals are huge rivals and play the Chiefs almost as often as divisional teams (Mahomes has played the Bills more since 2020 than the Chargers)... 49ers were pretty meh this time around, but still better than the Steelers. The Jets and Panthers are practically bye weeks in comparison. LMAO

Originally Posted by tredadda (Post 17813138)

Is this taking out KC? They strengthen the Broncos SoS quite a bit.

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania (Post 17813139)

Rivalries are about emotion and do not reflect record. The Bengals have a bad record, same as SF… KC faced them without CMAC. Bills are legit.

Originally Posted by Best22 (Post 17813017)

You got the Jets and Colts, we got the Bills and Texans. Chargers will face the Dolphins and Jaguars

Yeah it makes a difference

Originally Posted by Bearcat (Post 17813151)

Glad we're on the same page... the Chiefs' schedule and wins have been far better for all these reasons and their SoV versus the other two teams clearly proves it.

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania (Post 17813139)

Rivalries are about emotion and do not reflect record. The Bengals have a bad record, same as SF… KC faced them without CMAC. Bills are legit.