Worst to First Division

[BucsBoy02]

hmmmm Anyone else find it interesting that since the NFL realignment in 2002 that the team that finished last ended up finishing first the following year? I know its probably just coincidence. But what do you guys think?

Carolina finished last in 2002, and first in 2003.

Atlanta finished last in 2003, and first in 2004.

Tampa Bay finished last in 2004, and first in 2005.

New Orleans finished last in 2005, and finished first in 2006.

Tampa Bay finished last in 2006, and finished first in 2007.

Also a team from the NFC South has appeared in every NFC Championship Game since the 2002 realignment. (Which I'm Sure will be broken this year.)

[FiddySicks]

Yup, I ahd noticed at least the NFC Championship scenario you mentioned. Pretty impressive from a division that has almost always been considered fundamentally weak.

[nyk]

So Im Going with the Atlanta Falcons to win the division in 2008...lol yea right

[BucsBoy02]

So Im Going with the Atlanta Falcons to win the division in 2008...lol yea right

Who Knows, this time of the year last year you would have said the same thing about Tampa Bay.

[Mac the Knife]

This is somewhat a product of the revamped NFL scheduling formula. Pre-2002 NFL teams faced a majority of their non-division opponents using the league's 'common opponent' formula, ensuring that teams of comparative strength met one another. Now all but two games' opponents are based on divisional alignment, which hurts parity (see Patriots, Packers, Cowboys, Dolphins, Jets, the NFC West in general) as well as allows teams that shouldn't qualify for the playoffs the opportunity to do so thanks to feasting on a weaker division as opponents.

[slapshot]

25% of the NFL wins a divsion title every year

[J.R.]

Parity = mediocrity.

The NFC South isn't that good.

[TFoA]

So Im Going with the Atlanta Falcons to win the division in 2008...lol yea right

That's why I still have hope for next year...If there's any division where there's a good chance of a worst-to-first occurring, this is the one.

[BucsBoy02]

Parity = mediocrity.

The NFC South isn't that good.

Sooo thats why they've had a team from the South in the championship game ever year since the 2002? (Well except for this upcoming playoffs, aint no way the bucs can make it. *crosses fingers*)

[J.R.]

Sooo thats why they've had a team from the South in the championship game ever year since the 2002? (Well except for this upcoming playoffs, aint no way the bucs can make it. *crosses fingers*)

Don't get too excited, the conference sucks as a whole so making the title game isn't a big deal. Funny that they 5-8 Bears are still alive in the playoff race, while the 7-7 Bills were eliminated.

[tBBP]

Parity = mediocrity.

The NFC South isn't that good.

Sooo thats why they've had a team from the South in the championship game ever year since the 2002? (Well except for this upcoming playoffs, aint no way the bucs can make it. *crosses fingers*)

HAVE SOME FAITH BOY!!!

[BucsBoy02]

I have hope.. just not very much... I'm used to not getting my hopes to high when i comes to the bucs... lol

[Mac the Knife]

Sooo thats why they've had a team from the South in the championship game ever year since the 2002? (Well except for this upcoming playoffs, aint no way the bucs can make it. *crosses fingers*)

Don't get too excited, the conference sucks as a whole so making the title game isn't a big deal. Funny that they 5-8 Bears are still alive in the playoff race, while the 7-7 Bills were eliminated.

Which is why I wished the NFL would've simply ditched the AFC/NFC references during this latest realignment, just awarding 8 division titles and 4 (or even 6) wild card slots regardless of division, then seeding teams #1-12 (or 14) and having teams match-up without regard to alignment. It would greatly improve the likelihood of a #1-2 showdown for the Super Bowl each year, and you'd get to have matchups in the Super Bowl that currently are impossible.

[FiddySicks]

Parity = mediocrity.

The NFC South isn't that good.

Sooo thats why they've had a team from the South in the championship game ever year since the 2002? (Well except for this upcoming playoffs, aint no way the bucs can make it. *crosses fingers*)

HAVE SOME FAITH BOY!!!

True dat. Although I will say that even my most optimistic side has Tampa losing in the Super Bowl

[cyandlux]

You can't go wrong with San Jose State alums....someone hire me please!

[statebully]

Also a team from the NFC South has appeared in every NFC Championship Game since the 2002 realignment. (Which I'm Sure will be broken this year.)

Wouldn't count out Tampa or possibly New Orleans again this year!

[tBBP]

Parity = mediocrity.

The NFC South isn't that good.

Sooo thats why they've had a team from the South in the championship game ever year since the 2002? (Well except for this upcoming playoffs, aint no way the bucs can make it. *crosses fingers*)

HAVE SOME FAITH BOY!!!

True dat. Although I will say that even my most optimistic side has Tampa losing in the Super Bowl

That you have them even going that far is showing something, my fellow Buccaneer brethren.

I tell you what, though: so long as our boys don't drop any more games to teams thay have no business losing to (*AHEM*TEXANS!!!), I think they'll be on a serious roll when them playoffs come a-knocking.

And if we can get an even better return (pun COMPLETELY intended) on the investment in Mr. Spurlock, we'll be THAT much better off.

I said it before, and I'll say it again: the NFC team NO ONE is talking about, and apparently doesn't see in the grander scheme of things, IS the Buccaneers, who actually have this thing on offense that so many teams spend so much time clamoring to find: BALANCE. That's to add the point that, though most of the more heralded stars of the D, including my kinfolk, is up there in age, them boys STILL know how to ball out there. And hell...as long as Ronde Barber stays out on one corner of the defensive backfield, that D will STILL be something to fear, like it or not.

That said...even my most optimistic projection of the Bucs' playoff fortunes don't have them advancing past the second round, at least not in my current bracketing of the playoff scenario. BUT, being that that bracket just got a little clearer, I may have to go back and redraft that and show it to you all so you can see how I think it may all play out.