Playoff Opponents (often overlooked stat that really matters)

[LUUUUUKE]

I wanted to check something out as far as which are the freshest teams that we may be facing and here's what I have come up with.

The following are the perspective team bye weeks 

Arizona Cardinals- 9              2 months since bye

Seattle SeaHawks- 9             2 months since bye

Green Bay Packers- 7           2.5 months since bye

Minnesota Vikings- 5             3 months since bye

Washington Redskins- 7       2.5 months since bye

Carolina Panthers- 5             3 months since bye

As you can see every other team that we may possibly face throughout the road to the Super Bowl has fresher legs than us other than the Vikings.

All of those teams will be playing Wild Card weekend with the exception of the Cards and us of course. Allowing us to rest those bodies. Hell we've already played and beaten the Packers and SeaHawks, so it will be less game planning for either of them in the 2nd round (obviously depending on final seeding)

Why does any of it matter? Does it really matter? I say it definitely matters. Arizona (who many think are the hottest team in all of football) had a week off 5 whole DAMNED weeks off After our beloved Panthers. Their pass rush looked pretty dog gonned good the other day, while ours has looked putrid in as many weeks.

Many here believe that our run will hinge upon our pass rush, and I'm in that camp. Let me ask you this though. Do you think it's possible that after such a grueling season, and not having a week off in 3 months that our guys are just a tad burnt out? I suggest to you, that after a week off and some rest, our front four will be a force to be reckoned with! May I also point out the fact that the whole team was possibly emotionally exhausted with the pressure of being perfect? Something NO other team has had to endure this year?

With a little bit of rest, I think that our defense will rise to the occasion under the bright lights enroute to our first Super Bowl appearance of the Cam/Luke era. 

Other than Arizona (whom we all want a crack at) we will be the freshest team in the field. One more thing, if we can take care of our business come Sunday afternoon, Arizona will have to come to our house and play in our hostile environment!

Sit back and relax, trust the science I have placed before you, and watch our boys put in work! Keep your eyes on the prize. I have just armed you with more fuel to talk ish to our many haters as well. BTW, we will also be fielding a healthy and very well rested and rejuvenated Jonathan Stewart when it matters the most. We also have the NFL MVP who adds to that dynamic. It's gonna be very difficult to beat us with them both on the field again imho.

#KeepPounding

 

[JawnyBlaze]

solid post.  entirely possible that's had an impact.  our DEs all look wore the f out, with just Kawaan and Star playing well on the DL.  hopefully you're right and the pass rush comes back in the playoffs.  same thing with the OL.  they've seemed to be getting wore out too.  i mean juses crust, they got demolished by the Falcon's DL....

[PhillyB]

everyone needs to stay out of BOA this coming monday and sit in an ice tub somewhere with greg olsen.

[t96]

FUVK YEAH BROTHA!!! 18-1!

[B.BERSIN]

Really? The reason why our DL sucks is because we haven't had a bye week in 3 months?

I'm sure it's more complex than that.

[LUUUUUKE]

2 hours ago, B.BERSIN said:

Really? The reason why our DL sucks is because we haven't had a bye week in 3 months?

I'm sure it's more complex than that.

Guess we'll find out here pretty soon. Also, thanks for contributing to the thread with your expert analysis.

[Harbingers]

23 minutes ago, LUUUUUKE said:

Guess we'll find out here pretty soon. Also, thanks for contributing to the thread with your expert analysis.

 

Why do we gloss over the fact we are still 3rd in sacks? I don't know where we stand in overall pressures/hits but I cant imagine it is really that far behind.

[Growl]

I think this could be a factor, but as I said the other day, I'd still like to see more kony early. Heck, he's probably even fresh after being moved into the rotational role once CJ got back.

[PanthersATL]

we had a mini Bye week at Thanksgiving.

[csx]

Is there anything to suggest this has proven affect? 

[X-Clown]

We had our bye week in Week 4 during the 2013 season, got a first round bye but it didn't help us too much come playoff time. I could see the benefit this year though as we do have some older guys on their last legs so to speak contributing (i.e. Allen, Tillman).

[LUUUUUKE]

3 minutes ago, PanthersATL said:

we had a mini Bye week at Thanksgiving.

Cancels out after having played two very physical football games in 5 days

[B.BERSIN]

1 hour ago, LUUUUUKE said:

Guess we'll find out here pretty soon. Also, thanks for contributing to the thread with your expert analysis.

Your welcome.

[top dawg]

Sorry, i respect the OP, but without more numbers I can't put much stock into the theory. Give me 10 y0ears worth of data, then we're talking. I suspect that it's more about team chemistry, catching fire at the right time, luck and avoiding major industry than when your bye week happens to fall.