Pats, Giants - If they switched divisions, what would their 2007 regular season records have been?

I like to bounce ideas off of my wife because she can tell me if I'm nuts or not (the answer is usually Yes!). I LOVE to bounce my sports theories off her because she is a passionate sports fan and understands the physical and mental aspects of sport (go figure -she has her degree in Exercise Physiology) WAY more than the fanship (or journalistic) view of things (except the Suns)

My wife doesn't like football, she doesn't care about football much and has routinely attempted to become a home town Cardinals fan which has only led her to dislike football MORE.

But she is a Suns fan primarily then a sports fanantic second, loving the Red Wings and adapting to my baseball obsession before reluctantly allowing me to criticize the NFL via shouting at my poor non-rebutting television. My wife not only voluntarily listens to sports talk radio during the day but my wife has to deal with me, so she gets a fair amount of sports knowledge merely through osmosis!

So with the Super Bowl here in town and all the buzz about the Valley (including skywriters and gypsy "OFFICIAL Super Bowl" paraphernalia dealers abound), we got to yapping. And sometimes we play little stupid sports trivia games (I really, really do love the hell out of my wife!) and it led to this:

[edit] Name the teams in the same division as the Giants

She was able to name all 4 teams in the Giants' division. And even mentioned about how it was easy because "all those teams have great histories"...

[edit] Name the teams in the same division as the Patriots

She can name 0 teams in the Pats' division (she guessed the Jets were in NFC)

Now, this is completely NOT scientific information, but it got me thinking...

If the Pats and Giants switched divisions before the season, where would we be today?

[edit] Maybe it's just me and the random data that proves nothing

I think the NFC East is tougher than the AFC East... But I think a generally reasonable person would rationalize that playing tougher teams makes a tougher team.

Even my wife, the less-than-average NFL fan knows there is a difference between the NFC and AFC East divisions!

CrackajgDraft Pick

666 days ago

Score 2

That's all well and great but the Patriots beat the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys once throughout the whole season. And since they went 18-0 so far, I think they would have pulled one more against all three as well.

As for the Giants, I think they would have probably had a 12-4, or possibly 13-3 if they were located in the AFC East.

I'll be the first to admit that the AFC East sucks balls. Although next year it should be a bit better. Tis a topic for another day.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 2

Fair enough. Just giving the NFC East a little love before the expected massacre. One thing for sure, it's not just this year, but every year. The NFC East is brutal!

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CrackajgDraft Pick

666 days ago

Score 1

Yes I'd give the NFC East the toughest division football easily. AFC South is definitely up and coming as well. But the NFC East, especially with the history, is the toughest and most entertaining in the NFL.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 0

Let us also recall that the Eagles and Giants also gave the Pats some fits... what would TWO games a season against those teams do?

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CrackajgDraft Pick

666 days ago

Score 1

In a realistic world, the Patriots would have perhaps gone 15-1. If I was a betting man and I had to put money on a record if the Patriots were in the NFC East, you can be sure I wouldn't be putting my money on 16-0. :P

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False ProphetAll-Star

666 days ago

Score 2

I think that given the fact the two other games would have been in Sept/Oct and not Nov/Dec, the passing game would be more productive for the Pats. Although I will say that having essentially 6 gimme games helped the quest to 19-0

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JuTMSY4Legend

666 days ago

Score 2

What is suggested here is true...if the pats would have played in a tougher division, they would have had a tougher time going undefeated...and given their few close Wins, namely 3 of them to NFC East teams (all 3 NFC east teams had leads in the 2nd half), they probably would have finished something like 13-3 or 14-2 (because any team that is 14-1 going into week 17, doesn't give a shit about the last game)... That being said, the '72 dolphins didn't exactly have a bruising schedule either...and i'm guessing (really, I have no idea) the '85 bears, which have been arguably named the greatest post-SB team, didn't have a ridiculously tough schedule either...

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 1

The '85 Bears shut out 2 different teams in the playoffs.

I'm not saying the Pats suck (though on principle alone, they do). I'm saying, maybe the Giants are tougher than we think they are...

Seriously, for as BIG of underdogs the Giants are, how only 2 teams with a 10 win season have made it to the Super Bowl before, maybe... just maybe the "new" NFL - with it's parity and rules to favor games ending in field goals - the Giants really are better than a 10 win team?

Has there ever, EVER - E - V - E - R? been a bigger, massive underdog that was more confident than the Giants?

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JuTMSY4Legend

666 days ago

Score 1

you think the giants are big underdogs?

I still hold to the believe the Tom Coughlin is still a complete moron of a coach...i mean, i've seen enough tom coughlin calls that blow my mind...

That being said, even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.

I hope its a good game, if for no other reason than entertainment. The bottom line is that the winner will piss me off, pretty much no matter what.

If i were in PA right now, I'd probably hope it was the pats...on this site? Probably the giants...in the US? Giants...for the integrity of the sport?

Cloverfield Monster!!! (Sorry Manny)

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 1

Like every year... I just want OT.

Seriously, I want to root for the Giants, but... they're the Giants.

If the Pats win, Boston fans will become so insufferable, the world will tilt and my purpose as Boston Fan basher will be completely devalued.

Honestly, the NFL is better when there's a main team or two to hate, but I don't hate the Patriots. Just their uniforms.

But their fans could use a SERIOUS dose of comeuppance.

I'm torn - if the Pats lose, we get to hear the excuses.

If the Pats win the word "dynasty" will be misused more than ever.

I got an idea JuT - more anti-Pats sentiment to come!!!

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 0

And yes, the Giants are huge underdogs.

Bill Belichick does one thing better than any coach - remove his opponent's strengths and attack his opponent's weaknesses.

The Giants have holes. If their D-Line doesn't dominate the game and do that for 60(+) minutes, they are toast. Lucky for them, it will be chilly (for Arizona) and rainy tomorrow so the roof will be closed.

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SSreportersLegend

666 days ago

Score 0

I'm going to lose it if the Patriots win by 3.

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False ProphetAll-Star

666 days ago

Score 2

Just for you man rays -

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 0

You spelled 'jinx' wrong. But lucky for you it works the same...

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False ProphetAll-Star

666 days ago

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it came out wierd. When typing it, it looked near peferfectly aligned

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 1

a REAL "Dynasty"!

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FrankDDiv-I Stud

666 days ago

Score 0

This may seem a bit stupid to ask - but who is performing at halftime?

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TrizzAll-American

666 days ago

Score 0

some old people you probably dont care about...thanks to the freaking FCC

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

666 days ago

Score 0

Seriously, WHY does it matter to anyone who plays at halftime? Why does everyone want to make an issue out of this?

If the halftime show sucks, so what? You'll be taking a piss and tapping the second keg!

If it's awesome, so what? They're only awesome for 2 - 2 1/2 songs and then they're done anyway?!?!?!

What's the point? It's a break, NOT the main attraction!!! Let's not get confused, people!

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Davis21wylieMVP

666 days ago

Score 0

Geez Manny, don't get worked up or anything... To answer the question, Tom Petty. AKA "some old person you probably don't care about".

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CrackajgDraft Pick

665 days ago

Score 0

I think they should appoint me the head of choosing the halftime festivals. Honestly, I think I could get at least 60% approval nation wide.

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CrackajgDraft Pick

665 days ago

Score 0

Kanye West, Alicia Keys and Nickelback. Throw in a one man QB ring throwing contest and you got yourself a halftime show!

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CrackajgDraft Pick

665 days ago

Score 1

And for the record, at least on the east coast: GOOD MORNING SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!

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Napoleon15Red-Shirting

665 days ago

Score 0

The Patriots beat the Cowboys 48-27, the Redskins 52-7, the Eagles 27-24 (I think), and the Giants 38-35.

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Napoleon15Red-Shirting

665 days ago

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Oops, the score of the Eagles game was 31-28.

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Napoleon15Red-Shirting

665 days ago

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The Giants beat the Jets 35-24, the Dolphins 13-10, the Bills 38-21, and lost to the Patriots 38-35.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

665 days ago

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The Patriots went 4-0 against the NFC East, difficult to extrapolate them losing a game based on this record, even if some of the games were close. They still beat the Redskins 52-7, and the Cowboys 48-27. The close games against New York and Philly came late in the season; just as the closer games against the Jets (20-10) and Dolphins (28-7, week 7 saw the Pats leading 42-7 at half-time) came late in the season.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

665 days ago

Score 0

One game does not a division rival make!

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