Quote:
Originally Posted by burnsy
... and they have been fortunate to be in the AFC East. I'm a Bills fan but i can admit its been the worst division for at least 15 years. They get the chump schedule and most years home field, they have had superior teams up til this year but its been a cushy ride.
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It's pretty obvious that the NFL wants (and has successfully arranged that) the Patriots to have a 'sparring partner' division, and every chance at home field.
The NFL is a media-revenue business. As it's grown that way over the years, the Patriots happen to be a successful model franchise, with a large market-share. The Steelers haven't exactly had the toughest division in the league either, for most recent NFL seasons.
The NBA is just as bad, if not worse with power-concentration, but recently they love to flaunt the ability to sell a major market team like the Knicks and Lakers without worrying about quality, while doing a great job of manufacturing marketing star-vehicles in less organic markets like Lebron James' Cleveland in the East, and the power-house they have in Golden State.
It really stood out this year with 4 teams go 13-3 this year (w/ Eagles and Vikings). You think '13-3' and you think of some ass-kicking superteam that is loaded with talent, and playing perfect football. These teams were a serious contender in any game they played, but far from juggernauts, save perhaps the Eagles, with the way they capped off the year.
