There Must Be a Reason

I have been hearing a lot of love for the Packers going into tonight’s battle with the Falcons.  Really, considering that it’s a #6 seed facing a #1 seed, and considering Atlanta’s remarkable winning percentage at home, it’s rather surprising how many folks are picking the Pack.

So I’m thinking to myself, why are we so hopeful about Green Bay winning this game?  After all, there must be a reason why Atlanta is the #1 seed in the NFC.

In pondering this, I turned my attention to the #1 seed in the AFC: the New England Patriots.  On their way to their gaudy 14-2 record, they managed wins over the Jets, the Ravens, the Steelers, the Packers, the Colts, and the Bears -- all playoff teams -- plus a win over the San Diego Chargers, who boasted arguably the best team on paper (at least statistically).

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons achieved a 13-3 record, including wins over the Saints, the Ravens, the Seahawks, and the Packers.  Those are the only playoff teams beaten by Atlanta.  Their other wins came against the likes of the Panthers, Browns, Bengals, Cardinals, 49ers, Buccaneers, and such.  The Falcons lost, however, to the Eagles, Steelers, and Saints. 

I’m not saying that an evaluation of the Packers’ schedule would look any better.  Rather, my point is simply that there must be a reason why a team is the #1 seed in its Conference.  In the case of the Patriots, it’s clearly because they are an amazingly good team.  In the case of the Falcons, however, I wonder if it’s because they had a favorable schedule. 

I’m just wondering.

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