NFL Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda's

[MHSL82]

What teams records would be much different if they had one play go their way or another? How about if they they had one more go against them?

I looked at all 32 teams and took the games that they won or lost by <6 and flipped the script. Here are the results. (Note: This excludes 7 or 8 point wins because that would include assuming overtime or a bigger change (a TD instead being a pick six or something.)

Most Close Losses (Also the biggest scopes of possibilities):

Baltimore Ravens (2-6): Could be as high as 7-1 or low as 0-8.
San Diego Chargers (2-7): Could be as high as 6-3 or as low as 0-9.

Three Game Swings: New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, New Orlean Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and Tennessee Titans could all have 3 more wins.

Most Close Wins:

Atlanta Falcons (6-3): Could be as low as 2-7 or as high as 7-1.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-0): Could be as low as 4-4 or as high as 8-0.
Denver Broncos (7-1): Could be as low as 4-4 or as high as 8-0.

Three Game Swings: Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears could all have 3 more losses.

Stay the Same:

Green Bay Packers (6-2) and New England Patriots (8-0) would still be where they are.

 

[ducky]

"Good teams win the close games."

That must mean New England is no good.

 

[MHSL82]

Ignoring Head-to-Head Consequences, if every team had their best case scenario (one more offensive scoring play per game if needed), Playoff Standings Would Be:

AFC:

1. New England Patriots: 8-0
1. Cincinnati Bengals: 8-0
1. Denver Broncos: 8-0
4. Indianapolis Colts: 6-3
5. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-1
6. Baltimore Ravens: 7-1
6. Oakland Raiders: 7-1
8. Buffalo Bills: 7-2
9. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-2
10. San Diego Chargers: 6-3

NFC

1. Carolina Panthers: 8-0
2. New York Giants: 8-1
3. Seattle Seahawks: 7-1
4. Minnesota Vikings: 7-1
5. Arizona Cardinals: 7-1
6. Atlanta Falcons: 7-2
6. New Orleans Saints: 7-2
8. Green Bay Packers: 6-2
8. Philadelphia Eagles: 6-2
8. St. Louis Rams: 6-2

Ignoring Head-to-Head Consequences, if every team had their worst case scenario (one less offensive scoring play per game if needed), Playoff Standings Would Be:

AFC

1. New England Patriots: 8-0
2. Cincinnati Bengals: 4-4
3. Denver Broncos: 4-4
4. Houston Texan: 3-5
5. New York Jets: 4-5
6. Kansas City Chiefs: 3-5
6. Oaklanc Raider: 3-5
6. Miami Dolphins: 3-5
9. Buffalo Bills: 3-6
9. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-6

NFC

1. Arizona Cardinals: 6-2
2. Green Bay Packers: 6-2
3. Carolina Panthers: 5-3
4. New York Giants: 4-5
5. Minnesota Vikings: 4-4
6. Philadelphia Eagles: 3-5
7. Seattle Seahawks: 2-6
7. St. Louis Rams: 2-6
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2-6
10. Atlanta Falcons: 2-7
11. New Orleans Saints: 2-7

 

[Bolts]

So, the Chargers could have been good but suck? Moral victory!

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Interesting lists.