Does an Improved NFC East Help the Eagles?

[rjs246]

I would argue that the improvement in our divisional competition helps the Eagles prepare for the playoffs. Beating teams by 10-15 points over and over again last year wasn't really the best way to prepare for the Patriots.

Thoughts?

[Wingspan]

I would argue that the improvement in our divisional competition helps the Eagles prepare for the playoffs. Beating teams by 10-15 points over and over again last year wasn't really the best way to prepare for the Patriots.

Thoughts?

i dont think one has to do with another. there are enough vets on this team to know that when you do march through the regular season, it has no bearing on the kind of games and the intensity of the playoffs. i think that was pretty evident with last years run.

[MURP]

I think it helps to play better teams.  Beating up on garbage like the 49ers doesnt do much.

and it is certainly more exciting to watch when the other NFC East teams are playing decent. 

[Mad-Lad]

I'd say competition only helps.  I don't think it makes them a better team necessarily, but it's best for your offensive/defensive/special teams squads to test themselves against competent opposition as often as possible.

[ice grillin you]

doesnt make a difference...especially with a team like the eagles who dont have much roster turnover...meaning most all their players have played in big games against good teams..and know what they have to do this year which is win the superbowl regardless of who they play in the regular season

not to mention they play a first place schedule so chances are they will face teams in the playoffs that they played during the regular season like atlanta

[Rome]

If they play 16 straight cupcakes, they go undefeated.  I'll take that over a brutal schedule any day.

[Sgt PSN]

Yes it does make a difference simply for the fact that I know just about everyone on this board has used the "But who's your team played?" argument when dealing with other fans.  And when a team has a cupcake schedule and cruises through it we quickly label them as frauds, especially if they fail miserably in the post season.  The Eagles have enough veteran talent on this team to be able to step it up during the playoffs however the team can only benefit from playing better competition from week to week simply because it prepares them better to win the close games. 

Teams still have to win their games though regardless of who they are against.  This isn't college where each team can schedule their opponents from year to year.  They just have to play the hand that they are dealt.  And in the Eagles case, they've been dealt a crappy division which I think works for and against them.  Obvously it works for them because they've had very little trouble winning games against division opponents but at the same time, it doesn't always help "toughen" the team up. 

But I think this team showed on Sunday that despite their lack of competition within the division that they are still a very tough team both mentally and physically. 

[ice grillin you]

how bad is the nfc you ask?

the taterskins have as many wins as the nfc north

[Larry]

The 1980s 49ers used to beat up on their weak division, which afforded them home field advantage.  This was pretty important considering their pass-first offense needed the temperate climes of Candlestick Park to operate at peak efficiency.  When Montana had to play in cold, windy weather, the result was a 49-3 demolition at the hands of the Giants.

So I'd take the easier schedule anyday.

[phattymatty]

If they play 16 straight cupcakes, they go undefeated.  I'll take that over a brutal schedule any day.

Ditto.

We've made the playoffs enough lately that the players know when it really counts.

[ice grillin you]

Yes it does make a difference simply for the fact that I know just about everyone on this board has used the "But who's your team played?"

the nfc is soft the afc is stacked...blah blah blah...

this just in...

one team from each conference makes the superbowl

[rjs246]

Bump.

[Westy]

no

plus this "soft schedule" has turned into a tough one, playing SD at home and then Denver on the road

[PhillyPhreak54]

I read somewhere last week or the week before that an unnamed Eagles veteran told whoever I was reading at the time that the blowouts they had last year hurt them when it came to being in a dogfight.

Maybe the fact that the division is tough and they are facing some adversity is good.

I think it could be turned into a positive if done the right way. If the coaching staff and the veterans play their cards right they can turn this into a positive.