kaufman@uiucdcs.UUCP (11/30/84)
/* Written 6:29 pm Nov 29, 1984 by ryan@decwrl in uiucdcs:net.sport.foot */ /* ---------- "Richardson's rankings, tie-breakers," ---------- */ This is how the NFL tie-breakers work (this is from memory, so it might not be perfectly correct): 1. Head-to-head competition (points if teams are 1-1) 2. Division record (only applied to teams in the same division) 3. Conference record 4. Record against common opponents (pct. - teams may have different number of games against common opponents) 5. Net points in conference games 6. Net points in all games 7. Net TD's in all games 8. Coin flip Hmm, for some reason I had the impression there were nine - perhaps I missed one (or perhaps number 1 should be overall record). ... As a matter of fact, the only way the Giants can win two and not make the playoffs is if a. Either Washington or Dallas wins all three (thus taking the division title). b. The Giants' only loss is to St. Louis, by more points than they beat St. Louis before. c. St. Louis wins all three (thus getting one wild card). and d. LA wins at least two (getting the other wild card because they beat the Giants). /* End of text from uiucdcs:net.sport.foot */ Judging from qualification b, there must be something about head-to-head points if the teams have split their games. Also, there is, toward the bottom, a condition based on strength of schedule. Ken Kaufman (uiucdcs!kaufman)