Revenge Of The Birds: Does A Bye In The Playoffs Matter?

Teams spend all season trying to secure the best record they can; first to make the playoffs, then win their division, then secure a home-field game, and utlimately get that first-round playoff bye. It’s conventional wisdom around the league, you want that extra-week because it allows your team to heal. On the flip side, it also can get you out of sync, especially if you end the year on a sour note. So instead of guessing, Revenge Of The Birds looked at the numbers from recent history.

1. Teams that have had the first round bye have a combined record of 17-11. That’s 60% of the teams with first round byes that have advanced to the next round.

1. More specifically, teams in the NFC with first round byes have a combined record of 8-6, but in the last two years NFC teams with first round byes are 0-4.

1. In 2006, the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints were the last NFC teams to win with a first round bye, advancing to the NFC Championship game where the Bears won 39-14.
   

Looks like the NFC has been the land of upsets recently where it concerns first-round byes. Just what the Cardinals want.

[UPDATE]: Looks like Anquan Boldin could use a bye, as he's not expected to play this weekend for Arizona.

Video: Some Cardinals love in 2009.