[naflod]

I'm no NFL expert but in the 30+ years I've been a fan, the draft order has always been decided by wins and losses. Ties were then decided by head to head match-ups, conference records and divisional records.

With this in mind, why then are the Houston Texans drafting ahead of the Miami Dolphins?

Houston's record was 6-10
Miami's record was 6-10
October 1 Houston beat Miami 17-15
Houston had a conference record of 6-6
Miami had a conference record of 3-9
Houston had a divisional record of 3-3
Miami had a divisional record of 1-5.

Why then is Houston picking 8th and Miami 9th? I don't recall a trade.
I've called ESPN's radio shows as well as the Dolphin's home town radio shows, I've emailed the Miami Dolphins, NFL, Mel Kiper, ESPN, CBS, and MICKEY MOUSE and no one can or wants to answer my question.

Please tell me there's a simple explanation and that I've drank so many mimosas at the tail gate parties that my brain cells are now dead.

Thanks in advance!

[Lefty Noob]

What were the two team's respective strength of schedule rankings? That, not head-to-head or conference records, appears to be the first tie-breaker in cases where two teams have identical records. After strength of schedule comes divisional and conference records, followed by a coin flip if necessary.

[naflod]

I don't remember, but one was .501 and the other .504. Sounds like a flaw to me. Houston has an easier schedule but still beats Miami and gets to pick first?

GRRRRRR

Thanks for the reply. You were able to answer a question that "experts in the field" told me they had no idea. I won't mention Dan Le Batard's name either.

[Lefty Noob]

Yeah, it doesn't make a lot of sense. Head-to-head, when applicable, really should trump all other concerns.

[alex83]

now im not up on the draft order or anything like that either but from what ive seen these are the rules of the divisional tie breakers, which im assuming is also the case for the final draft order, so check out this link and MAYBE it should explain it

NFL.com - NFL Tiebreakers

enjoy

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Strength of schedule is the first tie-breaker. Head-to-head means nothing when determining draft order.

It only makes sense that Houston gets the higher pick if they had the easier strength of schedule. They played worse teams, but still had the same amount of wins. It all makes sense to me.

[EmpireWF]

CLE is right wit the S.O.S., if a team had an easier schedule and has the same amount of wins as a team with a tougher schedule, they're the worse team and get the better pick.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Notorious C.L.E.

It all makes sense to me.

so long as it all makes sense to CLE the world will keep spinning

[alex83]

i dont understand how you can judge the 'strength of a schedule' i mean is this decided before the season starts or after? i mean you look at the Raiders as a perfect example, they were tipped as doing very well this season and...well...didnt and what about teams with a really easy schedule that can win all but 3 of their games, does that make them a 'more' difficult team because the teams they play roll over and die??

[MJHMarc]

Good point, Alex.

Some teams come out of nowhere, like the Tigers in baseball.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by alex83

i dont understand how you can judge the 'strength of a schedule' i mean is this decided before the season starts or after? i mean you look at the Raiders as a perfect example, they were tipped as doing very well this season and...well...didnt and what about teams with a really easy schedule that can win all but 3 of their games, does that make them a 'more' difficult team because the teams they play roll over and die??

Strength of schedule in the NFL is strictly determined by opponents W/L percentage.

[simple simon]

so apparently the Raiders will have the best strength of schedule.....as they suck the most