A little background on why I started doing this research. Last year I was cruising along in my survivor pool. In week 11, I pretty much had the next 5 weeks mapped out for easy victories. That week, I picked ATL to beat DEN at home. It seemed like a solid pick. Denver had lost 2 of 3 and 4 of 6 and was playing without Champ Bailey, any starting LB and had a FB playing running back. Atlanta had just won 4 of 5, was 4-0 at home and had just won a pivotall game vs division rival New Orleans. It seemed like a good pick at the time, even though I had been doubting ATL the entire season. Well, Denver ended up winning the game. After the game ATL head coach Mike Smith said they did not prepare as much for the game because they used a lot of energy in the NO game and had another division game win Carolina the following week. This game just wasn't as important to them.
I felt like a fool. How did I not realize this? Psychology plays a major part in winning and losing football games. I wanted to do some research on topics that could have an effect on the mental attitude of a football team on a given week.
Here are my thoughts on research topics, each one possibly have a psychological effect on a football team:
- Post Thur Night
- Post Mon night
- Post Bye
- Division Rematch after Stomp
- Non conference game preceding 1+ (2+?) division games or sandwiched between 2 division games.
If anyone thinks of other scenarios that would have a football team mentally prepare differently for a game, post a comment and I will try to work on it.
Enjoy!
I'm excited for all of the football.
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