Home field advantage important in NFL
This is an NFL postseason of few surprises, with just two home teams losing in the first two weeks.
One, of course, was the Steelers, who lost, 30-17, to the Ravens during wild-card weekend. The other was Denver being upset by Indianapolis last weekend.
Outside of those two games, it’s been the home teams advancing.
That 6-2 home record in the first two weeks of the playoffs, a winning percentage of .750, is far better than the .569 winning percentage teams posted in the regular season at home.
In fact, Denver’s loss last week was its first at home this season. The Steelers went 6-3 in home games, including their playoff loss.
Typically, playing at home matters.
It’s been especially good for this year’s playoff teams, who went a combined 75-20-1 at home this season, compared to 56-39-1 on the road.
Both are solid records and what you would expect from good teams.
But every team that made the playoffs this season posted a .500 record or better at home, with Dallas and Carolina both going 4-4. In contrast, six of the 12 playoff teams were .500 or worse on the road this season.
Why bring this up?
Much has been made of the Steelers’ 2015 schedule and, in particular, how difficult the road schedule appears.
While it is somewhat folly to guess at this point in the year which teams will be good and which will not next season, a road schedule that includes all three AFC North opponents, Kansas City, San Diego, St. Louis, Seattle and New England does appear daunting as we sit here in January.
The Steelers will definitely need to take care of business at Heinz Field in 2015.
The key to making the postseason appears to be winning six or more home games and going .500 or close to it on the road.
The Packers were one of those .500 road teams this season, while Seattle has won eight of its nine games at home. One of the Packers’ road losses was a 36-16 shellacking in Seattle to open the season. Aaron Rodgers was limited to 189 yards passing with one TD and one interception in that game. With Rodgers still nursing a calf injury, there’s no reason to think the Seahawks won’t beat the Packers again.
Take Seattle, 36-16.
Like the Packers and Seahawks, this also is a rematch. New England went to Indianapolis in Week 11 and whipped the Colts, 42-20. New England outgained Indianapolis on the ground in that game, 246-19, with QB Andrew Luck leading the Colts with 15 rushing yards on three carries. Indianapolis’ running backs gained 4 yards on 13 carries.
Take New England, 42-20.
Last Week: 3-1 ATS; 2-2 Straight up
Overall: 116-123-4 ATS; 161-85 Straight up
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.