ESPN Insider story about best team in the AFC

[Superman]

I never said stats themselves are misleading! I said people USE the stats to support their conclusions. Which is exactly what that guy was trying to do, albeit poorly.

You used this article as an example of the folly of relying on stats. This article is an example of bad writing and a lack of understanding with regard to the stat he's relying on.

What this guy is doing is absolutely backward. You don't reach a conclusion and then find some stats that support your conclusion. You don't look at a stat, draw a conclusion from it, and then build an entire article based on that ill-reached conclusion. The proper way to do it is to use stats and observation to reach a conclusion (and it's sports, so nothing is final), and then you support that conclusion. It's the scientific method, and this guy missed some steps, and got the others out of order.

[DILLIGAFER]

This is the most hilarious part. Man, look at those powerhouses! 8-10!! How did the Broncs manage to win against such stalwarts?!

And really, you're gonna cite the fact that they have a cake schedule the rest of the way as a deciding factor that they're the AFC's best team? Puhleeeeze.

This is awful.

what can I say, you just dont like it because it puts a positive spin on the Broncos.

[Vance]

You used this article as an example of the folly of relying on stats. This article is an example of bad writing and a lack of understanding with regard to the stat he's relying on.

What this guy is doing is absolutely backward. You don't reach a conclusion and then find some stats that support your conclusion. You don't look at a stat, draw a conclusion from it, and then build an entire article based on that ill-reached conclusion. The proper way to do it is to use stats and observation to reach a conclusion (and it's sports, so nothing is final), and then you support that conclusion. It's the scientific method, and this guy missed some steps, and got the others out of order.

You're impossible. What you're saying is exactly what I'm saying but you seem to think I'm saying something else.

[Vance]

what can I say, you just dont like it because it puts a positive spin on the Broncos.

Spin is exactly the correct word for this piece that pretty much everyone is calling garbage. Lol.

[trsean]

I say, I say.

Why, all this dagnabit discussion is highly nonsensical.

NFC will simply steamroll whoever.

[Qwiz]

I say, I say.

Why, all this dagnabit discussion is highly nonsensical.

NFC will simply steamroll whoever.

Not if an inconsistent squad like San Francisco or Chicago gets in lol.

[Snowglobe]

All the teams in the AFC are weak, the NFC scares me...Heck even the Saints.

[southwest1]

What this guy is doing is absolutely backward. You don't reach a conclusion and then find some stats that support your conclusion. You don't look at a stat, draw a conclusion from it, and then build an entire article based on that ill-reached conclusion. The proper way to do it is to use stats and observation to reach a conclusion (and it's sports, so nothing is final), and then you support that conclusion. It's the scientific method, and this guy missed some steps, and got the others out of order.

Good point Superman. A writer or a reporter can hypothesize a perceived thesis or conclusion, but ultimately your empirical evidence must reveal what your final outcome not the other way around. Sometimes, you can statistics to support your thesis, but you can't exclusively cherry pick or select only the statistics that support your thesis and ultimate conclusion.

This is my neck of the woods now the hallowed halls of academia. Our profession is defined by transparency, proper footnote citation, and a neutral approach to all evidence and outcomes. Evidence never lies, but person's faulty method of primary and secondary research gathering as well as their inability to leave personal biases at the doorstep can significantly alter the influence of said evidence in an unflattering and derogatory fashion weakening the strength, reliability, and impact of any document's final solutions for it's audience or intended community at large.

Translation: Assume nothing and verify everything by way of at least 2 independent sources of information and confirmation.

[HtownColt]

Fact is I don't want to peak this early and be the best team in week 8. I want to just do enough to get by at the beginning of the year then peak and be the best team starting week 13 and so on so I'm peaking right before playoff time

[Jules]

2001 Pats started 3-3

2012 Pats started 3-3

2012 Pats lost their first home opener since 2001.

2012 Pats won a game at home in October in OT 29-26.

2001 Pats won a game at home in October in OT 29-26.

2001 SB was in New Orleans

Super Bowl is again in New Orleans

Patriots have played in the last two NO SBs.

[Dustin]

2001 Pats started 3-3

2012 Pats started 3-3

2012 Pats lost their first home opener since 2001.

2012 Pats won a game at home in October in OT 29-26.

2001 Pats won a game at home in October in OT 29-26.

2001 SB was in New Orleans

Super Bowl is again in New Orleans

Patriots have played in the last two NO SBs.

[LightninMax]

Denver & San Fran in the Super Bowl!