Why do people think playoff experience is a huge deal

I think there is evidence it helps. Like I said in a previous post, you have to go back almost 20 years to find a SB champion that basically came out of no where. Almost every SB winner, has had recent playoff experience and had been a consistently good team. Whether that is due to playoff experience specifically, or just teams that had been built over the years is hard to say, but the reality, is that teams that win the SB (or even go to the SB) tend to have recent playoff experience.

 

I imagine the playoffs are a bit of a different atmosphere to play in. Mentally it may effect a bunch of young guys that have never been vs having a bunch of guys who have been to the playoffs and won playoff games. But at the end of the day, it's still football.

That being said, plenty of teams/players have been there year after year and don't win so it obviously doesn't mean success.

There is added pressure and every player handles that differently. Some vets may still get butterflies after 5 playoff games and some rookies may take it as just another game.

So all in all, I'd say playoff experience isn't a recipe for success but it doesn't hurt either.

 

imagine your girlfriend has been basically cheating on you all year, but still expects you to put up with it and be happy whenever you’re around her. Thats what this feels like.

 

didnt the Bills lose 4 superbowls in a row? How much playoff experience is that?

 

They also made 4 SBs in a row. Only 1 team can win a year, so obviously playoff experience by itself isnt the deciding factor, since typically more than 1 team have experience. That was also almost 30 years ago.

 

Right, and it is hard to prove either way. Sure, a team could go out and sign a ton of free agents and draft well and end up winning it all, but it doesnt really happen. The Rams that beat the Titans, and the Ravens the next year, were pretty much the last teams that just came out of no where to win it all. Even the Pats first SB was a surprise, and Brady was inexperienced, but most of their starting defense had played in the SB just a few years before and the playoffs again the year after that. They were a surprise because Bledsoe got hurt and Brady ended up being so good, but that was an experienced team overall. They had a ton of guys who had played deep into the post season.

The reality today, is if you have good QB play, your team is going to be competitive and have a chance. The difference in the Packers sitting at home, or being a superbowl favorite right now, is Rodgers got hurt. And I think playoff experience for a QB is pretty important. Even if we lose to KC, I think it is a good thing for Marcus to get his first playoff game under his belt.

 

Why do so many people have this all or nothing attitude? If we don't win the super bowl it is a wasted season.

What the Titans really play for are high draft picks? Have 20 straight horrible seasons with 20 straight top 5 draft picks and then, only then will we carte about the playoffs?

It's like the lottery. The odds might be astronomical of ever winning but they are zero if you never buy a ticket.

You take one game at a time. The Chiefs are nothing to be scared about. We win that game who knows.