The NFL Thread 2016: New England Patriots Win Super Bowl LI

[theRepublic]

LudicrousSpeed said:

Chris Hu said:

Nope both Green Bay and Atlanta can shred the Arlington's Cowgirls defense (especially the questionable secondary) for massive points.  Plus if the Giants make it they have the defense to shut them down for another victory for the third time.

It's pretty hard to beat a team three times in a season. I don't remember it happening except the 1999 season IIRC when the Titans went 13-3 but lost the division to the 14-2 Jaguars, whose 2 losses came to the Titans, and Tennesee beat them a third time en route to the Super Bowl. It might have happened since then, but I don't recall.

It happens more than you would think.

2009 Dallas Cowboys over Philadelphia Eagles
2008 Pittsburgh Steelers over Baltimore Ravens
2004 St. Louis Rams over Seattle Seahawks - I remember watching this one.  The 8-8 Rams were even on the road for the playoff game.  They got crushed the next week by ATL.
2002 Pittsburgh Steelers over Cleveland Browns
2000 New York Giants over Philadelphia Eagles
1999 Tennessee Titans over Jacksonville Jaguars
1997 Green Bay Packers over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1997 New England Patriots over Miami Dolphins
1994 Pittsburgh Steelers over Cleveland Browns
1993 Los Angeles Raiders over Denver Broncos
1991 Kansas City Chiefs over Los Angeles Raiders
1986 New York Giants over Washington Redskins
1982 Miami Dolphins over New York Jets
1965 Green Bay Packers over Baltimore Colts
1964 Buffalo Bills over San Diego Chargers
1958 New York Giants over Cleveland Browns
1952 Detroit Lions over Los Angeles Rams

Articles I found said that NFL teams win about 70% of the time if they beat the opponent twice in the regular season.  So if I was Dallas, I would not want to see the Giants.