I'm pretty sure that as we measure expectations using impartial money lines from Vegas, our record should be around 11-5.
Remember, historically teams only win about 75-80% of their games when favored by a touchdown. There's a reason we say "Any Given Sunday".
But the schedule is favorable. It demands a good start, which Tomlin seems to have a hard time motivating/coaching his way through.
As for the playoffs, that's a different analysis. Health, matchups, home field advantage and sometimes just who eliminates who as you progress can mean all the difference in the world.
The team certainly seems to have the talent/core group to reach another AFCCG. To me, any time that happens, I consider it a successful season (regardless of record). So to me I guess 11 wins is expected. More than that would be exceeding my expectations. And reaching the AFCCG would stamp/verify the season a pretty good success.
I always treat seasons as if I'm reading a novel with 16 chapters and a finale. What happens in chapters 2 or 4 or 7 of a book doesn't always explain how it ends. You really do have to wait until the book is completely done before you say if it's good or bad.
The GM work and team building this off-season is pretty much done. It's been a decent, if a bit underwhelming, off-season. I think the draft was solid but not spectacular. Okay job at keeping the core together. Little to no outside the building help. We'll see if it's enough.
