Sports
| 29 January 2010
As many fans and pundits cry foul and insist the NFL changes the way OT is handled, I want to step back and take a further look at the so-called coin flip bias. This is as good a topic as any for StatBandit to put a stake in the ground and start providing in depth analysis. In order to create useful analysis, data is king. This exercise has already demonstrated how difficult it can be to gather the data. Over the years, I've become adept at gathering data and inserting the data into spreadsheets for analysis and readability. In the initial research on this topic, you can find tons of opinions and only a few in depth studies. For a good one written 5 years ago, just google Ivars Peterson Football's Overtime Bias. Peterson's analysis appears very formal mathematically, but provides very little insight into the world of Football strategy.
My contention is that OT rules are just fine in their current format and maybe it's the coaching that needs to change.
Here's the latest example of how the All-Star game concept has become a joke. Look no further than the NBA where AI who couldn't cut it in Denver and Detroit has returned to Philadelphia. He's a shell of his former self playing on a bad team, yet he has pulled down a starter's role in the upcoming All-Star game. 
StatBandit is definitely looking forward to this weekend's games. The story lines and potential superbowl matchups are very intriguing. There will definitely be a dome team since both Vikes and Saints are dome teams. Favre the old dog with his weapons versus the not so old dog Brees and his weapons.