Data Points- Importance of a good start

The 2011 kickoff is finally Stan Mikita Jersey here, as the Saints and Packers begin the season Thursday night in Green Bay. Seems like a good time to remind everyone the importance of winning the first game of the season. More to the point: the importance of not losing the first game.

In 2010, eight of the 12 division winners won their Week 1 games. The Colts were the only division winner to lose in Week 1 to a non-playoff team. Four teams overall did make it to the playoffs last season despite starting 0-1, but the odds are a little tougher. Since 1990, only 45 out of 321 teams to start 0-1 went on to win their division. Thats a paltry 14 percent. Doesnt Brent Seabrook Jersey mean it cant happen, but you get the picture. Here is the breakdown of teams making or mi sing the playoffs since 1990 based on their Week 1 results: