When I say that, I mean I don't care if they played like a cup looking team or played like a last place team in late Oct / Nov. The way teams are playing, their record, none of it really matters for playoff results.
Compare that to 2 weeks before the playoffs. Teams are complete post deadline, they have had a season to master their system and learn their linemates, and they are supposed to represent the finished product for the playoff.
I am vastly more concerned with no shows at this time of year than a no show in October