The NFL owners are close to voting on a playoff expansion plan, whereby each conference would have a 7th playoff team, and the bye would only go to the top seed in the conference (no link, got it off sports radio). True, it would help the networks, as it would add an additional 2 games on the first weekend of the playoffs. However, it is devaluing further the regular season, as it would now be more likely that a sub .500 team could make the playoffs in each conference. The current formula works well, provides excitement (look at the playoff possibilities this past season) and still provides value to the regular season. Its not worth the risk of screwing up something that works well.
If it wasn't for war, you wouldn't know what peace was.
I agree with you totally redsoxnation!!! Why fix what isn't broke...........for $$$$$ of course. It also penalizes a team that would normally get a bye during that wild card weekend by having them now play a week earlier.
How would this reward a mediocre team, or take away a bye? The proposal would reward one more team that played well in a division with other strong teams. Looking at last years ranking the 7th team would have been the Pats in the AFC and the Saints in the NFC.
This addresses the problem in the current system where a Team that finishes with a better record than a team that wins another division could get shut out. Or more acuratly it lessens the chance.
As for taking away a bye this would make it so the three best division winners get a bye. I think that it would make more sense to give the three teams with the best records a bye rather than looking at division record but that would lessen the prestege of winning your division.
While I don't feel that this system fixes all the problems I don't think that the NFL is going to abandon the Division winner getting an automatic berth. Which to my mind is the only way to make sure noone gets shafted.
if "Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people," then, considering the remarks coming out of Tinseltown about Iraq, "Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded." John McCain
Bottom line, this faces the imparity in the current playoff system(which I know is just one year old, but still). In 2 different divisions in the AFC last year, the East and the West, the worst teams in each(San Diego, Kansas City, and Buffalo), could've been 11-12 game winners in the South or North, with the weakened in-division schedule. That much difference between the divisions is bullshit. The only other solution to this horrible problem is to only have 3 inter-division games. And I think everyone who loves division rivalries(myself included) would think that's bullshit.
"You know, frankly, going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. You just leave a lot of useless noisy baggage behind."- Jed Babbin
Looks like I miss heard some talk about this on the Radio today after reading the article I now see where the talk about a team lossing the bye comes in. However I don't see it as a big deal, now only the best team in each conferance gets a bye. I think this will only make the competition more intense in teh final weeks of the season and you will see less of teams sitting starters since they will be playing for the bye.
if "Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people," then, considering the remarks coming out of Tinseltown about Iraq, "Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded." John McCain
Didn't I read something about Bob Kraft proposing this right after the season ended? (and coincidentally the Patriots missing the playoffs) I believe it was the 8-team concept that Sec19 was talking about? Can't wait for the first 7-9 Super Bowl champ to be crowned.
I wish they made chocolate Advent calendars for WrestleMania, although I'd skip the Mark Henry day.
I don't like it, plain and simple. That's the one thing that seperates the NFL from other leagues is the unique playoff system that rewards teams that do WELL. A division is truely worth fighting for in this system.
Reviewer of games, token redneck, and one of the few remaining Expos fans.
Originally posted by El NastioI don't like it, plain and simple. That's the one thing that seperates the NFL from other leagues is the unique playoff system that rewards teams that do WELL. A division is truely worth fighting for in this system.
The only thing about it is.. in a few of the divisions, I could take 11 of US, put us in uniforms, and we'd be a playoff caliber team.
"The time for debate is really beforehand. Obviously history will speak on whether this was the right thing or the wrong thing, but right now (the soldiers) are out there. Support 'em. There's plenty of time for commentary later." -David Robinson
'Nother different format today, as the column will be much shorter and won't necessarily cover every game. It'll be heavier on the major goings-on of the week, and I'll try to express a few opinions without sounding like a total moron.
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