NFL discussing possible playoff changes

[Guest converge241]

NEW YORK -- NFL owners might vote on a plan to expand the playoffs next season at their meetings in Phoenix, the Daily News reported Tuesday.

 

The playoffs would increase from six teams to seven for each conference if the plan is approved next week, the newspaper reported, citing anonymous sources. The current playoff format has been in place since 1990.

 

The newspaper reported that the league's competition committee discussed the issue at its meeting in Florida last week, and members were split on the idea. The News said sources indicated the playoff structure will change eventually but weren't sure when that would happen.

 

When the eight-division format was instituted this past season, commissioner Paul Tagliabue and other top officials said the NFL most likely would use the playoff system for several years to see if there were inequities to be addressed. He said at the time that change, if any, was several years away.

 

With seven teams, the newspaper said, only the No. 1 seeds in each conference would get first-round byes -- instead of two under the current format. The other teams would play in the wild-card round.

 

The newspaper also reported that owners probably will turn down a plan to change overtime rules. The proposal would guarantee each team at least one possession.

 

espn.com

 

i think keep it as is but i like that idea of only one team per confrence getting a bye

[Guest Flyboy]

I say keep it as is.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Guest jimmy no nose]

I say leave it. If you add any more teams then very soon there will be a playoff team that goes 7-9 or something. Under the current system the Cleveland Browns went this year at 9-7 and anything below that shouldn't be anywhere near the playoffs.

[Guest starvenger]

I kinda like the uniqueness of the current format. Too bad that money will dictate that the NFL adds 2 more teams into the playoff picture.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Ditto. I am so not looking forward to the day a 7-9 team gets in...

[Guest RepoMan]

NFL has the best playoffs right now. Enough get in to keep it interesting for alot of times donw the streach, but it still means something to make the playoffs. I'd really hate it become like the NHL or NBA where only the truly sucky don't get in.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Leave it?

 

I can't beleive that's winning.

 

A team can win a division and go 6-10 and a 10-6 team could miss the wildcard.

 

Sure you say you don't care now...but wait till it happens to your team.

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

Yes, I still say leave it, because if divisional victories don't translate into league victories, then said team doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs against the entire league.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

What if a division has the top two teams at 10-6, they split the games against each other and the division title is determined by the 4th tie breaker. (Take the 9-7 that three teams posted in the AFC east last year.)

 

Now lets say that two other wildcard teams in the conference post 10-6 records and the team that didn't win the division loses that on the tie break also.

 

And Jacksonville wins their division with a 6-10 record...with all 6 wins coming against the people in their division.

 

Just put in another Wild Card, for christsake. It's more TV revenue, an extra playoff game and more emphasis put on finishing #1 in conference. Pluses all around.

[Guest Dangerous A]

The NFL playoff system is fine.

 

Leave it the fuck alone.

 

Now go and put the old NBA playoff system back in place.(5 game series in first round, 7 game series the rest of the way)

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

How is it fine?

 

There are too many divisions and the playoffs have to change to accomidate that.

[Guest DrTom]

And Jacksonville wins their division with a 6-10 record...with all 6 wins coming against the people in their division.

No one would ever win a division with a 6-10 record. I think it's safe to say no one would make the playoffs with a 6-10 record, at least under the current system. Heck, how many 8-8 teams have made it in since 1990? 2?

 

The system is fine the way it is. I hate it when leagues have half (or more) of their teams make the playoffs. What meaning does the regular season have, then? Why not just flip a coin, and if you get tails, you're in the playoffs. The NFL regular season means something for two reasons: it's short, and there aren't a wealth of playoff spots available. I say we keep it that way.

 

My favorite playoff system was baseball's, before they went to the wild-card: win your division or go home. Putting too many teams in the playoffs rewards mediocrity, and doesn't create an incentive to succeed.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

It is very possible that a team with a losing record could make the playoffs. If Green Bay had a 7-9 year..they'd have made it.

 

There are 32 teams in the league and the same amount of spots since there were like...18 teams or something.

 

I don't see how anyone could be opposed to 1. Giving your team a better shot at the playoffs.

 

2. Having two more playoff games to watch.

 

3. Making it more important to get the #1 spot.

 

It's more exciting all around!

 

And for that matter...all you anti-change people...

 

THE PLAYOFF SYSTEM CHANGED LAST YEAR!!!!!! FOR THE WORSE!!!!!!

[Guest Crazy Dan]

When you start having more and more teams being allowed into the playoffs, it takes away from the regular season. Case in point: The NBA and NHL. Because so many teams are making the playoffs, many of the teams put it on cruise control until the playoffs.

 

The great thing about the NFL is that each and every game has meaning. So both teams will go out and kill each other for the all important win. Now, if a team knows that it can slack off a few games to avoid injury, or something like that, and still make the playoffs, it will make the league that much more mediocre.

[Guest NoCalMike]

All the baseball traditionalists said the Wild Card would ruin the baseball season, and it did the EXACT opposite. I mean imagine the past couple years, Oakland not making it despite having over 100 wins. Wait a sec, what the hell does this have to do with the NFL?

 

Personally, I am NEVER bothered by MORE playoff games. In Football though, it is a tricky situation since ONE loss and yer gone. In baseball/basketball the BETTER team is almost always gonna come out on top because it is a series. I guess when it comes to the NFL, I wouldn't mind either way. I like the playoff system now, but I wouldn't mind throwing another 2 teams in there. Considering some teams get their nice big records on a crappy strength of schedule.

[Guest converge241]

im glad to see the huge majority that likes it the way it is

 

as a side question:

if they insist on changing does everyone like 7 teams or 8 temas per confrence.. as i mentioned i like the 1 team per conff. bye and you get 6 1st round games