DC.COM Blog: Early Bye Not Always A Disadvantage

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by rphillips at 4/20/2011 5:57 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

If NFL coaches had their choice, most would probably take their bye week right at midseason -- eight games gone, eight to go.

The Cowboys last came close to a perfect split in 2008 -- a Week 10 bye after nine games. But the last three schedules have slotted the Cowboys' idle week roughly within the first month or less: Week 6 in 2009, Week 4 in 2010 and now Week 5 in 2011.

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[The Emperor]

We had one last year and we went 6-10. So, it is. Next case.

 

[Galian Beast]

Early bye is garbage. Cant believe we keep getting them. Only time they help is when there is an early injury and it buys time.

 

[TNCowboy]

Parcells said that fairly early in the season like this was good. With TC and pre-season, week 5 is fairly close to the middle of the players work year.

 

[Hoofbite]

I honestly can't believe the NFL thinks that having byes span from like Week 5 or 6 until Week 11 is a good idea.

It's completely nonsensical.

Oh, and checking the schedule........I think the Colts, Saints and Steelers all have the latest possible bye week.

Coincidental but still just very convenient that 3 of the most likely teams to be competing are all slotted for the last bye.

The byes should spread across 4 weeks. One team from every division per week. Pretty easy.

Weeks 6-9, or 7-10.

Honestly, I should apply for a job in scheduling at the NFL. I think I could provide some much needed advice.

 

[jazzcat22]

NFL will never do the byes of entire Divisions. Too much TV ratings / Revenue at stakes. As I said before in a previous post some time ago. They will keep the fans intereseted week to week, by having the divison rivals play during the others bye weeks. Keeps fans tuned in to watch / hope the rivals get beat.

I used to never mind the early byes, get it over with and out of the way. Then get on a roll, get in sync and make that playoff push. Need that weekly routine. Mid season isn't bad though the way I think of it anynore. Since the players are so used this now anyway.

Weeks 5 to 9 would be the best IMO. And use a rotaing formula, just like the schedules are made.

 

[Ashwynn]

Maybe not, but a late bye is more often then not more advantageous for the health of your team.

 

[Go Big D!]

I honestly can't believe the NFL thinks that having byes span from like Week 5 or 6 until Week 11 is a good idea.

It's completely nonsensical.

Oh, and checking the schedule........I think the Colts, Saints and Steelers all have the latest possible bye week.

Coincidental but still just very convenient that 3 of the most likely teams to be competing are all slotted for the last bye.

The byes should spread across 4 weeks. One team from every division per week. Pretty easy.

Weeks 6-9, or 7-10.

Honestly, I should apply for a job in scheduling at the NFL. I think I could provide some much needed advice.

I never really thought about it in these terms but it makes sense to me.
I'm really tired of the Cowboys getting stuck with the early byes.

 

[Hoofbite]

NFL will never do the byes of entire Divisions. Too much TV ratings / Revenue at stakes. As I said before in a previous post some time ago. They will keep the fans intereseted week to week, by having the divison rivals play during the others bye weeks. Keeps fans tuned in to watch / hope the rivals get beat.

I used to never mind the early byes, get it over with and out of the way. Then get on a roll, get in sync and make that playoff push. Need that weekly routine. Mid season isn't bad though the way I think of it anynore. Since the players are so used this now anyway.

Weeks 5 to 9 would be the best IMO. And use a rotaing formula, just like the schedules are made.

They don't need to have an entire division off.

They just need 1 team from each division off per week, for 4 weeks.

Leaves you with 24 teams to battle it out.

 

[sonnyboy]

You guys do understand that the BYE weeks have nothing to do with anything other than TV ratings and generating the maximum amount of dollars?

What's fair from a competitive balance standpoint or the health of the players was not considered.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Week 8 give half the AFC and NFC a bye then week 9 the others

That way a bye is not an advantage to any team

 

[VietCowboy]

Week 8 give half the AFC and NFC a bye then week 9 the others

That way a bye is not an advantage to any team

Technically the teams that have a bye week 9 may have an advantage week 10 if their opponent played week 9.