Playoff Changes I Want....

[Biggems]

1. Seven teams make the postseason from each conference
2. Only the team with the best record in each conference gets a 1st round bye
3. Four division winners get automatic spot, but not automatic home game
4. If Wildcard team has better record than Division Champ, Wildcard team hosts playoff game

Six Wildcard games, 3 each day

This makes more money for the NFL....gives teams and their fans who are on the cusp more hope. It makes the last 3 weeks of the season even more significant and exciting. 3 wildcard games each day would be awesome (12:00, 3:15, 7:00 CST).....CBS and Fox get the day games, NBC gets the evening games (1 AFC, 1 NFC)

 

[tiny tim]

This sounds like a neat idea. Not sure if the NFL would do this though. I like the idea of the division winner still being able to go to the playoffs. I also like the idea of the wildcard team with the better record than a division winner having the home field advantage.

 

[Tricericon]

Six teams is plenty. We have enough crummy teams sneaking in as it is. I also think the divisional champions should be guaranteed a home game.

If it's a situation like this year, the good wildcard ought to be so superior to the bad DC that they clobber them anyway. OTOH, if it's a situation where a bunch of good teams have beaten each other up, I think the divisional champion should still have a home game, and is much more likely to be in a situation where it matters.

How would you feel if a strong Cowboy team clawed their way past loaded Eagle and Giant teams, the AFC North's murderers row, and dangerous Packer and Bear teams to win the East, then had to travel to, say, Carolina to play an average Panther wildcard team that went 11-5 because they had 10 games against cupcakes?