Playoff expansion a done deal for 2015

[DFWJC]

If it is just one additional team per conference, the Cowboys still would not have made it last year.

Or any of the last three 8-8 seasons.

The flaw in the system that that allows bad record teams in the the division champ loophole.
But I think everyone likes incentive to win the division.

 

[Idgit]

I like rewarding the best regular season record in each conference with a bye. Think it makes for better competition on that level because it's a big advantage now.

It also keeps some weaker teams from packing it in in week 5 or whatever, since the extra spot impacts probabilities of getting in while there are still many games left to play substantially.

Basically, if less than half of the teams in the league qualify for the playoffs, I'm ok with that.

 

[AsthmaField]

Meh...

The best teams will still be the ones advancing through the post season. If a them that isn't very good gets in, then they should be out of action very quickly.

*shrug*

No big deal.

A game or two extra to watch. I can live with that.

Besides, sometimes a team has injuries or other problems early and then gets it all together as the season goes along. Sometimes those teams are better than some of the teams with better records. This will give them a chance to get in and make some noise.

 

[Hoofbite]

There was similar outcry when MLB expanded their playoffs. The result, more people watched, more teams in it toward the end of the season, and MLB made a lot more money.

That's an impressive list, but none of which I care about.

Viewership isn't a problem in the NFL and there won't be any more viewers for the two additional playoff games than there are for any of the other playoff games.

Most teams are "in it" anyway because of the fewer number of games.

I literally couldn't care any less how much additional money the league makes on top of the ridiculous amounts of money they already make.

Baseball expanded to a number that is still less than the NFLs current format. 8 of 30 is likely too restricted. An argument can be made that 14 of 32 is not restricted enough.

 

[Hoofbite]

I like rewarding the best regular season record in each conference with a bye. Think it makes for better competition on that level because it's a big advantage now.

It also keeps some weaker teams from packing it in in week 5 or whatever, since the extra spot impacts probabilities of getting in while there are still many games left to play substantially.

Basically, if less than half of the teams in the league qualify for the playoffs, I'm ok with that.

Not that I think teams do pack it in but I don't think that extra spot would change it if teams were regularly packing it in.

Any team that would call it after week 5 isn't going to be encouraged that an additional 9-win team will go to the playoffs because they won't be a 9-win team. If you're packing it in at week 5 you're probably picking top 5 and don't have a shot at the extra spot.

 

[Shunpike]

I am all for this. More meaningful Week 17 games this way. In fact, this change will help last few weeks of regular season mean more.

Look, 7-9 Hawks got in due to being division winner. A 7 seed team won't have a losing record.

 

[dogunwo]

That's an impressive list, but none of which I care about.

Viewership isn't a problem in the NFL and there won't be any more viewers for the two additional playoff games than there are for any of the other playoff games.

Most teams are "in it" anyway because of the fewer number of games.

I literally couldn't care any less how much additional money the league makes on top of the ridiculous amounts of money they already make.

Baseball expanded to a number that is still less than the NFLs current format. 8 of 30 is likely too restricted. An argument can be made that 14 of 32 is not restricted enough.

The "more people watched" refers to teams down the stretch, not the playoff games themselves. If your "team" is still in the playoff hunt mathematically, then viewership and attendance doesnt drop later in the season. Remember, the NFL makes these types of rules for the "casual" or "average" fan to bring them more in, or keep them in. This is not for die-hards like us. They already have us and they know we aren't going anywhere. I do agree that there is a point of diminishing returns though, and 7 teams per conference is probably the max.

 

[CF74]

Good players can get injured walking to their car.

It only puts 1 team per conf at any sort of additional risk now that #2 won't get a bye.

Yeah maybe in Da Hood...

 

[jday]

Don't care for it.

There's no need to increase the number.

Will it be a 3rd wildcard? 14 teams in the playoffs?

I'm just guessing here...but the 1st round bye may be done away with...which I would agree with. It's not always the case, but we see it every year - some teams seem to actually suffer from the time off. That won't be an issue going forward, meaning that the teams that deserve to be there will not have that as an excuse anymore.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Expanding the playoffs only weakens the meaning of individual regular season games.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

WEAK

 

[Hoofbite]

7 examples in 21 years is it happening 33% of the time which is a lot. Parity is going to see few outliers and a fatter middle. 10 is only 2 wins from the mean.

33% of the seasons over that span.

Quickly counted about 220 instances of 10-win seasons over that time, which means that about 97% of 10-win teams went to the playoffs.

IMO, if they want to make sure deserving teams aren't excluded they should stop including the undeserving teams.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

33% of the seasons over that span.

Quickly counted about 220 instances of 10-win seasons over that time, which means that about 97% of 10-win teams went to the playoffs.

IMO, if they want to make sure deserving teams aren't excluded they should stop including the undeserving teams.

Tell that to the 7 teams. Bad teams get in for winning the division. Fostering division rivalry in a league with so few games each year makes sense.
Every third year a 10-6 team will get in and the other years a 9-7 team will make it. That team will play the 2 seed.

 

[Fredd]

IMO, the only negative to this is that the #2 seed doesn't get a bye...and I can live with that. Here is what I think (in no particular order):

1) The NFL is a money-making machine!
- The NFL recognizes that additional, meaningful games means more advertising dollars
2) The Owners want their team to have a better opportunity to get into the playoffs
- Having that extra slot means that the 7-8 and 8-7 teams that are teetering on the edge of the playoffs will still have that chance; more fans will come to games; more money into the owners pockets
3) Team interest will be increased following week #15
- The season won't be over for teams that are 6-8 after 14 games; to tank or not to tank won't be a question...I don't know the #'s but I seems to remember that there were A LOT of teams that were 6-8, 7-7 or better after 14 games (maybe something like 22+ teams in that scenario)
- The top teams in the conferences will still need to play for HMA, and that can mean that games in week #16 and Week #17 have a lot more meaning
4) Fan excitement will be increased
- Like it or not, it will be exciting to see games that mean something in the last two weeks of the season; the NFL already flexes a game to Sunday night JUST for that reason - adding another playoff team in each conference means that there will still be games that are good to watch other than the sunday night game
- for any fantasy football guys/gals, have you ever gotten frustrated when your best player isn't playing in your "superbowl" because they are resting him? perhaps not so much now
5) Media attention will be at all-time high in weeks #16 & #17
- let's call a spade a spade...the big winners are the nfl, the owners, and especially stations like ESPN and NFLN; in the past, I used to like watching the highlights on ESPN of what happened in the games that helped a team make the playoffs...not so much in the last few years...I look at the scrolling scores and say "ih? I'll tune in next week"...perhaps if there is a bonanza of different teams fighting for that last spot in each conference, it will pique my interest

reader's digest version: Fredd is OK with this (at least I understand), and I can see this being the pre-cursor to no bye's and 8 making it in for each conference in the very near future

 

[CrazyCowboy]

The "PLAYOFF" for my Cowboys is looking more like Reality again vs a dream if not in 14 then 15 for sure......are they taking all 32 teams? lol .........GO COWBOYS!

 

[NJ22]

I am against lessening the impact of the regular season. Less teams in the playoffs means regular season games that are much more must win situations.

Exactly.

 

[Alexander]

Would take expanded playoffs over 18 game season any day.

 

[Risen Star]

Exactly.

On the flip side, an added wild card creates more must win games for teams that might normally be already out of it.

I'm a traditionalist, but I don't really mind one extra team per conference. It sucks for the 2nd seed losing their bye though.

 

[Venger]

The only decent impetus for this would be that we've seen good teams who are playoff deserving get shlepped because we have 6 spots and 4 division winners take them 2/3 of them. To resolve, you have to add a spot, or go to 3 divisions. I'm frankly good with either.

Or... top 6 records get in, regardless of division. Discuss...

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Haven't seen it yet after two pages -- this greatly increases the importance of the #1 seed and greatly reduces the importance of the #2. That very much increases the chances of a Super Bowl played between the two teams with the best records as they will be the only teams with that week off to rest and prepare and not sustain further injuries.