Quote:A major concern of mine is that under Roger Goodell's leadership,  the NFL is seriously thinking about expanding the playoffs from 12 to either 14 or 16 teams.   

 

The playoff formula that exists right now is ideal.  Division winners are awarded at least one home game in the playoffs and the top 2 division winners in each conference get a bye.   Expanding the playoffs will lessen the importance of regular season games.   That much more if the NFL expands the playoffs to 16 teams and eliminates byes.  

 

While the NFL would have added revenue from more playoff games,  the incentive to watch regular season games,  especially when your favorite team isn't involved,  would be lessened significantly.     Teams with 8-8 or worse records getting into the playoffs would become common.   My interest in the NBA and NHL is minimal until the playoffs begin because 16 teams reach the playoffs and there are no byes. 

 

I don't think expanding the playoffs to 14 teams is terrible.  You'd be giving the top seed only a bye and the 2 seed would be playing the 7 seed on wildcard weekend.  That's not drastically changing things too much.  I do agree that 16  teams is too much.  So half the league makes the playoffs?!?  Not a good idea.   But expanding to 14 would have allowed a hot Cardinals team into the playoffs this year and I would have enjoyed seeing that.

 

I am vehemently opposed to reseeding based on record alone.  People are up in arms that the 49ers have to go to Lambeau this year.  They aren't taking into account that the NFC West played the AFC South this year which in my estimation is the worst division in football at the moment.  Giving division champs a home game is the equalizer against a wildcard team that gets in and has a better record due to fortunate scheduling.  It also helps to foster deep rivalries between division opponents because the games are worth more and that is good for the game.

 

To further the point, the AFC West also played the AFC South this year and put 3 teams into the playoffs.  I'm not saying they shouldn't be there, but let's not gloss over the fact that they had an easier schedule than the rest of the AFC and start handing out home field advantage to a team like the Chiefs.

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