"Lot of momentum" for 2015 playoff expansion

[Guest]

It seems like more a matter of when rather than if the NFL decides to expand the playoffs. And it could come as soon as 2015.

One person "familiar with the deliberations" on playoff expansion told Mark Maske of the Washington Post there's a "lot of momentum" to make a move to 14 teams instead of 12.

"I think there's a lot of momentum for it," the source said. "I don't know for sure if the votes are there yet [among the owners] or not. But there is momentum. A lot of people seem in favor of it."

The NFL owners meetings in Orlando are set for March 23-26 and it's possible the owners could vote on the subject at that time. At the very least, Maske reports, the owners will "consider" the subject.

Under the hypothetical expansion scenario, one playoff team from each conference would be added to the field. Instead of two first round byes in each conference, just the No. 1 seed would land the bye.

Six games instead of four would occur on the first weekend of NFL playoff action.

The schedule, Maske reports, could involve two Saturday games, three Sunday games and one Monday game.

Such an expansion would equate to an instantly increased revenue flow for the league.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-...yoff-expansion

[Maynard]

i would rather see an 18 game season than a larger pool of playoff teams. nothing worse than seeing sub 500 teams make the post season

[NAHSTE]

By "lots of momentum" they mean "the inevitable shameless money grabs will continue." Pandora does not go back into the box, she only comes out.

[Woy]

Stop trying to fix something that isn't broke. The NFL playoff system is well done and doesn't need expansion of any kind.


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[Derrville]

If it allows mediocre teams like Dallas make the playoffs than fuck this Id rather we actually earn it.

[NAHSTE]

If it allows mediocre teams like Dallas make the playoffs than fuck this Id rather we actually earn it.

Thanks for acknowledging the obvious motives here. It's to reward mediocrity. If teams can't raise their quality, we will lower the standards of excellence to meet them nearer to the bottom.

It's known as "the Blue Jays/Orioles rule" in MLB circles.

[ram29jackson]

the Cardinals are angry that this is a year too late

[Hasselbeck]

This is happening.. absolutely no question it's happening. The league will sacrifice having a 7-9/8-8 team qualify for the playoffs to spin it as though more teams will be alive in the waning stages of the season, equating to more excitement and bla bla bla

But what it really is, is Roger Goodell seeing that playoff games generate huge TV ratings and what better way to showcase playoff games than by squeezing NBC and ESPN for even more cash by dangling the opportunity to have a playoff game in primetime.

The only good thing that really arises from this is the salary cap should see a sizable bump as a result .. other than that you're further watering down an already great postseason as a result.

[NAHSTE]

Gonna be fun when an 11-5 team that tied for its division but lost some obscure tiebreaker has to play a 7-9 team in the WC round.

[Warner2BruceTD]

The playoff balance in the NFL is pretty much perfect right now. Too much is made of the 8-8 or worse teams getting in, it is pretty rare in the grand scheme, but when they expand it will be almost yearly.

I'd have less of a problem with this if they went back to six divisions. Having an equal number of teams per division is a red herring of sorts, a diversion from the real issue which is to make sure there is another way to ensure more teams are playoff contenders later in the season. Only playing six division games is weak, and eight divisions means two or three weak division winners per year.

The NFL experienced some parity about 12-15 years ago (after a long era of dominant super teams), based partly on luck, salary cap, and the cyclical nature of sports, and ever since they've gone overboard trying to preserve it. Expanded playoffs is just another way. Plus obviously the added revenue they can bleed from the networks for the TUESDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NIGHT IN AMERICA that is sure to follow.

[NAHSTE]

Someone want to explain to this dipshit what diluted means?

[EmpireWF]

Gotta make that money before the tv structure collapses.

[Primetime_OU]

Putting in 8 teams from each conference is too much, unless they created 2 expansion teams (LA, London)


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[Slateman]

By "lot of momentum' you mean "a lot of owners see dollar signs and are pushing"

[Hasselbeck]

The first waves of this already quietly happened when ESPN got a playoff game and NBC got a divisional game.

It's going to happen. Only question is when they announce it.