steve2jerry

Longtime lurker, go Bills (fav AFC team) From 1990-1995, the percentage of teams making the playoff was 42.8 (12 out of 28), until it dropped with the addition of 2 expansion teams. With 14/32, it goes to a higher 43.75%, which as a fan I'm not so thrilled with, but I understand the reasoning behind it as some have mentioned: money, but also the possibility of expansion once again. With a 17 game schedule (hopefully 2 byes for players rest/safety, and 3 preseason games), I could see the NFL expanding to London and Canada, and possibly 2 more US cities after 5 years which would make a 14/36 playoff rate of 38.8%, just above the 37.5% it is now. All for money purposes. 36 teams seems far too many, but it would be an excuse to realign the divisions how they were before, 3 per conference, with 6 teams each, thus guaranteeing a quality record for each division winner, and 4WCs. Divisions are in place for travel purposes, as teams need to stick in their regions as much as possible to reduce their mileage, and I can't see them going away when other solutions could replace the off chance an 8-8 team wins one (3 best division winners get home field, etc.). I still think a 12-4 WC should be home to a, 8-8 division winner, but really, that WC should prove their record by winning on the road as well. I also think with the international expansion we have seen inrecent years, that a 17 game schedule would work if they had one neutral site per year per team. It makes sense as they already go to London, just call that the neutral game for each team. The only negative is the extra 2 weeks of a long season. At least the Super Bowl teams get another 'bye' at media week. To respond to the post, I agree with the seeding of #1 record gets bye, and then the next 3 division winners as home, or next 2 as home and then 4 WCs based on record, including the last division winner.