row_33 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 5 minutes ago, RyanC883 said: I do agree with keeping Divisions, but one problem with ignoring them and going completely on records is what if one team has a garbage division that it dominates, while another division is tough and keeps beating each other. Imagine a situation where one team in the NFC East was actually good this year (yeah, difficult to imagine, but just do it!), that team could be like 15-1. A decent team, but not good team, would be something like 12-4. This could potentially keep out a better Rams team in a harder division out of the Playoffs, when the Rams are the better team. Overall, I like your plan more than the scrap divisions. I have no idea how to solve the issue I mentioned above, or if it would even be an issue most years. you are looking at this with perfect hindsight, the rules are set up before the season and encourages a team to aim solely for winning the division title if it isn't good enough for HFA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 From a scheduling perspective it really makes it sooo much easier. AFC east team plays 6 afc east teams - 1 division AFC and NFC half home half away. and 2 games against other teams in their conference that finished in the same spot in the standings. Its super easy. Division winners get to play each other the next season which makes for good prime time games, and it keeps divisional rivalries together. 9 minutes ago, RyanC883 said: I do agree with keeping Divisions, but one problem with ignoring them and going completely on records is what if one team has a garbage division that it dominates, while another division is tough and keeps beating each other. Imagine a situation where one team in the NFC East was actually good this year (yeah, difficult to imagine, but just do it!), that team could be like 15-1. A decent team, but not good team, would be something like 12-4. This could potentially keep out a better Rams team in a harder division out of the Playoffs, when the Rams are the better team. Overall, I like your plan more than the scrap divisions. I have no idea how to solve the issue I mentioned above, or if it would even be an issue most years. I think adding a 7th playoff team and only giving 1 team Home field and a bye week makes some sense too. You get a 3rd wildcard team and it makes being the best in the conference that much more important. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProcessYaDigg Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) 14 minutes ago, RyanC883 said: I do agree with keeping Divisions, but one problem with ignoring them and going completely on records is what if one team has a garbage division that it dominates, while another division is tough and keeps beating each other. Imagine a situation where one team in the NFC East was actually good this year (yeah, difficult to imagine, but just do it!), that team could be like 15-1. A decent team, but not good team, would be something like 12-4. This could potentially keep out a better Rams team in a harder division out of the Playoffs, when the Rams are the better team. Overall, I like your plan more than the scrap divisions. I have no idea how to solve the issue I mentioned above, or if it would even be an issue most years. I think that no matter what solution to come up with, it will all suck. So eff it, I think I got the solution. Every team makes the playoffs. The 4 division winners from each conference will get the bye. From each conference in the first round, the 5 seed plays the 16 seed, 6 plays 15, 7 plays 14, and 8 plays 13. The next round will introduce the top 4 seeds with the 1 seed playing the lowest seed and so on for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seed. BOOM! problem solved. This also means, no more playoff droughts. LOL Edited December 12, 2019 by Circlethewagon8404 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 2 hours ago, MDH said: Yeah, I've had this opinion for a long time. I'd love to get rid of the divisions format as well. You aren't the only one. The whole division thing is antiquated and look at the penalty the AFC East has suffered during the Patriots dynasty! Artificially taking a few teams and making them play the best franchise in the sport twice every year is fundamentally unfair, especially when most of the league doesn't play them at all. Buffalo has no business being in the same division with NE metropolitan areas anyway. The 2 NY teams, Philly, and Boston should be in a division, if we have to have divisions. Buffalo is much more a Midwestern town to be lumped in with other Rust Belt franchises such as Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 A modest suggestion: Division record is the prime deciding criteria on playoff participation, but post game coaches press conferences will also be factored in for quality of answers and delivery. Darth Hoodie’s going down. “Mergl mufflo merglump. Mah? Plefh!” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 13 minutes ago, Circlethewagon8404 said: I think that no matter what solution to come up with, it will all suck. So eff it, I think I got the solution. Every team makes the playoffs. The 4 division winners from each conference will get the bye. From each conference in the first round, the 5 seed plays the 16 seed, 6 plays 15, 7 plays 14, and 8 plays 13. The next round will introduce the top 4 seeds with the 1 seed playing the lowest seed and so on for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seed. BOOM! problem solved. This also means, no more playoff droughts. LOL If you drop divisions you may as well just drop playoffs. Do it like they do in soccer - Every team plays each other home and away - best record at the end wins. Could you imagine a 62 game season? It'd take years! People would love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhit34 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I like the idea of 2 divisions in each conference. If it stays a 16 game schedule: Play every team in your division once (7 games) Play 5 teams from the other division in your conference once - 1 game vs. the team that finished in the same place in other division and then rotate the others. Play 4 teams from the other conference once - on a 4 year rotation. If they expand to 17 games, make it 5 games against the other conference. Playoffs: Keep at 6 teams in each conference, the division winners and then the next 4 best records. The division winners get a bye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 3 hours ago, billsfanmiami(oh) said: Well if Vic Fangio wants it, who are we to stand in his way. Slam dunk. I shall read no further the work has been done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 3 hours ago, HOUSE said: Vic Fangio wants to see NFL drop divisions format By Kevin Patra Around the NFL Writer Published: Dec. 12, 2019 at 09:14 a.m. Every few years when a division is won by a team with a less-than-sterling record, eating up a playoff spot while a better team sits at home during the postseason, reconstruction comes to the forefront of the NFL. The year is particularly noteworthy with the TV-magnet NFC East, once the league's crown jewel, cratering like a lump of coal tossed into a pit of sadness. The gloomy division has a current combined record of 17-35. Dallas and Philadelphia sit at 6-7 atop the division. The best either could do is 9-7. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001087008/article/vic-fangio-wants-to-see-nfl-drop-divisions-format Makes sense for the playoffs, but what about the schedule and division rivalries and playing them twice a year ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 3 hours ago, MDH said: Yeah, I've had this opinion for a long time. I'd love to get rid of the divisions format as well. Get rid of all divisions. Get rid of the 46 man active squad. Be a good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StHustle Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Can we win the AFC East at least once more before they do away with divisions?? I hate this AFC East champ drought we have been on for 2 decades now. I'd like to get that off our backs before we no longer have the chance to... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 2 hours ago, eball said: Yeah, this is the format Pat Kirwan has been hyping on SiriusXM as well...makes sense. him and I must think alike. I don’t have Sirius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just in Atlanta Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Bully for Vic. Anomalies are the spice of life. It's fun to have outliers in the playoffs. It's also fun that each division has a unique feel. I would be more inclined to vote for more geographic or culture-based divisions, though. I'd vote for a Buffalo - Pit - Cleveland - NY division or something like that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 5 minutes ago, StHustle said: Can we win the AFC East at least once more before they do away with divisions?? I hate this AFC East champ drought we have been on for 2 decades now. I'd like to get that off our backs before we no longer have the chance to... I dont believe there is any serious consideration being given to and sort of realignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Goodell Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 The NFL's conference and division format is aligned to allow for competitiveness across the league and entertainment value for our fans. We will continue to evaluate alternatives with these goals in mind. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabel Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Probably gonna take a lot for the league to adjust the playoff format. They really wanna keep divisions so they can promote their division rival games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BmarvB Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) Keep the divisions within the conferences, but go with the top 8 records for the playoffs regardless of the divisions title Edited December 12, 2019 by BmarvB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StHustle Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 48 minutes ago, Roger Goodell said: The NFL's conference and division format is aligned to allow for competitiveness across the league and entertainment value for our fans. We will continue to evaluate alternatives with these goals in mind. Well said Comish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 1 hour ago, CommonCents said: Slam dunk. I shall read no further the work has been done. Proper. 58 minutes ago, Just in Atlanta said: Bully for Vic. Anomalies are the spice of life. It's fun to have outliers in the playoffs. It's also fun that each division has a unique feel. I would be more inclined to vote for more geographic or culture-based divisions, though. I'd vote for a Buffalo - Pit - Cleveland - NY division or something like that. I would think ‘a****** owner’ division would receive some approval. Cowboys, Patriots, Washington, Browns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 48 minutes ago, BmarvB said: Keep the divisions within the conferences, but go with the top 8 records for the playoffs regardless of the divisions title that's a grossly unbalanced schedule to grab the top 8 it's bad enough an AFC division can feast on a horrible NFC division matchup and take 3 or 4 cupcake wins in a given season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 -------------------- as noted earlier, the NHL late 70s and early 80s play a fully interlocking schedule with 21 teams meeting 2 home and away. and they STILL kept divisions and conferences for playoff entrance, the top four teams in each division got in. not sure if any team was horribly ripped off and missed out to a team with 15 points less for making the playoffs during this format. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271980.html and the Sabres schedule that season, 2 home and away against 20 teams http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/team_results.php?tid=33&sid=1980 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 6 minutes ago, row_33 said: not sure if any team was horribly ripped off and missed out to a team with 15 points less for making the playoffs during this format. That was the era when the Islanders would just have it on ‘cruise control’ for the season slog, then turn up the engine for the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahbonas Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Divisions were fine when you had 5 teams /division - you were sure to get a quality Division winner in each. The only worries were the AFC/NFC Central because they only had 4 teams and could sometimes have a Div winner at 8-8. Now with all divisions at only 4 teams its very likely wild cards would have far better record than a division winner. Go back to 3 Divisions and you will get top division winners again. Also let teams in the AFC play only the other AFC teams keeping many of the schedules fairly similar compared to the wild differences between hard/easy schedules we see today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st&ten Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Add more Wild Card teams & seed the teams by record. If there is scheduling problems to fill spots, have the Patriots & Cowboys play each other 4 times a year---that's who the sport's media want to talk about anyways. Also, they could have the Patriots play in London 4 times a year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 57 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: That was the era when the Islanders would just have it on ‘cruise control’ for the season slog, then turn up the engine for the playoffs. then they went to the unbalanced schedule and the Horrible Norris Division held the Leafs who got to game 7 of the second round after a 25-48-7 season 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunPolice Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 It sounds like they are going to up the playoffs to 7 teams per conference with only 1 bye To me, that makes the most sense. The best 14 teams in the league get into the tournament. Sometimes wonky things happen, but that doesn't mean you need to change the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thronethinker Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Since were getting rid of divisions why not just get rid of Conferences too. I swear every time something pops up we have to be instantly appeased or its the end of the friggin world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samwell Tarly Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 You could leave the schedules and divisions intact.Then seed the playoffs based on record and if you win a crappy division but don't qualify for the playoffs, oh well, season over. A second idea could be to abandon conferences, play half of the league each year, and simply seed the top 12 teams. This should increase the likelihood if 12 most deserving teams making it and creates the best odds for a highly competitive Super Bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Tim Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 20 hours ago, BuffaloBillies said: One fairly small change that might appease some would be to keep the division format, but then seed playoff teams by record. So Dallas (or Philly) would still get in, but would be the 6th seed (and no home game) vs being the 4 seed. This has a legitimate chance of happening- and I think shoud- because the NFL still cares about divisions titles and the luster it provided. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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