New Playoff Structure

[Punching Bag]

6 hours ago, HappyDays said:

I hate it. I knew big changes were coming but I like the current structure just fine. Getting into the playoffs should mean something more than being in the top half of the league. One extra regular season game is one extra chance for injuries. Not a fan of this at all.

 

Your argument would be more effective if you were not exaggerating. 

[Punching Bag]

3 hours ago, Logic said:

 

Its not just the two playoff games. It’s also the 17 (and eventually 18) game season. It’s the fact that the NFL is so blinded by greed that they don’t seem to care that the majority of fans don’t even WANT these changes. It’s the constant lip service to “player safety” while showing that they don’t actually give a damn about the players.

 

Its about the NFL constantly making changes to a product that is ALREADY wildly popular and doesn’t need them — diluting the product and endangering the players — just to make an extra buck.

 

Majority?  This argument sounds like "Moral Majority" which was neither moral nor the majority. 

 

NLFPA, players' representatives, is the one who gives lip service to "player safety" making it difficult to practice proper tackling, objecting when NFL mandated equipment, protecting aggressive players who made cheap shots on opposing players to take them out of game.

[DCOrange]

4 hours ago, folz said:

Just out of curiosity, I looked at how many teams with an 8-8 record or worse would have made the playoffs over the last 10 years if there had already been a 7th playoff spot in each conference:

 

2019 Pitt at 8-8

2018 Vikes at 8-8

2015 Falcons at 8-8

2014 Panthers at 7-8-1

2013 GB at 8-7-1

          and either Jets, Phins, Pitt or Balt (depending on tie breaker) at 8-8

2012 Pitt at 8-8

2011 Denver at 8-8

          and either Ari, Chi, Dal, or Phi (depending on tie breaker) at 8-8

 

So, 9 teams with records of 8-8 or worse would have made the playoffs over the last ten-year span if there had been a 7th playoff team in each conference.

 

(Granted, 3 of those teams made it anyways, without the extra spot---due to a bad division, so 6 more teams over a ten-year span would have made it breaking even.)

 

The other thing to note is that most years, 9-7 will get you into the playoffs now.

 

[machine gun kelly]

7 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Adam Schefter

@AdamSchefter

·

36s

NFL playoff structure is about to be changed. Under the current CBA proposal, seven teams from each conference will make the playoffs, with only bye per conference, sources tell ESPN. It would go into effect this upcoming season. More coming on http://ESPN.com.

 

I'd rather go this route than a 17th game. Makes games a lot more important late in the season especially to get that 1st seed

Mike, it’s most likely going to be both.  There will be a push for the 17th game and the extra wildcard per conference.   The league will acquiesce on smaller things like marijuana, and sell that both sides make more $.  I’m not sure why so many point to business men and women trying to generate a profit, when the players also benefit from 48.5% of the tv revenue.  Given that the avg. player has a lifespan less than four years, the additional dollars will help with each person starting their real career.

[GETTOTHE50]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-appears-headed-to-17-game-season-playoff-expansion-as-cba-talks-continue-to-advance/

 

 

 

 

Less practice time, more games. They think this is going to make the product better?

 

this will lead to more penalties too. cant wait for the flag fest ?

[machine gun kelly]

Lastly, there would be a drop to two pre season games, and probably a competitive practice, but the game day roster would increase probably to 55 or something.  I don’t know if they go to a second bye.  I really don’t have an opinion and defer to all of you on the second bye.

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, Aussie Joe said:

I personally don’t care about the extra playoff teams , but why don’t people want 17  regular season games and two byes?

Get rid of two garbage preseason games and have two extra weeks of the regular season.. I’m not seeing the problem..

You could give every team a bye before their Thursday game and remove that unfair burden that those teams have to carry..

 

I do not agree that preseason games are garbage for it is only time some players are seen as not ready for NFL and others show what they can do with actually hitting and tackling.  The NFLPA allows so little practice tacking you would think one of the chances they want in new agreement is change tackling to two hand touch.

 

The problem for scheduling is the NFL does not want the season stating before Labor Day and Labor Day weekend is used as divider between preseason games and regular games.

 

I agree with you on using byes before Thursday night games, it is only logical, which is why some will object.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, Limeaid said:

I agree with you on using byes before Thursday night games, it is only logical, which is why some will object.

Logic is for Vulcans.  $$$ drive the NFL.  ?

*
?

Edited February 20, 2020 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[nucci]

9 hours ago, DCOrange said:

Two extra playoff games and 16 extra regular season games...the powers that be must be so excited. 
 

I’m happy to have more football. Hope they expand game day rosters to accompany this. 

it will be 17

[Bleedbuffaloblue]

I basically like the idea of both the expanded playoff and 17 game schedule. Keeps interest level high for more fans late in the year as opposed to already eyeing the next draft by thanksgiving.

Plus it will give the poor Patriots one more chance to make the playoffs now that we will be controlling the Division for the foreseeable future, LOL!

[Metal Man]

I'm just glad the Bills got in a couple times with the old format to break the streak.

 

It would have been rough to finish the drought by sneaking in as one of the new 7s for me.

 

It just never would have seemed as legit in my mind.

[atlbillsfan1975]

I wonder if fans thought things were perfect 30, 40, or 50 years ago...

The only constant in the NFL and life is change. 

[BarleyNY]

12 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Mine as well go eight playoff teams and go full ###### (NHL, NBA) to further devalue the regular season.  You're going to see more resting of starters at end of year for playoff teams as that 2nd seed bye is now out of play.  Just love the NFL fixing something that wasn't broken for a cash grab.

Totally agree.  The 8-8 Steelers and the 8-8 Cowboys or Bears would’ve made the playoffs last season.  Yuck.  It’s such diminishing returns for the NFL.  They add Thursday night games and viewership of other games - especially Monday night - drop off.  Now they want to add another playoff team which will make a lot of people just a little less interested in the regular season.  Lots of bad things happen long term when people go after the last nickel.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

10 hours ago, Bills fan since 87 said:

So does this mean 3 playoff games both Saturday and Sunday? It must right?

 

I don't like the idea very much, a lot of 8-8s and 7-9s will be getting in now.

 

As far as 7 games go I hope they don't start labor day weekend, i.always camp then! 

 

Or the 10-6 that team that got left behind because some 7-9 Division winner 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Everyone complains PS is meaningless and hates the 4th game.

So I'd prefer real action and not scrubs.  We see that already in week 17 when the top Playoff teams rest their starters.

 

That is their incentive right there 

[May Day 10]

I think this will create a bit more randomness in who comes out of the playoffs.  Huge advantage to the bye-teams, but other than that it is a dog pile.

 

I dont hate it, I dont like it.  

[Logic]

8 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

Majority?  This argument sounds like "Moral Majority" which was neither moral nor the majority. 

 

Yes. Majority.

Profootballtalk has done 3 polls on the subject over the course of two years, and every single time, 60% or more have responded that they DON'T want the extra games.

Obviously, Profootballtalk does not represent the entire football viewing public. However, those spending their free time READING about pro football -- particularly in the offseason -- are likely dedicated fans. 

There has been no indication that "fan satisfaction" is the reason they're making these schedule changes. It's about one thing: Money. That's it.

[Punching Bag]

Just now, Logic said:

Profootballtalk has done 3 polls on the subject over the course of two years, and every single time, 60% or more have responded that they DON'T want the extra games.

 

Profootball talk has also published sketchy articles to try to get hits. 

Which gives more hits NFL is giving more football or NFL is going against fan wishes. 

I have heard repeatedly from people that they want more football, people with no financial incentive, especially playoffs.

 

The rule is follow the money and in this case money is: Profootball talk is the pusher trying to get someone to take a taste.

 

NFL's problem is conflict between Labor Day dilemma where they do not want to play before Labor Day and longer season dilemma which runs regular season into mid January and Superbowl further into February.

 

Personally I think the 17th game format makes no sense unless it is swapping games between AFC and NFC every year. 

I hope the NFL polled partners to see if they will be paying extra for extra playoff games.  Making the extra games, especially extra playoff game, only available online will NOT be popular with fans.

 

I see they have sweetened the pot to players giving players who are on bye team extra money.  If players do not agree it stays the same meaning two teams of players with first round byes do not get paid.

[BuffaloBaumer]

Love it

[leonbus23]

14 hours ago, Logic said:

The NFL is really great at fixing what isn't broken. We've got the best sports league in America? Let's change a bunch of stuff even though it's not clear that the fans want it, spit in the face of player safety by adding more games per season, and devalue the regular season by adding more playoff games! 

Great job, guys. Well done.

It's going to be a real shame watching this league destroy itself because of greed.

It's called profit motive in capitalism. If you don't like it, go live in Russia!

 

 

[Logic]

8 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

Profootball talk has also published sketchy articles to try to get hits. 

Which gives more hits NFL is giving more football or NFL is going against fan wishes. 

I have heard repeatedly from people that they want more football, people with no financial incentive, especially playoffs.

 

If I'm not supposed to listen to Profootballtalk's polls because they're not credible, then I'm DARN sure not going to listen to anecdotal evidence like "I have heard repeatedly from people...". No offense to you personally, but I'll take repeated polls of thousands of NFL fans on a majorly trafficked NFL website over one person's anecdotal evidence on a message board.

I have yet to see a credible shred of evidence anywhere that fans are clamoring for a longer season or for more teams to make the playoffs. These moves are very clearly about money. EVERYTHING the NFL does these days is about money. That's the problem, and that's why I think that, over time, the league will destroy itself in the name of greed.
 

1 minute ago, leonbus23 said:

It's called profit motive in capitalism. If you don't like it, go live in Russia!

 

 

Lovely.

The fact that I don't want the NFL making changes to what is an already great product means I should "go live in Russia". Super. Really great analysis there. 

Anyway, aside from your rude and overly simplistic "analysis", here's the thing with your "profit motive" argument: My position is that while added NFL games will certainly make the NFL more money in the SHORT TERM, the long term effects of ignoring player safety, watering down the on-field product, and watering down the playoffs, will be more and more early player retirements and increased fan alienation which, in the long term, I believe will lead to a LOSS of money for the NFL. But I suppose that, because my opinion is different than yours, I ought to just move to a different country, right? Sheesh.

Edited February 20, 2020 by Logic

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

This is beautiful.

 

now the goal and the standards will FINALLY be on what it should be...CHAMPIONSHIPS!

 

One of the more annoying things about football is when coaches or organizations point and say “Oh! we made the playoffs so we shouldn’t change anything even though we’re not really a serious contender to win the title”

 

Anything that lessons simply making the playoffs that can be used for self-preservation by franchises and coaches is a good thing.

 

It may take some time but eventually you’re going to see teams make changes at the top even after going to the playoffs three out of four four out of five times and always losing

Edited February 20, 2020 by RalphWilson'sNewWar

[Lurker]

12 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

They can be but you're rewarding mediocrity in the regular season.  The 8-8 Steelers would've gotten in with Mason Rudolph as the quarterback if this playoff system was in place.  The year before the 8-7-1 Vikings would've made it in the NFC.  I don't want to see them in the playoffs. 

 

And yet...the Steelers were one of the best story lines in the NFL last year.    They were far from mediocre (even Duck was interesting for a week or so) with their second half winning streak and would have provided a good game vs. Kansas City in the Wild Card round... 

[Gordio]

14 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

I’m also a fan of quality over quantity. The NFL just doesn’t have enough quality across the board to make every game interesting. Look at wild card games right now, you’ll see there are always several duds on wild card weekend. Several team always “sneak in”, and are nowhere close to the teams who have the bye week. I have no desire to watch additional lower quality football. 

Exactly, and that’s the issue with this cash grab. I’m glad I didn’t watch Mason Rudolph or that Duck clown in the playoffs. 

 

 

Funny you say that because this past season the wild card round was probably the most entertaining & highly contested of all three weekends of the playoffs.

[row_33]

gives hope to those teams starting out justly at 2-5

 

[RiotAct]

26 minutes ago, Logic said:

If I'm not supposed to listen to Profootballtalk's polls because they're not credible, then I'm DARN sure not going to listen to anecdotal evidence like "I have heard repeatedly from people...". No offense to you personally, but I'll take repeated polls of thousands of NFL fans on a majorly trafficked NFL website over one person's anecdotal evidence on a message board.

I have yet to see a credible shred of evidence anywhere that fans are clamoring for a longer season or for more teams to make the playoffs. These moves are very clearly about money. EVERYTHING the NFL does these days is about money. That's the problem, and that's why I think that, over time, the league will destroy itself in the name of greed.
 

Lovely.

The fact that I don't want the NFL making changes to what is an already great product means I should "go live in Russia". Super. Really great analysis there. 

Anyway, aside from your rude and overly simplistic "analysis", here's the thing with your "profit motive" argument: My position is that while added NFL games will certainly make the NFL more money in the SHORT TERM, the long term effects of ignoring player safety, watering down the on-field product, and watering down the playoffs, will be more and more early player retirements and increased fan alienation which, in the long term, I believe will lead to a LOSS of money for the NFL. But I suppose that, because my opinion is different than yours, I ought to just move to a different country, right? Sheesh.

he was being sarcastic.  At least, I hope...

[Chicken Boo]

14 hours ago, SCBills said:

Seems like a bit of an overreaction to adding 2 more playoff teams, no?

 

 

 

And the first time a 7-9 or 6-10 team wins the Super Bowl, the same fans who approve of this nonsense will be the first to complain.

 

Pure greed on the part of the league, further watering down the product.  This is just the beginning.

[416BillsFan]

I like this. Games will mean more in December, and we still don't cross the NBA/NHL threshold of half the teams or more making it to the post season. As for the 17th regular season game, I hope the league holds off a bit then goes right to 18. The scheduling symmetry is close to perfect as it is.

[row_33]

3 minutes ago, 416BillsFan said:

I like this. Games will mean more in December, and we still don't cross the NBA/NHL threshold of half the teams or more making it to the post season. As for the 17th regular season game, I hope the league holds off a bit then goes right to 18. The scheduling symmetry is close to perfect as it is.

 

then 20 games, then 22, then 25

 

[Chicken Boo]

19 minutes ago, 416BillsFan said:

As for the 17th regular season game, I hope the league holds off a bit then goes right to 18. The scheduling symmetry is close to perfect as it is.

 

You must be a fan of "star player" early retirements.

 

These are living, breathing human beings.  They're not machines.  They can barely stay healthy for a 16 game schedule as is.

[badassgixxer05]

13 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

 

And the first time a 7-9 or 6-10 team wins the Super Bowl, the same fans who approve of this nonsense will be the first to complain.

 

Pure greed on the part of the league, further watering down the product.  This is just the beginning.

Why would it? Would just mean they had a ***** regular season but where the best team in the playoffs. I see no problem with this. The flip side of a 12-4 team demolishing a  6-10 team while my 10-6 team loses to another 10-6 team would piss me off a bit though. lol

[row_33]

10 minutes ago, badassgixxer05 said:

Why would it? Would just mean they had a ***** regular season but where the best team in the playoffs. I see no problem with this. The flip side of a 12-4 team demolishing a  6-10 team while my 10-6 team loses to another 10-6 team would piss me off a bit though. lol

 

i can barely bother to care about any game the Bills aren't playing in these days

 

and there you are all hopped up on the thrill of a horrible team maybe getting to the playoffs and winning it all!!!

 

[416BillsFan]

7 minutes ago, Chicken Boo said:

 

You must be a fan of "star player" early retirements.

 

These are living, breathing human beings.  They're not machines.  They can barely stay healthy for a 16 game schedule as is.

I'm not disagreeing with you but 18 games is the league's end game. In the past they always added 2 games, keeping it an even number. I'd be happy to keep it at 16, but if they do expand I'd rather they go right to 18 (with 2 bye weeks) rather than doing it in steps.

[badassgixxer05]

10 minutes ago, row_33 said:

 

i can barely bother to care about any game the Bills aren't playing in these days

 

and there you are all hopped up on the thrill of a horrible team maybe getting to the playoffs and winning it all!!!

 

But how are they a horrible team if they ripped through everyone in the playoffs and won the superbowl(sorry, like a true Buffalonian I love the underdog haha)!??? The winner isn't chosen at random. They have to go out and play football. If they were the best team in the playoffs they were the best team at that time period and well deserving. The regular season doesn't matter stuff is bs too because 18 other teams will still be home on the couch for the first round.

Like i said the only argument i can see that is valid is having to watch a 6-10 team get smashed first round and left thinking why the F are they even playing.

Edited February 20, 2020 by badassgixxer05

[DCOrange]

7 hours ago, nucci said:

it will be 17

How would it be 17 extra regular season games? 

[bbb]

17 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Mine as well go eight playoff teams and go full ###### (NHL, NBA) to further devalue the regular season.  You're going to see more resting of starters at end of year for playoff teams as that 2nd seed bye is now out of play.  Just love the NFL fixing something that wasn't broken for a cash grab.

 

Exactly.  

 

1 hour ago, 416BillsFan said:

I like this. Games will mean more in December, and we still don't cross the NBA/NHL threshold of half the teams or more making it to the post season. As for the 17th regular season game, I hope the league holds off a bit then goes right to 18. The scheduling symmetry is close to perfect as it is.

 

And, games will mean less in September.  Baseball and football had the most meaningful regular seasons, and now they're both attempting to ruin it..................Do they not see how bad the NBA's rankings are tanking right now?  Do they not know that only diehards care about the NBA now before the playoffs?  

[Nextmanup]

17 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Mine as well go eight playoff teams and go full ###### (NHL, NBA) to further devalue the regular season.  You're going to see more resting of starters at end of year for playoff teams as that 2nd seed bye is now out of play.  Just love the NFL fixing something that wasn't broken for a cash grab.

The NFL only made about $15 billion in revenue last year! 

 

They need to find a way to make ends meet!  

 

In all seriousness, I am all in favor of more playoff games and couldn't care less about "devaluing" the regular season.

With only 16 games (or even 17) wins are going to remain very important. 

 

 

[ColoradoBills]

1 hour ago, 416BillsFan said:

I'm not disagreeing with you but 18 games is the league's end game. In the past they always added 2 games, keeping it an even number. I'd be happy to keep it at 16, but if they do expand I'd rather they go right to 18 (with 2 bye weeks) rather than doing it in steps.

 

The issue with this is it adds 3 weeks to the season.  It's too much for the players as @Chicken Boo has stated earlier.

Rookies can barely get through an NFL season now compared to college and teams IR lists will just get longer.

 

I agree with the fans that think this is just a money grab.  For my two cents it dilutes the product.

 

Question for anyone who knows.  Has there been any talk about increasing roster size (lets say up to 55 from 53) in these talks.

I haven't heard anything about that. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

So the way I understand it, if a new CBA isn't agreed to by the beginning of the new year March 18th, teams can then use both a  transition and franchise tag on two separate players. So I'm hoping it's all signed sealed and delivered prior as would make more potential FA's available.  Dallas couldn't protect both Dak and Cooper.

[ColoradoBills]

1 minute ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

So the way I understand it, if a new CBA isn't agreed to by the beginning of the new year March 18th, teams can then use both a  transition and franchise tag on two separate players. So I'm hoping it's all signed sealed and delivered prior as would make more potential FA's available.  Dallas couldn't protect both Dak and Cooper.

 

Yes.  Also a lot of other things kick in such as no cap carry over into 2021 and no June 1st designations.