Virgil Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I'm always thinking about how much better the NFL could be if the divisions made more sense in terms of geographical location. Also, I've always thought that the playoffs would be better if division play made more sense. For example, at the end of the season the top two teams in each division would play for the crown, then the division winners would play each other. There would be the same number of rounds, only the first round wouldn't really be a "playoff," but atleast you have 2 more teams added to the mix at the end of the season. Make sense. In any case, if I thought it would be fun to see how people would allign the league if they had total power. Here's what I'd do: I'd do an East and West Just like in Hockey. Still call it American and National Leagues though. The American League (Eastern) North New England Patriots New York Jets New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles West Buffalo Bills Pittsburgh Steelers Cleveland Browns Cinncinnati Bengals East Baltimore Ravens Washington Redskins Carolina Panthers Tennessee Titans South Jacksonville Jaguars Miami Dolphins Atlanta Falcons Tampa Bay Bucaneers National League (Western) West San Diego Chargers San Fransisco 49ers Oakland Raiders Seattle Seahawks South Dallas Cowboys Houston Texans Arizona Cardinals New Orleans Saints North Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings Detroit Lions Chicago Bears East St. Louis Rams Kansas City Chiefs Indianapolis Colts Denver Broncos The only tough division for me to put together was the AFC East cause there really isn't a clear cut team to put with the Pats, Giants, and Jets. The Bills would make sense, but the division I put them in makes way more sense. If you really look at these divisions, there is no reason why every team wouldn't sell out every divisional game due to how close they are. And while I understand teams not wanting to give up rivalries, I think we've proven in recent years that rivalries can come and go. The Bills/Phins is nothing compared to what it used to be. The Pat/Colts is new as for some like the Cowboys and Redskins, make that the Thanksgiving game. I'm sure they could find a way. I dunno, this just makes sense to me. I'd be curious to hear thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Fong Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I actually REALLY like that realignment. It'll never happen, but it's fun to pretend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dog14787 Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I'm always thinking about how much better the NFL could be if the divisions made more sense in terms of geographical location. Also, I've always thought that the playoffs would be better if division play made more sense. For example, at the end of the season the top two teams in each division would play for the crown, then the division winners would play each other. There would be the same number of rounds, only the first round wouldn't really be a "playoff," but atleast you have 2 more teams added to the mix at the end of the season. Make sense. In any case, if I thought it would be fun to see how people would allign the league if they had total power. Here's what I'd do: I'd do an East and West Just like in Hockey. Still call it American and National Leagues though. The American League (Eastern) North New England Patriots New York Jets New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles West Buffalo Bills Pittsburgh Steelers Cleveland Browns Cinncinnati Bengals East Baltimore Ravens Washington Redskins Carolina Panthers Tennessee Titans South Jacksonville Jaguars Miami Dolphins Atlanta Falcons Tampa Bay Bucaneers National League (Western) West San Diego Chargers San Fransisco 49ers Oakland Raiders Seattle Seahawks South Dallas Cowboys Houston Texans Arizona Cardinals New Orleans Saints North Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings Detroit Lions Chicago Bears East St. Louis Rams Kansas City Chiefs Indianapolis Colts Denver Broncos The only tough division for me to put together was the AFC East cause there really isn't a clear cut team to put with the Pats, Giants, and Jets. The Bills would make sense, but the division I put them in makes way more sense. If you really look at these divisions, there is no reason why every team wouldn't sell out every divisional game due to how close they are. And while I understand teams not wanting to give up rivalries, I think we've proven in recent years that rivalries can come and go. The Bills/Phins is nothing compared to what it used to be. The Pat/Colts is new as for some like the Cowboys and Redskins, make that the Thanksgiving game. I'm sure they could find a way. I dunno, this just makes sense to me. I'd be curious to hear thoughts. I would like any way you could get a couple more teams into the playoffs somehow, but old rivalries are a part of what makes football so great. Why play around with something that works so well, Home field is something teams depend on, what you propose could take away home field advantage for many teams. Its nice to go to a ball game knowing you have a whole stadium full of fans cheering for your team to win. So nawww, even as tough as our division is, its still an exciting one and I wouldn't change it, but I would like a couple more teams added to the playoff format. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve O Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Ralph had a chance to move into a division with Cinci, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh back in the 90's when the divisions realigned. He was against anything that didn't keep the Miami rivalry in tact. Your point is valid, roster based rivalries can't last forever (eg kelly vs marino), geographic rivalries can (eg Michigan/Ohio St, Duke Unc in B-ball, etc). Ralph missed the boat on that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorom Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I like the set up too.. it keeps the rivals more centric to each other and just makes beter sense. Accept a division with Buffalo, Pitt, Cincy and Cleveland would be all small market, cities in decline rust belt teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I'm more partial to Buffalo, Cincinnati, Houston, and Oakland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Brasky Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Tired of getting your clocks cleaned by the Pats huh? Thats actually not that bad an idea in all seriousness but I doubt the NFL would ever realign that dramatically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgil Posted November 17, 2008 Author Share Posted November 17, 2008 I would like any way you could get a couple more teams into the playoffs somehow, but old rivalries are a part of what makes football so great. Why play around with something that works so well, Home field is something teams depend on, what you propose could take away home field advantage for many teams. Its nice to go to a ball game knowing you have a whole stadium full of fans cheering for your team to win. So nawww, even as tough as our division is, its still an exciting one and I wouldn't change it, but I would like a couple more teams added to the playoff format. I don't see how this would take away from home field advantage. As always, the team with the better record has homefield in the division playoff. Then, the best two teams have homefield when the divisions play against each other, then the best team has it in the conference playoff. Same as it is now for the most part. And does it really work so well? How many Bills fans make the trip to Miami every year. Against the Steelers and Browns, you are looking at a 2 and 4 hours drive. That works both ways for the teams and would create an awesome atmosphere. Just thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKOOBY Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Awesome idea, I really like how this is set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester43 Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 THIS is how it should be. there should be four divisions with 8 teams each. the bills division- call it the AFC EAST- would be: buffalo n.e. pgh jets miami cleveland cinci balt. 1. you would play each team in the division ONCE a year (alternate home field each season), EXCEPT that each year you would play a home-and-home with ONE other team in your division...it would rotate. So maybe this year we'd have 2 games vs. pgh, then maybe next year it'd be the jets, etc. This would account for eight of your games. 2. You would play 4 games a year vs. the other AFC division. these would rotate each year as would the site. so everything is predictable. 3. You would also play 2games per year vs. NFC east foes and 2 games vs. NFC west foes. that adds up to 16. ONLY THE WINNER in each division is guaranteed a playoff berth. THEY get the byes the first week of the playoffs. the other 4 teams in each conference would be wild cards. they duke it out for the chance to play the division winners (who will ALL be very good teams who earned the week off and the home field ). this would almost certainly END the sham that is 9-7 playoff teams who won their crappy 4-team division. THIs system is better because: - it gtives us more natural rivalries. -keeps crappy teams out of the playoffs and eliminates crappy division winners. - and it REALLY mean something if you won your division. can you imagine the dogfight each year in the division listed above? frankly my idea is so good that not only can i not believe the nfl doesn't do it, but i can't even believe i thought of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKOOBY Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 THIS is how it should be. there should be four divisions with 8 teams each. the bills division- call it the AFC EAST- would be: buffalo n.e. pgh jets miami cleveland cinci balt. 1. you would play each team in the division ONCE a year (alternate home field each season), EXCEPT that each year you would play a home-and-home with ONE other team in your division...it would rotate. So maybe this year we'd have 2 games vs. pgh, then maybe next year it'd be the jets, etc. This would account for eight of your games. 2. You would play 4 games a year vs. the other AFC division. these would rotate each year as would the site. so everything is predictable. 3. You would also play 2games per year vs. NFC east foes and 2 games vs. NFC west foes. that adds up to 16. ONLY THE WINNER in each division is guaranteed a playoff berth. THEY get the byes the first week of the playoffs. the other 4 teams in each conference would be wild cards. they duke it out for the chance to play the division winners (who will ALL be very good teams who earned the week off and the home field ). this would almost certainly END the sham that is 9-7 playoff teams who won their crappy 4-team division. THIs system is better because: - it gtives us more natural rivalries. -keeps crappy teams out of the playoffs and eliminates crappy division winners. - and it REALLY mean something if you won your division. can you imagine the dogfight each year in the division listed above? frankly my idea is so good that not only can i not believe the nfl doesn't do it, but i can't even believe i thought of it. NFC West used to be one of the best divisions, so I think that crappy division winners come and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Ralph had a chance to move into a division with Cinci, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh back in the 90's when the divisions realigned. He was against anything that didn't keep the Miami rivalry in tact. IMO one of RW's dumbest moves during his time as the Bills owner. The Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo rivalry would have been tremendous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgil Posted November 17, 2008 Author Share Posted November 17, 2008 THIS is how it should be. there should be four divisions with 8 teams each. the bills division- call it the AFC EAST- would be: buffalo n.e. pgh jets miami cleveland cinci balt. 1. you would play each team in the division ONCE a year (alternate home field each season), EXCEPT that each year you would play a home-and-home with ONE other team in your division...it would rotate. So maybe this year we'd have 2 games vs. pgh, then maybe next year it'd be the jets, etc. This would account for eight of your games. 2. You would play 4 games a year vs. the other AFC division. these would rotate each year as would the site. so everything is predictable. 3. You would also play 2games per year vs. NFC east foes and 2 games vs. NFC west foes. that adds up to 16. ONLY THE WINNER in each division is guaranteed a playoff berth. THEY get the byes the first week of the playoffs. the other 4 teams in each conference would be wild cards. they duke it out for the chance to play the division winners (who will ALL be very good teams who earned the week off and the home field ). this would almost certainly END the sham that is 9-7 playoff teams who won their crappy 4-team division. THIs system is better because: - it gtives us more natural rivalries. -keeps crappy teams out of the playoffs and eliminates crappy division winners. - and it REALLY mean something if you won your division. can you imagine the dogfight each year in the division listed above? frankly my idea is so good that not only can i not believe the nfl doesn't do it, but i can't even believe i thought of it. I respect where you are going with this. More like Baseball making teams earn it, opposed to hockey and basketball where everyone gets in. The only problem I see is the lack of games within the division. If the division is what you have to win, then those games are the most important and need to be weighted heavier on the schedule. Like the MLB added more division games, while it seems like a lot, that's what the teams wanted. Yes, playing teams from other conferences is cool because you don't see them very often, if they don't count as much towards the playoffs, then the teams don't care as much. That's why I like the 2 conference, 4 division approach because you get 2 cracks at your division opponents, 3 if in the playoffs, and you still rotate amongst other teams in the conference and opposing conference. I think all that made sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsaikotic Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 another thing I see it doing is helping fans to make it to a lot more games..not only can u go to all your home games but the division games are a lot closer makeing it easier for you to make it to atleast 3 more games a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester43 Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I respect where you are going with this. More like Baseball making teams earn it, opposed to hockey and basketball where everyone gets in. The only problem I see is the lack of games within the division. yeah, but it's actually MORE games in the division than they have now! with my system you get 8 divisional games vs. the current 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostsOfTheRockpile Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 The only realignment the NFL needs: - Buffalo to AFC North - Baltimore to AFC East Done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester43 Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 NFC West used to be one of the best divisions, so I think that crappy division winners come and go. but under my plan they are gone for good. there is no way you can win an eight team division with a 9-7 record. you'd almost HAVE to win 12-13 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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