NFL adding 17th game for 2021

[IU Hawks fan]

I absolutely hate the schedule model the NFL has had since expanding to 32. Why are they playing 4 non-conference games a year?

There's 15 conference opponents, just play everyone in the conference once each; then 2 of your current division members on a rotating basis for 17 games and be done with it.

This would also eliminate like 7 layers of tiebreakers because EVERYONE would have a head-to-head matchup, so you'd only need it if you split 2 games with the team you're tied with, or if you tied the team you were tied with.

Because going 15 years without playing a team is f***ing stupid.

This isn't AL/NL, it's been 1 merged league for over 50 years.

 

[KevFu]

Because going 15 years without playing a team is f***ing stupid.

This isn't AL/NL, it's been 1 merged league for over 50 years.

It is not more stupid than a 6-10 team in the playoffs.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Eh, fluke years happen. Not worth changing the entire structure of the league over.

 

[Terry Yake]

hate it

 

[KevFu]

Eh, fluke years happen. Not worth changing the entire structure of the league over.

A division winner has made the playoffs with a worse record than someone who has missed the playoffs 7 times in 12 years.

 

[b1e9a8r5s]

A division winner has made the playoffs with a worse record than someone who has missed the playoffs 7 times in 12 years.

That didn't sound right to me, so I looked it up. Needed a break from work, lol. Let me know if I missed something. I see that its happened 5 times. I was actually surprised it was that many to be honest.

2020 Yes (7-9 Worst Div, 10-6 best non playoff)
2019 No (9-7, 9-7)
2018 No (10-6, 9-6-1)
2017 No (10-6, 9-7)
2016 No (9-7, 9-7)
2015 Yes (9-7, 10-6)
2014 Yes (7-8-1, 10-6)
2013 Yes (8-7-1, 10-6)
2012 No (10-6, 10-6)
2011 No (9-7, 9-7)
2010 Yes (7-9, 10-6)
2009 No (10-6, 9-7)

 

[KevFu]

I think the stat was including a team with a tied record that would hold a wild card tiebreaker?

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Would that even fix anything?

This year, Miami would still be out; Arizona would simply replace Washington.

I'd rather drop conferences & divisions all together than play a nearly conference-only schedule.

 

[Shockmaster]

Because going 15 years without playing a team is f***ing stupid.

This isn't AL/NL, it's been 1 merged league for over 50 years.

There's also the hype and ratings factors when it comes to certain QB match-ups. The NFL doesn't want to bank on certain teams making super bowls to deliver these match-ups. There's much more certainly when you know each team plays every team in the other conference every 4 years.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

I hate the asymmetry of a 17 game schedule.

I like it. 17 x 3 is 51 and there are 52 weeks in the year. Guarantees football for at least ~1/3 of the year.

 

[Shockmaster]

The players should have fought harder for a 2nd bye week for each team during the regular season. NFLPA is such a garbage union.

 

[Babe Ruth]

I hate it

16 was great # and worked fine

Honestly there was nothing wrong with NFL's 14 game schedule. Going to 16 games never provided any lacking clarity. Niners would have still dominated the 80s on a 14 game schedule, Pats would've have still dominated early 21st century only playing 14. This is obviously & solely about making more $, which is fair enough for a business to do.. but what kills me is how the league pretends to prioritize player safety, but now asks players to take on more pointless hits. Could they at least abandon their player safety larp on a 17 game schedule.

 

[keonsbitterness]

It's the first step to 18 games. Nothing more.

 

[blueandgoldguy]

How much will an additional 16 games mean to the NFL in terms of tv revenue?