NFL re-alignment and the Playoffs.

[Dave2112]

After posting in another football thread here, something came up that I'd like other football fans' opinion on. How do you guys feel about the new divisions?

On the one hand, I think it's setting up some great rivalries and makes much more geographic sense.

On the other hand, I'm interested to see how it will affect the playoffs. I really feel that we're going to see some changes over the next few years once this plays out. I think that either another wild-card spot or two will need to be created, or at least base home-field on record rather than divisional wins. Here's why:

Take a look at the AFC North this year. Two teams are 2-3 and tied for the divisional lead. In the AFC West, no one has a losing record. With smaller divisions and more evenly matched teams, this could present a problem during the playoffs. Let's say that Pittsburgh only gets to 8-8 this year, but wins the divison simply because they're the best in a weak division. Then, assume that over in the West, Denver goes 14-2 and San Diego gets to 13-3. You will not only have an 8-8 team make the playoffs, but also hosting at least one game due to the divisional win. Then you'll have a team at 13-3 that not only is a wild-card because they didn't win the division, but will also now be the 5th seed at best due to the number of divisions. Unless an extremely unlikely set of circumstances plays out, the 13-3 Chargers will have to play three road games to reach the Super Bowl, a situation previously reserved for true "wild-card" teams.

The realignment is a great idea for competitiveness, as it makes divisional games all that much more important. However, I think it affects the league as a whole in a way that will leave a lot of fans unhappy. While 8-8 teams could (much more easily now) host playoff games, there will be 10-6 teams that miss the playoffs altogether, even though they could be essentially the second or third best team in the Conference.

So, fellow football fans, do you think the solution would be to add wild-card slots or perhaps set up the playoffs based on record rather than divisional standings? Nothing will be done until the NFL sees a few playoffs happen to see how things play out, but hypothetically, what do you think about it?

 

[shark]

I'd like to see the top,say,6 teams in each conference in the playoffs,regardless of their divisional standings.Absent this setup,I wouldn't have a problem with 2 more wild card teams.

 

[primetime]

why not just add two more spots and make it an even 8?? with the alignment now, there will be 4 division winners and two wild cards. there are going to be some good teams left out. just have the 4 division winners and 4 wild cards. i nver understood why there were byes anyway. make everyone earn their way to the top.

 

[asutickler]

For me, personally, alignment BLOWS!!!!


See, I live in Arizona. Our team is the Cardinals. The one and ONLY thing that I liked about the Cardinals is that once a year they faced my Eagles. But now the Cards and the Eagles are in different divisions!!! If I'm lucky, they'll come to town maybe twice per DECADE now! 😡


Other than that, though, I think realignment is cool. 🙂 I also hope that they DON'T add more teams to the playoffs, because that just dilutes it. It'd be like the NBA, where unless you really SUCK, you get in. The playoffs are supposed to be about elite teams battling it out... and you already see enough instances of 8-8 or 9-7 teams making it in. 🙄



ASUTickler

 

[shark]

it'd be like the NBA

or the NHL.

 

[HeBeGeeBee]

To be honest, this year it's a moot point for me. Of course, that's only because my Packers are running away with their division and the issue of a wild card won't impact them this year. However, I do think the playoffs should be based on record in the league, rather than where you finish in some "fictitional" division.

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

You know I think that they should do away with divisions and simply have AFC & NFC. That way the top teams in each group would go and teams with a 9-7 record would seldom make the playoffs. I agree with Dave; The AFC West has three incredible teams and one really good team. In any other division the KC Cheifs would be a contended, but against the 5-1 Chargers, the 5-2 Broncos, and the 4-2 Raiders, they have NO CHANCE. But what can we do...? By the way Dave, it may be worth it for the Chargers to play three road games, because they would get a Home Town Superbowl, but I hope not... GO RAIDERS!!!