Are there too many divisions in the NFL?

[flyerhawk]

1. 8 team playoffs are possible with the current 8 division format. I don't like it since it places too many weak teams in.

2. Why no more bye weeks? They don't need them now they just give an extra week of tv money. Bye weeks aren't going away.

I meant no more bye weeks in the playoffs. I should have written that more clearly.

 

[Manster7588]

I meant no more bye weeks in the playoffs. I should have written that more clearly.

That makes sense, I still think 8 teams is too many. Just my opinion, doesn't mean I'm right.

 

[jarntt]

For the game vs the other conference, I would make it a yearly thing vs a team close by to create a rivalry that is long lasting that provides 'regional' bragging rights.
BAL - WAS (30 miles)
BUF - DET (360 miles)
DAL - HOU (240 miles)
NYG - NYJ (0 miles)
PHI - PIT (300 miles)
MIN - CIN (700 miles)
GB - NE (1190 miles)
CAR - CLE (515 miles)
CHI - IND (180 miles)
LAR - LAC (0 miles)
SEA- OAK/LV (800/1100 miles)
DEN- SF (1250 miles)
ARI - KC (1200 miles)
ATL - TEN (250 miles)
NO - JAX (550 miles)
TB - MIA (270 miles)

The whole Giant organization just came a little...

Oh and that 1,200 mile AZ/KC rivalry should split homes right down the middle...

 

[PhilSimms11]

4 divisions would require 8 playoff teams, since the NFL would never reduce the number of playoff games.

Why would going from 8 divisions to 4 require an increase in playoff teams? Why can't it stay at 6? The 2 division winners and the 4 best records. Here's how it might look just by using 2016...

Division 1
(1)NE (14-2)
(4)PIT (11-5)
(5)MIA (10-6)
BAL (8-8)
BUF (7-9)
CIN (6-9-1)
NYJ (5-11)
CLE (1-15)

Division 2
(2)KC (12-4)
(3)OAK (12-4)
(6)HOU (9-7)
DEN (9-7)
TEN (9-7)
IND (8-8)
SD (5-11)
JAX (3-13)
----------
Division 3
(1)DAL (13-3)
(3)NYG (11-5)
(5)GB (10-6)
(6)DET (9-7)
WAS (8-7-1)
MIN (8-8)
PHI (7-9)
CHI (3-13)

Division 4
(2)ATL (11-5)
(4)SEA (10-5-1)
TB (9-7)
ARZ (7-8-1)
NO (7-9)
CAR (6-10)
LA (4-12)
SF (2-14)

Bang. Done.

 

[kburjr]

Same divisions

Your own division home and away 6 games
Rotate home/away with division in other conference every year AFC North plays NFC North 4 games
Rotate divisions in same conference 4 games
Play the same place holder in other conf div. home and away 1 plays 1 etc 2 games

For Green Bay this year for instance:

Minn home and away
Detroit home and away
Chicago home and away
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Browns
Cowboys
Giants
Redskins
Eagles
Seahawks Home and away

 

[tducey]

It's fine as is. Only thing I'd change is some of the divisions the teams are in. Dallas in the NFC East? Indianapolis in the AFC South? Few ? things there for sure.

 

[Cyder]

I've actually never been a huge fan of 8 divisions. Discuss at your leisure.

I prefer the 6 divisions and 6 wild cards. Tends to make the teams in the playoffs a tad better. The 8 divisions and 4 wild cards keep more teams in the playoff picture later into the season so they aren't going to go back.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Same divisions

Your own division home and away 6 games
Rotate home/away with division in other conference every year AFC North plays NFC North 4 games
Rotate divisions in same conference 4 games
Play the same place holder in other conf div. home and away 1 plays 1 etc 2 games

For Green Bay this year for instance:

Minn home and away
Detroit home and away
Chicago home and away
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Browns
Cowboys
Giants
Redskins
Eagles
Seahawks Home and away

So rotate the division place holders? So this year NFC North plays NFC West, NFC South plays NFC East? And then in rotates?

I don't hate this, only thing is why always play the same opposing conference? What's wrong with that rotating? As much as @DirtDirtDirt would love for the Giants to get to play the AFC East every year.

 

[jeffro151]

The whole Giant organization just came a little...

Oh and that 1,200 mile AZ/KC rivalry should split homes right down the middle...

Meh, KC already has to go to Cali twice a year, what's another west coast trip going to hurt?

 

[flyerhawk]

Why would going from 8 divisions to 4 require an increase in playoff teams? Why can't it stay at 6? The 2 division winners and the 4 best records. Here's how it might look just by using 2016...

Division 1
(1)NE (14-2)
(4)PIT (11-5)
(5)MIA (10-6)
BAL (8-8)
BUF (7-9)
CIN (6-9-1)
NYJ (5-11)
CLE (1-15)

Division 2
(2)KC (12-4)
(3)OAK (12-4)
(6)HOU (9-7)
DEN (9-7)
TEN (9-7)
IND (8-8)
SD (5-11)
JAX (3-13)
----------
Division 3
(1)DAL (13-3)
(3)NYG (11-5)
(5)GB (10-6)
(6)DET (9-7)
WAS (8-7-1)
MIN (8-8)
PHI (7-9)
CHI (3-13)

Division 4
(2)ATL (11-5)
(4)SEA (10-5-1)
TB (9-7)
ARZ (7-8-1)
NO (7-9)
CAR (6-10)
LA (4-12)
SF (2-14)

Bang. Done.

You realize you highlighted 12 teams, right?

 

[kburjr]

So rotate the division place holders? So this year NFC North plays NFC West, NFC South plays NFC East? And then in rotates?

I don't hate this, only thing is why always play the same opposing conference? What's wrong with that rotating? As much as @DirtDirtDirt would love for the Giants to get to play the AFC East every year.

Building more rivalries. If the Packers played the Steelers every year, it builds a rivalry. Same with Ravens, Browns and Eagles.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Building more rivalries. If the Packers played the Steelers every year, it builds a rivalry. Same with Ravens, Browns and Eagles.

I'm sure you meant the Bengals. I see the merit. I think you would lose some valuable "once every 4 years" games like Packers vs Patriots

 

[kburjr]

I'm sure you meant the Bengals. I see the merit. I think you would lose some valuable "once every 4 years" games like Packers vs Patriots

I can see that as an issue for some, but I like the idea of the possibility of only playing some teams in the Super Bowl.

 

[PhilSimms11]

You realize you highlighted 12 teams, right?

Yes, I do. What am I missing?

 

[PhilSimms11]

It's fine as is. Only thing I'd change is some of the divisions the teams are in. Dallas in the NFC East? Indianapolis in the AFC South? Few ? things there for sure.

I prefer the 6 divisions and 6 wild cards. Tends to make the teams in the playoffs a tad better. The 8 divisions and 4 wild cards keep more teams in the playoff picture later into the season so they aren't going to go back.

Here's my idea for the 6 divisions.
Central (5)--BAL, BUF, CIN, CLE, PIT
East (5)--NE, NYG, NYJ, PHI, WAS
Midwest (5)--DAL, DEN, HOU, KC, TEN
North (5)--CHI, DET, GB, IND, MIN
South (6)--ATL, CAR, JAX, MIA, NO, TB
West (6)--ARZ, LAC, LAR, OAK, SEA, SF

 

[Cyder]

Here's my idea for the 6 divisions.
Central (5)--BAL, BUF, CIN, CLE, PIT
East (5)--NE, NYG, NYJ, PHI, WAS
Midwest (5)--DAL, DEN, HOU, KC, TEN
North (5)--CHI, DET, GB, IND, MIN
South (6)--ATL, CAR, JAX, MIA, NO, TB
West (6)--ARZ, LAC, LAR, OAK, SEA, SF

They'll never take Dallas out of the NFC East.

 

[flyerhawk]

Yes, I do. What am I missing?

Weren't you saying that only 6 teams need to make it into the playoffs? Why did you highlight 12?

 

[Manster7588]

Here's my idea for the 6 divisions.
Central (5)--BAL, BUF, CIN, CLE, PIT
East (5)--NE, NYG, NYJ, PHI, WAS
Midwest (5)--DAL, DEN, HOU, KC, TEN
North (5)--CHI, DET, GB, IND, MIN
South (6)--ATL, CAR, JAX, MIA, NO, TB
West (6)--ARZ, LAC, LAR, OAK, SEA, SF

So no more NFC AFC?

 

[PhilSimms11]

Weren't you saying that only 6 teams need to make it into the playoffs? Why did you highlight 12?

No. I never said only 6 teams should make the playoffs. 6 teams in each conference. The way it is now.

 

[PhilSimms11]

So no more NFC AFC?

I'd be okay with that. Not likely to happen, but I think it would be interesting. Instead of 1-6 in each conference it'd be 1-12 with 1-4 getting a 1st round bye.

(1)NE (14-2)
(2)DAL (13-3)
(3)KC (12-4)
(4)OAK (12-4)

(12)DET (9-7) @ (5)ATL (11-5)
(11)HOU (9-7) @ (6)PIT (11-5)
(10)MIA (10-6) @ (7)NYG (11-5)
(9)GB (10-6) @ (8)SEA (10-5-1)