4 divisions of 8 instead of 8 divisions of 4?

[PhilSimms11]

Would that alleviate controversies in the playoffs? I think 8 divisions is a lot, but what can you do? They expanded from 30 to 32. 6 divisions of 5 worked pretty well I thought. I still think they should reward W-L record before division winners. What if they combined the North(s), South(s), East(s), and West(s)? There wouldn't be any splitting up of current divisions and would create some new pretty bad ass rivalries to go along with the current ones in my opinion. I expanded the playoffs to 14 teams in anticipation that they may actually do that. I think this would be fun. I love seeing CLE and DET in the same division, a beast of a rivalry from the 1950's. You could play division opponents twice for a total of 14 games and then 2 other games from somewhere.

Just for fun let's see how the standings look with this year's W-L records. HOLY SCHNIKES, THE WEST IS A BEAST! (LOL)

North
1)CIN (11-5)
2)GB (8-7-1)*
3)BAL (8-8)*
4)CHI (8-8)*
5)PIT (8-8)
6)DET (7-9)
7)MIN (5-10-1)
8)CLE (4-12)

South
1)CAR (12-4)
2)IND (11-5)*
3)NO (11-5)*
4)TEN (7-9)
5)ATL (4-12)
6)JAX (4-12)
7)TB (4-12)
8)HOU (2-14)

Playoffs
1)CAR (12-4)
7)CHI (8-8) @ 2)CIN (11-5)
6)BAL (8-8) @ 3)IND (11-5)
5)GB (8-7-1) @ 4)NO (11-5)
--------------------------
East
1)NE (12-4)
2)PHI (10-6)*
3)DAL (8-8)
4)MIA (8-8)
5)NYJ (8-8)
6)NYG (7-9)
7)BUF (6-10)
8)WAS (3-13)

West
1)SEA (13-3)
2)DEN (13-3)*
3)SF (12-4)*
4)KC (11-5)*
5)ARZ (10-6)*
6)SD (9-7)
7)STL (7-9)
8)OAK (4-12)

Playoffs
1)SEA (13-3)
7)ARZ (10-6) @ 2)DEN (13-3)
6)PHI (10-6) @ 3)NE (12-4)
5)KC (11-5) @ 4)SF (12-4)

 

[TDs3nOut]

A fun thought, but it will almost certainly never happen. In addition to reducing the number of playoff games, which is far more likely to increase, teams old only play two regular season games outside their divisions in a sixteen game season.

 

[Broncos6482]

A fun thought, but it will almost certainly never happen. In addition to reducing the number of playoff games, which is far more likely to increase, teams old only play two regular season games outside their divisions in a sixteen game season.

No it doesn't, it increases it by two.

To answer the OP's question, no. Terrible idea. Leave it the way it is.

 

[TDs3nOut]

No it doesn't, it increases it by two.

To answer the OP's question, no. Terrible idea. Leave it the way it is.

In the current setup there is a total of eleven playoff games. The system proposed in the OP would produce only six playoff games.

 

[fastforward]

Can you explain how you intend to schedule the season with each team having 7 divisional opponents. Are you playing divisional opponents once or twice?

 

[Broncos6482]

In the current setup there is a total of eleven playoff games. The system proposed in the OP would produce only six playoff games.

No, it would produce 13; 6 in the first round, 4 in the second round, 2 in the third, and 1 in the 4th. He added two playoff teams to the current format, you can't add playoff teams and play fewer playoff games.

 

[TDs3nOut]

From the OP:

Playoffs
1)SEA (13-3)
7)ARZ (10-6) @ 2)DEN (13-3)
6)PHI (10-6) @ 3)NE (12-4)
5)KC (11-5) @ 4)SF (12-4)

 

[BoBlake]

I like the idea of reducing how many miles my team has to fly most years.

Those California teams would lose a lot of homefield advantage I think. I could see those places filling up with each other's fans and drowning each other out.

 

[RoboticDreams]

NO

 

[JDM]

Yeah, this is terrible.

 

[shouldakepowens]

From the OP:

That's one conference

 

[TDs3nOut]

That's one conference

Okay, I missed that.

 

[ratenstein]

It's a great idea because then there's just an East-West championship game, and we no longer need the superbowl which is a giant drag on the economy and everyone only watches for the commercials anyway.

 

[boltfan72]

So under the current system with 12 playoff teams the Chargers are in the playoffs.

Under this system with 14 playoff teams they're out?

That aside, I only want to see my team play 3 teams twice, not 7. Under the current system you play every team in the league within 4 seasons. Perfect as is.

 

[boltfan72]

It's a great idea because then there's just an East-West championship game, and we no longer need the superbowl which is a giant drag on the economy and everyone only watches for the commercials anyway.

LOL. Just make it like the BPL in England: One division, no playoffs. 1st place is the champ, last 3 are relegated to a lower league.

 

[NinerSickness]

Wouldn't this plan be almost identical in essence to giving a higher seed to a wildcard w/ a better record over a divisional winner?

 

[DunceKaep]

Not saying this is the answer. Just expanding on others ideas.

IMO. The rotating schedule is perfect the way it is.


Thought would be you play the schedule the way it is. BUT. If instead of 4- four division teams, you make it 16 teams.

The top 6 make the playoffs. Just like now. Except there are no divisions. So no division winners and NO WILDCARDS.

The top 6 teams from each conference make the playoffs.
seeded by record. Top 2 get byes just like now.

 

[Stevein2012]

I've got an idea. Lets not change anything because the way it is right now works great.

 

[Wolvie]

Very interesting idea. Putting the west coast teams together would definitely cut down on travel. Put looking at your standings instantly made me think of NBA and its seeding/playoff structure. This instantly caused me to throw up in my mouth a little bit. Emulating the NBA's format in any way, shape, or form would be bad. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD