Webster Guy Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Having divisions in the nfl reminds me of the ....., an old stupid way of doing things that has somehow carried over into modern day and just makes things worse. As it stands, teams with losing records in weak divisions can limp into the post season and teams with 10 wins can miss the playoffs altogether. Get rid of the divisions and mix it up, rank all the teams based on last years record, generate the schedules as fair as possible taking into account bye weeks, europe trips, coast to coast travel, thursday games etc. and lets play 16 different teams each year. For all of you traditionalists, I say this game is already completely different than it was in the rockpile days, and you still love it enough to follow your team on a message board in July. So open your mind a little. I'm not proposing this because I think its going to happen someday, its just a 'what if' that makes tons of sense, like moving the superbowl to 5pm saturday--so much logic supports it, yet its still not implemented. Man I wish I could make the rules for one nfl season.
Virgil Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I also believe that, in a sport where every game is so important, you shouldn't play any team twice in the regular season. You should have to play each team in your conference once, and then rotate other conference games in. I get that you won't get a home skins/cowboys game every year, but I think it'll honestly be better for the sport and you'll see more home teams come to your stadium.
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I also believe that, in a sport where every game is so important, you shouldn't play any team twice in the regular season. You should have to play each team in your conference once, and then rotate other conference games in. I get that you won't get a home skins/cowboys game every year, but I think it'll honestly be better for the sport and you'll see more home teams come to your stadium. Interesting thought. There would be one non conference game per team, per season in this scenario.
Bills fan since 87 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I think I could get on board with this but absolutely love the idea of the Superbowl being on a Saturday. Both prob won't happen though.
ExiledInIllinois Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Pats** just got the memo. They say they like cheating against the Bills twice a year. They say leave it the same.
May Day 10 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 (edited) I have been on board with this Lambeau Shula Buffalo Houston Cleveland Miami Pittsburgh Jacksonville Detroit Tampa Bay Cincinnati Carolina Chicago New Orleans Minnesota Atlanta Green Bay Tennessee Parcells Walsh New England Denver NY Giants Los Angeles Rams Washington Seattle Philadelphia Kansas City Baltimore Oakland Dallas San Francisco Indianapolis Los Angeles Chargers NY Jets Arizona It is treated more like NCAA football. Play each Division team 1x. rotate home/away year to year. Pair up 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 for an extra Divisional game to make 8 Divisional games. It would also keep teams at the top of the Division duking it out once more each season so you wouldnt lose the 'situational' rivalries that pop up. Then 4 from your other conference Division with typical home/away rotation, and 2/2 from each Division from the other conference with typical home/away rotation. Conference winners get byes. #2 and #3 in each division play in the wildcard round. Then play for the conference championships and re-seed for the final 4. Edited July 26, 2017 by May Day 10
Hatszel Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I think I could get on board with this but absolutely love the idea of the Superbowl being on a Saturday. Both prob won't happen though. I think a better plan would be to add two games and a bye week and play Superbowl on Presidents day weekend on Sunday
teef Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Man...if they just put the superbowl on a Saturday and went back to the old format of the draft, I'd be pumped. I do like thenop's ideas. Interesting thoughts.
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Super Bowl at 5:00pm on Saturday is a no brainer.
Maury Ballstein Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Man...if they just put the superbowl on a Saturday and went back to the old format of the draft, I'd be pumped. I do like thenop's ideas. Interesting thoughts. Super Bowl at 5:00pm on Saturday is a no brainer. All in on Saturday Super Bowl. I'd vote for 7-8pm though
teef Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 All in on Saturday Super Bowl. I'd vote for 7-8pm though Honestly...how great would that be? To have fun at a superbowl party without having to worry about going to work the next day! It's especially a pain for people living on the east coast.
BuffaloFan68 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I'd be happy with switching Buffalo & Baltimore for now and then moving the Super Bowl to Saturday. It would be a couple of moves in the right direction. Let's Go Buffalo!!!!!
LI_Bills Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I think a better plan would be to add two games and a bye week and play Superbowl on Presidents day weekend on Sunday Minus the extra two games, I've been saying this for the past few years. I would have no problem starting the regular season a week or two later. Football is a cold weather sport to me. I think I suggested the Presidents weekend SB once on this board and was told not to drink so much during the Super Bowl. Sigh.
Bills fan since 87 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 EVERYONE watches the Super Bowl and would also do so on a Saturday. But I think the NFL's logic is there is more competition for things to do on a Saturday night so they're content with Sunday night. I heard somewhere recently that if you own Sunday night tv you get the greatest percentage of viewers tuned in compared to the rest of the week. Now I am ALL for a Saturday SB, have been for years. But the slight notion of the NFL losing .0005% of viewers scares them away, american worker be damned. They'll play the Super Sunday tradition card.
Royale with Cheese Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I'm all for the top 6 best records in each conference make the playoffs. Go away with winning the division as an automatic qualifier.
K D Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Just make it so we play our division once every year and when it comes to the playoffs the top 6 teams get in no matter the division. Simple
Bills_Chick Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 We all have an obvious bias . . . Agreed, but it will prevent future dynasty teams from completely dominating a division. Like when the Browns are a dynasty team and the Steelers fans are sad 10 years from now or whatever.
May Day 10 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 (edited) Agreed, but it will prevent future dynasty teams from completely dominating a division. Like when the Browns are a dynasty team and the Steelers fans are sad 10 years from now or whatever. It is a problem IMO. A team gets a franchise great QB and due to the 'blunt' 4-team divisional format, 3 teams become the Washington Generals for 10-20 years. Say the Jets get Sam Darnold and he becomes a Manning/Brady/Rodgers-level QB, and they manage the roster competently... It all but ensures that the Bills would not host a playoff game for a decade more +... The 4-team divisional format really can put your team and 3 others in a tough spot. I get the whole 'macho' "just beat them and it doesnt make a difference. It is easier than that though and I do think there are better ways to align the league. It stinks there are various coin-flip divisions like the Souths and sometimes the Wests, and then you have some that are on generational lock-down And the current rivalries do nothing for me. The Patriots I hate, just because the success. I am worn down with 17 years of beat-downs and am at the point of malaise. I didnt shed a tear when the Colts left the AFC East... The Jets do nothing for me other than me disliking any NYC sports team. The Dolphins are nothing to me. A turquiose team with a minimal fanbase in a city that has nothing in common with me. The Marino-Kelly years were good, but mostly due to the situation that both teams happened to be at the top of the Division/Conference for 8 years or so. It could have been anyone else, really, didnt matter if it was Miami. Kind of like the nasty Seattle/San Francisco rivalry a few years ago. The NFL will get that no matter what, depending on who is good and competing for a run of a few years/seasons. Edited July 26, 2017 by May Day 10
Jeebus Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 The divisions are fine and the way it is now works... we do have a bit of a sour taste in our mouth cause we have been stuck with the Patriots*, but they have been the exception to the rule, no other division has been like this. Playoffs are a different situation, I would like to see it go purely by record and not division winners.
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