In this NFL alteration we would've seen one of the best playoff games (Wash vs. Sea) in the right venue, CenturyLink Field. (Credits: Al Bello/Getty Images North America) |
It's the "dog day"s of August. You're probably enjoying a vacation at some unreal beachtown/island or you're getting to the boiling point with your summer internship/job, either way you're probably doing a lot of thinking. Well, we at BDD&C have been doing some thinking (and we only do that "thinking" about sports) and we think there's something wrong with the four major professional sports leagues. The Playoffs. I don't mean that they're not interesting, riveting or gut-wrenching, they totally are. I'm saying even the most exciting time of our sports years can be improved. So we went out and decided to perfect each playoff system, some by addition, some by alteration. Enjoy these completely hypothetical, most likely unrealistic improvements to the playoffs.
NFL:
Add two playoff teams to each conference playoffs, eliminate the playoff bye-week and get rid of division-winning home field advantage. Top four teams hold home field advantage in the first round (1v8, 2v7, etc format). Division winner is guaranteed at least 8th seed, but will be ranked based on record/tiebreakers.
Sure the NFL as an league doesn't really need any changes to continue bringing in its 9 billion dollars in revenue, but adding two teams to each conference playoffs would make it even more exciting. Yes, I understand that those top-two seeds have "earned" a bye in today's system, but only two of those last six Super Bowls (and none of the last three) were won by a team with a first-round bye. Small sample size for sure, but it doesn't exactly mean that having a bye guarantees you a Super Bowl ring.
Fans of dominant teams that usually hold the upper seeds with completely argue against this system because it's the NFL and it would be a single elimination situation. There would be complaints the minute a 7-9 8th seed beats a 15-1 1st seed, but that's what would make it even more riveting, much like the NCAA Tournament.
On the contrary, you would also eliminate the "Division Winner Automatically Gets First-Round Home Field Advantage" clause. I agree that a divsion winner should be awarded a playoff spot, but is it really fair when a 7-9 team hosts a 10-6 team like the Seahawks did two years ago? Adding two more teams would also allow for those 10-6 and 11-5 teams to make the playoffs for sure. No way should a team like the '08 Pats or '85 Broncos miss the playoffs winning 11 games and I think that goes the same with the 11 teams over the years that went 10-6 and failed to make the playoffs.
This system would get more fanbases engaged deeper into the season all while keeping the regular season still that interesting. It will also ensure us more playoff football (two more games) and who the hell doesn't want more playoff football?
2012 Playoffs According to This System
AFC:
1. Denver (13-3) vs. 8. San Diego (7-9)
2. New England (12-4) vs. 7. Pittsburgh (8-8
3. Houston (12-4) vs. 6. Cincinnati (10-6)
4. Indianapolis (11-5) vs. 5. Baltimore (10-6)
This would produce a rivalry game in the 1-vs-8 game, a classic recent playoff rivalry in the 2-vs-7 game and an interesting switch of venues in the 4-vs-5 game. Interested yet?
NFC:
1. Atlanta (13-3) vs. 8. NY Giants (9-7)
2. San Francisco (11-4-1). vs. 7. Chicago (10-6)
3. Green Bay (11-5) vs. 6. Minnesota (10-6)
4. Seattle (11-5) vs. 5. Washington (10-6)
Here we brought in the always ready-to-make-a-run Giants in the 1-vs-8 game and the 4-vs-5 game played in the venue it should have been played. Sold?
If only we ran the sports world...
0 comments:
Post a Comment