New Structure for the Playoffs

[E CaT PanTHer]

As we all know, the superbowl winner each year isn't always the best team. Infact, I would say 7 times out of 10, the best team isn't crowned the champs because of many factors such as tough breaks, unlucky bounces, single bad performances, etc. I just don't think one single bad performance or a lucky bounce (i.e the immaculate reception) should cost your team the whole season.

I say the NFL eliminates 2 preseason games and stick to a 16 game regular season. The difference will be possibly a couple of more playoff games.

The top 2 teams from each conference will meet each other in a best of 3 game championship series to determine who goes to the superbowl. The winner of those two games will meet in a best of 3 game superbowl series to determine the Superbowl champion. Some people may say this is a lot of games, but it's not. The maximum playoff games a team can play is 6, which is only 2-3 more than the current format. That's why eliminating the two preseason games evens things out.

This eliminates the wildcard and divisional rounds, and allowes a team to redeem themselves incase of a bad performance, an unlucky break, etc. I think this structure will determine the true champion and the overall best team of the NFL.

[StepandFetch]

I like this very much

[Brooklyn Bully]

So four teams out of the entire NFL make the Playoffs? No thanks.

[OneBadassCat]

So four teams out of the entire NFL make the Playoffs? No thanks.

I agree with this. Plus it would be awfully hard to keep players intensity after playing the same team in superbowl. Plus scheming and preparing for each game would be ridiculous. But i do like where your heads at.

[E CaT PanTHer]

So four teams out of the entire NFL make the Playoffs? No thanks.

It's very close to baseball. Baseball only has 3 series, the divisional series, the championship series, and the world series.

This format has only 2 series, but it's football. And I think everyone can agree that the actual top 4 teams of the NFL this year were the Titans, Steelers, Giants, and Panthers. But because the NFL is one and done, 3 out of the 4 teams are already out of it.

And so what if only 4 teams make the playoffs. If you can't prove in 16 games that you're not one of the top 4 teams in the NFL, then why the hell should you be given the opportunity to compete for the superbowl ring ??

[Brooklyn Bully]

It's very close to baseball. Baseball only has 3 series, the divisional series, the championship series, and the world series.

This format has only 2 series, but it's football. And I think everyone can agree that the actual top 4 teams of the NFL this year were the Titans, Steelers, Giants, and Panthers. But because the NFL is one and done, 3 out of the 4 teams are already out of it.

And so what if only 4 teams make the playoffs. If you can't prove in 16 games that you're not one of the top 4 teams in the NFL, then why the hell should you be given the opportunity to compete for the superbowl ring ??

Underdogs provide excitement. Making the Playoffs generates the league money and your city money. Taking away chances for teams to make it by narrowing it down to just four teams would kill the league.

[CarolinaSock]

If your just going to give it to the best team then why have a playoffs at all? If your the better team, play like it. Is there any chance you bring up this format if the Panthers had been the #3 seed or worse? I doubt it.

[venom]

you're not the best overall team if you cant come in and beat anyone on any given sunday. a best of 3 playoff system would be way too much. it could take up to 3 weeks just to comeplete a series, unless games were held more often (than once a week), but then you run the risk of injuries.

if i were to change the playoffs at all, i would add 2 more slots and eliminate the bye week that the top seeds get.

[E CaT PanTHer]

If your just going to give it to the best team then why have a playoffs at all? If your the better team, play like it. Is there any chance you bring up this format if the Panthers had been the #3 seed or worse? I doubt it.

I've actuallly been talking about this format with my cousins and friends for a while. I decided to bring it up because I really think the Panthers are better than Arizona. If this was a best of 3 game series, I think the Panthers would win the next two and advance.

And this structure is just an idea. The main premise is to have a playoff series rather than a one and done format. Like I said, I just hate when a crucial game and a whole season can be determined by a referee, an unlucky bounce, or a single bad performance. That is all.

[CarolinaKid704]

you're not the best overall team if you cant come in and beat anyone on any given sunday. a best of 3 playoff system would be way too much. it could take up to 3 weeks just to comeplete a series, unless games were held more often (than once a week), but then you run the risk of injuries.

if i were to change the playoffs at all, i would add 2 more slots and eliminate the bye week that the top seeds get.

This should at least be on the table for the NFL offseason. 11-5 teams not making it - #5 and #6 seeds have been strong in the playoffs history. Top half of the conference should get a playoff shot. F the bye week.

[RockECU]

The best part about football is that there is no "series". Each and every game matters more than 10 games in baseball! Whether it is regular season or post season... ..for the most part anyway.

You also forget about injuries... And that is the main reason why it will not happen.

I do think though that 8 teams (per conference) should get in and just do away with the bye week. It kills too many teams in my opinion.

[E CaT PanTHer]

The best part about football is that there is no "series". Each and every game matters more than 10 games in baseball! Whether it is regular season or post season... ..for the most part anyway.

You also forget about injuries... And that is the main reason why it will not happen.

I do think though that 8 teams (per conference) should get in and just do away with the bye week. It kills too many teams in my opinion.

This is the main reason why I hate the structure of the NBA playoffs. 8 teams from each conference is way too much. I laugh at the fact that half the teams in the entire sport make the playoffs. Do you really think a sub .500 team is deserving of a playoff appearance ??

This just allowes more mediocre teams to catch lucky breaks in the playoffs and doesn't show the true champion each year.

[Jangler]

Whatever. I just want you to prove to me Carolina is better that Arizona. That's the kind of thinking that has gotten the NFCCG in Arizona. The best doesn't always win, that's life. it's not fair, but it is life. Deal or die. (not directing that at you, just saying it in general)

[~*Felicity*~]

Its interesting but I prefer it how it is, where theres a final and thats it, it makes that game so much more important and fun to watch than if you win then still have to wait to next week etc...