17th Game (inter-conference) on the table for 2021

[Dante84]

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, regarding a 17th game in 2021, “We did not take any votes with respect to committing to do it.” The league did approve the scheduling formula if it happens, though. “It obviously comes into play with respect to future media arrangements."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2020

When the league decides to go to 17 games, the extra game will be another inter-conference matchup, per @AlbertBreer. AFC teams will play 5 NFC teams every year and vice versa.

AFC and NFC will alternate by year on who gets 9 home games.

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 16, 2020

[mililo4cpa]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I know that I'm a weird numbers guy, but I think my main issue with it is having it be 17 games, which is going to always be weird and uneven. The 16-game season is so elegant:

Division (x2) - 6
Rotating opposite-conference division - 4
Rotating same-conference division - 4
Same-ranked teams from the other same-conference divisions - 2

And the result is that every team plays four #1 teams, four #2 teams, four #3 teams, and four #4 teams (based on division rank).

Playing 17 games is always going to result in some inequality among teams in the division. Even 18 would be better.

In Rainman's Chiefs Logo thread, I voted that having the two different logos always bothered me, because I'm a very "symmetrical" person....obviously, I understand why the logo has to be different, but I just don't like it.

And for that reason, I hate the concept of 17 game schedules: uneven amounts of home games v. away, the elimination of the beauty of the scheduling now totally diminished, and quite honestly, it's not needed.....there's nothing to like about it at all. I'd almost prefer they addd more playoff teams (I don't really, I'm being facetious) rather than this bull crap

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Azide22

It also makes a "first place" schedule tougher. It appears to be seeding based. So finish first in your division, you'll get the first place team from 5 of the other 7 divisions, while everyone else gets 2 (plus your own division).

True but the increased cap space helps us to.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

True but the increased cap space helps us to.

Not really.

The increased cap space benefits everybody.

The unbalanced schedule only hurts 1st place teams.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Not really.

The increased cap space benefits everybody.

The unbalanced schedule only hurts 1st place teams.

I agree it’s still the same for everyone. But everyone doesn’t already have big contracts with Kelce, Jones, Clark, Honey badger, Hill and a $500 million QB. The first few years help us more than most teams. And as the cap goes up, the value of those contracts to us goes up and become more reasonable.

[Azide22]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I agree it’s still the same for everyone. But everyone doesn’t already have big contracts with Kelce, Jones, Clark, Honey badger, Hill and a $500 million QB. The first few years help us more than most teams. And as the cap goes up, the value of those contracts to us goes up and become more reasonable.

If it helps us keep our guys, that is good, but won't they just pro-rata them at 17/16ths current? Though, if not, its a one time help, which would be good, because we are at the top right now.

[Halfcan]

Money grab.

[BossChief]

Last time they talked about this, they were talking about every team playing the extra game in another country. That would keep it 8 home and 8 away.

I wonder if they want to wait to vote on it till they can get the league vaccinated.

[ChiefsFanatic]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I know that I'm a weird numbers guy, but I think my main issue with it is having it be 17 games, which is going to always be weird and uneven. The 16-game season is so elegant:

Division (x2) - 6
Rotating opposite-conference division - 4
Rotating same-conference division - 4
Same-ranked teams from the other same-conference divisions - 2

And the result is that every team plays four #1 teams, four #2 teams, four #3 teams, and four #4 teams (based on division rank).

Playing 17 games is always going to result in some inequality among teams in the division. Even 18 would be better.

Ok, so, this is going to sound ridiculous, but it would keep the 16 game schedule that works so well intact.

And this is just spit balling, off the top of my highly medicated head.

What if the 17th game wasn't predetermined?

Say you play the 16 game regular season, and the schedule for those 16 games is determined exactly like it is now.

But, the 17th game is fluid, and could include any team from the opposing conference. I am not sure on the details, like how the teams would be chosen, but geographical location, overall record, or even fan voting could be determining factors. The goal would be to make these "Regular Season Wild Card" or RSWC games for short, a match up between either very good teams, or teams that have a compelling storyline. Examples would be the Chiefs versus the Packers, which would feature the two leading candidates for MVP, etc.

I think having one wild card game like this could bring a lot of fun, interesting scenarios, and could generate really great matchups for football fans. And it could put games on TV that fans want to see, instead of watching a random game like the Jets vs the Lions.

Playoff positions would only use the original 16 game season, but whichever teams from the conference that has the edge in wins for the RSWC games would get 60% of the extra TV money, with the losing conference teams getting 40%. This would be the incentive to win these games instead of using it as a second bye week for starters.

Again, I didn't spend time working out the details, but I thought it might spur some interesting opinions and conversations.



Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk

[Dante84]

Sounds like it’s happening:

The NFL is expected to add a 17th game to the regular season in 2021, sources say. A look at how the dramatic move will change the landscape of the season, along with what it means for the salary cap.

The story from me and @TomPelissero: https://t.co/ShD7J4HkCG

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2020

[Bowser]

Sounds like it's about money and increasing their international presence, especially after they've taken it in the shorts with Covid.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Sounds like it’s happening:

The NFL is expected to add a 17th game to the regular season in 2021, sources say. A look at how the dramatic move will change the landscape of the season, along with what it means for the salary cap.

The story from me and @TomPelissero: https://t.co/ShD7J4HkCG

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2020

More football!

Love it!

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I know that I'm a weird numbers guy, but I think my main issue with it is having it be 17 games, which is going to always be weird and uneven. The 16-game season is so elegant:

Division (x2) - 6
Rotating opposite-conference division - 4
Rotating same-conference division - 4
Same-ranked teams from the other same-conference divisions - 2

And the result is that every team plays four #1 teams, four #2 teams, four #3 teams, and four #4 teams (based on division rank).

Playing 17 games is always going to result in some inequality among teams in the division. Even 18 would be better.

First, I agree with this...I hate screwing with something that works so well.

Second, not that it matters, but Mahomes will crush all records - another game is like adding another season to his stats over his career. All the season and all-time records will fall with this change.

If you have to do this just stop pre-season and add two games.

[BossChief]

That’s a good way of offsetting mostly empty stadiums.

[Sorry]

Increase roster size

[Dante84]

EDIT: The (usually very reliable) account deleted this tweet after it was up for a bit. I also see that AFC West/NFC East would not be the Packers; also, we already play the NFC East next year. Someone, somewhere got their wires crossed.

With NFL set to go to 17 games, here's how the extra game will be added in '21, via @AlbertBreer

NFC East/AFC West same place finisher
NFC West/AFC South same place finisher
NFC North/AFC North same place finisher
NFC South/AFC East same place finisher

Example: KC would play GB

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 28, 2020