{"id":23623,"date":"2014-01-08T13:56:23","date_gmt":"2014-01-08T17:56:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jetnation.com\/?p=23623"},"modified":"2022-04-01T04:06:54","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T08:06:54","slug":"nfls-goodell-supports-playoff-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/2014\/01\/08\/nfls-goodell-supports-playoff-expansion\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL’s Goodell Supports Playoff Expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell<\/a> stated yesterday that the league is contemplating adding two additional wildcard playoff teams (one for each conference):<\/p>\n

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Goodell believes one change the NFL could make is to expand the playoffs.<\/p>\n

‘That is under serious consideration,’ he (Goodell) said. ‘We think it’s one of the great things about the NFL, besides the fact that it’s unscripted. Every team and their fans start the season with hope. You mentioned the fact that for 11 straight years we’ve had a team go from last to first, that’s unique to professional football and the NFL, that doesn’t happen in other sports. And that’s because we have such a competitive league and we want to keep that.’<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Source: NFL.com \/ Kevin Patra<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals went 10-6 this year but did not make the playoffs while the Green Bay Packers reached the postseason at 8-7-1.\u00a0Goodell believes adding an extra playoff spot to the current format would provide an opportunity for teams like the Cardinals to participate in postseason play.<\/p>\n

With each of the lowest (#6) seeds in both conferences advancing during this postseason the idea of allowing another team a chance to play for a championship has become a hot topic. The thought is not only does another team to make the playoffs, but also may allow the NFL to push Super Bowl Sunday to the weekend of President’s Day<\/a>, a move that most people would prefer.<\/p>\n

Detractors<\/a> have noted that the 8-8 Pittsburgh Steelers, who were tied with the Jets, Dolphins and Ravens, would have been the AFC team which would have gained a playoff berth under the proposed format. There is also the “watering down” effect upon regular season games as a higher percentage of teams would earn a playoff spot.<\/p>\n

The idea will be discussed during the annual NFL owners meeting scheduled for March 23-26 in Orlando, Florida and if adopted could not be implemented until the 2015 season. The\u00a0proposal is to eliminate<\/a> one preseason game (from 4 to 3) and add one game to Wildcard Weekend.\u00a0 The top seeded team in each conference would be the only team to get the first round bye.\u00a0 The playoff scenario would look like this:<\/p>\n