Goodell issues discussed Tuesday incl. wildcard expansion

[BOF]

Roger Goodell: Playoff expansion a possibility for 2015
 
Main points
1. Proposal for wildcard weekend to be 3 games each, instead of 2.
2. One week reduction in pre-season games (not extricably linked to wildcard expansion).
3. No plans for a London NFL franchise.
4. Actively want an L.A. franchise but only with a new stadium.
5. Washington-raised Goodell doesn't regard 'Redskins' as derogatory but will listen with open mind.
6. Three London games in 2014.
7. Indy, Minneapolis & Nawleans up for hosting 2018 superbowl (LII)
8. Mandatory participation in HBO/NFL Films 'Hard Knocks' of 1 team per annum.
 

The NFL's competition committee opted against a recommendation last March that would expand the playoff field in the near future. Commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear Tuesday during the NFL Fall Meeting that the issue is back on the table.

The possibility of adding two teams to the postseason is one of the "priorities" for the competition committee in 2014, Goodell said.

"If expanding the postseason would allow other teams to get into the dance, and they have the potential of going on and winning the Super Bowl," Goodell explained, "that's a good thing for fans, that a good thing competitively."

If the new rule is adopted, it won't be put into place until the 2015 season because there are scheduling issues next season. Rather than two games apiece on wild-card weekend, each conference would expand to three games.

One possibility for squeezing in extra playoff teams is to reduce the preseason from four weeks to three, although the two issues are not necessarily related. Goodell reiterated that preseason games are not up to NFL standards.

Other issues Goodell addressed Tuesday:

» The NFL has no plans to place a franchise in London. "Our objective is to grow internationally," Goodell said. "We're responding to that interest in the game because the fans want to see it. ... There's a real interest in our game internationally."

» The league has found no evidence that Thursday night games produce more injuries than any other game. Ratings have more than doubled since NFL Network began broadcasting on Thursday nights. "It's our job to build 'Thursday Night Football,' " Goodell added, "and make it, this is where you want to be on Thursday night, watching NFL football."

» The NFL actively is looking for a solution that will return a franchise to Los Angeles, but it won't happen without a new stadium. Goodell stressed that it would have to be a site that works and allows for sustained success.

» Growing up in Washington, Goodell does not consider the Redskins name to be derogatory. He did emphasize, however, that the NFL has to keep an open mind because other people have a different perspective. "We need to listen and carefully listen," Goodell said, "and make sure that we're doing what's right."

» The NFL announced Tuesday that a third regular-season game will be added to the London schedule for the 2014 season. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders each will play one home game at Wembley Stadium next year.

» Goodell confirmed the three finalist cities to host Super Bowl LII in 2018. The three bid cities for the game are Indianapolis, Minneapolis and New Orleans.

» The league also passed a rule Tuesday during that will compel one team per year to participate in the HBO/NFL Films joint venture, "Hard Knocks."

[kurtsimonw]

I like the playoffs how it is, having 8 teams make the post-season just seems dumb to me. It's meant to be a reward for the best, not half the entire league getting in.

[Dante_Lockhart]

Agree.

 

4 Divisional winners from each Conference. That's 8 teams. 2 with the best record from each get a bye.

 

2 teams from each Conference with the next best record go through to the Wildcard round against the 2 Divisional Winners who are left.

 

 

It's simple. Bringing more teams into this affects the whole integrity of the Playoffs IMO. "Ah as long as we do just enough we'll be OK" instead of "We need to WIN our division to make sure we make the playoffs!".

[kurtsimonw]

How would it even work, come to think of it? It mentions there would be 3 games per conference on WC weekend, that suggests adding 2 new teams.

 

I would assume that means like: AFC #3 v AFC #8, AFC #4 v AFC#7 and AFC #5 v AFC #6, but that leaves 3 winners + AFC #1 and AFC 2, that's 5 teams. Unless AFC #1 would get 2 byes!?

 

Levi, any guesses?

 

EDIT: Unless they're only adding 1 new team per conference so only #1 seed gets a 1st round bye?

Edited October 9, 2013 by kurtsimonw

[leviramsey]

EDIT: Unless they're only adding 1 new team per conference so only #1 seed gets a 1st round bye?

Bingo.

#7 @ #2

#6 @ #3

#5 @ #4

7/6/5/4 @ 1

3/4/5/6 @ 2/3/4/5

[leviramsey]

It's worth noting that the NFL went to the 12-team postseason format when there were 28 teams (pre-Texans/Ravens/Jaguars/Panthers).

12*32/28 = 13.7

So it's not unreasonable.

[kurtsimonw]

When I read initially I thought by adding an extra WC per conference that they were adding 2 new teams per conference into the playoffs which would be too much. 7/16 is a whole lot better than 8/16!

[KennyPowers]

The most objectionable thing there is the stance on Thursday night games. 

 

The games are consistently terrible even if you allow for the fact that they don't get the premium matchups. 

 

The players don't want them and I hate the ratings argument. They get good ratings because for NFL fans it's such a short season you have to cram in as much as you can. It doesn't mean the fans are enjoying them, I'd say pretty confidently that a poll would say the fans aren't in favour of them.  

[StefanAVFC]

That'll end with Seahawks/Cards next week