By Jordan Long
The NFL agreement with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) expires at the end of the 2020 season. There have been rumors there could be a lockout jeopardizing the 2021 season and playoffs. Two issues the NFL would like to see is an 18 game regular season and expand the NFL playoffs.
As it stands now, there are 4 preseason games for most teams. Franchises selected to play in the Hall of Fame Game add another preseason game, making the total 5. The regular season is 16 games and one bye week. Adding 2 more games might make sense if the NFL decides to let go of 2 preseason games. That would be equal to the same number of games they play now and possibly add another bye week for NFL teams.
The problem is the NFL players may not want to add 2 games. Athletes would have to go through 2 more games and practices, which might be too much for them. The NFL should stick with 16 games. It has worked since 1978 so they shouldn’t fix what is not broken.
Another matter is increasing the number of playoff teams. Right now there are 12 teams that reach the postseason. There are 4 division winners and 2 Wild Cards in both the AFC and NFC. The top 2 seeds receive a bye to the divisional round.
The NFL wants to see more teams make the playoffs. In the NBA and NHL, half the league makes it to the postseason. In the NFL 12 out of 32 or 37.5% of the NFL franchises make it to the postseason.
The expanded playoffs would add another team in both conferences, making 7 and a total of 14 for the whole league. The top team in both conferences would receive the bye week. There would be 6 opening round playoff games rather than 4.
The problem with this change is what it would do to the Wild Card weekend schedule. The NFL would need to play 3 games on Saturday and Sunday. Games could be just like they do on a regular Sunday with a game in the morning, afternoon, and night. If that were to happen, the franchise who was victorious on the Sunday night of the Wild Card round may not have as much time to prepare for their next opponent if they have to travel and face them on Saturday.
According to washingtonpost.com, Commissioner Rodger Goodell would like to have issues resolved saying, “I do hope it’s sooner rather than later. I think there’s great value to all parties, and most importantly our fans, that we get this issue resolved and move forward. But there are important issues to be addressed. And we’re doing that.”
The NFL and NFLPA must address these issues. If there isn’t a resolution that comes quickly after the 2020 season, there could be a lockout and who knows how long it will last. Owners and players hope to avoid it.
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