For years, ideas about the NFL extending the regular season by adding two games to the regular season schedule and dropping two preseason games to increase fan interest was bounced around.
Since they settled in the middle ground and the NFLPA agreed, we get the first extension of the regular season games since 1978.
NFL Extends Regular Season to 17 Games, Preseason Shrinks to 3 Games
This could pose some interesting problems down the road for various reasons, and could lead to some black eyes for the NFL during a time they’re taking a few body blows.
For the last forty plus years, they kept the season at an even number of games, which makes it easier for people in general to call up win loss records and find that sweet spot win wise to get into the playoffs.
That adjustment aside, it also looks like the teams have some flexibility where they can get an extra home game if they give up a preseason game.
From nfl.com:
Under the scheduling formula below, every team plays 17 games with one bye week, hosting 10 games — either nine regular-season games and one preseason game or eight regular-season games and two preseason games.
Adding drama
This will add another chess move teams can use to gain an edge during the regular season, and we’re curious how this will play out as coaches have longed used preseason games to evaluate new talent.
Now that’ll be cut down even more, and we wouldn’t want to be the coaches or players needing that extra time to make it or break it as it’ll put more stress on everyone to make the right decision.
Fans have been wanting more regular season games for years, and it looks like the main deciding factor may have been a study that said there are more injuries during the preseason.
Basically, when players are pushing the envelope to make a team.
To give the 17th game more importance, it’s going to feature teams from each conference that finished in the same position the previous year.
The AFC was deemed the home conference for these games this season.
This should be interesting simply to see how teams handle the transition and use the scheduling system to gain an advantage as well as which players will slip through the cracks now that they won’t have a full preseason to prove themselves.
What are your thoughts on the NFL extending the regular season? Let us know in the comments below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit Gamestingr for great videos, news, and gameplay!
