Division rivalry's a decent draw. Winning a division should be the primary path to playoff success. But 7-9 teams don't deserve the opportunity. Giving away the division crown to another team because no one within that division could grab the brass ring seems appropriate.
You could always do 4 divisions comprised of 8 teams. Give the top team out of each a first round bye. Then split up the remaining spots with the teams with the next best record. It would maintain the whole "win your division" history while basically eliminating the possibility that a sub .500 team makes the playoffs.
By that you mean a 12 year history? Prior to that divisions were much different. I don't know if I'd call 12 years "traditional."
I don't agree. It doesn't matter if the Cowboys got into the playoffs or not. If the Cowboys were 6-9 with a chance to win the division, I wouldn't change sides.@ anyone who wants a re-do of the playoff system.
Just
It's only a deal because oh noes, the Cowboys are screwed.
Well, you know what, beat the Redskins and this shit is a moot point at this stage, fagmos.
The Jags went 12-4 a while back and lost in the wild card round.
The NFL is a draw on its own. I'd dissolve the divisions and the conferences if it was up to me.
We will just have to disagree then. I think it's a shame to have a 7-9 team in the playoffs with a 11-5 team sitting at home strictly because everyone in a division blows. I prefer my playoffs to include the 12 best teams in the NFL. Not 11 of the best teams and the 23rd best team. Makes no logical sense.
You likely wouldn't be talking about it at all.
And think of the current system. Is Arizona truly one of the best teams right now? They might have the first-third best record but who the eff thinks they make the Super Bowl with their QB situation?
It was a big deal when Seattle did it 4 years ago. It's not a once a decade thing. This has nothing to do with the Cowboys. If it had something to do with the Cowboys we would be talking about changing it before playoffs this year. That's obviously not going to happen. Long term it is an issue though and it will probably come up again in the near future when another shit team is looking to make the playoffs because they play in a shit conference.
I think there are enough teams and that will feel the same way as Dallas fans. They will feel like there needs to be revisions because a team with an inferior record got in ahead. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it isn't part of the owners agenda in the off season.
I'm still not sure why people are talking about this like it never happens. It just happened 4 years ago. It's also why I'm totally against playoff expansion which has been talked about in the past. If you expand the playoffs Dallas makes it far more often but I think it dilutes the playoffs and I hate the idea of it. Just like letting a 7-9 team win a division and make the playoffs.
And before 4 years ago how many times?
Sour grapes, stuff like this just fuels more attention and talk.
Not sour grapes with me. I am saying what I think will happen.
We have only had this playoff setup for 12 years. Prior to that we had a playoff setup that made it far less likely for a losing team to win a division.