In the NFL playoff system a team with a break even or loosing record can qualify to make the playoffs. It is possible they can even win their division with such a record. That system has not increased competition in the regular season and in fact actually decreases it. Only 13 of the 32 teams had a winning record during the regular season this year and that ratio has been holding steady for a number of years.
It makes no sense to have 4 divisions in each conference and then come playoff time the division champs have to play "wild card" teams who do not deserve to be there after a 16 game season. There is nothing competitive about "wild card" teams being rewarded with a chance to win a world championship or letting teams with loosing records compete in any post games.
I would suggest the NFL go to two divisions in each conference with 8 teams in each division and let the division winners play each other and the winners of the NFC would play the winners of the AFC in the Super Bowl. No "wild card" teams accepted, period. That would be a total of two playoff games and the Super Bowl.
The existing playoff system was designed to put more money in the owners and leagues pockets and not to create competition. Sixteen games is enough for any team to win a division. If they can't cut it, they don't belong in the playoff dance. That alone would be an incentive to be more competitive. Bad teams, poor coaching and over paid players are another reason competition has been lacking. Where is the motivation for better performance when teams with loosing records can go to the big dance and players still draw big salaries and perform poorly?
Many years ago when Buddy Dilaberto was covering the Saints I wrote him a letter at a time he was promoting so called parity in the NFL because of the college draft. He, at the time was promoting so called parity as competition. I simply pointed out my disagreement with his assessment because there was no record to back up his statements. And today there is still no record to confirm that the NFL is competitive during the regular season. Some things never change when the dollar sign is in control.
Two division champions will be playing in the Super Bowl on Feb. 2. That is the way it should be. "Wild card" teams? Who needs them? Only the greedy owners and the NFL. Seattle had to play "wild card" Frisco three times this year to get to the Super Bowl. What a stupid way to run a professional league. Frisco played a 16 game schedule and had the opportunity to win the division and they failed. So hit the road Jack, no second chance for you. Parity, competition, you won't find it in the regular season in the NFL.
Note: In this writers opinion playing teams twice and the possibility of having to play them three times including the playoffs is silly at best, especially when you have 32 teams in the league. Thirty two teams is actually too many teams and just dilutes the competition.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
