The NFL should go back to a 16 game season and give each team 2 or 3 BYE weeks

[EMH]

The NFL is apparently thinking about an 18 game schedule. I disagree.

Give us NFL football each weekend for 18 or even 19 weeks, but go back to 16 games and give each team 2 or 3 BYE weeks. Football is better for everyone when players stay healthy. Too many games wrecks that. The BYE weeks help.

Fans will watch NFL football if their team is on BYE week.

 

[excalibur]

The 18 game schedule has been a long term wet dream of the NFL. They want the Super Bowl to be on President's Day weekend.

I liked the 14 game schedule to be honest.

Now, MLB. Just STOP! Having all teams play each other. Heck, I despise interleague play, now that originally was versus one division, now they play all the teams. Soon, they will no longer have the World Series as the AL v. NL.

 

[EMH]

I liked the 14 game schedule to be honest.

My bias is for less games, and I also believe the BYE weeks are gifts the players really need to improve their chance to stay healthy for the season. I don't care if 10 teams are on BYE week in a given weekend. We'll have games on, chances to see teams we rarely see.

 

[22lcidw]

My bias is for less games, and I also believe the BYE weeks are gifts the players really need to improve their chance to stay healthy for the season. I don't care if 10 teams are on BYE week in a given weekend. We'll have games on, chances to see teams we rarely see.

Some commentator was saying a week ago or so that 18 games is next, and their idea target is eventually 20 games. People watch football. They want more football currently. Ratings are not the greatest for the other major sports as compared to the past. College football and the NFL seems to be the growth industry. Womens basketball we have to give some time to as they have a ratings increase; however, it may be temporary.

 

[Rocko]

Playing 18 games instead of 16 games won’t have a major affect on injuries

 

[EMH]

Playing 18 games instead of 16 games won’t have a major affect on injuries

The BYE weeks allow players with injuries to get closer to 100%. I bet if you asked some NFLers the question...

Would it be better for player to play

1. 16 straight games, one a week

or

2. 16 games over 19 weeks with 3 BYE weeks


I bet #2 would win the poll....

 

[Rocko]

The BYE weeks allow players with injuries to get closer to 100%. I bet if you asked some NFLers the question...

Would it be better for player to play

1. 16 straight games, one a week

or

2. 16 games over 19 weeks with 3 BYE weeks


I bet #2 would win the poll....

The reason why athletes get injured more often than in the past is because athletes faster, stronger, and much more explosive. Changing from 18 to 16 games wouldn’t have any real effect on injuries

 

[lantern2814]

The 18 game schedule has been a long term wet dream of the NFL. They want the Super Bowl to be on President's Day weekend.

I liked the 14 game schedule to be honest.

Now, MLB. Just STOP! Having all teams play each other. Heck, I despise interleague play, now that originally was versus one division, now they play all the teams. Soon, they will no longer have the World Series as the AL v. NL.

17 games was always a gateway to 18. They weren't planning on staying on an odd number of games. At this rate the Super Bowl will get played in late February.

 

[lantern2814]

Some commentator was saying a week ago or so that 18 games is next, and their idea target is eventually 20 games. People watch football. They want more football currently. Ratings are not the greatest for the other major sports as compared to the past. College football and the NFL seems to be the growth industry. Womens basketball we have to give some time to as they have a ratings increase; however, it may be temporary.

20 games? How long are they willing to extend the season? That would likely call for at least one more bye week for every team. A Super Bowl in March after all this?

 

[Fiero425]

The NFL is apparently thinking about an 18 game schedule. I disagree.

Give us NFL football each weekend for 18 or even 19 weeks, but go back to 16 games and give each team 2 or 3 BYE weeks. Football is better for everyone when players stay healthy. Too many games wrecks that. The BYE weeks help.

Fans will watch NFL football if their team is on BYE week.

That would make too much sense! The Owners proved ages ago they don't care about the players; esp. the ones who use artificial turf which might as well be cement! They've changed the rules to protect QB's, but the rest of the players are quite vulnerble to injury; esp. making them play 2 extra games! Eliminate those exhibition jokes! The top players sit out any way! What are we missing besides our cash as the league rips off the consumer?

 

[leftwinger]

18 or 20 games is fine. 17 games is confusion trying to keep track, even number is better. Bye weeks add more confusion trying to figure out who is leading WC or Divisions and predict winners.

A game is about 10 minutes of sprints over three hours? If they can’t handle that? For $2 million per game? Come on! Use your full 80 man roster. Most of the clock ticks away on dead time.

Kill pre-season completely. Get your own team ready. Quit coddling these animals. Play your five years and get out. Hurt or not. No one owes these steroid stuffed robots anything. When did the USA turn into a pile if pansys? Who wants to watch 40 yr old QB who has not won a playoff game get $60 million per and last four more years?

 

[EMH]

A game is about 10 minutes of sprints over three hours?

It is actually quite violent and results in severe and not so severe injuries. The ability to take weeks off can heal an injury and prevent the injury from recurring over and over. Beaten up football players are highly prone to becoming addicted to pain killers etc. There is a social good in trying to stop that...

 

[leftwinger]

It is actually quite violent and results in severe and not so severe injuries. The ability to take weeks off can heal an injury and prevent the injury from recurring over and over. Beaten up football players are highly prone to becoming addicted to pain killers etc. There is a social good in trying to stop that...

Poor babies. Too bad. For $1 million? Some steroid loaded 250 lb who has played since 6 yrs old? Coddled 24-7. Team meals. Strength coaches. Super stars never take a hit anymore. Used to be WR took big hits from dirty LB over the middle but gone now.

No sympathy. No one owes them anything. The stars certainly make enough in signing bonus for a lifetime. They even complain free health care AFTER not in the league only lasts five years? Huh? Try getting that working for Analog Devices Inc.

Takes a Cement truck driver 10-20 yrs to make that kind of money.

 

[Nate99]

The NFL is apparently thinking about an 18 game schedule. I disagree.

Give us NFL football each weekend for 18 or even 19 weeks, but go back to 16 games and give each team 2 or 3 BYE weeks. Football is better for everyone when players stay healthy. Too many games wrecks that. The BYE weeks help.

Fans will watch NFL football if their team is on BYE week.

Agreed. If they want to lengthen the season...do it by adding more byes...not more games.