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Should the NFL change its playoff format? Pros and cons of six options


Published on 2025-01-16 08:25:28 - ESPN
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  • Add two teams? Go back to 12 teams? Let teams choose their opponents in the wild-card round? Here's how the NFL could make tweaks to its postseason.

The article from ESPN discusses the potential changes to the NFL playoff format, focusing on the pros and cons of expanding to a 14-team bracket and altering seeding rules. Key points include the debate over whether to seed teams 1-14 regardless of conference, which could lead to more competitive and interesting matchups but might also disrupt traditional rivalries and fan expectations. Proponents argue that this change would increase the excitement of the playoffs by potentially allowing more teams into the postseason, thus keeping fan interest high late into the season. Critics, however, worry about the dilution of the playoff's prestige, the fairness of cross-conference seeding, and the logistical challenges of scheduling. The article also touches on the current format's history, the impact of previous expansions, and how other sports leagues handle their playoffs, providing a comprehensive look at the ongoing discussion within the NFL about playoff structure.

Read the Full ESPN Article at:
[ https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43429415/should-nfl-change-playoff-format-pros-cons-options-14-teams-bracket-seeding-afc-nfc%22 ]
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