As expected, the NFL announced Tuesday that it has rescheduled the full slate of last weekend's games for the weekend of Jan. 6, the same weekend that the wild-card round of the playoffs would have been played under normal circumstances.
As a result, the league is still contemplating whether to eliminate that round of the playoffs completely, dropping the number of playoff teams this season from six in each conference to four. Only one wild-card spot would be open in each conference.
I agree with the decision to maintain a 16-game season by rescheduling this past weekend's games, even if it toys with the current playoff format. The current football season, much like the nation, has already been transformed by the tragic events of last week. Now, as we try to move forward, I think a less 'normal' season would be appropriate, interesting and maybe even exciting.
Let us assume for a minute that the league streamlines the playoffs, since it seems to me like the only sane option.
First of all, some very good teams are not going to make the playoffs this year. An 11-5 record will almost certainly be needed to get into the postseason circus. With the threat of mismatches lessened, every playoff game should be fantastic.
If an eight-team playoff structure were applied to last season's standings, Denver and Indianapolis would have been out of the AFC playoff picture and Tampa Bay and St. Louis would have been out of luck in the NFC. All four teams were booted out of the playoffs in the wild-card round anyway, so what is the big deal?
The fight for the one wild-card spot will be more similar to an old baseball pennant race than typical wild-card chases. At first glance, this seems great because of the added excitement. However, the potential problem, as far as added excitement is concerned, is if one team blows away the pack and snags the wild-card spot only because it came up short for the division title. Think about last year's Baltimore Ravens. The wild card was an afterthought for the Super Bowl champs as they tried to catch Tennessee for the AFC Central crown.
But, of course, I am holding out for a wide-open wild-card chase. In the event that multiple teams are in the hunt for the coveted playoff berth, tie-breaking methods could take on added importance.
A team's record in games played within its conference is one important method of the tie-breaking process. While no team plans on losing, it will want its 'down' week to occur against an opponent outside its conference, especially with a shrunken playoff field. You can bet that Tennessee would rather lose to Green Bay on Dec. 16 than to Oakland the following week. If Tennessee is fighting late in the season for the wild-card spot, its first-week loss to Miami will hurt enough already.
With that said, this whole column is still purely speculation. If NFL officials can swing a deal with New Orleans, host to Super Bowl XXXVI, to successfully play the Super Bowl on a later date, I will pat them on the back.
But if the playoffs are shortened, I will shut my mouth and enjoy the ride.
