NFL Playoff Scheduling: Why it Needs to Change
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Jan 4, 2012 11:00 AM CST
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PrintThe first and second seeds get a first round bye. For achieving the first seed, that team is rewarded with home field advantage. The first seed also gets to play the lowest remaining seed following the completion of NFL Wild Card Weekend. But I believe the first seed should also always play on Sunday. And I believe the conference with the previous year's Super Bowl winner should always be awarded the night game on their respective playing days.
NFL corporate needs to take a hike and set in stone a rule that says the top seeds playing on any given weekend always garner the last day of play. Furthermore, another rule should dictate which teams play the night games, whether it's the defending Super Bowl champion's conference or otherwise, so that all guess work is removed.
Final records and seeding should account for every advantage. Make no mistake, one extra day of rest is an advantage; one the Saints and Texans have earned by virtue of their seeds. Consider that the Saints beat the tar out of the Giants and have five more wins. But I suppose the team in the biggest media market simply gets the advantage. Want to avoid an accusation like this? Make a fair rule instead of arbitrarily deciding on the fly when playoff games are scheduled.
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But doesn't it work the other way?
I’m glad the Saints are playing Saturday- that way, after we win, we get one extra day of rest before going to San Francisco.
i think the nfl needs the flexibility on playoff scheduling
to take in account other events at the venues. Saints are playing on Saturday because of the BCS championship game on monday night.
I think it works in the Saints favor this year.
Having one day less to prepare is much tougher on Detroit than it is on the Saints and they have to travel which messes up another day for them. Then Saints have an extra day.
"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!"
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"
I like the Saturday game...
Of course I’m being selfish here. I have the weekend off and can consume massive quantities. If they had played on Sunday night I would have had to restrain myself. Of course I will take a Vacation day or two for the SB party.
Drew Brees....MVS Most Valuable Saint! Who Dat!!!
by cajuncommando58 on Jan 4, 2012 11:23 AM CST reply actions
plus Saturday- 8 PM - Superdome? What opponent wants that?
that just takes the home field advantage and multiplies it by 1.5 IMO.
"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!"
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"
I'm fine with the Saints playing on Saturday.
Assuming they beat the Lions, this gives them an extra day before playing on the west coast. This also puts Detroit in the position of traveling for the second week in a row and this time on a short week.
Your argument really makes no sense what so ever.
You’re only taking into consideration the first week. SF plays next Saturday….GB plays next Sunday. If both teams win why should the number 1 seed get one less day of rest? The Saints get 6 days to face the Lions. If they win….they get 7 days to face SF. The winner of that….gets 8 days to face the next opponent which only has 7 days of rest despite being either the higher seed, or beating the highest seed. Things even out.
-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.
For once I agree with you.
Tv wants saints in primetime night game. Saturday works better with bcs schedule.
In Breesus' name we play
by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 4, 2012 9:09 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Not arbitrary
New York is a huge market and New Orleans is a tiny market. I think that’s why New York gets the juicy sunday night primetime. Also we have been blowing a lot of teams out lately. While that may be great for us Saints fans, it is awful for TV ratings.
Are you forgeting about the BCS championship?
the superdome staff needs at least a day to get ready for LSU/BAMA.
"So I'll leave you with this. And I say this with all sincerity, right from the bottom of my heart, and with all due respect: Lick my balls." Grandmaster Wang
As much as I dont want to pick against my team
I have to believe Brees will light the Lions up worse than last time. The Saints are like a top 3 team in the NFL where the Lions are like a top 10. Brees is a top 3 quarterback while Stafford is a top 5. The Lions have the best receiver in the game, but the Saints might have the best group of pass catchers. Either way, for everything Detroit is good at, the Saints are better.
The defenses are a wash in my opinion. I’m not impressed with either one, but when you have a top 5 offense than a great defense isn’t neccessary. We have a great d-line, linebacking corps is good, and secondary is serviceable and maybe even good with Louie Delmas back. We need that particuliar group to step up big in order to stop Brees and co.
I think Saints win, 30-24 with Brees throwing for 300+ yds and 3 tds with 1 int. Stafford will have his 300-400 yd game, 2-3 tds and 2 picks. I hate picking against my own team, but the Saints are good enough to win the superbowl and I’m not sure the Lions are quite there just yet.
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
by DLions4Eva on Jan 4, 2012 12:22 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Considering the way the two teams are playing right now
The final score will probably be close to twice 30-24, though I think the ratio is about right. Neither team is likely to feel comfortable unless they somehow get up by three scores or so, and even then I doubt they slack off very much until (unless) it gets to garbage time.
One of these teams gets to 40 points.... bank on it.
And it’s possible both teams get there. I think since the last time these two teams have met, both offenses have kicked it into high gear. Look at the results:
In the last three games, Stafford has thrown for 1,284yds (avg of 428yds per game!) and 12 TD’s. Brees has thrown for 1,108yds (avg of 369yds per game) and 14 TD’s! Those stats are amazing and I fully see both offenses grooving in the dome. The Lions offense over the last three games has averaged 36 pts per game, while the Saints have averaged 44 pts per game…. both remarkable. This one is going to be fun!
The obvious concern for Lions’ fans is during this 3-game run, we have been giving up an average of 27 pts per game and really got torched by Flynn and the Packers last week. The defense needs to play truly inspired to honestly have any chance of keeping the Saints under 30pts. Likewise for the Saint’s D, but to a lesser extent, I think.
I wouldn’t be too surprised to find BOTH teams pass 40.
Now I don’t actually think it will happen, mind you, because the Saints D has even improved since facing y’all. I do think the Saints D can definitely come up with a plan to keep y’all under 30, maybe even under 20 again.
But I also won’t be shocked if we get a game somewhat similar (at least in scoring numbers) to the GB/ARI shootout back in 2009.
I would agree with that.
I think a shootout in the style of GB-DET probably won’t happen. I’d like to think that we are a shoo-in for at least 24 pts., though. Hopefully…. as offense is our only hope right now.
I heard the Saints AVERAGE score at home this year was something like, 42 – 16.
It’s not the size of your TOP, it’s how you use it!
Want scientific proof? Read this paper by Dr. Jeremy Arkes.
I think they will be better than last time.
It’s not the size of your TOP, it’s how you use it!
Want scientific proof? Read this paper by Dr. Jeremy Arkes.
Not to gloat, but
<blockquote but when you have the number 1 offense than then>
FIFY
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!
This argument doesn't hold a lot of water because....
it’s only an advantage if the team you are playing has a shorter week. Both the Lions and Saints played a 1pm game last Sunday, so the there is no discernable advantage between the two teams. One extra day… both are more rested, one less day… both are less rested. Still apples to apples in term of matchups.
The only thing I might concede is a team like NO or DET that plays fast might get more from the rest, but that to me is really getting into minutia. I think the league handles this well by removing the final Monday night game, so all teams have the same number of days off as their opponent. Seems pretty fair to me.
by DrewsLions on Jan 4, 2012 12:32 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
I agree
And I couldn’t have said it better.
Plus, another factor in favor of Saturday game is this: it gives me a whole day to restock my liquor cabinet between Saints/Lions and LSU/BAMA.
"So I'll leave you with this. And I say this with all sincerity, right from the bottom of my heart, and with all due respect: Lick my balls." Grandmaster Wang
Thata boy!
I have to work this weekend, but for time and a half, and Ill miss the game. :(
Thank GOD for the invention of DVR. Ill never miss a game again!
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
by DLions4Eva on Jan 4, 2012 1:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
BCS Schedule
May have had something to do with the fact Saints have to play Saturday, not saying that is the reason for the schedule outcome, but maybe they did take in consideration that the BCS Championship was on the following Monday.
Not only does the 1seed have the week off but also plays the weakest of WC.
You know Hartman, goodie-two-shoes is fidgeting around like a one-legged cat trying to bury s#!t on a frozen pond, until old Seth fixes him a couple of pink poontang specials. You know, that crazy drink that I fix for stewardesses? Two shots out of that and Hartman is shot to s#!t, freaked out. I mean, I never saw a guy having so much fun and crying at the same time!
Much to do about nothing...
In the regular season you have Thursday night games after a Sunday game. These guys are professionals. One day is not going to make much difference, especially playing at home. Trying to hard to find a story line maybe?
I Remember
1992 season Saints played 3 games in 11 days.. I think we can handle this ;)
You know Hartman, goodie-two-shoes is fidgeting around like a one-legged cat trying to bury s#!t on a frozen pond, until old Seth fixes him a couple of pink poontang specials. You know, that crazy drink that I fix for stewardesses? Two shots out of that and Hartman is shot to s#!t, freaked out. I mean, I never saw a guy having so much fun and crying at the same time!
And won all 3.
You know Hartman, goodie-two-shoes is fidgeting around like a one-legged cat trying to bury s#!t on a frozen pond, until old Seth fixes him a couple of pink poontang specials. You know, that crazy drink that I fix for stewardesses? Two shots out of that and Hartman is shot to s#!t, freaked out. I mean, I never saw a guy having so much fun and crying at the same time!
1. There’s no advantage over Detroit, but Atlanta and the Giants have an advantage of an extra day of rest.
2. If we can elect and tally up the votes for President of the US in one night, they can clean the dome.
3. The higher seed should have the extra day.
4. The better conference should have the prime-time (night) games.
There’s a ton of tiebreakers as to who wins a division and who gets a wild-card game. Also, even something like the draft order is determined with a coin flip if needed. If you have a few players that could use that extra day of rest, you’d rather the Sunday game.
Stop wearing a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. Would you be convicted in court of being a Christian? Happiness is shared, and comes from sharing.
by Preston J. Gary, Jr. on Jan 4, 2012 8:44 PM CST reply actions
The Saints are ready now.
I bet they’re ready to play tonight. But are the Lions ready? Will they be ready Saturday night? The Saints worked hard all season to get to this point, so they stay ready for that next game, no matter when it’s played. I’m sure the Saints are all pumped up right now and can’t wait for this game to get started. On the other hand, I don’t think the Lions want Saturday night to come so soon, because it’s not enough time to plan for this Saints team. In short, I rather, and I think the Saints rather play on Saturday night instead of Sunday. The sooner the better.
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