Wait ’til next year.
For teams, front offices, and fans hoping to see a 14-team NFL playoff format, count on 2015 — at least according to the commissioner.
Roger Goodell said Wednesday he believes expanded playoffs will be approved by the owners in time for the 2015 NFL season.
Roger Goodell confirms no expanded playoffs for this year. Will proceed with Thursday night focus and look at it next year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 20, 2014
Goodell: “I do believe (expanded playoffs) will be approved for 2015.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 20, 2014
On Monday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he believes most NFL owners are in favor of the expanded playoffs, arguing two more teams — one from each conference — just makes more sense.
The talks for the 14-team field were tabled during this week’s meeting in Atlanta, but could surface again this time next year at the annual convention. Some of the hurdles to install the 14-team field include workers’ right compensation and television rights, which will likely be on discussion when the owners reconvene again in the fall.
A league source also informed NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport that a draft committee will be put together to discuss this idea going forward, likely prior to the fall meetings.
Owners likely approve of the idea that more teams and more games throughout the postseason would likely result in an even higher revenue. After all, almost half of the teams (43.75 percent) in each conference would be eligible for the postseason, and 14 of the 32 teams overall.
According to ESPN, the league could profit between $5 and $10 million per game.
If and when this comes to fruition, only the top seed in each conference would have a first-round bye instead of the top two seeds that currently do. There would be three — not two — Wild Card game during the first weekend of the playoffs, with the No. 2 seeds facing off against the newly added No. 7 seeds.
If the 2013 season had included two extra teams, the Arizona Cardinals (10-6) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) would have made the dance as No. 7 seeds in the NFC and AFC, respectively. Expect more teams with .500 records — or hovering around that mark — to make it into the playoffs beginning in 2015.
