Why the NFL Added an Extra team to the playoffs?

Introduction

The NFL is constantly looking for ways to improve the fan experience, so two seasons ago, they chose to add an additional team to the playoffs in each conference. This means that the AFC and the NFC now send four division winners and THREE wild-card teams through to the playoffs. This article will explore the reasoning behind this move and how it could affect the overall outcome of the NFL season.

The Benefits of an Extra Playoff Team

The NFL's decision to add the two extra teams to the playoffs could have potentially benefitted everyone involved. With the addition of the extra teams, the run-in to the playoffs has become more competitive and exciting, with more teams being ‘in the hunt’. As well as leading to an increase in viewership and more fans tuning in to watch the games, basic maths tells you that two extra fan bases will get to watch their team proceed to the playoffs. Surely that’s what you want?

The Seattle Seahawks were the 2022 season 7th Seed

The Drawbacks of an Extra Playoff Team

While the NFL's decision to add extra teams to the playoffs could bring some positive benefits, it could also have some drawbacks. For one, the extra teams could lead to a decrease in the quality of play in the playoffs. With more teams in the mix, there will be a higher likelihood of teams with lesser skill making the playoffs, consequently leading to some lopsided games and a decrease in enjoyment for fans. Unfortunately, 3 seasons in, we have some numbers to support this. The 7th-seeded teams are now 0-6, with not a single team making it through.

Impact on the NFL

As Lewis Hamilton pronounced in the hit Netflix F1 show ‘Drive to Survive’, cash is king! The same is relevant in this instance. I don’t think anyone would have told you that the previous playoff structure was flawed, where the top two seeded teams benefitted from a bye, leaving the two remaining division winners to play the two best-of-the-rest teams in the wild-card round. This seems logical and ensures (mostly) a high level of play over the first weekend of the playoffs. What could the NFL have an issue with here? Well, only four games. By introducing the seventh seed and preventing the second seeds from having a bye, they have managed to squeeze one more game into the playoff structure. More games equal more money. As fans, it seems silly to complain about more football, but we will be hoping a seventh seed can notch a win soon!