What if the final wk of reg. season was determined after wk 16? (1 Viewer)

[Winter]

Another random thought. I was reading the "how wild is it?" thread about a Packers second matchup and how that would play out given how much the 2 teams have changed since week 4.

Here is an explanation of one of the rules when it comes to generating the schedule: "

• Two games against teams from the two remaining divisions in its own conference — one game at home and one on the road. Matchups are based on division ranking from the previous season.

What if week 17 (or both week 16 & 17) was left un-scheduled? Then, after week 16, based on standings, matchups are determined so that teams fighting for playoffs, or seeding, end up playing the opponent most critical for the outcome. So let's say the Packers are still a game behind us after week 16. The schedule would have us face them again to determine the #1 seed. Or say a team needs to win and have another team lose to make it into the playoffs, then why not have those 2 teams play directly against each other?

I figure it would be tough to determine exactly which matchups are the best, and who gets homefield advantage, logistics, etc, but I think it would make the final week really exciting. Maybe there's an algorithm that could be developed to determine it. Instead of half the games at the end of the year being meaningless, teams and fans can speculate who their rematch will be with, or maybe there's 2 teams that dominate all season in their conference, but didn't play each other. You'd get to see that matchup.

It would make teams fighting for playoffs earn their spot. Teams that are in, have to defend their spot and teams hoping to get in, get to take out the team in their way. If a team has locked up seeding and can't move, they play the Jets.

 

[CaliforniaSaintsFan825]

Nah, this is just creating a pre playoffs for the playoffs.


The reality is no week, early or late in the season makes or breaks your team. Their all just as important as the others. The impression that later season games are more important is only because the previous game outcomes are "known" and there is still a "chance" of x, y, or z outcome.

But the reality is, we already played the packers and we got beat. If we come back and beat them at the end of the season how does that prove anything? We've both won one, so we play again for best 2 out of 3?

Teams need to bring it each and every week.

 

[NOLAJM504]

How do you leave a match up unscheduled if you don't know it's importance until the moment it is scheduled?

 

[boutrous]

Yea you just described the playoffs.