NFL playoff schedule

 

If the NFL adds one more game to the schedule for the 2020 regular season, how will that affect the playoffs?

The NFL actually did add one more game to the schedule for the 2021 regular season, not the 2020 season. However, your question remains interesting to consider hypothetically for the 2020 season.

Here's how adding an extra game to the 2020 regular season could have affected the playoffs:

Impact on Seeding:

• More Competition: An extra game increases the competition for playoff spots, potentially causing teams with similar records to have different playoff fates. It could create more tiebreakers or even shift teams in or out of the playoffs entirely.
• Division Race Changes: Depending on the matchups for the added game, the extra win or loss could alter the divisional standings and affect which teams get home-field advantage or wildcard berths.
• Record Parity: With one more game, potentially more teams finish with identical records, complicating tiebreaker procedures and potentially requiring additional regular season tiebreaker games.

Impact on Schedule:

• Extended Season: The playoffs would likely be pushed back by a week if no other adjustments were made, potentially impacting broadcasting schedules and player fatigue.
• Bye Week Distribution: Scheduling an extra game might require adjusting the bye week distribution, potentially giving some teams an advantage or disadvantage in terms of rest and preparation for the playoffs.

Impact on Player Health:

• Increased Injuries: An extra game would put additional strain on players, potentially leading to more injuries and impacting playoff rosters.
• Fatigue Level: The longer season could affect player performance and stamina, particularly late in the season and during the playoffs.

Additional Considerations:

• Collective Bargaining Agreement: The current CBA between the NFL and NFLPA already allowed for a 17-game schedule starting in 2021. Adding an extra game in 2020 would have required renegotiation or potentially violated the agreement.
• Fan Reaction: Some fans might welcome the increased competition and drama of an extra game, while others might object to the longer season and potential player health risks.

It's important to note that these are just hypothetical scenarios, and the actual impact of adding a game to the 2020 season would depend on several factors, including the specific matchups scheduled and the adjustments made to the playoff format and schedule.