NFL Moving to 17 Game Schedule in 2021

DourDoerr

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Oct 15, 2004
2,937
Berkeley, CA
Well, 16-0 goes in the books alone for all time (along with the asterisk).

I don’t like it, but I’m spitting into the wind at this point. They also have limited options for growth for future new ownership. Having just signed a new massive tv deal, they immediately double down with more revenue. New owners buying in will need to push for more revenue avenues to pay down their massive costs. 19 games anyone? They’re relentless in their efforts to concuss the golden goose.
 

Rheal With Cheese

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Nov 8, 2004
112
Simple math means more things will be clinched earlier over the years as the sample size leading to more week games where (1) the 4-12 Lions are at the 5-11 bears in week 17 and (2) teams that clinch will be more likely to rest (2020 chiefs, 2009 colts) and lie down in week 17 — due in justifiable part to gruel of longer season.

the math is more chances to open up a big lead before weeks dwindle especially with these small divisions.

These January games especially outdoors are going to be tough for fans. Hate to say it even here in New England for future seasons like 2020.
And when you increase the # of late December /early January weeks for all 32 teams, the odds go up on meaninglessness.

Best regular season in sport gets more diluted
 

luckiestman

Son of the Harpy
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
32,617
Simple math means more things will be clinched earlier over the years as the sample size leading to more week games where (1) the 4-12 Lions are at the 5-11 bears in week 17 and (2) teams that clinch will be more likely to rest (2020 chiefs, 2009 colts) and lie down in week 17 — due in justifiable part to gruel of longer season.

the math is more chances to open up a big lead before weeks dwindle especially with these small divisions.

These January games especially outdoors are going to be tough for fans. Hate to say it even here in New England for future seasons like 2020.
And when you increase the # of late December /early January weeks for all 32 teams, the odds go up on meaninglessness.

Best regular season in sport gets more diluted
Dont know that I fully agree that this is bad. I haven’t given it a ton of thought but I think tiebreakers come into play too much in the NFL and this might remove some of that.
 

dirtynine

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Dec 17, 2002
8,394
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Vegas is out with lines for win over/unders factoring in the 17 game season. Chiefs at 12 is the highest.

It made me realize that there's a new definition of mediocre: 10-7. It used to be that 9-7 was a blah record, and 10-6 was clearly fairly successful. 10-7 splits the difference in a way I don't quite know how to perceive.
 

bsj

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Dec 6, 2003
22,774
Central NJ SoSH Chapter
Vegas is out with lines for win over/unders factoring in the 17 game season. Chiefs at 12 is the highest.

It made me realize that there's a new definition of mediocre: 10-7. It used to be that 9-7 was a blah record, and 10-6 was clearly fairly successful. 10-7 splits the difference in a way I don't quite know how to perceive.
A lot will likely depend on how the playoffs shake out. I suspect 11-6 will be the benchmark for playoff worthiness moving forward with a rare 10-7 team sneaking in.
 

JM3

often quoted
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Dec 14, 2019
14,278
I dream of am NFL with a 20 week, 18 game schedule, where no player is allowed to play more than 16 games.
 

luckiestman

Son of the Harpy
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
32,617
Vegas is out with lines for win over/unders factoring in the 17 game season. Chiefs at 12 is the highest.

It made me realize that there's a new definition of mediocre: 10-7. It used to be that 9-7 was a blah record, and 10-6 was clearly fairly successful. 10-7 splits the difference in a way I don't quite know how to perceive.
I’m irrationally excited about this. I love a good experiment.
 

koufax32

He'll cry if he wants to...
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Dec 8, 2006
9,092
Duval
Vegas is out with lines for win over/unders factoring in the 17 game season. Chiefs at 12 is the highest.

It made me realize that there's a new definition of mediocre: 10-7. It used to be that 9-7 was a blah record, and 10-6 was clearly fairly successful. 10-7 splits the difference in a way I don't quite know how to perceive.
Bettors should be all over that Chiefs line. Even the Bucs line is as close to free money as it gets (11.5 last I saw).
 

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
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Vegas is out with lines for win over/unders factoring in the 17 game season. Chiefs at 12 is the highest.

It made me realize that there's a new definition of mediocre: 10-7. It used to be that 9-7 was a blah record, and 10-6 was clearly fairly successful. 10-7 splits the difference in a way I don't quite know how to perceive.
Good insight.

With the new 14-team playoff format, and with the 17th game being an additional schedule-weighted game, I think 10-7 will usually be good enough for a playoff berth, but not always.
 

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
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Bettors should be all over that Chiefs line. Even the Bucs line is as close to free money as it gets (11.5 last I saw).
Bucs were 11-5 last year. Two of those losses were to a Saints team that won’t be nearly as good, but 12-5 is nothing like free money.

Chiefs over is basically a bet on Mahomes’s health — they’ll go 13-4 if he starts every game and is healthy, but might not if he misses a few and/or gets banged up.
 

johnmd20

mad dog
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Dec 30, 2003
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Bettors should be all over that Chiefs line. Even the Bucs line is as close to free money as it gets (11.5 last I saw).
Vegas historically loves handing out free money. So the Chiefs over is most certainly a lock.

Now excuse me while I go to bet the under.