How do you fix Week #17...?

**coachdags** · 01-03-2010, 12:26 PM

What can / should the NFL do to fix the problems of no competition on the last weeks of the NFL season's....?

There are way too many meaningless games, rested players, empty seats. I believe the fan apathy is hurt the NFL in the long run. Fantasy Football (more popular than ever) Owners have many issues with the above scenarios. In my opinion, I do not like how a Team like Cincinnati can choose their playoff opponent....? I saw a news piece that NFL Commissioner was trying to find ways to solve some of these issues,

Your Thoughts....?

**LindenCy** · 01-03-2010, 12:30 PM

Play division games the last week. At least there may be more tiebreakers on the line and local interest. (or get rid of the bye week that is a more recent invention :) )

**jdoggivjc** · 01-03-2010, 12:31 PM

Well, if you just saw the Pats-Texans highlight where the Pats may have just lost Welker for the playoffs, that is the prime example of why you cannot force teams to play players when they have nothing to play for. The playoffs >>> week 17.

**coachdags** · 01-03-2010, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Well, if you just saw the Pats-Texans highlight where the Pats may have just lost Welker for the playoffs, that is the prime example of why you cannot force teams to play players when they have nothing to play for. The playoffs >>> week 17.

Could happen anytime? Could happen in practice, he was just making a cut.

**LindenCy** · 01-03-2010, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Well, if you just saw the Pats-Texans highlight where the Pats may have just lost Welker for the playoffs, that is the prime example of why you cannot force teams to play players when they have nothing to play for. The playoffs >>> week 17.

I think if you want to cut down on injuries, preseason games need to be cut. I think teams have the right to rest players late in the year, and the league is the one talking about expanding to 18 games and that will cause more injuries too.

I just hate what the Colts did because of the historical implications, not because they rested their players (albeit in a dubious manner).

**jdoggivjc** · 01-03-2010, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by coachdags

Could happen anytime? Could happen in practice, he was just making a cut.

But as was said in another thread - it happened in week 17. Granted, the Patties are playing for something. But imagine it was the Colts who were forced to play their best players in a game that meant nothing and it was Manning that blew out his knee. Is the "it could have happened during practice" line going to comfort Colts fans? Probably not - they'll want the head of whoever's idea it was to play Manning in a game that meant nothing.

While having a competitive week 17 is ideal, the importance of the playoffs greatly outweighs any idea of forcing teams to play their best players just to generate the illusion of interest of week 17.

**LindenCy** · 01-03-2010, 12:50 PM

What is funny is this seems to have come up more in recent years. I think part of it may be that there are 4 division titles that are more sewn up and only 2 wild cards, versus the previous 3. But before they went to 3 (like in 1992 or 1991 and before) there still were competitive week 17s...whoops those were only 16 weeks :). I wonder if the bye does anything there, maybe with the schedule.

**ISUAlum2002** · 01-03-2010, 12:51 PM

Guarantee partial ticket price refunds, with the amount to be refunded set as a percentage depending upon how many starters are rested and for how long.

The only thing that matters to these clubs is money. Its a business. Tell them that they'll have to refund the fans who they make a living off of when they intentionally put a sub-par product on the field, and they'll change their ways.

**Kyle** · 01-03-2010, 01:07 PM

I like the idea of playing division games the last couple of weeks. Aside from that, it is probably not a problem that needs fixing. They definitely should not extend the season. If you are smart, you should set up your fantasy league to end at least a week early, if not two.

**bellzisu** · 01-03-2010, 01:11 PM

You can't fix it.... It is what it is.

If you play your players you risk injury, or maybe some players need the rest. I don't see how the NFL can force teams into playing their players. They do not pay these guys, the individual teams do and can do what they want.

Also, why should they fix it??? Just for the fantasy football crowd?? That is total crap. You can't make rules for fantasy football players. That's insane and stupid.

You can't expand the playoffs to include more teams. That just incourages the top teams to rest players more. You really can't eliminate playoff spots, that would leave more bottom feeders and teams being eliminated earlier.

I really don't see a solution... And forcing teams to play people because of fantasy football is not the answer.

**jdoggivjc** · 01-03-2010, 01:13 PM

Yeah, you could play divisional games in week 17, but for every Eagles-Cowboys game you end up with a Bears-Lions game (both of which are being played this weekend). How do you increase the importance of that?

**Warder60** · 01-03-2010, 01:16 PM

Change to a bowl offseason format

**ripvdub** · 01-03-2010, 01:17 PM

Tell the overpaid coaches in the NFL to stop over thinking/coaching. Its as bad as watching a pre season game.

**coachdags** · 01-03-2010, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by bellzisu

You can't fix it.... It is what it is.

If you play your players you risk injury, or maybe some players need the rest. I don't see how the NFL can force teams into playing their players. They do not pay these guys, the individual teams do and can do what they want.

Also, why should they fix it??? Just for the fantasy football crowd?? That is total crap. You can't make rules for fantasy football players. That's insane and stupid.

You can't expand the playoffs to include more teams. That just encourages the top teams to rest players more. You really can't eliminate playoff spots, that would leave more bottom feeders and teams being eliminated earlier.

I really don't see a solution... And forcing teams to play people because of fantasy football is not the answer.

What's your thoughts on Cincinnati being able to basically pick their playoff opponent...?

**ISUAlum2002** · 01-03-2010, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by bellzisu

Also, why should they fix it??? Just for the fantasy football crowd?? That is total crap. You can't make rules for fantasy football players. That's insane and stupid.

They shouldn't do it for fantasy football players, they should be doing it for the fans that pay a boatload of money to travel to games, to pay for parking, to pay for tickets, to pay for concessions....all because they believe they'll be watching a competitive game with the best players on the team. I realize that buying a ticket is no guarantee that this is what you'll see, but its the presumption, and the NFL's image will be damaged in the long run if it continues.