18 Game NFL Regular Season Expected To Pass

[LUKE23]

How much more money does it really make them? They are already selling out preseason games at regular prices.

The Packers are one of the few teams to sell out preseason games. Two more reg. season games for all teams will mean a ton more fans for the season.

Will it make them more money with TV contracts?

Don't know, but I'm guessing yes.

Also, while an extra 2 games could lead to more injuries, it also gives teams the ability to withstand an injury early in the season. Say a star player gets hurt in week 3 and is out for 6 weeks. They're season is basically done. If the same player gets hurt in week three with an 18 game schedule the team now has 2 extra games to try to get back into it.

I think with a 18 game schedule, you'll see more late season injuries than ever before, since the players will be going full effort for two extra weeks. People think that isn't a big deal, but it is.

This is a bad idea all around.

[DigitalFool]

Also a 12.5% increase in roster size would be nice (thus the players union getting more money).

I see both sides of the argument, but as a fan, I can't complain of being able to watch additional competitive games. I understand the concern of injuries and that would mar the success of a team, but it would be nice to add an additional bye week to alleviate the rigors of a longer season, if possible.

[ClassicJack]

I really feel like I should like this but I just don't. No one can ever take Goodell seriously anymore about caring about the players health and well being in the short term or long term with the way he pushed this through while seemingly not ever taking into considerations the player's opinions who have to actually go out there and put there body on the line. I know ultimately it's all about the bottom line but the NFL is brutal and with the more we are finding out about the real effects that football has on these guys long term it makes me hope the NFLPA gets everything they can possibly get in the next CBA. Even if that means losing some games to a work stoppage.

[LUKE23]

I really feel like I should like this but I just don't. No one can ever take Goodell seriously anymore about caring about the players health and well being in the short term or long term with the way he pushed this through while seemingly not ever taking into considerations the player's opinions who have to actually go out there and put there body on the line. I know ultimately it's all about the bottom line but the NFL is brutal and with the more we are finding out about the real effects that football has on these guys long term it makes me hope the NFLPA gets everything they can possibly get in the next CBA. Even if that means losing some games to a work stoppage.

I agree completely. Honestly, I feel like Goodell has been a very poor commisioner so far. He's starting to focus all his decisions on:

1. Promoting players over teams
2. Making more money without really looking hard at how it effects the sport

What does that sound like? You got it right, the NBA. If the NFL goes uncapped for good it would just be one more step towards it. I hope the owners stand their ground on that issue. Whether it takes a lockout year or not, so be it.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm against an 18 game season. I think 16 is more than enough for reasons that Luke and others have laid out.

However, if I were to make the case for an 18 game season as it relates to fandom and the Packers specifically it would be that a longer season rewards better teams and better GM's. Short schedules like those in college FB and the NFL lend themselves to something fluky effecting post-season races. One bad game can mean the difference between making the playoffs and not. Give teams two more chances to rectify that and the likelihood that the cream will rise to the top increases.

Also, look at it from a team like Green Bay's perspective next year. No Brett Favre in Minnesota and you're the clear favorite in the division. You could have the North wrapped up by week 15 or 16. It gives the team an extra three or four weeks to get healthy.

I'm not in favor of expanding the season. But if I were to see a positive the above would be it.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Totally unnecessary in every way except for the dollar signs.

[LarryHarris]

I find it hard to complain about more football, but honestly, I don't like this. I'd rather just see them cut two preseason games and if it is a must, then add one game...

[InsideOut]

I would rather they play 18 real games and two fake games that the current 16 real games and 4 fake games. It sucks to have to pay full price for those preseason tickets and then have to sell them at half price or even give them away. The starters play a quarter in the first game and then it just becomes a joke. I just don't see a reason for 4 preseason games and it also adds to the risk of injury.

There will be MORE injuries that can actually negatively effect the team for when it counts if you play two more regular season games. A NFL season is already a big enough grind, adding two more games just increases the chances (likely exponentially) of more injuries that will suck for those fans during playoff time.

A better option is to just have two preseason games, and spread them out so the 2nd one is two weeks before opening weekend, so teams have a chance to continue to practice and get over any injuries heading into the regular season. If you play 18 regular season games with the two preseason games leading right up to the regular season, no coach is going to play anyone significant in those games for fear of injury. You also have less information available for coaches to make decisions on players.

The only positive I can possibly see for 18 games is that it makes the league and owners more money. And I could give a damn about that.

Well you could give a damn about the owners making money and I could give a damn about preseason games that cost me $73 - $146 a year.

I don't buy the injury excuse. Either way the guy is playing 20 games and could get hurt in any of them. Yes, the odds are he will play less in a preseason game so he has less chance of getting injured. However, he also could just as easily sit the last game or two of the regular season because his team (Colts) has its playoff seed locked up.

At the end of the day they aren't going to cut games and lose money. So in my mind I want more meaningful games and less meaningless games. They see these guys every day in practice and for the most part they know who they will keep. I don't see them needing 4 meaningless games to figure out who the backups backup will be. If it's that important then play 3 preseason and 17 regular season games.

[miamiflashfan]

I don't buy the injury excuse. Either way the guy is playing 20 games and could get hurt in any of them. Yes, the odds are he will play less in a preseason game so he has less chance of getting injured. However, he also could just as easily sit the last game or two of the regular season because his team (Colts) has its playoff seed locked up.

So what about the teams who are in a tight race for the division or wild card? Are you saying they don't matter? Every team sits their starters for a majority of preseason games, but very, very few sit their starters for regular season games. He couldn't "just as easily sit the last game or two". The chances of him sitting a preseason game are much higher than a regular season game.

And then considering that the starters have been worn down for 16 straight weeks of regular season action, the injury rate would most likely increase in the last two games. The injury excuse is legitimate, so don't act like it's not just because it helps your argument.

[Aaron It Out]

Also the Packers can now become the first team to go 21-0

[bucks59]

This idea seems to be getting better and better after every game.

[smooth 'lil balla]

I think any argument that an 18 game season is too long because of injury purposes can be thrown out the window. Players get injured at any time as we see. Preseason, practice, WEEK 5.

[LUKE23]

I think any argument that an 18 game season is too long because of injury purposes can be thrown out the window. Players get injured at any time as we see. Preseason, practice, WEEK 5.

Having two more regular season games just adds to it though. This is a bad idea (but it will pass).

[Flames24Rulz]

Yeah, I don't have an issue with it anymore.

[Wilford Brimley]

Does the players union have to agree to this?

[BucksRuleAll22]

So stupid the season is perfect and so many more players won't make it through the season.

[steger_3434]

So stupid the season is perfect and so many more players won't make it through the season.

Or a player getting hurt in week 14 will be fine by the playoffs where right now he'd be missing them if it was a 4 week injury. I can see both sides of the argument. With the INSANE amount of injuries the Packers have had EARLY in the season I wish we did have a couple more weeks in the regular season to get these guys back for the playoffs.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

So stupid the season is perfect and so many more players won't make it through the season.

Or a player getting hurt in week 14 will be fine by the playoffs where right now he'd be missing them if it was a 4 week injury. I can see both sides of the argument. With the INSANE amount of injuries the Packers have had EARLY in the season I wish we did have a couple more weeks in the regular season to get these guys back for the playoffs.

Yea, but for every guy that comes back another will get a nagging injury plus another guy who will be out for the year. The length only makes the injury situation worse.