The NFL would be open to the idea of increasing its number of playoff teams to 16 if COVID forces the game to be canceled, according to Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network.
NFL owners unanimously approved a contingency plan to expand the playoff field from 14 to 16 teams if meaningful games are canceled because of COVID-19 — but NOT re-seed them, per Commissioner Roger Goodell.
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 10, 2020
The league owners have reportedly unanimously approved a contingency plan that sees 16 teams, rather than 14, make the playoffs, respecting the divisions according to what Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed to Pelissero.
The commissioner ensures that the plan is to play every 17 weeks scheduled and play the Super Bowl, with fans in the stands, on February 7 in Tampa Bay. The decision announced today only has an impact if a team in a position to fight for a playoff berth must miss a week of activity due to COVID.
The original contingency plan was to reclassify all teams in an association according to their records, rather than considering winners from each division. The proposal was however amended before the vote this afternoon. This amendment especially smiles on the East of the NFC which has no team playing for more than .500.
Originally, the proposal would’ve ranked all 8 playoff teams in each conference based on record, rather than giving division winners the top 4 seeds. It was amended prior to today’s vote. A win for the NFC East, if games end up being canceled. Through Week 9, no cancellations.
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 10, 2020
