Madden League Playoff Debate

[Quo]

The current playoff structure has all three division winners having a first round bye, with two wildcard teams essentially having a play-in game. In this arrangement, there are five playoff teams: 3 division winners, 2 wildcards.

I've been approached by a couple of people about changing it to include more teams.

If we add another wildcard team the two division winners with the best records will have a bye during Wild Card Weekend. The division winner with the worst record will have to play the wild card team with the worst record, and the remaining two wild card teams will play. In this scenario there are 6 playoff teams out of our league of 14.

Finally, there's the option of really opening it up and allowing 8 of 14 teams into the playoffs. That arrangement would eliminate a bye week during the playoffs. Seeding would be as follows: Division winners by record, followed by wild cards by record. Wild card ties could be decided by division records.

Personally, I don't care which route we go. Vote for the option you like best. And please, only vote if you're in the league.

[Woundup]

what would be the point of a season if almost everyone gets into the playoffs? That is my opinion. I like it the way it is. Just my own personal thinking.

[Quo]

Originally Posted by Woundup

what would be the point of a season if almost everyone gets into the playoffs? That is my opinion. I like it the way it is. Just my own personal thinking.

That's cool. It's open for debate, and it appears the opinions vary widely!

I voted for 8... I realize that that's more than half the field of 14, but here's my logic:

The more people that are fighting for playoff spots, the more interesting the league will be for everyone the whole way. I'm a little afraid that with only 5 spots, the playoff teams could easily be decided with 2 or more games for everyone to play. I think it would be more fun for everyone if some guys who are 6-5, 5-6, 7-4 at game 11 to have to sweat it a little to see if they can squeeze into the playoffs. Otherwise, they'll pretty much be out of it by then.

My personal feeling is that 5 is too restrictive. A bye week is a reward and a pass to the next round, true... but what kind of reward is it to not get to play a video game, lol? Your players don't need rest or protection from injury. And if you've won your division, you're probably skilled enough to ward off someone in the first round anyway.

6 teams is pretty much the current NFL structure, cut down to our size. In the NFL, a 16-team conference has 6 playoff teams. 4 division champs, plus two wild cards. The two weakest division champs have to play on WC Weekends. This option would be cool as far as I'm concerned as well. It's actually a nice middle of the road option. Fewer than half the teams make the playoffs, yet there will be jockeying for those last two wildcard slots at season's end.

So now you have all my thoughts, worth exactly what you paid for them. I'm in agreement with Woundup that the regular season should count for something. But I think it does, with homefield advantage being decided, as well as seeding. I just want as many people fighting for playoff spots as possible to keep it exciting for everyone.

Heck, I've had a blast and whatever is decided is fine. I'm actually hoping we can do two seasons... but that's a decision for farther down the road.

[Woundup]

Well all that you stated is true Quo. I have no problem either way. It's been a blast playing all you guys in these games. As far as another season goes if everyone else is up for it you can count me in.

[BMC]

Not that my opinion mattres much, but I'm down with however you guys want to work it out. I voted for 5 because it makes you work during the season to try to earn a playoff spot, but Quo you made some really good points for an 8 team playoff. As both of you have said I thoroughly enjoy playing games with/against everyone in this leasgue. Also another reason why I like playing in this league so much is that getting to know the other players a little better has been an awesome experience. I'd be down for a second season as well.

[Crankbait]

I voted 5 as well. There is no money riding on this, yet, and I like having to earn a spot, which I probably will not do anyway.

I will happily go with the majority. mmmmmmm second season.....

[SHIBUMI]

I voted for 6... NOT because I'll probably need that final wildcard spot (which I probably will) but because I like the idea of the 2 top teams given a 'bye'...

To me that's incentive to make it to the top two - one less game you have to play (and have something go horribly wrong as it tends to randomly do in madden lol) before being crowned...

[Crankbait]

my whole season has been 'randomly wrong'

[Peench]

I voted for 16, because I want to join during the playoffs and win it all!!! WOOOHOOOO!!

Oh wait, I don't even own this game.

[Woundup]

Only Madden league members please post here, that means Peench "GET OUT OF HERE" LOL

[Quo]

Where's Mahkila? Did he lose his voter registration card again?

Voting is pretty tight. People's views on this vary widely it appears!

[Mahkila]

found it !