By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League editor
Published: Dec. 12, 2012 at 06:36 p.m. Updated: Dec. 13, 2012 at 01:52 a.m.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke Wednesday in Dallas after the December Special League Meeting, which was held in large part to discuss issues that later will be raised with the NFL Competition Committee, including the elimination of low blocks and the implementation of mandatory pads.
But Goodell mentioned one issue that is sure to draw the attention of most fans: Expanding the playoffs.
"Right now we're with 12 teams obviously. We'll look at probably 14 or 16 teams," Goodell said.
Goodell made it clear that the competition committee has considered such expansion in the past, and it clearly hasn't happened. The benefits of more playoff games are obvious: more teams involved in the race late in the season, and theoretically more television money.
We still don't like the idea.
Make the NFL playoffs feel like a true accomplishment. Only the best of the best get in, and even with 12 teams, a mediocre squad or two usually makes it through (2010 Seattle Seahawks, anyone?). Allowing half the NFL to make the postseason would erode some of the special feeling of the NFL playoffs and reduce the importance of the regular season.
Fans would watch the games, and the NFL knows it, but that doesn't mean it's in the best interests of the sport's long-term health.