While Aiden was napping last week, I took the time to think about things that I normally don't think about. Things like, if I can't control 1 child, how on earth am I going to control 3? Also, why are the NFL divisions so different from every other sport? In baseball, basketball, and hockey, teams are placed together to maximize rivalries and distance. The NFL... not so much. Think about how the Jets and Giants only play together once every 4 seasons. The Raiders and the 49ers also only play each other once every 4 years. The NFL already makes a killing in revenue and interest and things like that, but imagine how it could be if the divisions looked like this:
NFC 1: Minnesota, Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago.
No changes needed here. Every match-up is big, and the geography makes sense.
NFC 2: Seattle, Kansas City, Denver, St. Louis.
Probably the division with the most difficult group of teams to work with, but if the NFL ever decides to expand, Portland/Salt Lake could probably make this more reasonable. Rams/Chiefs would have massive potential.
NFC 3: Dallas, New Orleans, Houston, Carolina.
This was a little tricky as well, but if Spurs/Mavericks is anything to consider, Cowboys/Texans could be a Monday night fixture for years to come. This division is ridiculously strong now, but I think this would be one of the weaker divisions as far as rivalries are concerned.
NFC 4: Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Miami, Jacksonville.
Florida would have it made here. This is great for travel, but busting Miami out of the AFC, where they have been one of the traditional powers more or less since the 1970's, would be a hard thing for the NFL to do.
AFC 1: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Cleveland.
It's because of these 4 that I thought of this in the first place. Reds/Pirates of the 1970's. Penn State/Ohio State. Ohio/Pennsylvania. I understand why the Ravens are in this division, but it'd be great if they could get moved.
AFC 2: Baltimore, Washington, Indianapolis, Tennessee.
I really like this one actually, because I think the Ravens/Colts have already established something when the Colts left Baltimore, plus every franchise has moved once except for the Redskins. Baltimore/Washington would be huge.
AFC 3: NYJ, NYG, New England, Buffalo.
Filthy. The northeast should just crown me King now. Essentially, a rivalry game no matter who plays who.
AFC 4: San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, Arizona.
Another tradition move with the 49ers out of the NFC, but honestly, who remembers the 1980's? This would probably ruin any chance of it happening though, because we all know that Raiders/49ers has recently been more than just a game.
Still, the rivalries would be intense, and the NFL would have more Primetime television. As if Thanksgiving, Sunday Night, Monday Night, and the occasional Saturday isn't enough already.
Interesting idea, though I don't think they'd actually consider it. For whatever reason, the powers that be seem determined to keep metro area rivals (SF/Oak, Giants/Jets, Balt/Wash, etc) in opposite conferences. A yearly meeting would be pretty dang solid between them, but it's only wishful thinking.
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