There has been some debate about the NFL expanding the playoffs in upcoming seasons. There are quality teams, like the double digit win Arizona Cardinals that get left at home because of the division winners and two wild-card winners structure. Expanding the playoffs would help deserving teams get in, but the flip side of that coin is that underserving teams would get in as well.
It wasn’t so long ago that the NFC West Seattle Seahawks were hosting a playoff game despite owning a sub-.500 7-9 record. Expansion might be what the Cowboys need to get over that hurdle and into the playoffs after three consecutive seasons ending with an 8-8 record and just short of the playoffs, at least according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
“I am pleased that we’re looking at expanding the playoffs,” Jones said on the NFL Network, as transcribed by Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “I think what a playoff means to a team and to a city is unquestioned. Now, from the Cowboys standpoint, maybe it will give us a better chance to be in the playoffs, so I’m an easy vote on this one.
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“Seriously, I think it really enhances what we’re always trying to do, and that’s fan interest. Any time, at such a critical time for teams to be able to show their fans that they’re doing the kinds of things that maybe gives you a chance for a Super Bowl, that’s going in the right direction.”
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that “they discussed playoff expansion” at the Spring Meetings but “there will be no vote.” Rapoport also reported that they “assembled a draft committee to discuss its future.”
That means playoffs won’t expand in 2014, so Jones’ Cowboys will need to get over the hump the old fashioned way. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said that the playoff expansion talks have been tabled until the fall, according to ESPN Dallas’ Vaughn McClure. The elder Jones is still remaining optimistic.
“Hopefully sooner rather than later,” Jones said. “I know there’s a lot of enthusiasm for it, knowing first hand from the ownership and from the staff and from the commissioner.”