The NFL Playoffs are quickly approaching, we means only one thing; the teams already eliminated do their best to lose out to ensure a better draft pick. This is a story as old as time, and we see if play out year after year. And while the other leagues have all figured out a solution with the “Draft Lottery”, the NFL still lives in an archaic society where the draft order is determined by the worst record.
But I’m here to Make the NFL Great Again, and propose a new way of determining the draft order; let’s force the worst teams to actually play hard and compete. The idea is simple, the draft order is determined by how many points a teams scores once they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. So if a team is eliminated in Week 12, they would have the remaining 6 games to score as many points as possible. On the other hand, if a team is eliminated Week 17, they only have one week to improve their draft position. With this strategy, the worst teams still have the advantage in terms of opportunity for the top pick due to the number of games, but they have to play for it.
See all those tams with an “e” next to their logo, this plan forces them to still compete week after week, and actually care. They can’t simply put in their 3rd string QB and play for the loss. Once they are eliminated, the Wins/Losses no longer matter, it’s all about how many points they can score the rest of the season which should lead to some exciting football.
Talk about a win for the fans, this gives them something to cheer for each Sunday instead of cheering against their team when they are marching down the field. No more empty stadiums in Weeks 17 and 18, this gives the fans for the worst teams something to show up and cheer for. And honestly, this is a win for NFL teams! This would allow for more exciting games down the stretch and would increase viewership.
Look no further than the Week 18 matchup between the Chiefs (10 wins) at the Chargers (5 Wins). We already know the Chargers aren’t going to care, they need to lose this game in hopes of getting a better draft spot so they can compete next year. The stadium is going to be empty and only Chiefs fans with tune in. Now imagine if the Chargers needed to score points, against a Chiefs team that needs to win for a better playoff seed, you don’t think fans would tune in? It might be a hell of a game with each team trying to put up 50 points.
I’m a great example of this change is needed, the Patriots have been awful this year, and with the current rules in place, I want them doing whatever they can to lose out. That win in Week 16 vs the Broncos actually had me yelling at the TV, what are we doing trying to win our 4th game of the year that late in the season.
So that’s my idea, someone share this with Roger Goodell and make the last couple weeks of the regular season again.
