I don't like it. Sure it keeps more teams in the hunt late in the season, but the current system works. Do people want to see 7-9 and 8-8 teams make the playoffs on a regular basis? I sure don't. IMO, the current system works and is the best out of the 4 major US sports. Before you know it, half the league will make the playoffs like in the NBA.
I just went back the last 5 years and only two teams out of the possible 10 would have gotten in with 8 wins no teams with fewer than 8 would have gotten in.
I think its a stupid change. it's just unnecessary, why water down the product? Jets might actually make it though, 7-9 next year puts you in contention
what will happen is two teams tied at 8-8 will have to go to tiebreakers for that last spot then everyone will bitch, "lets add another!!!" and in another 5 years or so they'll do away with the bye week all together and have 8 playoff teams. no 1. seed will play a 7-9/8-8 type 8 seed on "wildcard weekend"
Went back over 10 years and could not find a team that would have made it in with a sub .500 record and only 4 teams in that span getting in with 8 wins. Amongst those years were 2-3 teams being left out with 10 win seasons so it’s seems pretty balanced there.
You wont see that though. As someone else said we have only had two teams in the last 5 years that would have made it in at 8-8. Did either of those two teams have anything to play for week 17? probably not. Also it will be a 17 game schedule so the team would have to finish 8-9, so I think its just very unlikely we will see an 8-9 team get in. We have already seen division winners get in at 7-9 and 8-8 AND get to host a playoff game, so this wouldn't even be as bad as what we have already.