what if? NFL realignment.

[FrankCastle80]

Since 2001, some people (not here, nationwide) have complained about the wrong teams going to the wrong divisions. Indy in the AFC South. Dallas remaining in the NFC East.

Anyway, I was watching the Sabres/Kings game when I started thinking "What if the NFL went the route of the NHL and NBA and changed the AFC and NFC into Eastern and Western Conferences. Using the same records they ended 2010 with, here would have been the new NFL standings.


EASTERN CONFERENCE
______________________________

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
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Y- Atlanta Falcons 13-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-6
Jacksonville Jaguars 8-8
Miami Dolphins 7-9


GREAT LAKES DIVISION
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Y- Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4
Detroit Lions 6-10
Cleveland Browns 5-11
Buffalo Bills 4-12


NORTHEAST DIVISION
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Y- New England Patriots 14-2
X- New York Jets 11-5
X- Philadelphia Eagles 10-6
New York Giants 10-6


CAPITAL DIVISION
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Y- Baltimore Ravens 12-4
Washington Redskins 6-10
Cincinnati Bengals 4-12
Carolina Panthers 2-14



WESTERN CONFERENCE
______________________________

PACIFIC DIVISION
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Y- San Diego Chargers 9-7
Oakland Raiders 8-8
Seattle Seahawks 7-9
San Francisco 49ers 6-10


SOUTH DIVISION
______________________________
Y- Houston Texans 6-10
Dallas Cowboys 6-10
Arizona Cardinals 5-11
Denver Broncos 4-12


NORTH DIVISION
______________________________
Y- Chicago Bears 11-5
X- Green Bay Packers 10-6
lndianapolis Colts 10-6
Minnesota Vikings 6-10


MISSISSIPPI DIVISION
______________________________
Y- New Orleans Saints 11-5
X- Kansas City Chiefs 10-6
St. Louis Rams 7-9
Tennessee Titans 6-10


whaddaya think?

[Fredwood]

I think the divisions they came up with was to keep some of the old rivalries viable, The Cowboys v Cardinals 2 times a year wasn't that exciting when it was a regular thing let alone as a replacement for the Cowboys vs the Giants, Skins or Eagles.

You'd also be breaking up the Broncos, Chiefs and the Raiders, the Ravens and the Steelers. As much as it doesn't makes sense geography wise, it makes sense from a commercial standpoint.

Also, your breakdown of the divisions isn't without its geographical conundrum, such as, the capital division has Cincinnati when there are about 5 other teams closer to DC than Cincinnati (6 if you count Detroit which depending on whether you're flying or driving is closer).

However as a colts fan I'd rather see them play the Bears vikings and Packers then who they play now, but since the Colts get screwed with every merger (switched leagues in the 70s)/restructure (stuck in the South), thats just wishful thinking.

[FrankCastle80]

I think the divisions they came up with was to keep some of the old rivalries viable, The Cowboys v Cardinals 2 times a year wasn't that exciting when it was a regular thing let alone as a replacement for the Cowboys vs the Giants, Skins or Eagles.

You'd also be breaking up the Broncos, Chiefs and the Raiders, the Ravens and the Steelers. As much as it doesn't makes sense geography wise, it makes sense from a commercial standpoint.

Also, your breakdown of the divisions isn't without its geographical conundrum, such as, the capital division has Cincinnati when there are about 5 other teams closer to DC than Cincinnati (6 if you count Detroit which depending on whether you're flying or driving is closer).

However as a colts fan I'd rather see them play the Bears vikings and Packers then who they play now, but since the Colts get screwed with every merger (switched leagues in the 70s)/restructure (stuck in the South), thats just wishful thinking.


I can definitely see most of that, especially with Cincinnati. They just became the odd ones out when it came to bunching everyone else together. I doubt any realignment is ever going to be 100% perfect.

As per the rivalries, I saw a case of giving birth to new rivalries as opposed to saving old ones. The "Florida War" between the Dolphins and Buccaneers (considering I doubt the Jags'll be in Jacksonville much longer) ought to be great. I always tend to look forward to anytime the Bills take on the Steelers. There's no way I can't see where you're coming from, though. I think it's one of those "matter of perspective" things. :)

[Robo-Onion]

The AFC west and AFC east have been together since the AFL. Speaking as a Chargers fan, it wouldn't be the same to not be playing the Chiefs and Broncos twice a year.

[FrankCastle80]

The AFC west and AFC east have been together since the AFL. Speaking as a Chargers fan, it wouldn't be the same to not be playing the Chiefs and Broncos twice a year.

True. Unlike the AFC West, where there's some competition, the Pacific seems like it'd be Chargers year in, year out. For competitive reasons, the Raiders/Chargers/Broncos/Chiefs are a better division.

I do miss seeing the Bolts utter slaughter of the Seahawks...

[Robo-Onion]

It was alright but it didn't have that same old-timey rivalry feeling of the other three teams

[ClixKiller]

cool idea..............

[Space Jawa]

What's wrong with keeping Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, and Chicago together?

[FrankCastle80]

What's wrong with keeping Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, and Chicago together?

I started with the Western Conference and the Oakland Raiders and made my way east. I wanted to go with the 16 teams that were THE furthest west and East. Detroit just fell on the Eastern Conference side of the line.

[minideadpool]

While that one makes a lot of sense. The NFL wont ever do this because of rivalries and history. The only division I can remember being blown up is the NFC West. Atlanta and New Orleans moved to NFC South with the only team remaining with the 49ers were the Rams. Arizona came from the NFC east and Seattle from the AFC West.

[FrankCastle80]

While that one makes a lot of sense. The NFL wont ever do this because of rivalries and history. The only division I can remember being blown up is the NFC West. Atlanta and New Orleans moved to NFC South with the only team remaining with the 49ers were the Rams. Arizona came from the NFC east and Seattle from the AFC West.

I know :) I just wish Madden would bring back the realignment option. I'd sim a season and see how it goes. I suppose I could trade entire rosters and move the teams...

[FrankCastle80]

been trying to figure out a way to realign them on madden so I can see how they'd do in actual divisions, but it didn't work. Got one more thing I can try...

[malakim2099]

It was alright but it didn't have that same old-timey rivalry feeling of the other three teams

I agree. The rivalries are a BIG part of football, and this would just diminish it a lot, IMHO. Neat idea, though.