The NFL is forever trying to not only boost ratings, but make massive amount of money in the process. One of the many ideas that the league is discussing is bringing “Monday Night Football” to the postseason.
With the players approving a 17th NFL game of the regular season, it is all but certain there will be 18 weeks and 17 games in the 2021 season according to Peter King.
“When the NFL was choosing options, the formula that prevailed—follow me now—was AFC versus NFC, cross-conference matchup from two years ago, 2021 matchup based on 2020 standings. Now that you’re totally confused, here’s an example: The four AFC West teams played the four NFC North teams in 2019. In 2020, Kansas City finished in first place in the AFC West, Green Bay first in the NFC North.
So in 2021, it’s AFC West against NFC North, and 1-versus-1 from ‘20 becomes Green Bay versus Kansas City. I will bet you a Kroll’s West cheeseburger with an ice-cold Spotted Cow that the networks will brawl over this ratings-gold game. This game alone is reason enough for the league to rush the 17th game onto the 2021 schedule.”
King stated the league did not consider having a Monday Night wild card game this past season because it would’ve interfered with the College Football National Championship Game, which was on Monday, Jan. 11th.
“That leaves Jan. 17 as the football-free Monday night of Wild Card Weekend. So the NFL could play two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and one on Monday. Screaming, of course, will commence about the Monday night winner playing a short-week game the following Sunday. (And the NFL would ensure that the Monday night winner would not play until Sunday of divisional weekend.) Balderdash. With three wild-card games on Saturday, six teams are sure to play a short-week game.
With two wild-card games on Saturday and one on Monday, five teams are assured of a short-week game—four on Saturday and Monday’s winner, which would play the following Sunday. If I’m a coach, I’m happy after playing 17 games in 18 weeks to have an extra day of rest before a playoff game.”
The only thing that could backfire with this is teams playing on short rest, but if the ratings are huge, the league simply will not care.
