Rant on NFL Divisions

[The Big Al]

I haven't made a random thread in a while so here it goes.

I love fall. Don't you? The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler, and best of all footbear players are knocking helmets together.

I'm a football fan (particularly for the Detroit Lions). However, I've always wondered about the logic of some of the divisions. While the bruise division (the NFC North) seems like a very logical division with four teams relatively close together in the north, there are other divisions that hav to leave you scratching your head.

Perhaps the likely division to cause the guy paying for travel to fuel to have a heart attack upon receiving the bill would be the NFC West with the AFC West a close second. While Seattle, San Fransisco, and Arizona are all place relatively close together they all have to travel to St. Louis where the game is broadcast on some radio stations with a "W" at the start of their code. I guess that's what they get for moving a team from LA to St Louis.

As I said the AFC west isn't much better with Denver in...well...Denver and KC is good old MO again though on the West side of the state. Though, they don't have a choice. They're the four most west team in the AFC.

However, the NFC is different. There is one other team further west than the Rams and that's the Cowboys who are ironically in the NFC East. That's right, East and their further west than an NFC West team. Who thought that made sense?

Though, the AFC has the same thing with the Colts (AFC South) being further north than the Bengals (AFC North).

Frankly, I think these divisions were designed more for matchups than geolography and fuel conservation. After all, the NFL is out to entertain to get advertising dollars above all else.

To conclude I give you the divisions if I was head of the NFL barring moving any teams.
AFC North: Cleveland, Buffalo, Jets, New England
AFC East: Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
AFC South: Houston, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Miami
AFC West: Unchanged (Like I said, they're just screwed.)

NFC North: Unchanged (Unless Cleveland to hypnotize the Vikings into trading conferences.)
NFC East: Giants, Philly, Washington, Carolina
NFC South: NO, St Louis, Atlanta, Tampa Bay
NFC West: Dallas, Arizona, Seattle, San Fransisco

Like I said, random.

 

[evkl]

Dallas is in the NFC east because of its major historical rivalries with the Eagles, Giants, and Redskins.

If my Eagles didn't play Dallas twice a year, I'd join the ensuing riot. It's just a great game.

Also, remember when the Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC East? *snicker*

 

[The Big Al]

As I said, they made these divisions are made for the matchups. The Lions, Packers, Bears, and Vikings are all major rivals as well. But at least their close together.

Though, speaking of Dallas, they and Detroit seem to face each other every year. I think this will be at least the seventh year in a row. If their divisions are playing each other their tied for division rank. Perhaps this bodes well for the Lions considering how well both teams are doing right now.

 

[evkl]

The Lions and Cowboys are the traditional Thanksgiving teams, and it's common for certain teams in-division to play each other repeatedly--for instance, the Eagles have played the Packers for many years on a relatively consistent basis.

Still, there's no way the Cowboys are leaving the NFC East.

 

[Doug]

I like the lions considering I do live in MI, but my main team is my NY Giants..and if they didn't play Dallas twice a year..I'd be very upset. It is ironic that dallas is more west then a NFC west team though. and your AFC East is a beastly division