18 game schedule pros cons

However, these games are so tough on the bodies of the players. At that point unless the previous week was a bye week , these players would be still recovering from their previous matchup on Sunday.

Growing up, my father had season tickets to the New York Giants every year up until I went off to college. You get tickets to 10 games: eight regular season and two preseason games. The answer is, sadly, no. In that game, the starters are still only playing a little more than half of the game, if that.

Because yeah, more football is obviously better. But when you consider all the negatives, you start to second guess the idea entirely. Say they play the Detroit Lions, who are, say, at the time and last in the division, so they decide to sit Rodgers. Or what about the Giants having to sit Saquon Barkley one game, so Wayne Gallman has to take the reins for that contest.

Then finding out they have to sit the game because the NFL has a game cap? It also would affect start steaks, which thus becomes an issue with the record books. No one would be able to reach or pass Brett Favre , who has the record with straight starts. Next: Predicting winners, losers from 49ers training camp. Niner Noise 2 years 49ers' 'Who Is? More NFL Rumors ». View all NFL Sites. More FanSided News ». More News Around the Network ».

View all Our Sites. Tweet Share Pin. There isn't a real minor league for the NFL and these extra preseason games are the only game situations in which you can evaluate young talent.

Plus, the younger players who may be depended on during the season learn as much in these "exhibition" games than in all those months of practice. At the end of the day, performing in a game is the only way to actually know what you're doing. I also think the loss of these games will make it even harder for undrafted players and late round picks to really make a mark. Some of the best players ever to lace up proved their worth in the last two preseason games.

The second problem and probably the first issue on the minds of NFL players is injuries. Your star players usually get a lot of time in one or maybe two preseason games, and by a lot we are talking a half.

With their work load increased by Those increases will be most felt in the postseason during which players will be attempting to play in their 19th, 20th, 21st, and possibly 22nd full contact minute game. Tom Brady and Ray Lewis have already spoken out against this, and I imagine more will follow.