5 Reasons Opposing an 18-Game NFL Regular Season

In the event of a possible lockout for the 2011 NFL Season, most team owners and officials are saying that expanding the regular season to 18 games could be the solution to saving pro football for next year.

Of course, in the eyes of the owners, more games means more money. More like an increase in cash flow, because how much of that is really going to be recorded as profits?

And there are players speaking out against it as well. In an interview with a Denver radio station that was posted on the AFC West blog on ESPN.com by Bill Williamson, Brian Dawkins was asked if he liked the idea.

"Not even a little bit", said Dawkins. "If we have only two preseason games, guess who’s going to have to play more in those two preseason games? The starters. So you’re basically playing a 19-game schedule."

Coaches such as Jim Caldwell are not exactly against it, but they would want an increase in roster size to accommodate the two extra games.

So, here are the five reasons to persuade you to oppose the 18-game season.

1. Increase in Injuries

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Injured Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots walks on crutches out to midfield for the captain's meeting against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Fo

This one is extremely volatile because the chances of big play makers like Devon Hester and Josh Cribbs, defensive game changers such as Charles Woodson or Troy Polamalu, and offensive fire powers like Peyton Manning or Drew Brees become more at risk.

The last thing the NFL needs is multiple big-name players to get injured. We've already had one full season without Tom Brady, why risk that again? Not only would it affect that specific team, but the NFL brand in general would diminish a bit.

Why? Because the most marketable players are the face of the NFL. And if those players are hurt or injured, then the league has to hope that more players will step up and become fan favorites.

Its already bad enough that the average NFL career is roughly three years, and with two extra games, that would likely reduce to two or even one. I guess you could say that the only good thing would be that the Brett Favre's of the NFL would cease to exist; i.e., retire, un-retire, re-retire, un-re-retire. 

The 2010 season has already seen its fair share of notable injuries. Elvis Dumervil, Reggie Bush, Tracy Porter, Bob Sanders, Sidney Rice, and Clinton Portis. Even the less serious injuries to players like Michael Vick, Aaron Rodgers, and Darrelle Revis still manage to affect ticket sales and merchandise.

If the league wants to maintain its marketability with these players, Rodger Goodell and all the owners need to get off their high chairs of authority and come to a more all-encompassing solution.

2. No Chance of Perfection

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PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 01: Former Miami Dolphins (L-R) Jim Kiick, Eugene 'Mercury' Morris, Garo Yepremian, and Larry Little answer questions attend a press conference anouncing Reebok's new television campaign -dubbed 'Perfectville'- featuring members of the

Since the NFL began a 16-game season back in 1978, the 2007 New England Patriots were the only ones to go 16-0, and they couldn't even win the Super Bowl. In 33 total years of a 16-game regular season, only one went unbeaten. With 18 games, I just do not see any possibility.

And whoever happens to be the final undefeated team, everyone they have remaining on their schedule is going to prepare to give them their best game. That final undefeated team will be taking everyone's best shot, and in doing so will take its toll.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins should be in favor of the season expansion, because why would a team try to go unbeaten if a they lock up the division or a playoff spot by weeks 14 or 15?

What would be the point of risking the injury of your players? So with that being said the ’72 Dolphins can hold up their champagne glasses for all eternity.

3. Goodbye, Single Season Records

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9 Dec 1984: Running back Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams carries the football during the Rams 27-16 victory over the Houston Oilers at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Dickerson set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season in 1984

Virtually every type of single season record will have an increased chance of being broken because of the two extra games. Regardless of the length of the season, playoff races between two or three teams will be close, and there are always one or two divisions that are not decided until the final weeks of the season.

The career and single-game records will be fine because every player only has so play games his body can undertake. And unless they change the game clock from 15-minute quarters for a single game, those records will be fine as well.

However, the most popular single season records such as; Most Passing Yards, Most Rushing Yards, Most Interceptions, Most Sacks, Most Touchdowns, just to name a few, will lose their significance.

All the old records that still stand that were set during the 12, 14, and 16 game seasons will die off, and in some respects because of the two extra games, these new records will not seem as impressive. Which in turn makes them less credible and not as significant.

4. Issues With Ticket Sales

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A football fan holds a sign requesting match tickets prior to the AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 25, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia

Just because there would be two extra games does not coincidentally mean more profit or earnings. Yes the overall number of tickets sold for the season will increase, but is it worth the risk of NOT filling the stadium? 

Blackouts on local television stations have already become a common occurrence throughout the league. With fans not going to the games as much, its obviously cheaper to watch it on television. However, since those games are being blacked out, those television networks are losing ratings and advertisements.

Which is only the first step leading to relocation (Such has been the case with the Jacksonville Jaguars being the most recent). A decrease in ratings and a loss in advertising equals a decrease in total revenue for both parties involved (the team and the television network). 

So with the two extra games, the question is whether or not the owners are willing to lower the ticket prices throughout the entire stadium. If the ticket prices are lowered for all individual, season-tickets, and package deals, then the next question is; Will enough fans purchase tickets to cover the expenses for the operating costs?

In addition, there still are the salaries of the coaches, players, trainers, front office staff etc... that need to be taken into consideration. 

5. Increased Player Salaries

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Whether fans think the players are paid too much is another issue. But if the owners want to increase the season, then they should anticipate the players wanting more money. If you were MADE to work an extra two weeks per year (no excuses accepted), wouldn’t you want more money? 

Also with more games, coaches and players want an increase in the final roster size for the regular season. Thus, more money would be going to even more players. 

However, the players do have a legitimate reason for wanting more money, because technically they are working more. Also with the increase in the risk of injury, and how violent the sport is, they have every right to ask for more money.

Like I previously stated: If you were MADE to work an extra two weeks per year (no excuses accepted), wouldn't you want more money?

Possible Solution?

One thing that can accommodate all parties involved; i.e., players, coaches, owners, and fans would be to add a seventh and eighth seed in to the playoffs.

A lot of people may be against this at first because now the top two seeds are not being rewarded with a playoff bye for their regular season efforts. But in exchange for that, the top two seeds each receive an additional home game for the season.

The NBA and NHL each have eight seeds in their respective conferences, and MLB does not have a bye for any of their top seeded teams.

Obviously, rewarding the teams with a bye-week in the playoffs has distinguished the NFL from the other professional leagues.

However, now that there is no salary cap, the NFL is becoming more like their professional brethren, especially since they want to increase the regular season in the first place.

Also since the fans and owners want less pre-season games, if you add a seventh and eighth seed into the playoffs, then they can take out one pre-season game. Therefore reducing the pre-season from four to three games.

The regular season will then begin sooner, the owners will get an additional home game for the playoffs, and players do not have to deal with the rigors of an 18-game regular season.

The coaches may be the only ones biting the bullet on this one since there most likely would not be an increase in roster size. However, it is more beneficial to only lose one pre-season game as opposed to two.