The NFL says it is considering adding one more week to its already lengthy regular-season schedule, bringing the total number of games to 17, according to the Associated Press. The extra game, which would replace a preseason game, would be played outside the United States either in England, Germany, Mexico or Canada. Every team will play one game abroad without affecting its regular home/away schedule.
While one game is already set for the 2007 season — Miami vs. the New York Giants at London’s Wembley Stadium -- the new schedule won’t go into effect until 2009 or 2010. The scheduling logistics could be affected in one of three ways:
1) Open the season on Labor Day weekend, which for some reason, the league has avoided in recent years.
2) Push the Superbowl to the second week of February.
3) Keep the Superbowl in its regular place in the schedule but eliminate the week between the conference title games and the Superbowl.
Interesting concept. The NFL has been considering international expansion for several years, but I worry that the season is already too long. On the other hand, it makes sense to eliminate one of the preseason games though. By the fourth preseason game, the players are anxious to start playing games for real and the coaches have a good idea which players will be on their squads. I say start the games Labor Day weekend and take advantage of the warmer weather.
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