Instead of extending the season to 18 games, which gives every team one more home game to make money off. I propose the following.
Add 2 slots to the Playoffs, so 8 teams from each conference make the playoffs.
Then, do away with the bye week, and just put a bye week at the end of the regular season. So after week 17, a break. Then the 4 Divions winners get their extra Home Game in the playoffs.
Seed the same, 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5.
This way, teams that are good enough to make the playoffs, or even limp in at 9-7, at least are the only ones rewarded and a team like the Bills or Panthers don't get that extra revenue game for being suckish. If you want the extra home game, get to the playoffs.
Also, this means every super bowl team has to win 3 games in the playoffs to get to the super bowl. Which has been done now a couple times. Steelers Giants both won the super bowl after winning 3 games in the playoffs. I'm sure others have as well. You hold four games on Saturday, four on Sunday the first week.
here is how it would look if the playoffs were held today:
AFC
#8 Raiders at #1 Jets
#7 Colts at #2 Ravens
#6 Steelers at # 3 Chiefs
# 5 Pats at #4 Jags
NFC
#8 Giants at #1 Falcons
#7 Bucs at #2 Eagles
#6 Packers at # 3 Bears
# 5 Saints at #4 Seahawks
Everyone of those games would Kick Ass.
AFC
Week 2 would look something like #5 Pats at #2 Ravens, or #7 Colts at #5 Pats, as well as #6 Steelers at #1 Jets.
Steelers at Ravens NFC Title Game! Or Steelers at Pats AFC Title game, or Colts at Steelers AFC Title Game!
NFC
#6 Packers at #1 Falcons
#5 Saints at #2 Eagles
Saints at Falcons AFC Title game anyone?
Just throwing that idea out there. I know it would suck to have a 9-7 team in the playoffs, but it already happens, and that's better than a 10 or 11 win team staying home. Plus it only rewards the best teams with the extra Home Game for hosting that extra Playoff game.
Just a thought I had.