Should the NFL change the rules so a 14 win team doesn't start on the road?

[kartanoman]

The NFL last had a "two division" setup in 1966:

1966 NFL Season

Of course, that was the final season before the talks of the merger with the AFL started impacting the leagues.

If they were to revert back to the 1966 format, they would, of course, have the two Conferences, but instead of four divisions, what are we suggesting here, exactly?

1. A "ladder" setup by Conference where the top "X" on the ladder make the playoffs?

2. Subdivide by Conference to a "Western" and "Eastern" division, as they had in 1966 and prior?

3. Some other makeup?

Granted, the traditional rivalries may suffer but, in the end, new rivalries will develop as the best teams fight each other for supremacy in their respective conferences. You'll see "unofficial rivalries" develop such as the Giants-49ers of the 1980s, or Cowboys-49ers of the 1990s, or Packers-49ers of the 1990s to early 2000s (NOTE: what is it with the 49ers being part of so many rivalries back then?).

In any event, the league may look at it as going backward, rather than going forward, even if it makes too much sense to do so (i.e. 1966 model).

Nonetheless, this is something they seriously need to take a look at the next time the league expands and welcomes new teams into the competition.

Peace!