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In a matter of days comes another NFL Super Bowl. It is on Monday 4 Feb, around 10:30am to be precise.
I like how when the NRL season finishes I can still get a football fix – NFL style. The American season nicely slots into the gap.
It’s not for everyone, but I like it. Now we do so many things different to them. Here are a few of the things they do differently to us, and what I think of them.
1. 14-day break
There is a 14-day break between the Super Bowl and the Conference Championship games, the NRL equivalent is a seven day break. Now I think the NFL has it right – 14 days makes it easier for fans to make plans to attend the big game. It allows that extra week for players to get over injuries.
It gives the event a big build-up which is appropriate for the event. Now, imagine if North Queensland played New Zealand in the NRL grand final. An extra week would help those fans get to Sydney and more could attend.
We don’t all live in Sydney, remember!
2. Separate conferences
The NRL has this one right. Any two teams should be able to reach the grand final. The NFL system is flawed…what if the best two or best three teams in one season were in the AFC?
The 49ers can never play the Cowboys in the Super Bowl? The NRL system trumps the NFL one because the NFL system breaks the cardinal rule of sports – fans want to see the best versus the best and their conference system compromises it.
Admittedly there are historical reasons behind their system, but that was a long time ago when the AFL and NFL merged.
3. Sudden death playoffs
In the NFL, there is no forgiveness for losers. Teams simply must perform on the day or they’re out!
And the Olympics works this way too really. I cringe at the NRL style of being able to lose a playoff game and still be alive next week.
Firstly, it kind of rewards losing.
Secondly, the best team (by definition) wins the GF, so why delay it? Two teams will reach the grand final no matter what bizzaro playoff system exists.
Thirdly, it reduces the importance of the early round of playoffs. I mean, there is a reason NRL playoffs never sellout.
Why attend if you know your team can’t be eliminated? And do those teams try as hard as they could knowing they can lose and not be kicked out?
The NRL finals take forever, let’s make them all meaningful. Sudden death – yes please!
Now I could write another half dozen NRL versus NFL comparisons but I’ll let tongues wag and fingers tap to these first.
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