There is "growing support" within the NFL for expanding the playoff field "by two teams, likely beginning in the 2015 season, and the chances are increasing that the franchise owners will consider and potentially vote on such a proposal when they meet next month," according to sources cited by Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. A source said, "I think there’s a lot of momentum for it. I don’t know for sure if the votes are there yet (among the owners) or not. But there is momentum. A lot of people seem in favor of it." Maske notes adding one playoff team per conference "would result in one team in each conference receiving a first-round playoff bye instead of the current two." There would be "a total of six games played league-wide on the opening weekend of the postseason rather than the current four." A source said that the measure is "thought by many owners to have the support of Commissioner Roger Goodell." The owners are "scheduled to gather late next month in Orlando at the annual league meeting." Some owners are "apparently wary of the potential for de-valuing a playoff spot by allowing too many teams into the postseason," but such concerns "could be offset by the potential for increased TV revenues" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/27).
