| Back in 1997, PFW did a series on
the state of the NFL. As part of that project, I outlined my proposal for realigning the
NFL. My plan called for a 32-team league divided into eight divisions and anticipated
either Houston or Los Angeles getting an expansion franchise. Although my crystal ball may
have been a little fuzzy — I thought it was more likely that L.A. would be
awarded the league’s 32nd team — it looks as though a similar
structure to the one I proposed is what the NFL is looking at. Here is the
division-by-division breakdown of my realignment plan, which has been updated from the
December 1997 print version only to show that Houston and not L.A. will be the home of the
32nd franchise. Two years later, it still looks good to me.
National Conference
NFC North
Chicago
Detroit
Green Bay
Minnesota
The heart of the current NFC Central would stay intact — as would some of the
fiercest rivalries in the NFL.
NFC South
Atlanta
Carolina
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
The three Southeastern teams misplaced in the NFC West would find a new home but
maintain their rivalries. The Buccaneers are a nice fit here.
NFC East
Dallas
New York Giants
Philadelphia
Washington
Dallas remains in this division out of deference to its rivalries with the current NFC
East teams.
NFC West
Arizona
St. Louis
San Francisco
Seattle
The Cardinals don’t want to move out of the East, but, hopefully, a new rivalry
with the 49ers would appease them. Seattle also fits in well here.
American Conference
AFC North
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Indianapolis
Pittsburgh
Again, traditional rivalries are maintained between the Ohio teams and the Steelers.
Geographically, Indianapolis is just a three-hour drive from Cincinnati and could develop
a strong natural rivalry there.
AFC East
Baltimore
Buffalo
New England
New York Jets
Most of the current AFC East is preserved, and the Ravens have a chance to build a
tradition of playing against regional rivals.
AFC South
Houston
Jacksonville
Miami
Tennessee
Miami and Jacksonville could form a terrific rivalry if put in the same division.
Tennessee fits in well, in part because of its existing rivalry with the Jaguars.
AFC West
Denver
Kansas City
Oakland
San Diego
Some of the fiercest hatred in the NFL exists between the Broncos, Chiefs and Raiders
(match up any of the two and you have an enthralling game). San Diego also has a long
history here. |
