NFL owners have approved an expansion of the NFL playoffs to include 14 teams, but a minor part of the new agreement has many fans bewildered.
The new system means that there will be seven playoff teams from each conference, including three Wild Card teams. The No. 2 seed in each conference will no longer receive a bye for the Wild Card round, and will now instead host the No. 7 seed.
The new games will be televised primarily on NBC and CBS – but the league is launching an additional kid-friendly broadcast on Nickelodeon, in an apparently play to attract young fans in an era where youth participation in football is declining.
Via NFL.com:
“The league announced NBC and CBS would broadcast the additional wild card games. NFL Wild Card Weekend will include three games Saturday, Jan. 9 and another three games Sunday, Jan. 10. In addition to CBS’ extra broadcast on Jan. 9 — which also will be carried via a livestream on CBS All Access — the NFL noted a separately produced telecast of the game will air on Nickelodeon, tailored for a younger audience.”
