Why is the NFL season so short?

[nickstaa]

Over the past couple of years I've started following the game real closely and it's one of my favourite sports now. But why do they only play for about 14 rounds or so and for a lot of the game they aren't on the field.

In rugby league which is a similar physical sport they play 24 rounds + 3, 4 internationals.

It would be a lot better if the nfl season could goon for another month I think.

Updates

+1 y

Anyone :)

[lifes_curve_ball]

14 rounds? There's 4 pre-season games, 16 regular season games then the playoffs (4 rounds, 1 wildcard which you can get a bye if you earned it, 1 division, 1 conference then superbowl).

The main reason is that it's a physical game and I know rugby is as well but it's still a physical game. Also the padding gives protection but at the same time it adds to the sense of security so you get more of a let loose mentality because in rugby some players will understand that full out hit means their body takes a toll as well but in football you feel I got padding to protect me. Plus a lot of kids aren't taught how to properly tackle and you see a lot of players leading with their helmets which puts unneeded risk to them and their opponents. The NFL is trying to cut down but it's tough to do unless you teach it from the get go.

There's also no international scale for what the NFL has because it's mostly popular here in the US and most countries don't play football the way we do.

On top of this the fact that it's so limited in terms of number of games makes each game all the more important and people don't tune out or skip a couple like they do in baseball because the season is too short and every game matters much more. 1/16 is a lot more than 1/162. It also generates the massive revenue seen because people don't tune out and get so focused, it's easy to plan for a football season vs a baseball or basketball season cause the number of games are less so you see more TV audience etc. They were thinking of making it 18 by cutting 2 preseason but that didn't pass and I'm happy cause preseason is where you see the walk ons try to get in.

Oh and there's also ota's and training camps that are pretty rough at times.

[rotinaj10]

What he said

[ironeddie]

I haven't watched a lot of rugby, but there does seem to be a lot more violent hitting in football. As opposed to more tackling in rugby which makes a big difference.

Yes there is padding in football, which helps protect against injuries. But the hitting in football puts more wear and tear in the body.

[sarmac]

it's probably because football is such a strenuous sport and they're at much more of an injury risk than the nba or mlb lets say. i'm a HUGE football fan so i'd love it if they had a schedule like baseball or something playing almost everyday of the week..but players need time to rehab from their injuries. then there's training camp which starts in spring. they practice several days a week for their FULL contact games. the human body can only take so much!
buy hey, it only makes sundays that much better!

[johnbaseball17]

Have you ever played football? Its the injury and physical toll the body takes since playing in childhood. Most nfl players start at 8 years old and already have 14 years of damage by the time they reach the nfl.

[nickstaa]

I've played rugby which is similar. Mosy of that 14 years won't be against 130 kgs professionals though.

[johnbaseball17]

It doesn't matter. Its 14 years of weight training and taking impacts. We always play with injury. Those guys you see on the field are always playing hurt. I know because i play division 1 college football. Im a tight end.

[cavmanier]

So that there's time to spend with girl friends.

[nickstaa]

Ok I guess the ones at the party's aren't enough