Big Dan
Cheesehead
I love the idea, and have a great solution. Each team plays every other team in their conference once, and play a second game against each of the three other teams in their division. Packers would play 2 with the Bears, Lions, and Vikings, and one each with the other 12 teams in the NFC. There's your 18, and no more crying over "strength of schedule."
Every team would also get 2 bye weeks, between weeks 5 and 14. No byes in the first 4 weeks, and none in the last 4 weeks. Instead of 17 weeks of regular season, there would be 20 weeks. Players get an extra week to heal up, and revenues would naturally rise.
I could also see expanding the rosters, but only if the same cap is in place. The players want more guys, but do they want it enough to share their overly large slice of the pie with the new guys?
Every team would also get 2 bye weeks, between weeks 5 and 14. No byes in the first 4 weeks, and none in the last 4 weeks. Instead of 17 weeks of regular season, there would be 20 weeks. Players get an extra week to heal up, and revenues would naturally rise.
I could also see expanding the rosters, but only if the same cap is in place. The players want more guys, but do they want it enough to share their overly large slice of the pie with the new guys?