When Did The NFL Go From 12 To 14 Games?
A look at how the NFL’s regular season has changed over time, including the addition of two games in the 2010s.
The NFL’s History
The National Football League was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association. In 1922, the APFA was renamed as the National Football League. The NFL initially consisted of 12 teams. But, in 1926, the NFL expansion increased the number of teams to 14.
The NFL’s founding in 1920
The National Football League was founded in 1920, with 11 teams. The league expanded to 14 teams in 1933, with the addition of the Pittsburgh Pirates (now the Steelers) and the New York Giants. In 1960, the NFL added two more teams, the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings. The most recent expansion came in 2002, when the Houston Texans joined the league as its 32nd franchise.
The NFL’s first expansion in 1932
In 1932, the NFL made its first expansion when it absorbed the Portsmouth Spartans and added them to the league, bringing the total number of teams to 12. The following year, the NFL would again expand- this time to 14 teams- when it absorbed the Detroit Lions. The NFL’s first two expansions were relatively small in scope, each adding just two teams to the league.
The NFL’s second expansion in 1960
The NFL’s second expansion in 1960 brought the league to its current size of 14 teams. That year, the Dallas Cowboys and the Minneapolis-St. Paul franchise (which would eventually become the Minnesota Vikings) joined the league. The Cowboys were placed in the NFL’s Western Conference, while the Vikings were placed in the newly created Central Division of the Western Conference.
The NFL’s Move to 14 Games
In 1977, the NFL expanded its regular season from 16 games to 18. The move was made in an attempt to generate more revenue, but it was also seen as a way to improve the quality of the product on the field. The additional games also meant that teams would have to play more divisional opponents, which would create more rivalries and create more interest from fans.
The NFL’s first attempt at 14 games in 1961
In 1961, the NFL increased the regular season from 12 to 14 games. This was done in an effort to generate more revenue and keep up with the AFL, who had increased their own season to 14 games that same year. The NFL’s experiment with 14 games lasted just two seasons, as they returned to a 12-game schedule in 1963.
The NFL’s second attempt at 14 games in 1977
The NFL’s second attempt at 14 games came in 1977. After a 4-year absence, the New Orleans Saints came back to the NFL as an expansion team. The NFL needed an odd number of teams to make the scheduling work so they went with 14 games. This lasted for 3 years until 1980 when the league reverted back to 16 games.
The NFL’s successful move to 14 games in 1978
The NFL’s successful move to 14 games in 1978 was a direct result of the expansion of the league from 26 to 28 teams. The two new teams, the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, were each given four additional games to play, which increased the total number of games played in the regular season from 176 to 184. The increase in games played led to an increase in TV revenues, which allowed the league to expand further and add more teams.
The Impact of the NFL’s Move to 14 Games
In 2020, the NFL made the decision to move from a 16 game season to a 14 game season. This change has had a major impact on the league. Let’s take a look at how the NFL has changed since the switch to 14 games.
The impact on the quality of play
The change to a 14-game regular season schedule in 1978 had a profound impact on the quality of play in the NFL. With two additional games, teams were forced to play more players, including many who were not starters. This led to a decrease in the overall level of play, as these non-starters were often not as skilled or experienced as the starters. In addition, the extra games meant that teams had to travel more and play on more days, which led to fatigue and more injuries.
The impact on player safety
The National Football League’s (NFL) move to a 14-game regular season has received criticism from some who feel that the increased number of games will lead to more player injuries.
There is some evidence to support this concern. A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that, during the 2011 season, NFL players who competed in more regular season games were more likely to suffer serious injuries (defined as those that led to missed playing time) than those who played in fewer games.
The study’s authors cautioned, however, that the findings should be interpreted with caution, as the overall risk of injury in the NFL is relatively low. They also noted that the risk of injury tends to be higher in the first half of the season, before players have had a chance to fully adjust to the physical demands of the game.
Despite these concerns, the NFL has moved forward with its plans to expand the regular season, and it remains to be seen what impact this will have on player safety in the long term.
The impact on the fan experience
The change to a 14-game regular season schedule in the NFL has had a profound impact on the fan experience. With two fewer games to attend, fans have less opportunity to see their favorite team play live. Additionally, the move has resulted in more bye weeks for each team, which can often be a letdown for fans who were looking forward to seeing their team play that week. However, the extra week of rest may be beneficial for players, and it gives teams more flexibility when it comes to scheduling bye weeks and making last-minute changes to their slate of games.
