No one will be able to compete against the NFL, however I like the idea of a minor league for the NFL. I think it would be quite popular and lucrative for the league, as long as the teams are based in North America. It would serve a developmental purpose for fringe NFL players and coaches, would allow second-tier college talent to continue playing football, and would test new cities on whether they could one day support an NFL franchise. I think all 32 NFL teams should have a minor league team. The season would take place during the spring and summer, so as to not interfere with the in-season practice squads. There would be two pre-season games the last two weeks of February, fourteen regular season games (March, April, May and the first half of June), and up to three playoff games (culminating with a championship on July 4th weekend.) The minor league players could then participate in the NFL camps that begin in mid-July.
East:
Hartford Patriots
Rochester Bills
Syracuse Jets
Albany Giants
Harrisburg Eagles
Columbus Browns
Allentown Steelers
Louisville Bengals
South
Richmond Redskins
Norfolk Ravens
San Juan Dolphins
Orlando Buccaneers
Birmingham Falcons
Baton Rouge Saints
Raleigh Panthers
Memphis Titans
Central
Springfield Bears
Des Moines Colts
Omaha Chiefs
San Antonio Texans
Oklahoma City Cowboys
Little Rock Vikings
Milwaukee Packers
Ann Arbor Lions
West
Portland Seahawks
Las Vegas Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers
Honolulu 49ers
Sacramento Raiders
Anaheim Rams
Salt Lake City Broncos
Mexico City Jaguars
Each team plays its 7 divisional opponents twice; once at home, once away.
Each of the four division winners advances to the playoffs and gets seeded according to tie-breakers (wins, points scored, etc.) Each second place team also qualifies for the playoffs.
In Week 1 of the playoffs, #1 vs. 8, #4 vs. 5, #2 vs. 7, #3 vs. 6. In Week 2 of the playoffs, 1/8 vs. 4/5, 2/7 vs. 3/6. In Week 3 of the playoffs, the championship game: 1/8/4/5 vs. 2/7/3/6.
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