Ideal Playoff Size

[Kaz]

So, with this year being so crazy with injuries and under performing across some positions, a lot of teams in finished somewhere around .500. That made for some interesting playoff bounce outs and the like. My question to you all is, what do you feel is the ideal number of teams for a playoffs? All of my leagues use 6 despite the number of teams, ranging from 12-16.

[slaughterrt]

I’m somewhere between 6 or 8 in the majority of my leagues (16 teams).

I like 6 because it gives more of a realistic feel - 4 division champs and 2 wildcards - two top division champs get first round bye.

Although, something can be said for 8 teams as well because it keeps things interesting and other teams can sneak in. 4 division champs and 4 wildcards - no byes. It can cause more upsets of division champs.

I like both really, but it comes down to league preference.

[steelman]

No more than 50% of the teams should make the playoffs.

[Tsunami]

I feel like it's really easy to make the playoffs if 6 qualify in a 12 team, or 8 in a 16. It makes the regular season not really matter much. On the other hand, I am in a 20 team league with only 6 playoff spots and I missed out at 8-5, and it's frustrating to do this well and have it not matter. I like 4 for 10-12, 6 for 14-18, 8 for 20+.

[M-Dub]

We do five in my 12-team league. I’d prefer four. If half the teams make the playoffs, it devalues the regular season.

[WhiskeyD32]

I like 5. Give a bye to the top guy and let it play out. 12 teams. 5 make playoffs. Everyone else plays for pick 1.13

[jcc6fd]

Four in 10-12 team leagues makes sense to me. In 14-16 team leagues I would do 6

[nathanq42]

we have 12 teams, top 6 make it, seeds 1 & 2 get byes, then bracket until it is over in week 16

[Valhalla]

Curious how 5 works. The top guy gets a bye so you have 2 vs 5 and 3 vs 4...but what about the 2nd week of playoffs when there are 3 teams left? Or is it not a head to head playoff and more of an all-play with the top teams advancing?

[Ray Finkle]

Curious how 5 works. The top guy gets a bye so you have 2 vs 5 and 3 vs 4...but what about the 2nd week of playoffs when there are 3 teams left? Or is it not a head to head playoff and more of an all-play with the top teams advancing?

I’m curious how this would work as well. Top seed gets a free ride to the bowl? Now that would put some serious emphasis on the regular season.

[Bot101]

I'm in a 10 man and 6 make the playoffs. This year the draft order is based on record, next year it will be decided by the winner of the toilet bowl.

[Tsunami]

I'm guessing 5 would be the same as 6, but with only one wildcard game.

[M-Dub]

Curious how 5 works. The top guy gets a bye so you have 2 vs 5 and 3 vs 4...but what about the 2nd week of playoffs when there are 3 teams left? Or is it not a head to head playoff and more of an all-play with the top teams advancing?

I’m curious how this would work as well. Top seed gets a free ride to the bowl? Now that would put some serious emphasis on the regular season.

In our league, the 3rd-5th seeds all play each other in week 12 and the top two teams advance to the semis.

If you favor a more traditional bracket, you’d just give the top three seeds a bye and have 4 play 5 in a quarterfinal game.

[jeffster]

I like 4 in a 12-team league, then structure payouts so fourth place earns exactly the league dues back. That way there's lots of value on the regular season, which is longer, and making the playoffs means something tangible regardless of finish.

[TheChicken]

I prefer 4 .... Although I'm in two playoffs this week where I finished 5th & 6th. Both those teams are not championship material imo, so a lot of luck needed for either to win.