I have to admit up front here, I am not a huge fan of the NFL. But I certainly recall (I think) there being a two week gap between the Conference Championship game weekend and Super Bowl[sup]TM[/sup] weekend, That Sunday in between, the networks filled the airways with testosterone laden movies and used “No Football? No Problem!” as a catch-phrase. Last year was screwey all over the place, but this year, obviously, there is only one week between the games. I feel it is better for the players to keep their weekly routine.
Am I misremembering? Or what gives? Why did the NFL change?
Out of 36 Super Bowls, 30 have been played with two weeks rest, 6 with one week rest. Next year the NFL will be moving it into early February to make sure of two weeks rest.
From this article: “This season’s Super Bowl is being offered the week after today’s conference championships because of the NFL’s reluctance to start its season on Labor Day weekend.”
The six one-weekers: IV Jan. 11, 1970, XVII Jan. 30, 1983, XXV Jan. 27, 1991, XXVIII Jan. 30, 1994, XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, XXXVI Feb. 3, 2002.
I also don’t think rest for the players is as important as logistics. Both teams are road teams and so are their fans. Two weeks off gives fans of both teams an easier opportunity to get to the site.
But it also gives them more time to let their minds and bodies wander to things not conducive to playing the game. As previously mentioned there is more hype and spin with no real benefit to anyone. I personally prefer there being only one week between the championships and “The Game”.
Although this year there is one week between AFC/NFC Championships and SuperBowl, next year there will be two weeks as the SuperBowl will be held on the first Sunday in February.