# Super Bowl, no week off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 22, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198 "2003-01-22T13:10:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198/1 "2003-01-22T13:10:26Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198/2 "2003-01-22T13:27:15Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198/3 "2003-01-22T13:57:40Z")
From [this article](http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nfl/20030119-9999_mz1x19nflday.html): “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. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198/4 "2003-01-22T18:02:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198/5 "2003-01-22T19:47:36Z")
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”. ---
**Author:** ![dietrologia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@dietrologia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dietrologia)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198/6 "2003-01-22T19:49:33Z")
Reeder is correct. 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. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-no-week-off/150198/7 "2003-01-22T20:39:20Z")
So what I am getting is this is predicated by the START of the season, since (from the cite) > [@](#): > > Super Bowl dates, however, are locked in. The Championship date is set, and they fit the season in behind it, apparently. Gotta love sportswriters: > [@](#): > > In their other Super Bowl date kept after one week, the Bills were outpointed by 17 points