espn from 2008
Era of two conferences, 16-game season and 12 playoff teams)
Ideally, playoff systems separate the wheat from the chaff. The more teams that are included, however, the more likely it is that some chaff will sneak in there. Conversely, the less likely it is that any wheat will be omitted. You know that bubble you always hear about when it comes time to pick the teams for the NCAA basketball tournament? The NFL pretty much eliminated its bubble in '92 when it started inviting 12 teams to the playoffs. Since then, only three teams with double-figure win totals have not made the playoffs. The 2003 Dolphins, 2005 Chiefs and 2007 Browns all went 10-6 but were aced out of the postseason by the presence of better teams in their divisions and better wild-card entries. Of the three, the '07 Browns barely outscored their opponents and went 1-3 against playoff-bound teams, while the '03 Dolphins were 2-4 versus playoff-bound teams. The '05 Chiefs had the best point differential and went 3-2 against playoff-bound teams. That list will grow by at least one and possibly by as many as three teams this season. The Patriots, Dolphins and Ravens already have 10 wins each, and either one or two of them won't make the playoffs, depending on whether the Jets beat or lose to Miami. In the NFC, the Bucs could win 10 games and be denied the wild card, while the Bears could go 10-6 and not win the North Division.
maybe this is better
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/5...n-the-playoffs