NFL VP of Broadcast: We gave the Chiefs hardest schedule in the league

[dirk digler]

That is some bullshit. Yes we got Mahomes and Taylor but jfc we don't need to play all these national games on short weeks.

Even though NFL VP of Broadcast Planning Mike North admits the “Chiefs have been our belcow for a while”, the league is aware that it “maybe gave the Chiefs the hardest schedule in the league.”

🎧 https://t.co/mIBxyagJwm pic.twitter.com/zXFxcSo9Kt

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2024

“Good teams win, bad teams struggle,” said North. “You could give a team that doesn’t have a great roster, the quote-unquote easiest schedule, and they’re still going to go 4-13. You could give the Kansas City Chiefs the worst possible schedule, and some have been saying we did, right? They’re playing every day of the week except a Tuesday. They’ve got multiple short weeks and catch Buffalo off their bye, and Taylor Swift is gonna be there. Like, we maybe gave the Chiefs the hardest schedule in the league. I suspect they’re gonna be there come playoff time.

“These are the kind of things that we’re trying to think about — not just maximizing viewership, fan interest, and attendance and those kind of things, but what are the truly competitive inequities that we really need to be focused on and really need to avoid? I’m not sure we’ve really found that yet.”

“They’ve been our bell cow for a while, right?” North explained of the Chiefs. “They’re kind of used to carrying our water for some of these unique opportunities here. You think about that Peacock playoff game last year. If you want to make Peacock a destination for an NFL playoff game, well, put a Chiefs game there. If Amazon wants to continue to try to build Black Friday into an event, even though it’s not a national holiday, but can we turn it into one — where instead of going to the mall, we’re gonna stay home and watch a game on television at 3 o’clock in the afternoon? Put a Chiefs game there.

“You want to make Christmas on Netflix a thing? Put a Chiefs game there. You can’t go to that well over and over again. There are only so many Chiefs games and obviously, a lot of other really good teams and good stars and storylines in this league. But the Chiefs definitely were not surprised by their national television windows and some of the windows we decided to use them.”

[wazu]

The 3-games-in-10-days thing is bullshit, but overall the Chiefs actually got screwed less than last year. Last year they had the worst rest disadvantage schedule in the league, by a wide margin. It was historically bad. This year the league decided it was time to **** the 49ers instead. Guess they're growing tired of them and want to see somebody else step up on the NFC.

the NFL controls WHEN you play, not WHO you play

I've identified the most important observations of the 2024 schedule you need to know

the schedule is less fair & equitable at a historic level in many areas

let's deep dive into the worst issues ��https://t.co/BwonSLA39F

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 17, 2024

[PatMahomesIsGod]

So sad the Broncos and Chargers get screwed on rest.

[RunKC]

All the more reason to add a 2nd bye week. Every team should have one in the first and second half of the season.

Weeks 5-8 and 12-15 would be ideal

[TwistedChief]

If you actually listen to it, he's not saying they gave the Chiefs the hardest schedule. He's parroting other people who are saying that because of the days of the week they're playing. And it's all in the context of making a point that the schedule isn't going to define who the good and bad teams are (a lame point, of course, given that it can shave around the edges in a meaningful way).

[wazu]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

If you actually listen to it, he's not saying they gave the Chiefs the hardest schedule. He's parroting other people who are saying that because of the days of the week they're playing. And it's all in the context of making a point that the schedule isn't going to define who the good and bad teams are (a lame point, of course, given that it can shave around the edges in a meaningful way).

Yeah, and the biggest thing that stands out to me is the "too bad" attitude. Basically states that the Chiefs have come to expect getting screwed because they are such a marketing force, so they won't complain too much.

[KCUnited]

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

If you actually listen to it, he's not saying they gave the Chiefs the hardest schedule. He's parroting other people who are saying that because of the days of the week they're playing. And it's all in the context of making a point that the schedule isn't going to define who the good and bad teams are (a lame point, of course, given that it can shave around the edges in a meaningful way).

He says they probably gave them the hardest schedule mostly because they will be in the playoffs anyway. As you said though that is lame and there needs to be general fairness involved.

The NFL makes this alot harder than it should be, for example the bye weeks make it more complicated. Instead of doing what the other leagues do and have a mid season week break they stagger everyone then throw in Thursday night games and holiday games now it just to much.

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

If you actually listen to it, he's not saying they gave the Chiefs the hardest schedule. He's parroting other people who are saying that because of the days of the week they're playing. And it's all in the context of making a point that the schedule isn't going to define who the good and bad teams are (a lame point, of course, given that it can shave around the edges in a meaningful way).

Yeah outside of 3 games. Schedules are set. Those 3 games are competitive and rivalry games now.

No one should bitch about scheduling.

But that bye week and overall schedule time sucks for us.

Either add another bye week or put everyone's eyes in the middle of the season. 3 week window.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by RunKC

All the more reason to add a 2nd bye week. Every team should have one in the first and second half of the season.

Weeks 5-8 and 12-15 would be ideal

This all day long.

If you want these teams to play on shot weeks and travel over seas then add the second bye which gives you another week of football with the same number of games

[alpha_omega]

Originally Posted by RunKC

All the more reason to add a 2nd bye week. Every team should have one in the first and second half of the season.

Weeks 5-8 and 12-15 would be ideal

I like this idea. A lot.
Too bad we're not in charge.

[Womble]

Originally Posted by RunKC

All the more reason to add a 2nd bye week. Every team should have one in the first and second half of the season.

Weeks 5-8 and 12-15 would be ideal

We already get a 2nd bye week. It's the week the Broncos travel to Arrowhead.

[wazu]

From the Sharp article:

The Ravens are at +16 days of net rest edge.

That is the #1 largest net rest edge in my database’s history, which dates back 35 years to 1990.

The Ravens’ net rest edge is the largest in modern NFL history, and I’d venture to guess full NFL history as well.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by wazu

From the Sharp article:

Really trying to shove Lamar down our throats aren't they? Did everything they could to help them out.

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by wazu

From the Sharp article:

but they still have a RB playing QB...