How does NFL playoff scheduling work?

[everlong]

Why is the Saturday night game the contest for ratings?

The 4:15 Sunday game against the Jets last year was a ratings monster.

Because in general less people watch TV Saturday night. The netowrks keep pushing the Sunday games later for better ratings as well. Kick off for that game wasn't until 4:45-ish. I can see it moving to 6:30 in the future.

 

[everlong]

It wasn't always reversed, unless they've changed the rule recently. From at least 2003 (us hosting Titans) until at least 2007 (us hosting Jacksonville) the Saturday night game in the divisional round were all AFC.

And when I said it was completely random, I didn't mean it like they just draw the games out of a hat. There obviously is a decision process as to who plays when and where but in terms of conference/seeding there is no pattern or correlation. Until the games are officially scheduled it's pure speculation.

It's already been proven that it was but I never suggested you indicated it was arbitrary. I was just pointing out that like most things these days follow the money. There's no way Fox would sit by while CBS got all those Saturday night games.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Because in general less people watch TV Saturday night. The netowrks keep pushing the Sunday games later for better ratings as well. Kick off for that game wasn't until 4:45-ish. I can see it moving to 6:30 in the future.

Is the strategy to put the best game Saturday for ratings or save the best game for Sunday to naturally get the best ratings?

 

[patsfan13]

In the Divisional Round you can pretty much count on the Pats and Packers in prime time due to ratings.