Please tell me the teams interviewing Jim Caldwell are just satisfying the Rooney Rule. The Manning-less season was a train wreck.
Put me down for uncertain with playoff expansion as well. Frankly, this year would be pretty descriptive - you catch the rare 10-6+ team that doesn't make the playoffs, but will also get a 9-7 or even 8-8 team with those two extra slots most years.
Edit: Fuck it, let's actually do some research. To wikipedia!
2013: 8-8 Steelers, 10-6 Cardinals
2012: 8-8 Steelers, 10-6 Bears
2011: 9-7 Titans, 8-8 Eagles/Cowboys/Bears/Cardinals
2010:9-7 Chargers, 10-6 Giants/Bucs
2009:9-7 Steelers/Texans, 9-7 Falcons
2008: 11-5 Patriots, 9-7 Cowboys/Bears/Bucs
2007: 10-6 Browns, 8-8 Eagles/Vikings/Cardinals
2006: 9-7 Broncos, 8-8 Packers/Panthers/Rams
2005: 10-6 Chiefs, 9-7 Cowboys/Vikings
2004: 9-7 Bills/Ravens/Jaguars, 8-8 Saints
2003: 10-6 Dolphins, 9-7 Vikings
2002: 9-7 Patriots/Dolphins/Broncos, 9-7 Saints
So for every 10+ win team that now gets a playoff berth you are also adding an 8-8 team. I don't think that tradeoff is worth it.
Of course, that isn't the only consideration. You also two get two extra games of commercials and ticket sales, and now far more games matter at the end of the season than before. So of course they will do it.
