As expected, the NFL announced that it...

As expected, the NFL announced that it would extend its 16-game schedule over 17 weeks in 1990 and 1991, and 18 weeks the next two years, ultimately supplying television with two extra weekends of games.

Each team will have one week off during the next two regular seasons and two weeks off in 1992 and 1993. In addition, the change will eliminate one of two open weeks between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl next January. The NFL plans to reinstate the two-week span for the 1992 season.