ESPN would like to simply the playoffs
Conference Champs get the 4 spots currently if we have four conferences
if they go to 8 then the conference championships become the first round etc
If they go to 12 then you have some other top ranked teams in or the Conf Champion gets a bye.
If they go to 16 well who knows but I don't see them going to 12 or 16 game playoff in my life time