Though two weeks off has been the NFL norm over the years, finishing the playoffs on consecutive weekends makes much more sense.

One need only look as far as the college bowl games to see what happens when teams take too much time off. Granted, two weeks is far more reasonable than the typical month between the end of college football's regular season and New Year's Day. But the hype surrounding a Super Bowl is exponentially more intense than that leading up to the college bowl games.

And history practically screams for playing the Super Bowl the Sunday following the crowning of the AFC and NFC champs.

Since Super Bowl XX, 13 Super Bowls have been played with a two-week break. Most have been duds. The average margin of victory: more than 21 points.

The average margin in the six Super Bowls played the week following the conference title games is just nine points. That includes last year's 20-17 Patriots upset of the Rams, which most consider to be one of the greatest championship games in history.

The rationale is obvious. The game is big enough as it is. Increase the time for players to get caught up in the media glare, social obligations and all the other non-football events surrounding a Super Bowl, and you increase the likelihood one or both teams will not give a typical performance on game day.

Besides, one week of this kind of hoopla is more than enough. Players run out of interesting things to say after a day or two as it is.

Fans' comments Two weeks is too long for the fans and the players. Our guys are ready to play football. Besides, even the media runs out of fillers over a two week layoff. Play ball. -- Sean Peters, Riverview No, I don't think so, since it's their first time. Let them get it over with while they're still in game mode. -- Darin Lougin, Oakland, Calif. Two weeks? That's great for vacations! But like Sapp said Sunday: This is no vacation. The Bucs have a job to do and Sunday evening, they'll be taking care of business. Like any job, just get it done and go home happy. -- Scott Gustafson, Young America, Minn. I have been a fan since the beginning. I'm loving this week and would like to see it last a little longer since 26 years is a long time to wait for it to happen. For the Bucs I think it is better to strike while they are hot. -- Suzanne Merchant, Longwood I definitely agree that one week is plenty. The only reason for an extra week is to allow attending fans a little more travel time - but one week does not appear to be keeping anyone away. -- Mitch Johnston, Tampa As a fan I've always hated the "extra" week. It's better to go right on to the Super Bowl as it keeps the players focused on "the game" rather than being distracted by the media and the hype, resulting in a much better game to watch. It also keeps us from being bored with stupid Super Bowl hype shows during that off weekend. -- David Moore, Honolulu, Hawaii Let's get on with the game. We've waited all year to see our team get this far and we just want to see our team win this match. One week off, two weeks off, how much hype can be made? If the team is not ready by the end of the first week, it might as well go home and call it a loss. -- Patrick Reed, Tampa I do not think there should be an extra week before the Super Bowl. The players are professionals and should be ready to go out and play. The Bucs are playing well and are in a winning streak. If they had a week off before the Super Bowl, they could get too caught up with the media instead of focusing on dominating this team as well as they did the Eagles. -- Kalani Murphy, Tampa I wish they had another week. Gruden would keep them together and focused without losing any edge they may have. But really, I have another reason for wishing we had another week. My wife and kids, all Tampa natives and Bucs fans, moved to Corona, Calif., a month ago. We would have some additional time to get tickets. -- Loren Godwin, Corona, Calif. Two weeks is just too long - it takes away from the preparations and can make teams sloppy. Since I've been a Bucs fan since their inception, I say, just play the game, win the Super Bowl, then we can celebrate all year. -- Mark Dossey, Greensboro, N.C. One week, two weeks ... will it really matter after we win? -- Brian Brubaker, Lithia I've been a fan of the Bucs from the very beginning. I'm so happy and excited about their win, I just want the game to be over so I can help them celebrate the super bowl win. So I don't need another week. -- Paula Ball, Durham, N.C.