Is the problem here. What you have is a system that does not penalise poor teams. Hell, if anything it actually rewards them!!! Hence posters on here saying that the Dolphins should write off the season and get the no 1 draft pick! The actual structure of the NFL should be changed in some way to actually have a way of penalising teams who are obviously in disarray or suffering under bad coaching / lack of desire. This would mean that owners would then be forced to actually address any problems before the season is a complete disaster, and the end of season penalties, whatever they maybe, are enforced.
That would never work. It would completely destroy parity. However if you have an idea I'd be willing to listen, it's just I can't think of one that works. Also there is something that penalizes owners. Ticket and merchandise sales.