Exclamation Moint wrote:
How would you change alignment if JAX moves to LA? You can't put them in the AFC West because of the rivalries. Maybe they go to the NFC West and the Cardinals go to the AFC South?
An argument could be made that since LA is in
Southern California, that keeping them in the south wouldn't, technically, be a big deal.
Whatever team that moves to LA will likely have to be put or already in the NFC, not only to keep the rivalries together in the AFC West, but because San Francisco sports teams have a rivalry with teams from LA, and Southern California already has the Chargers in the AFC. (of course, if the Chargers move to LA, this wouldn't be a problem at all, they'd just keep the divisions as is).
Lets say the Vikings follow the Lakers out to LA

, that may either force the league to put St. Louis in the North, breaking up the rivalry with the 49ers, or going with a geographical stretch and putting the far northeast Seahawks in the north. The first option makes geographical sense, but I wouldn't see it happening for the reason said. Putting Seattle in the north wouldn't be accepted in Seattle, as their nearest rival will be thousands of miles away in Green Bay and Chicago.
If they move Buffalo, which I see them going to Canada before LA (which isn't a good idea, they should stay, IMO). Trying to figure what they would do in this case is irrelevent, as it's a long shot.
As far as not having to make any shakeups in the divisions, the Ram and Raiders make good sense. I don't know if either of these teams will get any support with new stadiums where they're at (unless they pony up the dough themesleves

) The Rams situation probably is based on who they sell the franchise to. It's likely that new ownership will try to work things out in St. Louis.
As for the Raiders, who have a small but rabid fanbase in Oakland and a delusional owner, it's hard to call on what they can/should/will do. I don't think they're going to get any public help with any stadium situation. Davis isn't going to front the money, or for that matter, find someone with enough money to help the Raiders get a new Black Hole in the area. Their best bet would be to share a stadium with the 49ers in the area, but the 49ers seem to be having problems with getting out of SF and keeping the right to use the San Francisco name. I'm not sure if the Raiders would move to LA, that the Chargers would try to block it. They moved to LA before, spent ~ a decade there, and tailed it back to Oakland. Does LA even want the Raiders, with the history they have.
As for the 49ers I see them staying in northern California, whether or not that's in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara or elsewhere. They may use LA as leverage, but I'd be a little suprised to see them go. They have a rich history in the area, and it would be a shame to see that go down the toilet like it did in Houston with the Oilers and Cleveland with the first incarnation of the Browns and yes even LA with the Rams.