NFL owners have postponed talks over the possibility of expanding the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams until later this year.

Representatives of the 32 teams discussed the proposal at their spring meeting today, but nothing was resolved and they will now not meet again until October.

It had been speculated that a decision regarding the playoffs would be made this week in order to implement it in time for the 2014 season, but a number of owners wanted to bide their time while making their choice.

Any change would see more opportunities to reach the post-season with two additional qualifying slots, although concerns have been raised over whether that would dilute the quality of the playoffs.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed his belief that an extended playoff system would increase the league's competitiveness, while Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is also behind the idea.

The league has not changed the playoff system since 1990, when they added a sixth qualifier in each conference.