I see what you're saying, and I felt the same way. Until 2007. The wild-card Giants won three straight road games (Tampa Bay, Dallas, Green Bay) -- and we all know what happened in the Super Bowl against the Pats. The wild card model makes it almost impossible for that type of team to win the Super Bowl. But if a team like the Giants can beat Green Bay on the road to get to the Super Bowl -- then topple an undefeated powerhouse to win the Super Bowl -- I don't see anything cheap about it.
I have a much bigger problem with 7-9 Seattle (2009) making the playoffs strictly because it's the best of the worst in its division.