NFL to Have Vote That Would Alter Playoff Seeding

[All_Pro_Bills]

If they're going to eliminate winning the division guaranteeing a home playoff game then why not just eliminate divisions and play a balanced schedule with each team playing the other 15 conference teams one time with 2 out of conference games.

[Doc Brown]

3 minutes ago, All_Pro_Bills said:

If they're going to eliminate winning the division guaranteeing a home playoff game then why not just eliminate divisions and play a balanced schedule with each team playing the other 15 conference teams one time with 2 out of conference games.

NFL loves its rivalries.  Think they'd prefer five out of conference games over two.  Some teams would rarely if ever play each other which would suck for some fans.  A Bills fan in Atlanta might never have an opportunity to see the Bills play there.  At minimum now they'd play there at least once every eight years.

[Ayjent]

Divisions and schedules can make a 10-7 record a way better accomplishment than 12-5 vs a crap division and easy schedule. I also think winning your division is a big deal where the current seeding system ensures a home game. It makes the division matter more and leads to a way more interesting week to week game. Detroit needs to worry about winning its playoff games not changing the rules. Maybe a qb that doesnt melt under pressure to boot. 

[DCofNC]

For example, if the AFC East drew the NFC South for out of conference and the Bills didn’t win 4 games, they should just be automatically out of the playoffs, but assuming they do what they should, that’s a lot easier to pad the record vs having to deal with the NFC North… not that the Bills didn’t handle their business there too, but it’s still a lot harder to do.  I’d end up pretty irritated when the AFC W draws the NFC S and the Bills have to play literally any other NFC division that all hold at least 2 very good teams if not more.  It could end up with the Chargers as a higher seed than the Bills and we all know that ain’t right.

Edited Monday at 12:50 AM by DCofNC

[eball]

Let’s just call this what it is…an attempt to “fix” something that happens once in a while but not all that frequently — a WC team with a better record playing at a division champ.

 

I don’t really have a problem with it, but I also don’t think it’s some huge issue that had to be addressed.

 

I would MUCH rather them go back to two byes or no byes (and add one more playoff team).

 

Edited Monday at 11:24 AM by eball

[JP51]

On 5/16/2025 at 2:20 PM, K D said:

If you are a division winner with a losing record then you shouldn't make the playoffs. Simple as that.

I am not totally on board with this... I think a division winner has to make the playoffs otherwise, why have divisions... just do a conference seeding...  however, there is no way an 8-9 team should host a playoff game against a 13-4 wild card team that lost a tie breaker in their own division... thats just my opinon...  Bottom line from a competition stand point I am good with the reducing the benefit of winning a division just not eliminating it... 

[The Red King]

Hate it.  It punishes division winners that win brutal divisions by potentially seeding them under a Wild Card from a division with two chump teams.

[Royale with Cheese]

I think the only way it should be edited is the division winner is sub .500 - you have to play on the road.

[Doc Brown]

18 minutes ago, The Red King said:

Hate it.  It punishes division winners that win brutal divisions by potentially seeding them under a Wild Card from a division with two chump teams.

That and sometimes divisions get the short end of the stick with the rotating schedule.  For example, a 10-7 NFC East team (plays the AFC North and NFC North teams) is a lot more impressive than an 11-6 NFC West team (plays the NFC South and AFC South teams).  Just only re-seed them if you have an 8-9 division winner or worse.

[T master]

On 5/16/2025 at 1:01 PM, Goin Breakdown said:

NFL-  do you all like football?

Us- yes we do!!!!

NFL- Cool. Were going to change everything about it then. 

 

Thank you !!

 

If it Ain't broke - DON'T FIX IT !!! Unless it has to do with the refs making calls in championship games ...

Edited 6 hours ago by T master

[JP51]

On 5/18/2025 at 5:25 PM, All_Pro_Bills said:

If they're going to eliminate winning the division guaranteeing a home playoff game then why not just eliminate divisions and play a balanced schedule with each team playing the other 15 conference teams one time with 2 out of conference games.

I am with you here... I dont like this from a rivalry standpoint... I like the divisions there...  but if you are literally going to eliminate any benefit from winning a division then... why have them... I am in favor of something like the NCAA BB tourney... you win your division you are in the tournement... but you are seeded based on your performance merits... in this case W/L.... so last year Minnesota doesnt go to LA and Washington doesnt go to Tampa... Minne is seed 2 or 3 (I dont know the tie breakers with them and the Eagles....  I also think if you do it this way you actually have less people resting starters in week 17 because if you have conference seeding then there are likely to be more meaningful games. 

[Dablitzkrieg]