Should the NFL consider tournament seedings for the playoffs?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I get tired of seeing crappy teams make the playoffs just because they are in a weak division and just like College football should do the tournament,I think the NFL really needs to think twice and go for a seeded tournament for the AFC and NFC conference to determine that the actual BEST 6 teams of each conference enter the postseason.

This year alone proves that a seeded tournament would be the way to go - Chicago leads the NFC North with a mediocre 6-5 record and Denver leads the AFC West with a 6-5 record as well

There likely will be 1 or more teams that are 10-6 and sitting home for the playoffs while Chicago or Minnesota and Denver or San Diego getting in at an 8-8 or 9-7 mark - Does not make sense

Should the NFL consider a playoff seedings tournament by conference or should it remain as is ?

 

[brdmaverick]

I think the NFL should take a serious look at this BECAUSE OF THE FOUR DIVISION format.

When it was three divisions it was perfectly fine, with the best wild card team still getting to host a Wild Card game.

Oddly enough, the way that the system is set up now, we should EXPECT road victories in the opening round. Think about it, it is actually likely each year that the best non-division winner has a better record than the worst division winner (and those two would be setup to face each other in the Wild Card Round).

Thinking back I know the Pats had a worse record than the Jags when they squared off in the Wild Card round of 2005.

The NBA realized there was a need for change when teh two best teams in the league (Spurs and Mavs) faced each other in the second round of the playoffs. It's time for the NFL to do the same.

 

[Pats726]

Doesn't the home field advantage change this year? If a wild card team has a better record...don't they get a home game?? I could have swoen it was changed..or at least looked at... (per Jags...lol a year or so too late...)
I like the way it is now of the 6 teams..4 Dic winners and 2...NO MORE teams...and those in tough divisions bad records..well...they MAY NOT get a home field and may be gone fast..

 

[billdog3484]

i always thought it was stupid that a team that wins division and goes, say 8-8 or 7-9 would get in over a team that went 10-6 or even hypothetically 11-5or 12-4. its kind of absurd but i guess having the divisions creates rivalries and generates substantial amounts of money

 

[Pats726]

If one really wishes to have seedings..then get rid of divisions...just have two conferences of 16 teams...take the top 6...leave it at that..but PLEASE don't complain about weak divisions..if you don't like them..do away with them...period. If a team wins a division is the best they deserve to go. There will always be strong and weak ones..part of life..they are weak and will be gone..(I THINK the rule was changed so that wild cards COULD have home games...if it's so that is OK..) Leave the system alone.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I know it sucks but you can't change the format because one division isn't very good. It undermines the purpose of winning one's division. Unfortunately, the Pats could finish two games ahead of Denver but miss the playoffs because the Pats didn't win their division.

 

[xmarkd400x]

I don't know what the answer is, but I'd be steamed if the 10-6/11-5 Pats didn't get in over 8-8 Denver.

 

[makoute]

I don't know what the answer is, but I'd be steamed if the 10-6/11-5 Pats didn't get in over 8-8 Denver.

No 11-5 team will miss the playoff. 10-6 maybe, not 11-5 though.

 

[alamo]

(I THINK the rule was changed so that wild cards COULD have home games...if it's so that is OK..) Leave the system alone.

No, wild cards can't host home games against division winners, there's been no change.

Eliminating divisions would be a disaster for the NFL, people would tune out in droves. The current system balances the importance of divisions versus the chances of a wildcard getting to the SB. After the Steelers and Giants 2 of the last 3 years I don't see an outcry that the wildcards are being unfairly penalized.

 

[Disco Volante]

I think the NFL schedule, division alignment, and playoff seeding is absolutely fine as is.

 

[Sivy]

I think you should not fix what aint broken.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

Yeah, if you're going to fix something fix the reffing (and the commish while you're at it)

 

[Pats726]

No, wild cards can't host home games against division winners, there's been no change.
.

That was proposed...and I wasn't sure if it passed or not..

 

[bencoateshelmet]

If one really wishes to have seedings..then get rid of divisions...just have two conferences of 16 teams...take the top 6...leave it at that..but PLEASE don't complain about weak divisions..if you don't like them..do away with them...period. If a team wins a division is the best they deserve to go. There will always be strong and weak ones..part of life..they are weak and will be gone..(I THINK the rule was changed so that wild cards COULD have home games...if it's so that is OK..) Leave the system alone.

good point....you can't change the format unless you change the divisions, as having the 4 divisions per conference would be pointless.

The other way is to have 2 divisions of 8 with the top 3 in each getting to the play-offs. Not perfect but could work.

 

[bencoateshelmet]

If one really wishes to have seedings..then get rid of divisions...just have two conferences of 16 teams...take the top 6...leave it at that..but PLEASE don't complain about weak divisions..if you don't like them..do away with them...period. If a team wins a division is the best they deserve to go. There will always be strong and weak ones..part of life..they are weak and will be gone..(I THINK the rule was changed so that wild cards COULD have home games...if it's so that is OK..) Leave the system alone.

good point....you can't change the format unless you change the divisions, as having the 4 divisions per conference would be pointless.

The other way is to have 2 divisions of 8 with the top 3 in each getting to the play-offs. Not perfect but could work.

 

[italian pat patriot]

personally i like the NFL as it is today

probably the only thing is would like to change is 'cut' 1 pre-season game (4 are too much, imho)

 

[AzPatsFan]

I'd like the NFL to go back to the old days. No OT for regular season games and OT only in playoffs.

If a poor Team like the Lions manages to Tie a better Team in the regular time allotted, they should get a reward and not be condemned to play another period until the better team scores a point and then lose.

Having Ties in the record would also enliven the playoff races. :disagreement:

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Does anyone have a change of heart about this after seeing San Diego at 8-8 get in and NE at 11-5 sitting home?

 

[mgteich]

I agree. A strong division could be won by a 9-7 record. Divisions are important and develop rivalries. Winning the division should be important, the initial goal of any team on their quest for the SB.

Reduce the pre-seasons game by one if you wish.

The NFL system does what it is designed to do. Most of the teams in the playoffs weren't there last year. However, there still are the top franchises that do well over the years.

I think you should not fix what aint broken.

 

[Topher]

I'm copying and posting my regards from another thread, because I feel they may be more relevant here:

Like others, Goodell stresses the importance of winning the division as an explination for the leagues current playoff format.

What I dont understand is why can't the NFL be restructured in a way that both rewards division winners but also ensures the best teams get in.

The current problem isnt with rewarding division winners, but that divisions are only made up of 4 teams. As a result, huge rewards (eg at least 1 home playoff game) are given to teams that beat out only 3 others. Undoubtedly, this will result in mediocre teams repeatedly getting in with a home game.

Likewise, it is illogical to place that much emphasis on winning small divisions, when only 6 divisional games are played. This is what allows teams to have poor records, but get in.

As a result, we get the following illogical results:

1. The pats were likely either going to get the 3 seed or be out entirely.

2. With one more win, they may have had a first round bye.

3. Every year, teams with great regular seasons (maybe second best in the league) will likely have to play all games on the road to get to the super bowl.

4. 12-4 colts at 8-8 charges, while 12-4 Pitt is at home resting

There are a large number of ways to remedy or at least mask this situation that also stress (and perhaps more so stress) the importance of winning your division.

End of rant.