So why did KC get the nod over Denver?

[godef]

OK, I know, KC had a better division record than Denver. But aren't the Wildcard positions supposed to be a CONFERENCE wide competition, IE the best remaining teams in the CONFERENCE?

The first four seedings go to the four division champions, so in this case it's entirely appropriate that division records among teams tied for a divison lead are considered (after head-to-head), but in my opinion, division records should NOT be considered when deciding Wildcard seedings. Denver was 8-4 in the AFC, KC was 5-7, making DENVER the decided "better AFC team".

Of course, this means Denver was a worse team against the NFC, and ultimately, there is a large degree of arbitrariness (is that a word?) to these rules, but I think this would make them more consistent.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

OK, I know, KC had a better division record than Denver. But aren't the Wildcard positions supposed to be a CONFERENCE wide competition, IE the best remaining teams in the CONFERENCE?

It is a conference-wide competition, but not in that sense. Initially, only the second-place teams from each division are considered. So, in order to do that, they need to break any ties for second place. [After the first wild card is chosen, the third-place team is added to the mix, so to speak; that's how three teams came out of the NFC East this year.]

The first four seedings go to the four division champions, so in this case it's entirely appropriate that division records among teams tied for a divison lead are considered (after head-to-head), but in my opinion, division records should NOT be considered when deciding Wildcard seedings. Denver was 8-4 in the AFC, KC was 5-7, making DENVER the decided "better AFC team".

Your argument is an interesting one. I don't have any particular feelings one way or the other (although I agree with PFT that the playoffs should be expanded, with the requirement that a team finish at least 8-8 to get a wild card).

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Scroll down to TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM

TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION
If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.

Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.

Three or More Clubs
(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format).
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM
If it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.
1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.
2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?page=tiebreakers

 

[godef]

Scroll down to TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM

TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION
If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.

Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
...

I did acknowledge this rule, I'm just saying I don't agree with it. The wildcard is a conference wide competition, and division records should not be considered. But that's just my opinion... might feel a bit more strongly about it if I were a Bronc fan.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

I did acknowledge this rule, I'm just saying I don't agree with it. The wildcard is a conference wide competition, and division records should not be considered. But that's just my opinion... might feel a bit more strongly about it if I were a Bronc fan.

Reading quickly, I thought your opening statement in your first post, repeated below, meant you were thinking it was the better conference record that followed head to head in the tiebreaker. I thought it was conference record also until I looked it up. In any case, Denver didn't look very good yesterday, although my "second best team" and the team that beat them, the 49ers, are on their way back to respectability or a lot more. They need better receivers, might be their next step, to go after one or two.

OK, I know, KC had a better division record than Denver. But aren't the Wildcard positions supposed to be a CONFERENCE wide competition, IE the best remaining teams in the CONFERENCE?

 

[bobgeorge]

Simply stated, KC had the tiebreaker over Denver based on better division record.

Bob G

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Simply stated, KC had the tiebreaker over Denver based on better division record.

Bob G

No. The Chiefs are coached by Edwards, the Broncos by Shanahan. "E" comes before "S," so the Chiefs are in. Happy New Year.

 

[godef]

Simply stated, KC had the tiebreaker over Denver based on better division record.

Bob G

I realize that. I was debating the merits of that tiebreaker rule.

 

[brdmaverick]

godef, kc held the tie breaker over DEN, plain and simple, and that is why KC is in the playoffs.


just kidding.

your argument is seeming to go unnoticed, but it is one that I whole-heartedly agree with.

I think it is a bad tie breaker rule.

When the DIVISION champs have already been decided, it is then necessary to then have two AFC WILD CARD teams.

It makes complete sense that Divisional records would be a major factor in a tie breaker in deciding a division championship, but it would also make sense for the AFC record to be the major deciding factor for the AFC wild card.

This is a bad rule.