7th Seed teams if this rule had been in place since 2008, according to Pro Football Reference
2018: 9-7 PIT (vs. #2 seed NE), 8-7-1 MIN
2017: 9-7 BAL, 9-7 DET
2016: 9-7 TEN, 9-7 TB
2015: 10-6 NYJ (vs. #2 seed NE), 8-8 ATL
2014: 9-7 HOU, 10-6 PHI
2013: 8-8 PIT (vs. #2 seed NE), 10-6 ARI
2012: 8-8 PIT (vs. #2 seed NE), 10-6 CHI
2011: 9-7 TEN, 8-8 CHI
2010: 9-7 SD, 10-6 NYG
2009: 9-7 HOU, 9-7 ATL
2008: 11-5 NE, 9-7 TB
In 11 years, 4 NE teams would have lost byes due to this rule.
In 2008, NE would have gained that last playoff spot.
Maybe they would have qualified in 2002 as well. (Pro Football Ref stopped listing expanded playoff standings that long ago back, so I'm not sure.)