NFL Playoff Format.

[PhilSimms11]

I've often said that division winners should get a playoff spot. However, if the NFL instituted a rule that you must be above .500 to make the playoffs I wouldn't argue. I'm also in favor of seeding the teams by W-L record. Last year, the NFC would've been this...

(1)SEA (12-4)
(2)GB (12-4)

(6)PHI (10-6)* @ (3)DAL (12-4)
(5)DET (11-5) @ (4)ARZ (11-5)
(*)replaced CAR (7-8-1)

 

[SonnyCID]

So, just do away with divisions and have conference round robins? That would also mean no interconference play unless you expanded the schedule.

 

[Beaker]

I still think that you should just play every team in your conference once plus the team that finished in the same spot as you in the other conference last year. Now seed based off record and tiebreak with head to head.

Ezpz

 

[tducey]

The NFL playoff format is the best thing in sports playoffs, no need to change it.

 

[SonnyCID]

Do you really think that this would be a flawless system? What happens when you have four 9-7 teams competing for that last spot? At least the divisions make tie breaking easy. Which is why they are used in every sport.

 

[Beaker]

Do you really think that this would be a flawless system? What happens when you have four 9-7 teams competing for that last spot? At least the divisions make tie breaking easy. Which is why they are used in every sport.

Divisions are a relic left over from a time when traveling across the country took days. Geography is no longer a big factor therefore divisions are no longer necessary.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Eliminate 2 divisions in each conference. Combine 2 divisions into one, give 4 divisions (2 in each conference) This keeps rivalries in tact, & all but assures to never have a sub .500 team in the playoffs.
the two division winners get a bye & the other 4 teams play on wild card weekend.

 

[PhilSimms11]

Eliminate 2 divisions in each conference. Combine 2 divisions into one, give 4 divisions (2 in each conference) This keeps rivalries in tact, & all but assures to never have a sub .500 team in the playoffs.
the two division winners get a bye & the other 4 teams play on wild card weekend.

I proposed 4 divisions of 8 way back and it got shot down. My plan was to play every team in your division twice for a total of 14 games with 2 games out of division. Take your 2 division winners and 4 (perhaps 5 if they decide to do that) best records for the playoffs.

North--BAL, CIN, CLE, PIT, CHI, DET, GB, MIN
South--HOU, IND, JAX, TEN, ATL, CAR, NO, TB
East--BUF, MIA, NE, NYJ, DAL, NYG, PHI, WAS
West--DEN, KC, OAK, SD, ARZ, SEA, SF, STL

 

[Manster7588]

Why do people continue to cry about the playoff format? It is fine as is, leave it alone.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Seriously, just leave it the fuck alone guys. Good lord.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

Until you play every single team in the league, this is the BEST system.

There are unbalanced schedules inherent in a 16 game system.

The current format protects against teams that have easier or softer schedules.

 

[gohusk]

Screw that. More often than not there's at least one dumpster fire of a division in the NFL and people say the same thing. If you're going to do something like that then just get rid of divisions entirely.

 

[PhilSimms11]

Why do people continue to cry about the playoff format? It is fine as is, leave it alone.

Fine my ass. When a 7-8-1 team is hosting an 11-5 we gots problems. If you want to grant all division winners a playoff spot that's fine, but don't guarantee home games. That's just stupid. 2014 would've looked like this...

(1)SEA (12-4)
(2)GB (12-4)

(6)CAR (7-8-1) @ (3)DAL (12-4)
(5)DET (11-5) @ (4)ARZ (11-5)

Nice.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Until you play every single team in the league, this is the BEST system.

There are unbalanced schedules inherent in a 16 game system.

The current format protects against teams that have easier or softer schedules.

Not if you play in the NFC East or AFC South. They have ridiculously easy schedules and one team from each of those divisions will not only make the playoffs, but get to host a home game against a superior team that played a more difficult schedule.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

North--BAL, CIN, CLE, PIT, CHI, DET, GB, MIN
South--HOU, IND, JAX, TEN, ATL, CAR, NO, TB
East--BUF, MIA, NE, NYJ, DAL, NYG, PHI, WAS
West--DEN, KC, OAK, SD, ARZ, SEA, SF, STL

I like the idea, but I bet teams like the Jets and Giants would balk at playing each other twice every year.

I don't think the AFC-NFC split is as dramatic as the NL-AL in baseball, so I would have no problem with a radical.realignment like this. Others might disagree.

 

[packerzrule]

as flawed as the playoff system is the bottom line is this

win your division - PERIOD

 

[DutchBird]

Not if you play in the NFC East or AFC South. They have ridiculously easy schedules and one team from each of those divisions will not only make the playoffs, but get to host a home game against a superior team that played a more difficult schedule.

Funny - so far the NFC South and AFC South play a softer schedules than the NFC East, going by current SOS.

NFL Strength of Schedule Rankings & Ratings

I also do not remember the same complaints about the likes of Indianapolis, New England or any of the NFC West teams when their divisions were absolutely atrocious, with one good team (which would sweep the division, and therefore already have a massive advantage in the race to homefield) for a long while; neither for Green Bay or Philadelphia for shorter periods when their divisions stunk.

FTR, Arizona's SOS ranks 20th so far, that of Philadelphia (now seen by most as favourite to win the NFC East) 23rd.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Funny - so far the NFC South and AFC South play a softer schedules than the NFC East, going by current SOS.

NFL Strength of Schedule Rankings & Ratings

I also do not remember the same complaints about the likes of Indianapolis, New England or any of the NFC West teams when their divisions were absolutely atrocious, with one good team (which would sweep the division, and therefore already have a massive advantage in the race to homefield) for a long while; neither for Green Bay or Philadelphia for shorter periods when their divisions stunk.

FTR, Arizona's SOS ranks 20th so far, that of Philadelphia (now seen by most as favourite to win the NFC East) 23rd.

Well, I mentioned the AFC South and the NFC south has only one team (undefeated) that will make the playoffs so I'm not sure what your point is there.

Then you mention AZ who is 11-2 and Philly that is below .500 while also pointing out that Philly has a softer schedule?

You basically are validating my argument.

Not sure if that was your point, but thanks.. I guess.