The NFL season is coming to an end with the playoffs right around the corner.
There are still some things that need to be figured out in week 18.
One thing is for certain. Either the Detroit Lions (13-2) or Minnesota Vikings (14-2) will be the fifth seed in the NFC.
This article was published before the results of the Monday Night game between the Lions and 49ers.
Whether the Lions win or lose in week 17, this does not change the fact the game between the Lions and Vikings will be for first in the NFC with the loser of the game falling to fifth in the NFC.
This should make the NFL rethink seedings in the playoffs.
NFL Should Consider Changing Playoff Seedings
In the AFC, the Houston Texans clinched the AFC South and have a 9-7 record. However, the Steelers (10-6) are fifth, the Chargers (10-6) are sixth, and the Dever Broncos (9-7) are seventh.
While each division winner deserves to be in the playoffs, it is not fair they get a home playoff game if they do not have a better record than a team that is fifth to seventh in the conference.
This especially goes for the NFC. Either the Detroit Lions (13-2) or Minnesota Vikings (14-2) will be the fifth seed in the NFC. The winner of their contest is the first seed in the NFC.
There is no way the Lions or Vikings should be on the road in the wild card while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) and LA Rams (10-6) get a home playoff game in the wild-card round.
Each of the four division winners should make the playoffs. However, tiebreakers should remain if a division winner and a team that is not a division winner have the same record. Division winners should not have a higher seed just because they won the division.
However, once the division winners are set and all seven teams are locked into the playoffs in each conference, the standings should be the best record to worst.
Instead of the Lions or Vikings being the fifth seed and on the road in the wild-card round, reseeding in the playoffs would give them a deserved home playoff game.
Entering week 18, this is what the standings in the playoffs would be if this was changed.
AFC
The record and standings below are before the Monday Night Football contest in week 17 and before week 18.
- 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
- 2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
- 3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
- 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
- 5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
- 6. Houston Texans (9-7)
- 7. Denver Broncos (9-7)
With the change, the Steelers would move up to the fourth seed and get a wild card home playoff game while the Texans would fall from fourth to sixth. Houston would then be on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
This would give the Steelers a lot to play for if/when the Ravens defeat the Browns in week 18. Pittsburgh would care much more if it was possible to play at home if they were to win in week 18, despite not being able to win the division.
NFC
The record and standings below are before the Monday Night Football contest in week 17 and before week 18.
- 1. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
- 2. Detroit Lions (13-2)
- 3. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
- 4. Washington Commanders (11-5)
- 5. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
- 6. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
- 7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
With playoff reseeding changes, this would impact the NFC significantly.
Both the Rams and Bucs would no longer have a home playoff game during the wild-card round.
Detroit is guaranteed to have at least 13 wins on the year and there is no way they should be on the road for the wild-card round. The same goes for the Vikings, who have 14 wins on the year. The loser of next week’s contest falls to fifth in the NFC and will be on the road for the wild-card round.
With the change, the Commanders would go from sixth to fourth, giving them at least one home playoff game. Washington would want to win more in week 18 if having a home playoff game would be possible.
With the change, this would give teams more to play for in week 18.
