The NFL made a major change to their playoff format heading into the 2020 season, adding two more teams—one in each conference—to the dance.
While the number of teams was been adjusted, the seeding structure still remains the same. Currently, the four division winners in each conference earn the top four seeds, with the three wild-card teams then being seeded No. 5, No. 6, and No. 7.
To start the 2024-25 playoffs, however, there are three teams with better records than their opponents playing on the road—a phenomenon that has sparked some conversation about the league potentially changing how they seed the playoffs.
According to CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones, the NFL plans to look at format this offseason.
"The NFL will take another look this offseason at potentially changing the playoff format," Jones said ahead of the Chargers taking on the Houston Texans on Saturday. "Maybe, top four teams in win percentage get a home game, instead of division winners."
"The NFL will take another look this offseason at potentially changing the playoff format." - @jjones9 👀 pic.twitter.com/wpbam29Y5m
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 11, 2025
Here's a look at the three teams playing on the road this weekend despite a better record:
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, No. 5 seeded wild card) at Houston Texans (10-7, No. 4 seeded division winner)
- Minnesota Vikings (14-3, No. 5 seeded wild card) at Los Angeles Rams (10-7, No. 4 seeded division winner)
- Washington Commanders (12-5, No. 6 seeded wild card) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7, No. 3 seeded division winner)
Jones added that "team owners haven't shown much of an appetite for changing, though," so we'll have to wait and see how this ultimately plays out.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as NFL to Potentially Examine Changing Playoff Seeding Structure for 2025 Season.
