During the NFL’s annual meetings, rule change proposals have become a key topic, with one of the most debated coming from the Detroit Lions. The Lions suggested altering the playoff seeding to allow wild card teams with better records than division winners to have higher seeding.
This would differ from the system in place since 2002, where division champions automatically host a home game regardless of their record. The rule has been criticized, particularly after the Lions hosted the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, a game that determined the NFC’s top seed, with both teams boasting a 14-2 record. The loser of this match dropped to the No. 5 seed, reducing their chance of securing a home playoff game.
Although the Lions were the ones to propose the change, the idea didn’t originate with them. According to a report by Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, the NFL encouraged the Lions to bring the proposal forward after the 2023 season.
Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had voiced his frustration with the playoff rules before the Vikings game, arguing that a 14-win team shouldn’t be forced to play away. His remarks caught the attention of NFL executive Troy Vincent, who contacted Lions president Rod Wood, urging him to propose the change during the league’s owner meetings. Wood agreed, and the proposal is now up for discussion at the upcoming Spring League Meetings.
The NFL is likely interested in this change due to the high-profile nature of the Lions-Vikings Week 18 game, which drew 28.5 million viewers. However, the outcome prevented a potential NFC Championship rematch.
If the Vikings had advanced, they would have faced the Buccaneers in the divisional round, but the Vikings’ loss to the Rams in the Wild Card round made this irrelevant. Still, the Lions benefited from the Vikings having to travel for a tough Wild Card game, making it a difficult path for a 14-win team.
As the NFC North continues to grow stronger, the Lions are aware that they could face this issue again. The challenge now is finding a way to adjust the format without undermining the importance of winning a division. One possibility is simply ranking teams by their overall record, with division winners guaranteed playoff spots.
Another option could involve giving wild card teams home-field advantage if a division winner finishes below .500. Regardless of the approach, this potential change could significantly alter the playoff structure when the league meets in May.
