Will the NFL ever change the rules for teams that make it to the playoffs?

[Lone Sailor]

I'm just wondering about others' opinion on the current system of having each conference being represented in the playoffs. I think a lot of fans are tired of seeing 7-9 and 8-8 teams in the AFC West and NFC West(obviously not the NFL West this year) hosting playoff games let alone being IN the playoffs while a good 10-6 or 11-5 team losses out. Anyone think they will ever try to adopt something like a teams record will determine if they get in the playoffs or not? It would sure make focusing on winning each game that much more important, and it would also help keep those teams that are resting players because they're in a weak division from being able to just coast the last 3-4 weeks while knowing they're already in the playoffs because of being in that weak conference.

[Geor!]

Then you'd have to dismantle all of the divisions no thanks.

[SouthernSVT]

I know what you're saying, but I like it how it is. Makes division rivalries so much better.

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[paul_376]

wich 11-5 team is out of the playoffs?

[Lone Sailor]

wich 11-5 team is out of the playoffs?

I didn't say there was going to be one this season.

[Lone Sailor]

Then you'd have to dismantle all of the divisions no thanks.

Why? The division rivalary would still be just as important as each team plays their divisional rivals twice each year.

[Nash B.]

Why? The division rivalary would still be just as important as each team plays their divisional rivals twice each year.

But winning the division wouldn't mean anything when you could win the division and not make the playoffs.

[Lone Sailor]

But winning the division wouldn't mean anything when you could win the division and not make the playoffs.

I didn't realize winning your perspective division was the ultimate goal in the NFL.

[Nash B.]

I didn't realize winning your perspective division was the ultimate goal in the NFL.

It isn't. Neither is winning the conference, but they're both goals.

[Lone Sailor]

It isn't. Neither is winning the conference, but they're both goals.

All I'm saying is a 7-9 team doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs anyway, whether they win their division or not. It's just wasting a spot for a better team in another conference that could make the playoffs more competitve.

[TonyMCev]

i understand both sides of the argument. however, it is very rare for a 7-9 team to make the playoffs. i like the setup the way it is. don't forget that the 10-6 Packers squeaked in as a #6 seed last year and, well...

[pHILSANITY07]

The playoff format is fine, I wouldnt change anything. Usually if you have a 9-7 record or better then your in the playoffs. If not then you look back on the season and you'll see why they missed it. For example if Dallas misses the playoffs then IMO I look at 3 games this year that cost them the playoffs. The Lions game, 1st Giants game, and the Jets game. You win 2 of those 3 games that you should've won then you have the division and instead of a 8-8 record you'd have a 10-6 record.

[Nash B.]

Dallas just needed/needs to win one of the two games against the Giants to get into the playoffs.

[Sgt Beavis]

There are no changes needed to the playoffs. There are Occasionally aberrations like last years Seahawks but even they managed to beat the Saints in the first round. Meanwhile, the other wildcard won the Superbowl.

I would rather see something change to develop more geographical rivalries. The Texans owner wants to expand to an 18 game season and use those extra two games to play the Saints and Cowboys each year. I love that idea but I don't think the league will ever go to 18 games.

Instead, I think the league should take two of the "strength of schedule games" and create those rivalries. I know a lot of Cowboy fans would love the chance to beat the Saints and Texans each year..

[dmh165638]

I'm just wondering about others' opinion on the current system of having each conference being represented in the playoffs. I think a lot of fans are tired of seeing 7-9 and 8-8 teams in the AFC West and NFC West(obviously not the NFL West this year) hosting playoff games let alone being IN the playoffs while a good 10-6 or 11-5 team losses out. Anyone think they will ever try to adopt something like a teams record will determine if they get in the playoffs or not? It would sure make focusing on winning each game that much more important, and it would also help keep those teams that are resting players because they're in a weak division from being able to just coast the last 3-4 weeks while knowing they're already in the playoffs because of being in that weak conference.

Lol, this will be only the 3rd time in the last 23 years the AFC West winner was 9-7 or less. Only twice since 1970 (strike shortened season and prior to 16 games schedule) has the division winner finished 8-8 or below. The NFC East champ will also be 9-7 but we won't mention that since that's the Cowboys division. The AFC West champ will be one and done as will the Cowboys if they advance. Last years Seattle Seahawks is a perfect example of why the system will never change. The only way to change it would be to do away with divisions completely and that will never happen.

Just looked it up and it looks like a .500 or below team has only made the playoffs 10 times since they started the 16 game schedule in 1978.