Lions Wild Rule Proposal Would Completely Change NFL Playoffs

It's hard to think of a more exciting time in sports than the NFL playoffs where the best football teams in each division duke it out for a chance at Super Bowl glory.

However, there has been some criticism of the format over the years, particularly when it comes to where each team is seeded.

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Currently, the best team in each division has a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. The final three seeds go to the remaining teams with the best record.

This has often resulted in a team with a middling record getting a better playoff berth than the ones that have won more. And one team wants to make a change.

According to a report from Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Detroit Lions have proposed a rule change that will shake up the NFL playoff format.

In Detroit's proposal, the same seven teams will make it into the playoffs. However, the teams will then be ranked based on their individual records.

If this rule was applied last season, the NFL playoffs could have looked very different. While all 14 teams would have remained the same, their placement would have changed significantly.

Instead of being ranked fourth in the AFC, the Houston Texans (10-7) would have swapped places with the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6).

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Meanwhile, the NFC would have had even more changes. Originally, the NFC playoff picture looked like this:

1. Detroit Lions (15-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
4. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
6. Washington Commanders (12-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-6)

With the Lions' proposed change, the Buccaneers and Rams would have moved to sixth and seventh place respectively while every other team would move up two spots.

While there is logic in rewarding the teams that won more games, there is still pushback among the NFL fanbase over this rule change.

Essentially, fans are claiming that this proposal would make winning the division pointless since division champions normally receive home-field advantage in the playoffs. Additionally, fans have argued that this would diminish division rivalries and make the NFL too similar to the NBA.

That being said, it's hard to argue that a team that went 14-3 should be punished because another team in their division went 15-2.

There will definitely be some time before the NFL decides on this proposal, especially since it will have a drastic effect on the playoffs.

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