Thoughts on a new playoff rule...

[SorthNarolina]

If you can't get to 8-8 then winning the division is no longer a guarantee for the playoffs. They should open up a 3rd wildcard spot to a more worthy team.

It doesn't make any sense. They are compartmentalizing the NFL too much and rewarding mediocrity.

You can still let them win the title, but not guarantee a playoff spot.

Going 8-8 or better in a tough division is way more impressive than winning the title in a crappy one.

Theoretically if you go 3-3 or better in your division then you have to win between 5 to 2 non divisional games to get to 8-8. That's not all that hard.

If you go 3-3 or worse in your division then it's unlikely you're a playoff caliber team anyway.

I think this would make the playoff race WAY more competitive because it gives an extra angle for years when a horrible division happens in the NFL.

Also I think it would even build almost some kind of weird camaraderie among divisional fans since you would at least want you division to be respectable so winning it wouldn't be considered a joke.

What say you?

[theyhateme45]

I don't like it.... We have two wildcard spots which is good.

You play 6 games against your division. If you win your division you go to the playoffs... period. That leads to good rivalries and importance to every divisional game. I like it how it is, you win your division you go to the playoffs and represent your team. It's pretty straight forward and easy. No need to add stipulations IMO.

Now if you want to argue not having home field advantage in the wildcard round I can get that argument.

[jasonluckydog]

I don't like it.... We have two wildcard spots which is good.

You play 6 games against your division. If you win your division you go to the playoffs... period. That leads to good rivalries and importance to every divisional game. I like it how it is, you win your division you go to the playoffs and represent your team. It's pretty straight forward and easy. No need to add stipulations IMO.

Now if you want to argue not having home field advantage in the wildcard round I can get that argument.

This....It's all about winning your division no matter the record. If you win your division with a record of 1-15 and you win you're in.

[The_Cannon]

Yea I don't think that just because the NFC West is horrible this year they should change all the rules. I see your point though. It reminds me of a few years ago when the Patriots had a really good record and didn't make the play off because of the divisional thing.

Its just one of those things in sports. Divisions and Conferences and competing against one another are a necessary evil.

[Hawk]

don't think it happens enough to warrant a rule change myself.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

It would be easier to just make it like Hockey and Basketball. Have your divisions and conferences (for no good reason), than the teams with the top 6 records from each conference make the playoffs.

[The_Cannon]

It would be easier to just make it like Hockey and Basketball. Have your divisions and conferences (for no good reason), than the teams with the top 6 records from each conference make the playoffs.

I feel like there would be too many ties that way. Easy to get around but I think the general football fan would rather have a clear cut automatic top divisional winners then the best for the wild card.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I feel like there would be too many ties that way. Easy to get around but I think the general football fan would rather have a clear cut automatic top divisional winners then the best for the wild card.

Oh I agree, I am just saying that would be the easiest scenario to make sure the best teams get in unless they restructured the divisions and conferences which will never happen.

[cptx]

I remember carolina going 5-1 in the south and not making the playoffs

[Hawk]

even in hockey you get a playoff spot if you win your division, regardless of your record...the division winners are seeded 1, 2, 3

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Yeah thats right ^ they just have more teams in their playoffs which evens it out.

[The_Cannon]

Oh I agree, I am just saying that would be the easiest scenario to make sure the best teams get in unless they restructured the divisions and conferences which will never happen.

Restructuring the division would make a hell of a lot of sense. If you're going to use the geographical titles make the divisions match the location. But then you've got Divisions like the NFC East that has such strong ties together there would be an uprising if they tried to restructure them. NFC South is actually the one division that make the most sense competitively and geographically.

[Jangler]

every so often I think they should allow a 2-14 team in...just to see what would happen.

[pstall]

I remember carolina going 5-1 in the south and not making the playoffs

i do too. i thought that was pretty harsh. what year was that?