Thoughts on a new playoff rule...

[Jangler]

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

me either, but let say an 11-5 team doesn't make the playoffs (like NE a couple of years ago) this season cuz of that division, something might change.

[Boltergeist]

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

Oakland might top that this year, they could sweep the West and not make it if they lose to Indy on Sunday or either SD/KC gets to 10 wins.

[SorthNarolina]

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

it doesn't happen much but when it does happen it's a joke.

Usually the system works but there are loopholes that I think should be corrected.

The best teams should make it into the playoffs, the current system isn't perfect but I'm good with a 8-8 team making the playoffs over an 11-5 one. The 11-5 team could possibly be the better team but the 8-8 team played well enough to give them the benefit of a doubt.

But a 7-9 team making the playoffs over anybody else with a winning record? Nope. That ain't right. You are not a good football team at 7-9.

If you can't win more games than you lose then you don't deserve the chance to compete for a title. A team that was duking it out with other better teams that can get 8-8 or better does.

It's not very hard to win your division at 8-8 or better which is why winning a division at 7-9 doesn't happen much. So when it does happen it should be corrected.

[The_Cannon]

I think it's much easier in Hockey or Basketball where they have soooo many more games to prove yourself and your teams quality against much more and varied competition. NFL you got 16 games six of which are against the same team. The Bobcats may face a mediocre Hawks team in November and play the Hawks again in March and they look all world. In the NFL teams don't change that much and your divisional record is a pretty decent evaluator.

[MHS831]

win your division and you should get into the playoffs because it is a title and creates local rivalries. However byes, home field advantage, and seedings should not be related. In other words, the Rams or 49ers should have a road game if their record is worse than a wildcard team.

[Chaos]

Rack em and stack em. Top 8 teams in each conference get in (half the field, like the NBA, but no series' of course).

Rank them in order by record, break ties however. I think with the top 8, every division winner should make it, but to hell with an automatic top 4 seed because you win a division at 8-8.

[cptx]

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

06, i think

[The_Cannon]

Let the Panthers go 8-8 and the rest of the NFCS suck...this board will be praising the current system lol

[bleys]

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

this.. and as others have said, win the division.. no need to change poo. I know the NFL has been in a frenzy to change what great game already exists.. but it needs to slow it's roll as it is..

[Guild]

I agree that if you can't make 8-8 then you shouldn't make the playoffs despite winning a division.

[Happy Panther]

I think it's much easier in Hockey or Basketball where they have soooo many more games to prove yourself and your teams quality against much more and varied competition. NFL you got 16 games six of which are against the same team. The Bobcats may face a mediocre Hawks team in November and play the Hawks again in March and they look all world. In the NFL teams don't change that much and your divisional record is a pretty decent evaluator.

What he said.

If the NFL played 80 or 160 games then there would be no doubt who should go to the playoffs. With 16 games there is way to much variance which is why the divisions are there in the first place.

[theyhateme45]

it doesn't happen much but when it does happen it's a joke.

Usually the system works but there are loopholes that I think should be corrected.

The best teams should make it into the playoffs, the current system isn't perfect but I'm good with a 8-8 team making the playoffs over an 11-5 one. The 11-5 team could possibly be the better team but the 8-8 team played well enough to give them the benefit of a doubt.

But a 7-9 team making the playoffs over anybody else with a winning record? Nope. That ain't right. You are not a good football team at 7-9.

If you can't win more games than you lose then you don't deserve the chance to compete for a title. A team that was duking it out with other better teams that can get 8-8 or better does.

It's not very hard to win your division at 8-8 or better which is why winning a division at 7-9 doesn't happen much. So when it does happen it should be corrected.

Currently the teams on the outside of the NFC playoff picture are 8-6 Packers and buccs, both of whom recently lost to the lions.

They are only a couple games better than the NFC-West anyway... I feel no sympathy for them. They've had plenty of opportunities to prove themselves. The Packers should have won their division, and the buccs have lost winnable games to keep them outside the playoffs.

It's not like were talking about the eagles, or falcons not making the playoffs... This is about a 6 or 7 seed and they are not worth changing the system IMO.

I love the divisional competition and rivalry you get by saying play each team twice, win your division you make the playoffs. Period.

[Hawk]

doesn't matter how many games you play...there's still races right down to the wire in all sports! still have "better teams" that don't make it!

[brandon_87]

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?

a 3rd wild card? your out of your fuging mind, really?

they already said they will vote on making it so a weaker division winner dosnt get a home game and will become the wild card...

a 3rd wild card? c'mon man!