In fairness to the NFL they don’t play a balanced schedule so divisions are necessary. In the CFL it makes less sense to have two divisions considering each team plays (basically) the same schedule.
The NFL should definitely guarantee the playoff spot to the division winner but the home game is too much imo.
You are correct from a sporting and an operational perspective.
And as has been proposed to the owners several times over the years, the idea of playoff re-seeding has been shot down many times and in my opinion, it will continue to be shot down.
Some fans forget that 24 of 32 owners must vote in favour of any changes.
The financial incentive for the status quo is vast and worth massive sums to owners of the wealthiest teams, with the prospect of a CHANCE of at least one home playoff game every season via a divisional championship. In Philadelphia last season, the Eagles had a whopping THREE home playoff games!
So doing some quick math, I see NO CHANCE any owner in the NFC East, the wealthiest division, wants any chance at missing out on a home playoff game due to either mediocre play or competitive play within the division.
The NFC North as well as the AFC North teams also tend to be conservative in general in voting and also have vast sums to gain from the prospect of a home playoff game as well.
That’s up to 12 teams easily opposed to any changes right there even before we get to any of the rest, such as for example the New York Jets or both teams in Los Angeles and Seattle, and San Francisco.
Though reseeding would be better for sporting purposes, it’s an annual whine to which the owners generally pay no mind.
Yes sir Grover. Seahawks D was solid last night.
I don’t understand the logic here.
You’re right the owners don’t want to risk losing a home game, but wouldn’t they also benefit from the extra home game if (for example) San Francisco or LA who will be the 5 and 6 seeds were given the 4th seed?
Also, this could be done without reseeding.
If SF is the 6 seed at 12-5 they would get the home game but remain the 6 seed.
What am I missing?
You are perhaps overlooking that the owners in each division want a guaranteed CHANCE that one of the four teams will have a HOME playoff game, much as explained above in the examples.
They are not giving up that certain chance within the division for what could happen outside of their divisions, for the payday in some divisions is so much greater for a home playoff game than in others, as cited.
Via any change, I disagree though with your example, for there would be re-seeding by record so as to determine the playoff seed order and home games. But it’s NOT going to happen.
Yeah it’s crap (although it’s the NFC South). With four team divisions, it happens sometimes. I’d rather have just two divisions. This would just about never happen if they did.
I’m stuck with two games that have no bearing whatsoever. Minn and Green Bay and NY/Dallas.
Grumble grumble
i have those ones plus colts vs texans at the moment
Up date on Falcons/Saints game
https://x.com/jaybusbee/status/2007882895906758883?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet
Update
Falcons up 7/0, 3min left in 1st qtr
…
https://x.com/MikeTriplett/status/2007886388575052030?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet
haha they were just showing some of the highlights on NFL gameday. wish i could watch that one.
chefs not making the playoffs and playing the raiders is fitting
I’ve got Minnesota vs Green Bay and so far Minnesota is leading 6 - 0.
Saints score
Trail Falcons 10 - 7
13-0 now.
NYG up on DAL
17 - 9
https://x.com/FieldYates/status/2007895681915294027?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet
67 yarder for 2nd longest fg in NFL history @BetweenTheGoalposts
last regular season game at Highmark stadium today. so much epic tailgating and snow removal.
Nice pass by Cowboys backup QB Milton into the hands of Giants LB.
3-13 Giants leading 27-17.
Edit. Make it 34-17.
Cowboys have folded up their chairs for the season.
DAL is getting killed by 3 and 13 NYG
They switched over to the Colts Texans game THANKFULLY.
It’s a two point game. 29 -27 for Houston in the 4th.