The Los Angeles Rams benefited from the NFL’s current playoff format when it hosted the Vikings in January. L.A. won four fewer games than Minnesota, yet hosted its wild card matchup by winning the NFC West. The current playoff seeding is deeply flawed, and changes to the format must be revisited in 2026.
Earlier this offseason, Detroit proposed that teams with the best regular season records would receive higher seeds in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Lions withdrew the proposal on Wednesday before league owners could discuss it. There was not enough traction around the NFL to garner the 24 votes it would need to pass.