Amon-Ra St.Brown calls for NFL playoff format changes as top seeds meet in showdown
This is NFL history: For the first time in a long time, a 14-win team could end up below 12 on that list of possible playoff spots and in what would be the epitome of embarrassing, stumble into a wild card spot. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, both boasting stellar 14-2 records, are set to clash Sunday night with high stakes: And then there’s the NFC North crown and the conference’s coveted top seed.
Both teams are in it for the utmost with huge stakes. It means the victor also gets a bye through to round one and homefield advantage for the rest of the playoffs. An exceptional season and no matter who’s rolling today, the loser will wind up the fifth seed and will be on the road as a wild card team. Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t thrilled of the idea, noting the current playoff structure needs to be tweaked.
In fact, St. Brown told reporters earlier this week, it was crazy. The rule should change, I think. For an obvious reason: obviously winning your division should mean automatic playoff spot, having a 14 win team go on the road in the wild card round? That’s kind of ridiculous. I don’t make the rules but hey.”
A Flawed System?
This means the division winners get priority, even if their record isn’t on par with those who make the ‘wild card’ team. The format has come under fire before. In fact, teams with losing records, like 7-9 division champions, have hosted playoff games, to the anger of better records teams.
The NFL has a rigid structure, compared to other leagues. The NBA seeds teams only based on conference standings, not division. The NBA combines conference and division standings before the first round byes are removed, whereas the NHL has removed first round byes entirely. Division winners are big in Major League Baseball, like the NFL, but the sport has added wild card rounds to help bring in more flexibility.
Focus on the Game Ahead
Regardless of where he plays, St. Brown is still confident his team can flourish. Either way, I don’t think we are going to be fine. We’ve got a road game or bye week and play at home, but we’re built for anything,” he said.
All season the Vikings have proved themselves to be a formidable opposition and the Lions will have their hands full as a result. The Green Bay Packers (11-5) sit at the sixth seed in the NFC North and have their own playoff statement to make.
And so the conversation about the NFL’s playoff structure will continue, regardless of whether the Lions or Vikings win at Detroit in Sunday’s game. Whether this year’s unprecedented scenario prompts change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Never has the time been more important.
It’s not just a game for seeding on Sunday; it’s a test of resilience, championship mettle with the entire league watching.