NFL considering major changes to playoff schedule after Minnesota Vikings are forced onto road despite 14-win season
According to reports, the NFL is thinking about altering the playoff structure starting in the upcoming season.
It follows the forced road trip of three teams with more victories than their 2024 wild card round opponents.
On Saturday’s pregame program, Jonathan Jones of CBS asserted that the league is thinking about assigning home games to the clubs with the most victories.
The top seed receives a first-round bye, while the four division winners are assured a home playoff match under the present system.
As a result, three wild card clubs that have more wins than the division winners are currently traveling.
The 14-3 Minnesota Vikings are one of them; they visit the 10-7 Los Angeles Rams.
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Because of the wildfires in Los Angeles, that game has been rescheduled to Glendale, Arizona.
The Houston Texans, who finished 10-7, also defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, who finished 11-6.
A road trip to the 10-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers was also taken by the 12-5 Washington Commanders.
Jones of CBS stated that home games might be awarded to the teams with the highest win %.
The NBA uses a similar system, with teams in their conference being ranked from 1 to 15 for postseason reasons.
During a call with a small group of UK journalists, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was questioned about the possibility of altering the playoff structure.
If Minnesota defeated the Detroit Lions in Week 18, they would have been the No. 1 seed and the NFC North champions.
However, they ultimately fell to a wild card berth and the No. 5 seed.
That was in spite of having the third-best record in the league, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, who are 15-2.
When O’Connell noted, “We all know the rules when we report to training camp,”
“Our division was not won. We had the opportunity, but we failed to complete that.
NFL division round schedule
The Houston Texans will play the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, January 18, at 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC).
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions, Saturday, January 18, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
Sunday, January 19, 3 PM ET (NBC)—To be determined at the Philadelphia Eagles
Sun., Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS): Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens
“I brought the players in a couple hours after Detroit, and we landed at about 4.30 or 4.45 am local time.
“We follow a 24-hour rule in which we analyze and accept the truth of what transpired.
“We really put everything to bed on Monday, and I had a team meeting to wrap out the day.
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“From training camp until now, we’ve discussed being 1-0 every week, so there is nothing we haven’t already done or created that I’m expecting of our boys to maintain throughout the season.
“We’re in the tournament with an opportunity for 60 minutes to continue our season.”