The NFL playoff picture is beginning to shape up as December comes to a close. Nine teams have clinched a playoff berth and there is a division in each conference still up for grabs. Those divisions – the NFC South and AFC South – are under the magnifying glass.
Neither of those divisions currently has a team above .500. In fact, all four teams in both conferences are under .500. The Buccaneers (7-8) lead the NFC South with the Jaguars and Titans both at 7-8 in the AFC South.
While those are going to be the worst playoff teams in their respective conferences, they are going to host a playoff game for winning the division. On the other hand, a team with at least 11 wins – and possibly as many as 13 – in the NFC East is going to have to go on the road for that matchup.
Danny Parkins and Andrew Fillipponi of the Audacy Original Podcast “1st & Pod” debated the NFL’s playoff format and if reseeding should be instituted in the postseason.
“I love this question. How do you feel about an under .500 winner hosting a playoff game?” Parkins asked (4:38 in player above).
“I love it, just because of the gnashing of teeth that goes on from people when it occurs. As long as we have this imbalanced schedule, we might as well have the team that wins that division make the playoffs,” Fillipponi said. “I like it even more that they get rewarded with the home playoff game in the first round.”
Perhaps the NFL should consider reformatting the postseason as college football is doing with conference championship games, but Fillipponi is fine with the way it is.
“If you want to just make it the NFC and the AFC and not have divisions, great, where you don’t play teams twice a year,” he said. “But as long as you have it this way I think the division winner should host a playoff game.”
Parkins is on the other side of the fence.
“Yeah, I disagree,” Parkins replied. “My thing has always been reseeding in all sports for the playoffs would make the sport better. Every sport. You should have divisions because unlike college football, it’s a little tougher to have actual rivalries in pro sports. You should have rivalries. You should have divisions. But the reward for winning your division should be you get into the tournament. It should not be you get a home playoff game.”
Debates are going to rage on about the playoff format no matter how it’s situated, but one thing will always remain the same: win and advance.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram