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Controversial Lions-Backed Rule Proposal Was Reportedly Someone Else’s Brainchild
Lions’ playoff seeding idea wasn’t theirs—but it might reshape the NFL anyway
A Proposal Stirring the League
As the NFL offseason marches on, rule proposals have taken the spotlight at the annual league meetings. Among the most debated suggestions? A proposed change to playoff seeding—one linked directly to the Detroit Lions.
At first glance, it looked like the Lions were challenging the playoff status quo. Their idea: allow Wild Card teams with better records than division winners to host postseason games. It sparked immediate conversation. But here’s the twist—this proposal wasn’t even Detroit’s idea to begin with.
Behind the Suggestion
The origins of the proposal trace back to NFL leadership itself.
According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, the league encouraged the Lions to present the idea after the 2024 season. It was a strategic move, sparked not by Detroit’s front office, but by a comment from one of their star players—wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
“It’s crazy. I think the rule should be changed,” St. Brown said before a crucial Week 18 matchup against the Vikings. “Obviously if you win the division, you should obviously make a playoff spot, but having a 14-win team having to go on the road is kind of crazy. But I guess I don’t make the rules.”
Ironically, that statement may have set the wheels in motion to rewrite them.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent heard St. Brown’s remarks. Shortly after, he contacted Lions team president Rod Wood and urged the team to formally propose the rule during the league’s owners meetings.
Why the Timing Mattered
The issue came to a head in Week 18.
Both Detroit and Minnesota entered their final regular season game with 14-2 records—an NFC heavyweight clash with top seed implications. The winner would secure home-field advantage; the loser would tumble to the No. 5 seed, with little hope of another home game.
The Lions won. But what if they hadn’t?
A 14-win team like the Vikings (or the Lions, had they lost) would have been forced to play every playoff game on the road—a gauntlet far harsher than their record should warrant. This scenario exposed the flaws in the NFL’s current playoff format, which has been in place since 2002 and guarantees home games to division winners regardless of overall records.
Ratings and Repercussions
The Week 18 game was a ratings juggernaut.
Averaging 28.5 million viewers on NBC, it ranked as the third-most watched regular season game since the network rejoined NFL broadcasting in 2006. But while the NFL enjoyed the audience, it lost something else—a potential NFC Championship rematch between two 14-win teams.
Instead, the Vikings had to face the Rams in the Wild Card round and were bounced early. Had the seeding rules been different, Detroit and Minnesota might have collided again with everything on the line.
Who Stands to Benefit?
While Detroit’s name is attached to the proposal, it’s clear the idea was a leaguewide concern. The playoff picture could’ve looked dramatically different had the Vikings secured a higher seed—and the Lions understand they might not always be on the winning side of this scenario.
With the NFC North on the rise, this may not be the last time a 13- or 14-win team finds itself punished by seeding rules. A more flexible system could prevent future playoff imbalances.
Where Does It Go From Here?
Several solutions are on the table.
One idea is to keep division winners locked into the playoffs—but seed all teams based on their win-loss record. Another suggests that a Wild Card team could host a playoff game if its opponent finished the season at or below .500.
Both options aim to preserve the value of divisional titles while rewarding teams that performed better across the full season.
The NFL will revisit the issue at the Spring League Meetings in Eagan, Minnesota next month. Whether or not the rule passes, the message is clear: fairness is back on the agenda.
And thanks to a well-timed player comment, the Lions are at the heart of a conversation that might change the postseason as we know it.