The Detroit Lions aren’t backing down when it comes to fixing what they see as a flaw in the NFL playoff system.
For the second time, the Lions have submitted a proposal that would eliminate automatic home games for division winners. Instead, all seven playoff teams in each conference — four division champs and three wild cards — would be seeded strictly by record. The goal? Make late-season games more meaningful and avoid teams coasting into the postseason.
Interestingly, while the idea came from the Lions, it reportedly has the backing of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell himself. The league is hoping this change will keep fans engaged right through Week 18, especially as more games get prime-time billing in standalone TV windows.
Under the current setup, division winners are locked into a home game, even if their record is worse than a wild card team’s. That can lead to unfair matchups and teams resting starters late in the season with little on the line.
If passed, the new rule would make seeding based entirely on win-loss records, rewarding stronger teams with home-field advantage — no matter what division they play in. It’s not just about fairness, though. It’s about maximizing excitement for the final weeks of the regular season.
The Lions’ latest proposal includes clearer language, and the hope is that with a little more behind-the-scenes support, it might actually reach the required 24 votes to pass.
Stay tuned — this could be a major shift in how the NFL postseason is structured.
Detroit’s Playoff Proposal Aims to Make Late-Season Games Matter More
