Lions Propose Playoff Seeding Change That Would Have Helped Vikings in 2024
With the NFL’s annual league meetings approaching, teams have submitted rule change proposals, and the Detroit Lions have introduced one that could shake up the playoff seeding format.
Detroit’s proposal suggests wild card teams should be seeded higher than division winners if they have a better regular season record. Under the current system, division winners automatically earn a top-four seed, even if a wild card team has more wins.
This rule would have directly impacted the Minnesota Vikings last season. Despite finishing 14-3, they were forced to play as the No. 5 seed and travel to face the 10-7 Rams. Under the proposed system, the Vikings would have been No. 3 and hosted the Buccaneers instead.
While unlikely to pass, the proposal raises the debate over whether winning a weak division should guarantee home-field advantage. The NFL owners will vote on this and other rule changes—including a Packers proposal to ban the Tush Push—when they meet from March 30-April 2.
Lions Propose New Playoff Format—A Rule That Could’ve Helped the Vikings
