NFL Playoff Qualifications Explained
The NFL has 2 conferences
- National Football Conference
- American Football Conference
Each conference has 4 divisions
- NFC/AFC East
- NFC/AFC North
- NFC/AFC South
- NFC/AFC West
Other NFL Tidbits
There are 32 teams, 16 teams in each conference and 4 teams in each division.
That is fairly simple to understand. Even this next part is easy to understand.
Who Qualifies for the NFL Playoffs?
Those teams with the best records in their division automatically advance to the playoffs. There are 2 additional teams that will make it to the playoffs depending on their final record.
The Frustrating Part
Let’s look at the NFC North Division: Right now the Green Bay Packers are 8 wins and 6 losses. The Bears are 10 wins and 6 losses. Let’s say that both of these teams finish with a record of 10 and 6. Remember that.
Now let’s look at NFC West Division: Saint Louis Rams are leading their division with a lousy record of 6 wins and 8 losses. Let’s say they finish the season and win their division with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses.
The Rams, even though they have a losing record, will gain access into the playoffs because they won their division.
Chicago Bears with their win last night clinched the NFC North. This means the Green Bay Packers will be eliminated even though their record is better than the Rams.
How Does The NFL Fix This Problem?
First the NFL needs to allow more than 12 teams into the playoffs. I think 16 teams should be able to make it to the playoffs.
The second thing they should do is let only those with the best record into the playoffs. Even if a team with a losing record wins their division they shouldn’t be allowed access to the playoffs.
I am really curious about your thoughts on how the NFL could fix this problem. Share in the comments.
http://formulatedrandomness.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/my-nfl-playoff-plan/
Thanks, I’ll take a look.
Some of the reddit responders are clueless. There is a reason for divisions in the NFL. It has to do with scheduling. Divisions determine 14 of the 16 opponents of a given team. The other two are determined on where a team finishes in the division. (First place teams will play the other first-place teams in the conference, second vs. second, third vs. third, and last vs. fourth.
Thanks for pointing that out. Maybe they will get a clue
PS: Here come the down votes…
I think the Vikings playing on a Sunday afternoon threw them off against the Lions.
It probably did.
I am glad that I can finally be done with the Vikings (actually I have been done with them since Favre couldn’t play).
I am paying attention to my life-long favorite team, the Packers.
A player I am excited to watch next year is Tim Tebow.
Who has been letting me down lately