Crazy Eights: The Logical Solution To The NFL’s Playoff Formatting

January 6, 2011   ·   Aaron Liebman   ·   Jump to comments

On Sunday night, the Seattle Seahawks clinched the NFC West division with a 7—9 record to become the first division winner in league history to finish with below .500.
Many NFL fans are shocked and appalled as to how this could have happened. Although I can understand being appalled, is it really that shocking? Something like this should have been anticipated when the league realigned before the 2002 season. With only three other teams to compete with in a division, it is not only easier to clinch if you are in a weak one, but also less of an accomplishment due to this?
Due to the rule that a division winner automatically hosts a playoff game, none of the home teams playing this week have more wins than their wildcard opponents. And it’s not just one game. Three of the four match—ups have road teams who have at least two more wins than the division winners.
And the other one, the Packers and Eagles, feature teams that share the same record but the team ...

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