One of many largest video games in Week 18 can be taking place in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers internet hosting the Panthers in a recreation the place there can be quite a bit on the road.
If the Panthers win, they will clinch the NFC South, but when they lose, meaning we’ll see an NFL rarity: A staff with a shedding file will make the playoffs. A loss by Carolina would assure that the NFC South winner would go into the postseason with a shedding file at 8-9. Whether or not it is the Panthers or the Bucs, the winner of the division will get to host a playoff recreation on wild card weekend and that can possible spark a brand new debate about whether or not the NFL wants to alter its playoff format so {that a} staff with a shedding file cannot host a postseason recreation.
Over the previous 5 years, there have been two groups which have gained a division with a shedding file and in that span, there is definitely been some outcry that the NFL should not award a house playoff recreation to a staff with a shedding file or to a staff that has a a lot worse file than its opponent.
After the 14-win Vikings have been pressured to play a street playoff recreation final season, the Lions determined to suggest a brand new playoff format for 2025.
Underneath the Lions’ proposal, the seven groups in every convention would nonetheless consist of 4 division champions and three wild card groups. Nonetheless, the massive change is that the groups can be seeded by who has one of the best file. Underneath this proposal, a wild card staff might be seeded forward of a division winner if the wild card staff has a greater file. Which means a wild card staff might be seeded as excessive as No. 2. Underneath the present format, the 4 division winners get the highest 4 seeds adopted by the three wild card groups. Within the present format, no wild card staff could be seeded increased than fifth.
The Lions determined to withdraw their proposal simply earlier than it was set to be vote on again in Could, so no adjustments have been made to the NFL’s current playoff format for this 12 months.
If this new proposal would have been in place this 12 months, the NFL playoff race would have a a lot completely different look, particularly within the NFC.
This is what the NFC playoff seedings appear to be proper now:
1. Seahawks (13-3)
2. Bears (11-5)
3. Eagles (11-5)
4. Panthers (8-8)
5. 49ers (12-4)
6. Rams (11-5)
7. Packers (9-6-1)
If the Lions’ proposal had handed, this is what the NFC standings would have regarded like heading into Week 18:
1. Seahawks (13-3)
2. 49ers (12-4)
3. Bears (11-5)
4. Eagles (11-5)
5. Rams (11-5)
6. Packers (9-6-1)
7. Panthers (8-8)
On this scenario, the Seahawks would have already clinched a house recreation, however the NFC West would nonetheless be on the road after they play the 49ers on Saturday evening. Additionally, the Panthers and Buccaneers can be going into Week 18 figuring out that the winner of the NFC South can be getting the seventh seed and enjoying a street recreation within the opening spherical.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has been exhibiting help for a attainable change to the playoff format. When Goodell was requested about Detroit’s proposal again in April, he gave the impression to be obsessed with it.
“I assumed it’s a very wholesome proposal and a really wholesome level that we have to consider and proceed to have a look at,” Goodell stated. “It went by many various types. There was some nice information to point out that we must always actually have a look at some type or model of this.”
If the the NFL will get one other staff with a shedding file internet hosting a playoff recreation this 12 months, it actually would not be shocking if there is a new proposal to alter the playoff format on the subsequent proprietor’s assembly in March.
That being stated, the Panthers might make the playoffs with a profitable file (9-8) in the event that they beat the Bucs on Saturday, however even when that occurs, there might nonetheless be a name for change. In 2024, the NFL did not have a staff with a shedding file make the playoffs, however the Lions nonetheless made their proposal.
Final 12 months, the Lions’ proposal did not have sufficient help, however that would change if one other 8-9 staff hosts a playoff recreation.
If the Buccaneers or Panthers do make the postseason with a shedding file, it will mark simply the seventh time in NFL historical past {that a} sub-.500 staff has made the playoffs.
This is the total listing of groups which have gotten into the postseason with a shedding file:
1982 Browns (4-5)
1982 Lions (4-5)
2010 Seahawks (7-9)
2014 Panthers (7-8-1)
2020 Commanders (7-9)
2022 Buccaneers (8-9)
Notice: The Browns and Lions each made it throughout a strike-shortened season the place the NFL expanded the playoff discipline to 16 groups. The opposite 4 groups on the listing all gained their division.
As you possibly can see, each the Panthers and Buccaneers have already made the playoffs as soon as with a shedding file, which suggests if certainly one of them makes it to the playoffs this 12 months at 8-9, they’d turn out to be the primary staff in NFL historical past to do it twice.
For the Panthers to make the playoffs with a shedding file, they’d need to lose to the Bucs on Saturday after which the Falcons must beat the Saints on Sunday. For the Bucs to get in at 8-9, they’d need to beat the Panthers after which have the Falcons lose to New Orleans.
