Two Simple Ways to Fix The NFL Playoffs

Inevitably, when a decent team is going to get left out of the NFL playoffs, people start screaming about how the format needs to be changed. As I recall, back in 2004, everyone was crying the opposite when three 8-8 teams made it in the NFC (especially while my beloved Ravens got bounced at 9-7).

Many times, sports fans do not realize that they are completely reactionary and that glitches in any system often happens. We should all be thankful the Super Bowl is not decided by the BCS.

Nevertheless, the NFL playoffs could use a little bit of tweaking. The way I see it, there are two big problems with the system that occur year-in-and-year-out. And I am here to fix them...

1. Keep the same seeding system but change homefield rules so that whomever has the best record in the game gets homefield.

This would prevent the 2008 Cardinals and 2007 Buccaneers from locking up their divisions (and a 1st round home playoff game) and playing on cruise control the rest of the time. It would also reward white hot wild card playoff teams who play in tough divisions. 

Under this proposal, the 2008 NFC playoffs would have whomever wins the No. 5 seed (Atlanta or Carolina) at home vs. Arizona since that team have a better record. The Cards would still get the fourth seed but they would also be penalized for not winning enough games outside of their division.

This would hopefully inspire teams that are locked into a non-bye as division champions play harder in the final weeks of the season and not reward them for winning weak divisions. Same goes for the Chargers/Broncos, who would have to go visit the Colts in round one in Indy. Both of those west teams are a joke anyway and (in my opinion) don't deserve a home playoff game.

2. Add a third wild card team. I know that some years this might dilute the field, but other times (like this year), it would definitely help the competition of the game. Plus it would make getting the one seed even more important.

You thought the electricity of the Panthers-Giants and Titans-Steelers games was high...just imagine how crazier it would be if both the losers had to play in the first round no matter what. Imagine the Steelers frustration at having to host New England, Miami or Baltimore in the first round rather than getting a week to rest.

Plus, two more playoff games only adds to the fun that is the first week in January. And, as my man 50 Cent says, "Times is hard in the yard." Two more playoff games would bring in some much needed revenue. 

I think that implementing these two changes would help the NFL playoff system a lot. I have no major complaints with it, it's fun as it is. But in adding these two changes, I feel that it will be as close to perfect as possible.