NFL playoff format faces scrutiny as proposals for change emerge
espn.com —
The NFL playoff format has been 14 teams for five seasons, aimed at increasing revenue. However, the performance of No. 7 seeds has been poor, with a 1-9 record in wild-card games, raising questions about the format's effectiveness. Proposals for change include reverting to a 12-team format, adding two teams for a 16-team playoff, or reseeding based on records. Other ideas involve removing home games for divisional champions with losing records or allowing teams to choose their wild-card opponents. While some changes could enhance competition, the league is unlikely to revert to fewer teams due to financial implications. The plausibility of each option varies, with some being more realistic than others.