# How will the NFL playoffs work now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 17, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586 "2002-06-17T20:52:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/1 "2002-06-17T20:52:34Z")
How will the playoffs work now with the new realignment? I hear a rumor that there will only be one wildcard per conference. Sounds stupid to me. ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/2 "2002-06-17T21:10:43Z")
I think I heard that there will be two wild cards per conference. Basically, not much will change; six teams per conference will make the playoffs, as before. However, with four divisions (per conference) instead of three, there will 4 division winners and room for only two wild cards. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/3 "2002-06-18T00:35:04Z")
I despise the idea of wild cards. If you weren’t able do at the very least win your division, you shouldn’t be in the playoffs. Hell, I think there should be fewer divisions, not more. Only the best regular-season performers should be able to get a chance at the championship. ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/4 "2002-06-18T01:02:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by acsenray \* > \*\*I despise the idea of wild cards. If you weren’t able do at the very least win your division, you shouldn’t be in the playoffs. Hell, I think there should be fewer divisions, not more. Only the best regular-season performers should be able to get a chance at the championship. \*\* Okay smart guy what if say the Vikings and Bears both have identical 13-3 records at the end of the season and they are both **TIED** for 1st place in the Northern Division? Steel cage death match to decide who gets the division crown? I don’t think so. Please try and keep in mind that the NFL is a BUSINESS and they are in it to make money and the more games they have on TV, the more money the league makes. If you hate it so much, then don’t watch it. Simple as that. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/5 "2002-06-18T11:23:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Okay smart guy what if say the Vikings and Bears both have identical 13-3 records at the end of the season and they are both TIED for 1st place in the Northern Division? From [NFL.com](http://www.nfl.com/news/981202ties.html): > [@](#): > > 1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs). > 2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division. > 3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games. > 4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference. > 5. Strength of victory. > 6. Strength of schedule. > 7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed. > 8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed. > 9. Best net points in common games. > 10. Best net points in all games. > 11. Best net touchdowns in all games. > > … > > If any ties cannot be broken by strength of schedule, the divisional or conference tie breakers, whichever are applicable, are applied. Any ties that still exist are broken by a coin flip. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/6 "2002-06-18T11:31:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Okay smart guy what if say the Vikings and Bears both have identical 13-3 records at the end of the season and they are both TIED for 1st place in the Northern Division? If they’re truly tied, then there should be an extra playoff game. But second place is second place and shouldn’t get you into the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/7 "2002-06-18T18:40:53Z")
**acsenray** : What if 9-7 wins you a weak division but 12-4 is only good for second place in a strong division? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/8 "2002-06-18T19:48:56Z")
> [@](#): > > What if 9-7 wins you a weak division but 12-4 is only good for second place in a strong division? I’d say them’s the breaks. What makes games interesting is that they really count. Maybe you were the better team in some overall measure, but you didn’t get first place, so you’re out of there. If you’re going to keep giving second chances, then why bother with the regular season at all? Just have one long tournament. ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/9 "2002-06-18T21:50:32Z")
I think **WSLer** ’s point was that it’s may not be in the league’s best interest to have one of the best teams in the league locked out of the postseason by a “one team per division” playoff structure. When the NFL went from two wild cards per conference to three a few years ago, there was much moaning and groaning. People predicted that the only excitement in the playoff races would now be in determining which “bubble teams” would squeak in (only to serve as cannon fodder to the truly deserving teams). Opinions on this vary, but there are many who believe these folks’ predictions have not come to pass, and that playoff races are as exciting as ever. ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/10 "2002-06-18T23:29:16Z")
I say it makes them more exciting. If you just have the winners from the divisions going you are not gonna have as many people from different places watching at the end of the year. If you are in Seattle and the 'hawks are 8-5 but the Broncos are 11-2, the 'hawks fans are not gonna give a shit about the last 3 games. In the current format, the 'hawks fans are still excited about possibly making the playoffs. More asses in the seats, more asses on the couches, more dollars for the team, better players in the future(in theory). [sub]I know the Seahawks are not in the AFC west anymore.[/sub] Then you get all the money for the extra several playoff games, its a win all around for everyone. If you dont want the extra playoff games, dont watch them. dead0man ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/11 "2002-06-19T02:23:45Z")
I asked for the playoff format (fact), not an argument over who deserves to go if there is a tie (opinion). That’s why I put this in GQ, not IMHO. Go rant and rave somewhere else. How I understand it now is the two best division winners get a bye, the other two play the wildcards. The winners there play the bye teams. Those winners go to the conference championship. Am I right? If I am, then it’s a lot more symmetrical now, and better. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/12 "2002-06-19T02:31:19Z")
Let’s confine the discussion to how the playoffs _will_ work, not how they _should_ work. This is General Questions, after all. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/13 "2002-06-19T02:37:31Z")
Thank you bibliophage. That’s what I wanted for the thread. I hate it when people change the subject. Anyway, back to the playoffs… ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/14 "2002-06-19T07:42:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Great Zamboni \* > **How I understand it now is the two best division winners get a bye, the other two play the wildcards. The winners there play the bye teams. Those winners go to the conference championship. Am I right?** Yes, I believe that’s right. Strangely, I wasn’t able to find confirmation of this on the NFL website. However, I’m pretty sure I read it somewhere when the ramifications of the realignment were being hotly discussed. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/15 "2002-06-22T01:10:54Z")
For some reason [nfl.com](http://nfl.com) doesn’t have the playoff setup. I really don’t like that page. ---
**Author:** ![PlanMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@PlanMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlanMan)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/16 "2002-06-22T01:37:55Z")
[Diversion] > [@](#): > > The Cleveland Browns will be in the playoffs-eventually - **The Great Zamboni** Yeh, when bottle throwing is one of the NFL tie-breakers. It’s a shame we (Jaguars) and the Browns (what the hell IS a brown?) won’t be in the same division any more - good rivalry beginning with the (baby) bottle bowl. [/Diversion] and to the OP, and the solution posted, that seems to make sense, this way you could have a 12-4 second place team as a wildcard playing a 9-7 first place team. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-nfl-playoffs-work-now/114586/17 "2002-06-22T01:53:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Yeh, when bottle throwing is one of the NFL tie-breakers Hey, don’t trash me! I’m just as ashamed of the bottle bowl as you are! I would have liked a rivalry between Jax and Cle, but things move on. Have a good time with Ind, Tenn, and Hou. Maybe we’ll meet this year in the playoffs.