# NFL Playoff tiebreaking

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-tiebreaking/843373>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [November 13, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-tiebreaking/843373 "2019-11-13T17:57:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-tiebreaking/843373/1 "2019-11-13T17:57:39Z")

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What is the deepest any tiebreaking procedure has had to go in the NFL?

> **[NFL.com | Official Site of the National Football League](https://www.nfl.com/standings/tie-breaking-procedures)**
>
> The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more.

There are a minimum of 11 steps possible, but most have 12 and the final arbiter in all cases is a coin toss, which obviously will never happen.

Just curious if any tiebreaking procedure ever got past step 3, let alone 4 and beyond.

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**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-tiebreaking/843373/2 "2019-11-13T18:24:09Z")

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In 2008 the Patriots were knocked out of the playoffs in a three way tie with the Dolphins and Ravens because they had the better conference record. I don’t think it’s ever gotten to strength of schedule.

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**Author:** ![Kimble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimble/32/19185_2.png) [@Kimble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimble)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-tiebreaking/843373/3 "2019-11-13T18:27:31Z")

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Tiebreaks that determine who made the playoffs are asterisked.

In wild card and/or seeding purposes, Step 4, “strength of victory,” happens every few years:

2018: Denver, Cincinnati, and Buffalo tied for 11th in the AFC  
2017: Buffalo and Baltimore tied for 6th in the AFC\*  
2010: Green Bay and Dallas tied for 6th in the NFC\*  
2010: Denver, Cincinnati, and Buffalo tied for 14th in the AFC [Not a copy-paste mishap!]

Within a division, conference record is Step 4. That occurs occasionally as well:

2013: Atlanta and Tampa Bay tied for 3rd in the NFC South  
2011: San Diego and Oakland tied for 2nd in the AFC West  
2008: Miami and New England tied for 1st in the AFC East\* (as **enalzi** mentioned)  
2007: Carolina and New Orleans tied for 2nd in the NFC South