For the first time in NFL history, a team with 14 wins will have to settle for a wild-card spot in the playoffs.
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, both 14-2, will face off Sunday night for the NFC North title and the conference’s top seed.
Despite a 14-win season, the loser will be seeded fifth in the bracket and receive the top wild card spot.
It would not be the first strange playoff seeding. There have been 7-9 teams that have won their divisions, ensuring that they will host playoff games.
However, with his team in danger of losing only three games while not being at home on wild-card weekend, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown believes the format needs to be changed.
“That’s crazy. “I believe the rule should be changed,” St. Brown told reporters this week.
“Obviously, if you win the division, you should make the playoffs, but having a 14-win team go on the road is crazy. But I suppose I don’t make the rules.
The NFL and MLB use similar formats in which the top seeds receive a bye and all division winners have home-field advantage in the first round.
The NBA seeds based on conference standings regardless of division, whereas the NHL uses a combination of conference and division standings but no byes.
St. Brown claims his team has nothing to worry about.
“Either way, I believe we will be fine. “Whether it’s going on the road or taking a week off and playing at home, we’re built for either,” he said.
The Lions and Vikings kick off in Detroit Sunday. The Packers, also in the NFC North, sit at 11-5 and are the sixth seed heading into the weekend.
