NFL Could Change How It Seeds Playoff Teams Starting in 2011.

[Chip Douglass]

I laughed when I read this on Nate Silver's blog:

Quote:

According to Mr. Sagarin’s formula, the Seahawks would deserve to be favored by just 3 points against the 2008 Detroit Lions, who went 0-16.

I mean, Seattle wasn't even a garden-variety 7-9 team. They were an absolutely terrible 7-9 team with a point/yardage differential indicative of a 4-12/5-11 team.

The arbitrariness of having division winners host playoff games, even when the division winner is one of the worst teams in the NFL, really needs to be replaced.

[Bellsprout]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

The ONLY reason why this is an issue is because this happened ONE time and now folks are overreacting thinking this is going to be the norm from now on when it's not.

Since the divisional realignment in the 2002-03 season, a team with a worse record has hosted a team with a better record 11 times:

2010-11: Saints (11-5) @ Seahawks (7-9)
2010-11: Jets (11-5) @ Colts (10-6)
2009-10: Packers (11-5) @ Cardinals (10-6)
2008-09: Falcons (11-5) @ Cardinals (9-7)
2008-09: Colts (12-4) @ Chargers (8-8)
2008-09: Eagles (9-6-1) @ Cardinals (9-7)
2007-08: Jaguars (11-5) @ Steelers (10-6)
2007-08: Giants (10-6) @ Buccaneers (9-7)
2005-06: Jaguars (12-4) @ Patriots (10-6)
2003-04: Titans (12-4) @ Ravens (10-6)
2002-03: Colts (10-6) @ Jets (9-7)

[Cardot]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skyboxer

Another knee jerk reaction during this "We are more important and know whats better" generation of decision makers.

So do you strongly feel that division winners should host wild card teams? Or do you object to changing rules? Had this rule been made last season, and teams like Seattle, Phili, KC and Indy had to go on the road wild card weekend, would it have ruined your enjoyment of the league...or tarnished the season?

[av7]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dayman

Since the divisional realignment in the 2002-03 season, a team with a worse record has hosted a team with a better record 11 times: 2010-11: Saints (11-5) @ Seahawks (7-9) 2010-11: Jets (11-5) @ Colts (10-6) 2009-10: Packers (11-5) @ Cardinals (10-6) 2008-09: Falcons (11-5) @ Cardinals (9-7) 2008-09: Colts (12-4) @ Chargers (8-8) 2008-09: Eagles (9-6-1) @ Cardinals (9-7) 2007-08: Jaguars (11-5) @ Steelers (10-6) 2007-08: Giants (10-6) @ Buccaneers (9-7) 2005-06: Jaguars (12-4) @ Patriots (10-6) 2003-04: Titans (12-4) @ Ravens (10-6) 2002-03: Colts (10-6) @ Jets (9-7)

Think he's talking about Seattle's record of 7-9

[mestevo]

Quote: Originally Posted by av7

Think he's talking about Seattle's record of 7-9

...and he's pointing out that it's more than just Seattle. This has been brought up before and just didn't pass the owners votes or wasn't voted on for one reason or another. This isn't being talked about just because Seattle.

[RealSeahawkFan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chip Douglass

The arbitrariness of having division winners host playoff games, even when the division winner is one of the worst teams in the NFL, really needs to be replaced.

I posted earlier in the thread on this use of the word "arbitrary." I hope you understand that conferences and division make-up is entirely arbitrary.