The Detroit Lions have proposed a significant rule change to the NFL playoff seeding system, which would prioritize regular-season records over division championships. Under this proposal, the team with the conference’s best record, regardless of division placement, would still receive the No. 1 overall seed. However, teams would then be seeded based on their win-loss record, rather than just division winners or wild-card berths.
This change could have a significant impact on the NFC North, where three teams – the Lions, Vikings, and Packers – made the playoffs last season. If implemented, the Vikings would have received the No. 3 seed, while the Packers would have been seeded No. 5, according to their win-loss records.
The proposal follows similar changes made by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, but it is unclear whether this rule change will gain traction with owners. Other proposals include banning the “tush push” play, eliminating automatic first downs for certain penalties, and guaranteeing possession in overtime during regular season games.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44316424/lions-propose-playoff-seeding-record-not-division-winners