Lions star calls for change to NFL playoff format
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions head into their Week 18 matchup with identical 14-2 records, battling for the top seed in the NFC.
The stakes could not be higher.
The winner of the game not only claims the NFC North title but also secures the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The loser, despite boasting one of the league’s best records, faces a much tougher path. They will drop to the No. 5 seed, forfeiting the bye and home-field advantage, and will have to play their first playoff game on the road against the No. 4 seed—either the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or Atlanta Falcons.
This situation highlights a long-standing debate about the NFL’s playoff format. Currently, the four division winners in each conference automatically earn the top-four seeds and at least one home game, even if a wild-card team has a better record.
Not everyone is a fan of this system.
Among the critics is Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Speaking on his podcast this week, St. Brown argued that the NFL should revise the playoff seeding rules. He suggested division winners should still earn automatic playoff berths, but the overall seeding should be based on records rather than division titles.
This isn’t a new argument, and it often resurfaces when a high-performing team is penalized by the current system. Unsurprisingly, it’s usually voiced by players from teams in St. Brown’s situation—facing a tougher road despite an elite record.
While the system may seem unfair, divisions exist for a reason, and winning one is supposed to come with tangible rewards. The home playoff game is that reward. Automatic playoff berths alone aren’t considered enough, as most division champions would qualify as wild cards in other scenarios.
For the Lions, there’s still an opportunity to avoid the road and secure the top seed. A win over the Vikings on Sunday night ensures home-field advantage and a bye week. A loss, however, means they’ll be packing their bags for the playoffs.
