PFT: NFC playoffs could see a 5-11 team in and a 12-4 team out

[gimmesix]

"Here’s how bad the NFC South is, and how good the NFC wild card race is: There are scenarios in which a 5-11 team is in the playoffs as NFC South champion, and a 12-4 team is left out of the playoffs entirely."

Link: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...could-see-a-5-11-team-in-and-a-12-4-team-out/

There are three teams that are already 6-4. I don't see any of those teams winning their final six games. I could see an 11-5 or 10-6 being left out, but I'm doubtful all of the 7-3 and 6-4 teams are going to end up 12-4.

 

[viman96]

IMO this would need to become a trend before any changes are made. The owners wanted parity and this comes with it.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

The 3 division winners get the top 3 seeds and the WC teams are seeds 4, 5, and 6. The 6 seed goes to play the 3 seed, like today. The WC teams at 4 and 5 play with the 4 seed getting home field advantage. Not much different then what we have today.

Again, this would minimize the problem without eliminating it. The only way to eliminate the problem is to get rid of the divisions. And I would not support that.

What if the 3 seed is 8-8 and the 5 is 12-4

 

[LOBO7]

You know, we beat the eagles twice and Seattle knocks them off and they miss the playoffs, ill take that.

 

[Direwolf63]

What if the 3 seed is 8-8 and the 5 is 12-4

To my knowledge, this scenario has never happened and the chances of it happening are near zero. No need to worry about it.

We have had 11-5 teams miss the playoffs though. And it may happen again this year.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't think people are paying attention here.

There are currently eight teams that have 4 or less losses.

Only two of them are currently on the outside looking in. To make this quick let's start with those two teams.

Seattle and San Francisco. First, these two teams play each other twice. So at least one of these teams will be worse that 12-4 if not both of them. Seattle also plays Philadelphia. So let's assume Seattle wins out, you already have to bring Philadelphia down to 4 games.

Before we go to Philly, let's look at Arizona, who Seattle also plays. Seattle to maintain that 4 games would have to beat Arizona, who would drop to 3 games. Arizona also plays San Fran, who we have in turn confirmed can't be 12-4 if Seattle is.

Now let's look at Philly. We have Philly losing to Seattle in order for Seattle to be 12-4. Now Philly can not lose another game, but they have the Cowboys twice, who also can't lose more than once in order to finish 12-4.

The reality is that an 11-5 team may miss the playoffs, but a 12-4 team will not. And that isn't at all new, but even then 11-5 stands a good chance to make the playoffs given the canabolism taking place at the end of the year.

What's more is you have a lot of NFC South divisional games remaining, and thus also making it difficult for a team to make the playoffs at 5-11. Probably 6 and 10 or 7 and 9 at the lowest.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

I've been saying for a few years now that no team that is 8 and 8 or less deserves to be in the playoffs. Others have already proposed what I came in here to say which is: Require that a team win at least 9 games to make the postseason. If a division winner has only 8 wins or fewer, that division forfeits its representation in the playoffs and an extra wildcard spot is added. It's a joke to have a team in the playoffs that doesn't have a winning record.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

I think the only realistic change they could make would be to add a 3rd WC team. This would only help to prevent this current situation from happening in the future. It wouldn't fix the problem of a Div team getting in with a bad record. It also makes it possible for a WC team making it into the playoffs with a bad record.

 

[DFWJC]

If you look at the remaining schedules, there's basically no way a 12-4 team would be stranded.
11-5...maybe.
That would suck for sure for that team.

What would be irritating is to see New Orleans win 5 or 6 and get home game. They lost a couple at home this year but HF really is a difference maker for them.

 

[Kevinicus]

I don't think people are paying attention here.

There are currently eight teams that have 4 or less losses.

Only two of them are currently on the outside looking in. To make this quick let's start with those two teams.

Seattle and San Francisco. First, these two teams play each other twice. So at least one of these teams will be worse that 12-4 if not both of them. Seattle also plays Philadelphia. So let's assume Seattle wins out, you already have to bring Philadelphia down to 4 games.

Before we go to Philly, let's look at Arizona, who Seattle also plays. Seattle to maintain that 4 games would have to beat Arizona, who would drop to 3 games. Arizona also plays San Fran, who we have in turn confirmed can't be 12-4 if Seattle is.

Now let's look at Philly. We have Philly losing to Seattle in order for Seattle to be 12-4. Now Philly can not lose another game, but they have the Cowboys twice, who also can't lose more than once in order to finish 12-4.

The reality is that an 11-5 team may miss the playoffs, but a 12-4 team will not. And that isn't at all new, but even then 11-5 stands a good chance to make the playoffs given the canabolism taking place at the end of the year.

What's more is you have a lot of NFC South divisional games remaining, and thus also making it difficult for a team to make the playoffs at 5-11. Probably 6 and 10 or 7 and 9 at the lowest.

Why assume Seattle runs the table and not SF?

If SF runs the table, Dallas and Philly split (but otherwise win out), and Det and GB win out (except for Det beating GB), then you have 5 teams at 12-4, add in AZ (winning 2 or 3 of their remaining games) and the South winner, and you have a team at 12-4 sitting out. It's very, very unlikely, but possible.

 

[Galian Beast]

Why assume Seattle runs the table and not SF?

If SF runs the table, Dallas and Philly split (but otherwise win out), and Det and GB win out (except for Det beating GB), then you have 5 teams at 12-4, add in AZ (winning 2 or 3 of their remaining games) and the South winner, and you have a team at 12-4 sitting out. It's very, very unlikely, but possible.

thats accurate

 

[Verdict]

Goddell would intervene before that ever happened.

No. He wouldn't. You are dreaming.