Division winners deserve a playoff spot, but not an automatic top 4 seed

by shake n bake on Dec 3, 2008 1:41 PM EST Comment 13 comments

Ignoring divisions the Colts are currently 3rd in the AFC and only a half game away from 2nd and a first round bye. Back in the real world with divisions the Colts are 5th in the AFC with no chance get a bye or host a first round playoff game (and next to zero chance of hosting any playoff game). The current #6 seed? 4th in the AFC. Both the Colts and Ravens have the same record and have more more AFC games than the Jets, but the Jets are favorites to host their first playoff game.

Taking away the guaranteed playoff spot for division winners either totally or conditionally (have to win x number of games) eliminates the point of divisions. Why even have them at all if the best team doesn't go to the playoffs. Divisions and the automatic playoff spot for the winner should be kept. Divisions build and sustain rivalries. Divisions have been a longstanding part of the NFL (and every major team sport). Getting rid of divisions it's the best way to solve this problem (though getting rid of them would allow each team to play it's entire conference and an extra inter-conference game).

The problem is the NFL rule that the top 4 seeds go to division winners. Every year there is at least one division that is just awful and one team stands above the rest just by being mediocre. If these teams can't beat up on their pathetic division mates for more wins than a wildcard team, why should they get homefield advantage? Are the Colts and Ravens less worthy of a top 4 seed just because they have the top 2 teams in the conference in their division? Does the Titans being very good, mean that somehow the Colts couldn't also be?

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Completely off topic

But Robert Mathis was just named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. About time he got a little recognition for the great season he’s having. Congrats!

by indy15 on Dec 3, 2008 1:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Made a post

Made a post on this. Thanks for info.

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by BigBlueShoe on Dec 3, 2008 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i would take it further shake

keep the divisions, but any team with out a winning record shouldn’t be in the playoffs. this would rarely be an issue, but but every once in a while, there will be a division so putrid that 8-8 is good enough to win it, and in those rare cases i say put the third wild card team in if they have a better record.

by hal41605 on Dec 3, 2008 1:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the reminder

I had something on that, but forgot because I was rushing (1:30 class)

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Big Ten's leading Rusher, Leads FBS
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 3, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It all works out in the end...

3 of the past 4 Super Bowl winners were wildcard teams. These weak division winners don’t last long anyways.

IMO, winning even a bad division is an accomplishment….reward the division winners with a home playoff game.

I like the system even if it may hurt us this year.

by Disco Stu on Dec 3, 2008 2:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Let us remember that the hypothetical #3 Colts will draw an opening round game with the Jets or Broncos, most likely Broncos. Also, there’s a decent chance the Broncos could win their division with a losing record. It’s all kinda iffy.

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by MonkeyBusiness on Dec 3, 2008 3:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh how the shoe is on the other foot

Last year the Jags were in the same position, having to go to a team with a worse record in their first playoff game.

IIRC we all agreed that it should not be changed, as then winning the division would have no meaning.

by furrycolt on Dec 3, 2008 5:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Funny.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I’m glad someone else recalled that with amusement as well.

by coltsfanawalt on Dec 3, 2008 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I looked and couldn't find it

though if someone out there really wants to rub it in our faces they should keep looking

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Big Ten's leading Rusher, Leads FBS
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 4, 2008 12:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who wants to really rub it in anyone's face?

Don’t sound like it’s worth the trouble, though I’m surprised you don’t recall it. Maybe it wasn’t even this site, but I thought it was. Who knows. Anyhow, I remember some Colts fans defending the set up as is last year.

Actually, I have always felt like it should be the way you said here. Automatic playoff spot for division winners, but not automatic homefield advantage. How many times have I been annoyed at some team for getting homefield advantage in the playoffs with a worse record than their opponent, all because they won in a pathetic division.

The solution presented here is right. Give the four division winners a playoff spot, but rank the six playoff seeds by team record. Good call.

by coltsfanawalt on Dec 4, 2008 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Once we get this change...

.. would someone please deal with the BCS?

by LovinBlue on Dec 4, 2008 1:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

That’s great. How SC is #5 playing in the PAC 10 this year is beyond me!!! I mean, really. And Pete Carroll has the gaul to whine about their ranking.

\growl
HATE. S. C.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Dec 4, 2008 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

peytonsthebest, you and I can be fast friends

What do you think about $c choosing to give up 2 TOs so they can wear their home uniforms to the UCla game? I for one will be sending all my UC energy to the baby bears. If UCla somehow pulls out a win, there will be huge cheers from Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, and mine will be the loudest.

by LovinBlue on Dec 5, 2008 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs