Change the NFL playoff format – neither Bucs nor Panthers deserve home game Nate Davis, USA TODAY January 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM 1 New Year's glass way more than half full? At least you can say the College Football Playoff Selection Committee isn't involved here. That said, it's high time for the NFL to tweak its – mostly sensible – codified rules determining who advances to the playoffs. As currently constructed, said rules will ensure a team with a losing record hosts a playoff game this season. So, too, might a divisional "champion" merely one game above .500.
- - Change the NFL playoff format – neither Bucs nor Panthers deserve home game
Nate Davis, USA TODAY January 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM
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New Year's glass way more than half full? At least you can say the College Football Playoff Selection Committee isn't involved here. That said, it's high time for the NFL to tweak its – mostly sensible – codified rules determining who advances to the playoffs.
As currently constructed, said rules will ensure a team with a losing record hosts a playoff game this season. So, too, might a divisional "champion" merely one game above .500. Meanwhile, teams with a dozen wins or more might be sent packing on the wild-card road, their relative sin thriving in a subset of similarly elite teams.
It shouldn't be this way.
1 / 7See wet, rainy scenes from Panthers vs. Buccaneers NFL Week 18 gameCarolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) celebrates intercepting the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
If you watched Saturday afternoon's literally waterlogged slog between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers – the Bucs won, sort of, 16-14 – then you probably didn't feel like you were witnessing some juggernaut deserving of the comforts of being home next week ahead of its postseason opener merely because an 8-9 record is sufficient to win the lowly ACC, er, NFC South. (OK, maybe we should find a way to get the Atlanta Falcons or New Orleans Saints, NFC South also-rans who are presently playing much better football than the Panthers or Bucs, an at-large bid?)
Additionally, it's not unprecedented for a team seeded fourth − as the eventual NFC South champs will be − to wind up hosting a conference championship game if enough chaos befalls the teams seeded above it. By comparison, at least five teams could wind up with 11 wins or more but have no hope of a postseason home game – just a year after the Minnesota Vikings got stuck with a wild card despite going 14-3 (the most wins ever by a team that didn't win its division).
It doesn't sit right. It's akin to Boise State getting a CFP bye week, an oversight that was quickly corrected. The NFL could have addressed its own "issue" in 2025 and nearly did, the Detroit Lions making a proposal last March which encouraged league owners "to amend the current playoff seeding format to allow Wild Card teams to be seeded higher than Division Champions if the Wild Card team has a better regular season record."
More than reasonable, it's absolutely the correct approach for a football system rigged to produce parity. Why wouldn't you reward teams that actually achieve excellence with a seed commensurate to its win total?
The old-school purists – and I frequently consider myself one of them – will argue that winning a division is sacrosanct, an accomplishment deserving of the consequential home game as postseason starts. Honestly, it now sounds a lot like those empty suits who used to defend the sanctity and pageantry of the college football bowl system – and what ever would we do without the Duke's Mayo Bowl or, clutching pearls, the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl? Somewhat surprisingly, the Lions' proposal actually got some traction last spring before ultimately being tabled – though maybe one sloppy Saturday in January will fuel it with more momentum in the future.
And, granted, it was easier to defend the argument of fully rewarding division winners four decades ago, when there were three in a 14-team conference – half of most teams' schedules at that time was made up of divisional foes and inherently made those games more valuable and compelling.
their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/THPMJUv class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
">Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
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Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YoTglew class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
">Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" src=https://ift.tt/YoTglew class=caas-img>
"Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JIFErpC class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
">Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" src=https://ift.tt/JIFErpC class=caas-img>a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kdXRq6o class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
">Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" src=https://ift.tt/kdXRq6o class=caas-img>the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mk8sQW6 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
">Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" src=https://ift.tt/mk8sQW6 class=caas-img>
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rZ659NB class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
">Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" src=https://ift.tt/rZ659NB class=caas-img>Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CEx718T class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
">Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" src=https://ift.tt/CEx718T class=caas-img>
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qBLI94Q class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
">Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" src=https://ift.tt/qBLI94Q class=caas-img>
1 / 25Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL seasonWeek 6: Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium. The Commanders wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.
But the NFL realigned in 2002, going to eight four-team divisions across the two conferences. In the era of the 17-game regular season, 65% of a given club's schedule is against non-divisional opponents – meaning it's not uncommon to thrive against potentially sub-par intra-divisional foes, struggle mightily against the rest of the league and still wind up with a crown. Strike seasons notwithstanding, the 2025 Bucs or Panthers will become the fifth sub-.500 team to make the playoffs in the Super Bowl era (which dates to 1966) – something that had never occurred prior to the 2010 campaign.
And Sunday night's winner-take-all AFC North battle between the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) and Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) will confer a similar reward – even though the six other AFC teams that have already qualified for the playoffs all have at least 11 wins.
Divisions make sense in the NFL. They've maintained and/or created natural geographic rivalries and afford a little extra warranted currency when it comes time to breaking ties for playoff entry. But winning one should confer no more than a playoff berth. No way these Bucs or Panthers deserve to be seeded higher than the San Francisco 49ers or Los Angeles Rams, teams that − along with the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks − have made the NFC West the league's preeminent division in 2025, even as they've routinely beaten up on one another. Baker Mayfield's next pick or Bryce Young's next 100-yard passing day should have to occur as a No. 7 seed toiling in front of hostile fans while they're accordingly derided (yet enjoyed for their shortcomings) by them.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
And maybe you think this is a problem that solves itself. The last playoff team with a losing record, the 2022 Bucs, got smoked at home by Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys on a Monday night stage that was the last one Tom Brady graced as a player. But two of the four teams that have won divisions with losing records have actually advanced to the divisional round.
Bottom line? Tradition is nice. Fairness is better.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFC South winner getting playoff game? NFL needs to change its format
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Source: Sports
Published: January 04, 2026 at 04:27PM on Source: RED MAG
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