Currently, division winners are guaranteed both a playoff berth and a home game in the first round, even if their record is worse than that of a wild card team. Under the proposed change, division winners would still earn a spot, but all seven playoff teams in each conference would be seeded strictly by overall record. The most notable impact would be preventing sub-.500 teams—like the 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8–9)—from hosting playoff games over more deserving wild card teams.
Possible Modifications and Why This Is Happening Now
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, owners discussed alternative tweaks in March, including denying home-field advantage to teams without a winning record or those significantly worse than wild card opponents. The modified proposal now under consideration would maintain the current structure through the Wild Card round but introduce reseeding in the Divisional round to better reward regular-season success.
New look NFL playoffs 👀who says no?
— PFSN (@PFN365) May 16, 2025
via @AlbertBreer pic.twitter.com/3KhwdEGgmK
The move gained traction after situations like the 2024 Minnesota Vikings (14–3) entering the playoffs as a No. 5 seed due to the Detroit Lions (15–2) winning their division. A reseeded Divisional round would have significantly altered matchups across both conferences and potentially improved competitive balance.
#Broncos predicted by @FOXSports to win AFC West, beat Chiefs in playoffs this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/RYya546ScQ
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) May 19, 2025
With playoff races often going down to the wire, reseeding by record would place more emphasis on overall excellence rather than divisional alignment. If approved, the new format could go into effect as early as the 2025 season—redefining the postseason landscape and how teams chase home-field advantage.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
