Report: NFL owners to discuss playoff re-seeding, change unlikely
NFL owners plan to discuss re-seeding the playoffs, although change is unlikely, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
With two 4-7 teams currently leading the NFC South -- the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints -- the notion of re-seeding the postseason has grown in popularity. Each division champion makes the playoffs and hosts at least a first-round game, and if a six or seven-win team reaches the postseason this year, NFL owners are expected to discuss re-seeding at their March meetings.
"The view of the competition committee at this point is that if you win your division, you deserve a home game," Rapoport said Sunday morning. "I'm told this is something they are expected to discuss this coming March for the owners' meetings, especially if a six- or seven-win team does make the playoffs and does get to host a playoff game."
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Re-seeding was discussed in 2008, but "voted down strongly," according to Rapoport. The same is expected to happen again considering the owners' preference for rewarding division winners with a home playoff game.
With five games remaining, the Falcons currently lead the NFC South. Their remaining games are against the 9-2 Arizona Cardinals, 8-3 Green Bay Packers, 7-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, the 4-7 Saints and 3-7-1 Carolina Panthers. In addition to the Falcons in Week 16, the Saints' remaining opponents are the Steelers, Panthers, 5-7 Chicago Bears and 2-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Mike Fiammetta
