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Lions seek major rule change after Commanders ended Super Bowl dreams

The Washington Commanders’ playoff upset over the Detroit Lions might lead to a major change in NFL seeding rules.
Joanne Coley|
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Detroit Lions helmet during warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Detroit Lions helmet during warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

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Washington CommandersDetroit Lions

The Washington Commanders shocked many people last season — not just with their 12-5 record, but with one of the biggest upsets of the year — ending the season of the NFC North's top team, which is now pushing for a major rule change.

The Detroit Lions had a monumental season and were even predicted to reach the Super Bowl — until the Commanders marched into Ford Field for the Divisional Round and crushed their hopes with a 45-31 defeat. Washington advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where they ultimately fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now, the Lions are proposing a rule change that could change how the postseason playoff seeding is done. Instead of its current rule, the proposal would seed playoff teams based on regular-season record, regardless of whether a team secured a division title or earned a wild card spot, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Under the current playoff seeding, the four division winners automatically earn the top four seeds, with the remaining three spots going to the next best teams by record. That's how the Rams, who won the NFC West with a 10-7 record, secured the No. 4 seed — even though the Commanders finished 12-5. That pushed Washington down to the No. 6 seed despite having a better record, forcing them into an early matchup with the Lions instead of the Lions facing a lower-seeded opponent.

Had the Lions' proposal been in effect last season, the Commanders would have earned a higher seed and hosted the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round.

While it's just a proposal for now, it would change postseason matchups — and we could thank the Commanders for that.

READ MORE: Commanders accomplish goal by improving offense for Jayden Daniels

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Joane Coley
JOANNE COLEY

Joanne Coley, from Prince George’s County, MD, is a communications professional passionate about storytelling and sports. She holds a bachelor’s in Communications from Kent State University and a Master’s in Communications/Public Relations from Southern New Hampshire University. Since 2018, she has served as Communications Manager at the Council of the Great City Schools. A foodie and traveler, Joanne is also a former state champion in high school shotput and standout athlete in softball.

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