A hot button topic around the NFL this week seems to be the thought that there should be a change in the playoff format since a 7-9 for the first time in league history made the postseason.
Your kidding me – right?
The reason why the NFL is the best league of all the professional sports is the fact that they don’t water down the playoffs with more and more teams, something the NBA and NHL has been guilty of.
Even Major League Baseball, a sport with all its history, gave into the temptation of adding more teams to the playoffs, as well as tweaking its format.
Which is exactly why the NFL should stand its ground and NOT change a thing. Sure the 7-9 Seahawks seem like a pushover for the Saints, and sure they may not be a sexy playoff team heading in, but don’t blame them for being there.
They did as they were asked – they beat the Rams Sunday night with a backup QB, they won the mandated amount of games to win their division, and they deserve a playoff spot.
Don’t forget the 9-7 Cardinals just two seasons ago flew through the playoffs and gave us one of the best Super Bowls in recent history.
Now while I would be stunned if the Seahawks even won one playoff game, they shouldn’t be punished for being the best team in a bad division.
The league should not have a knee-jerk reaction for a team two games under .500 making the playoffs by changing things. Leave it as it is, there’s no reason to change things now.
brainwise
January 6, 2011 at 5:23 pm
I agree there is no need to water down the playoffs with more teams. However, I do think there should be a change in who gets to host a playoff game. Winning a division should guarantee a playoff berth, but the privilege of hosting a playoff game should be determined by record.