The Minnesota Vikings are tied for the second-best document within the NFC this 12 months, however their first playoff recreation will likely be on the street.
That’s as a result of the one staff forward of them is the 15-2 Detroit Lions, who received the NFC North with a victory over Minnesota in Week 18.
The Lions earned a high seed and a bye, whereas the Vikings head to Arizona to face the Los Angeles Rams. The recreation was initially scheduled for LA, but it surely was moved on account of wildfires.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The NFL protect emblem on the sphere at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Nov. 25, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
It’s not the primary oddity within the NFL playoffs. In the previous, seven-win groups have hosted wild-card spherical video games.
However, that would change quickly.
According to CBS Sports, the NFL will take one other look this offseason at altering its playoff format.
Jonathan Jones of CBS stated one proposal is to present the highest 4 groups primarily based on profitable proportion house video games, as an alternative of routinely giving them to division winners.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell listens to a query throughout a information convention forward of the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium Feb. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
If that system had been in place this 12 months, it could imply the Lions, Vikings, Eagles and Commanders would host video games on the NFC aspect. For the AFC, it could be the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens and Chargers.
The Commanders and Chargers are on the street this weekend towards the Buccaneers and Texans, respectively, as a result of the latter two groups received the NFC and AFC South divisions.
Jones later added, although, that staff house owners haven’t proven “a lot of an urge for food” to alter the format.
Ahead of profitable the division, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown steered change.
“Obviously, in case you win the division, you must clearly make a playoff spot, however having a 14-win staff having to go on the street is type of loopy. But I assume I do not make the principles,” he said at the time.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell listens to a query throughout a information convention forward of the Super Bowl Feb. 8, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The final time the playoff format was modified was forward of the 2020 season, when it was expanded from 12 to 14 groups. That resulted in only one staff in every convention receiving a first-round bye versus two. It additionally led to 6 wild-card spherical video games, as an alternative of 4.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
