Many fans and analysts were surprised when the Detroit Lions proposed a change to the NFL’s playoff structure, especially after the Lions enjoyed their best regular season in franchise history, winning both the NFC North and securing the number one overall seed in the NFC for the first time. Earlier this offseason, Detroit suggested a change that would eliminate the necessity for teams to travel on the road to face a division winner with a poorer record in the playoffs. Now, per Pro Football Talk, we have more insight into how the proposal developed.
“It’s crazy,” Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said after the Lions’ winner-take-all game against the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC North. “I think the rule should be changed. Obviously, if you win the division, you should secure a playoff spot, but having a 14-win team on the road is kind of crazy. But I guess I don’t make the rules.” St. Brown’s comments apparently resonated with the league offices, as Lions President Roy Wood shared at the annual league meetings: “(NFL executive V.P. of football operations) Troy Vincent from the league reached out to me and said, ‘I tend to agree with [St. Brown]. Would you mind partnering with us on making a proposal on that?’ So we made a proposal.
It’s interesting that the league is encouraging teams to propose changes rather than following the traditional route through the Competition Committee. This raises questions about what other rule proposals, like the Green Bay Packers’ suggestion to ban the “tush push,” might originate from the league offices.
