Getty Image / Nic Antaya
The NFL is in a bit of a predicament with the playoff seeding. Especially in the AFC.
With the Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game potentially being ruled a no-contest, the league is putting every option on the table. Including expanding the playoffs temporarily.
According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL has multiple options at its disposal right now. However, the one that’s sticking out the most is a possible expansion in the postseason, allowing eight teams from the NFC and AFC to make the playoffs. “One possibility would be to add an eighth team to the playoff field in the AFC. This would eliminate the bye for the No. 1 seed. To ensure competitive balance, there would have to be eight teams in the NFC, too.”
That’s certainly one way to handle things. If the NFL goes this route then the first-round bye for the number one seed becomes nill. At least that team would maintain a home-field advantage.
Of course, this isn’t the only option being presented by the NFL right now. Other possible solutions are using winning percentage instead of record to determine playoff order or making the AFC Championship game played at a neutral site. As Pro Football Talk points out, “a team other than the Bills, Chiefs, or Bengals qualifies for the game, there’s no need to use a neutral site.”
Hopefully, the decision is made relatively soon. Week 18 kicks off on Saturday, so we should hear confirmation from the NFL before then. With that said, keep a close eye on the situation, as this year’s postseason is packed with drama.