NFL Playoffs

So the Playoffs are upon us. Im gonna do 2 things. 1st post some predictions. 2nd Write up how to fix the Playoff system.

Round 1:
New Orleants at Seattle - New Orleans
Green Bay at Philly - Green Bay
New York J at Indy - Indy
Baltimore at Kansas City - Baltimore

Round 2:
New Orleans at Chicago - Chicago
Green Bay at Atlanta - Atlanta
Indy at Pittsburgh - Indy
Baltimore at New England - Baltimore

Round 3:
Chicago at Atlanta - Atlanta
Baltimore at Indy - Indy

Super Bowl - Indy vs Atlanta - Winner Indianapolis

Im not sure I actually even believe this will happen. It wouldn't surprise me to see Philly vs New England in the Super Bowl. That would cause me to for the first time ponder whether or not I actually want to watch the game.

Ok! part 2

So Im ready to fix the NFL playoff system, and heres how! "But wait Dan! Whats wrong with the current system?!" Im glad you asked. In a sense the Seattle Seahawks are whats wrong with the Playoffs. At 7-9 not only are they in the playoffs while the Giants and Bucs 10-6 are sitting at home. But they get to start the Playoffs at home. In the Wild Card round, there is only 1 team who is getting a home game and finished higher then the team they are curently playing against. Now a lot of people want to see the divisions re-formed. But these divisions are pretty old. Granted they were changed up when the NFL went to a 32 team league. But there are some historic Rivalries in the NFL. Skins Cowboys, Cheifs Raiders, Pats Jets. And so on. Changing the Divisions might be the answer for a more competative league, but these Rivalries are a neccessity to the NFL. A Rivalry can create drama and fans on its own. So no! do not change the divisions. Change the playoff Seeding. Instead of taking a division winner, no matter their record, let the top 12 teams regardless of Division and even confrence play it out. Here are the top 12 teams in the NFL at the seasons end.

1. New England
2. Atlanta
3. Pittsburgh
4. Baltimore
5. Chicago
6. New Orleans
7. New York Jets
8. Philly
9. Indy
10. Green Bay
11. New York Giants
12. Kansas City

By just seeding the teams you get the best of the best playing each other. Deserving teams get home games and byes, losing teams get sent home. Baltimore had the 4th best team in the NFL this year, but they will likely play every game on the road. In college sports the most exciting event is March Madness. A large Tournament where the best teams play each other. The NFL could mimic this strategy and likely they would have a much more competative and fun to watch post season. Under the Dan Playoff System Week 1 would look like this.

Patriots, Falcons, Steelers, Ravens - Bye

(12)Chiefs @ (5)Bears
(11)Giants @ (6)Saints
(10)Packers @ (7)Jets
(9)Colts @ (8)Eagles

Then you they could either Bracket the playoffs or continue with NFL standard seeding idea. The Patriots would play the lowest seeded team still in contention, and so on, until the Ravens play the highest seeded team.

All that drama, excitement, and No weasley Pete Carrol and his 7-9 Seahawks. Who by the way are a 10.5 underdog at home.