Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has voiced his thoughts on the NFL’s playoff seeding system as his team prepares for a pivotal showdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Both teams enter the final week of the regular season with impressive 14-2 records, but the stakes are unusually high due to the league’s current playoff format.
The winner of the game will secure the NFC North crown and the coveted No. 1 seed in the conference, earning a bye in the first round of the playoffs. However, the loser, despite potentially finishing the season with 14 wins, will drop to the No. 5 seed as a wild-card team and face the prospect of playing on the road in the opening round.
St. Brown Advocates for Change
Speaking to reporters this week, St. Brown didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration with the playoff structure.
“It’s crazy. I think the rule should be changed,” St. Brown said. “Obviously, if you win the division, you should absolutely make the playoffs. But having a 14-win team having to go on the road is kind of crazy.”
The Lions star acknowledged the quirks of the system but admitted it feels unfair for teams with standout seasons to be penalized by geography. “I guess I don’t make the rules,” he added with a shrug.
A History of Controversy
The NFL’s playoff format has sparked debates in the past. Under the current system, all division winners are guaranteed home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, regardless of their overall records. This has led to peculiar scenarios, such as teams with losing records hosting postseason games.
For example, in 2010, the Seattle Seahawks made the playoffs with a 7-9 record as NFC West champions and hosted the 11-5 New Orleans Saints in a wild-card game. More recently, the 2020 Washington Football Team, also at 7-9, hosted the 11-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
RELATED: Lions HC Dan Campbell Sends Bold Message with Pizza Delivery Ahead of Vikings Showdown
Comparing Formats Across Leagues
St. Brown’s critique highlights differences between the NFL and other major professional sports leagues. The NBA, for instance, seeds its playoff teams based purely on conference standings, regardless of divisional titles, ensuring that the best teams are rewarded with higher seeds. Meanwhile, the NHL considers both conference and division standings but does not offer byes.
Baseball’s MLB has a format somewhat similar to the NFL, with divisional winners earning preferential treatment and wild-card teams having a more challenging path.
Lions Stay Focused
Despite the frustrations with the seeding system, St. Brown emphasized that the Lions are prepared for whatever the playoffs throw at them.
“Either way, I think we’ll be fine,” he said. “Whether it’s going on the road or having a bye week and playing at home, we’re built for either or.”
The Lions have already proven their mettle this season, rebounding from an early Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay and a Week 15 defeat against Buffalo to establish themselves as one of the league’s most dominant teams. Last year, Detroit ended a seven-year playoff drought and advanced to the NFC Championship Game, falling short against the San Francisco 49ers. This season, they’ve set their sights even higher.
Sunday’s High-Stakes Showdown
The game against the Vikings will not only determine the NFC North champion but could also shape the narrative around the NFL’s playoff format for years to come.
If a 14-3 team is forced into a wild-card road game, the outcry from fans, players, and analysts could reignite discussions about whether the league should prioritize overall records over division titles.
For now, though, St. Brown and the Lions are focused on taking care of business on Sunday. With their sights set on a deep playoff run, the team is ready to prove they can win anywhere—home or away.
