Report: NFL considering changes to playoff format, including eliminating division winners' home games.

This weekend, the Minnesota Vikings will be away from home.

Report: NFL considering changes to playoff format, including eliminating division winners' home games.
Report: NFL considering changes to playoff format, including eliminating division winners' home games.

Despite having the second-best record in the NFC this season, the Minnesota Vikings will face their first playoff game away from home.

The 15-2 Detroit Lions, who won the NFC North with a victory over Minnesota in Week 18, are the team ahead of them.

The Lions received a top seed and a bye, while the Vikings will travel to Arizona to play the Los Angeles Rams in a game that was originally scheduled in LA but was relocated due to wildfires.

The NFL logo
The NFL shield logo on the field at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Nov. 25, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

In the past, seven-win teams have hosted wild-card round games.

However, that could change soon.

The NFL is considering altering its playoff format during the upcoming offseason, as reported by CBS Sports.

CBS's Jonathan Jones proposed an alternative to automatically giving division winners home games in the top four teams based on winning percentage.

Roger Goodell speaks to the media
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell listens to a question during a news conference ahead of the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium Feb. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas.  (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

This year, if the system were in place, the Lions, Vikings, Eagles, and Commanders would host games on the NFC side, while the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and Chargers would host games on the AFC side.

This weekend, the Commanders and Chargers are facing off against the Buccaneers and Texans, respectively, as the latter two teams have won the NFC and AFC South divisions.

Jones later stated that team owners have not shown "a great willingness" to alter the format.

Ahead of winning the division, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown suggested change.

If you win the division, you should make a playoff spot, but it's crazy that a 14-win team has to go on the road. I don't make the rules.

Super Bowl Goodell
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell listens to a question during a news conference ahead of the Super Bowl Feb. 8, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

The playoff format was altered prior to the 2020 season, resulting in one team in each conference receiving a first-round bye and six wild-card round games instead of four.

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by Ryan Morik

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