Final Standings - New NFL Format

 If the NFL moved back to two divisions per conference, we would get fairer and more exciting playoff games.

NFC South and East
1) New Orleans 12-4
2) Tampa Bay 11-5
3) Washington 7-9
4) NY Giants 6-10
5) Dallas 6-10
6) Carolina 5-11
7) Philadelphia 4-11-1
8) Atlanta 4-12

NFC North and West
1) Green Bay 13-3 
2) Seattle 12-4
3) LA Rams 10-6
4) Chicago 8-8
5) Arizona 8-8
6) Minnesota 7-9
7) San Francisco 6-10
8) Detroit 5-11

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) GB, 2) NO, 3) Sea, 4) TB, 5) LAR, 6) Chi, 7) Ari.

In the new format, Was would rightfully have missed the playoffs and a team with a better record (in a tougher subdivision) would earn a spot instead.

AFC North and East
1) Buffalo 13-3
2) Pittsburgh 12-4
3) Baltimore 11-5
4) Cleveland 11-5
5) Miami 10-6
6) New England 7-9
7) Cincinnati 4-11-1
8) NY Jets 2-14

AFC South and West
1) Kansas City 14-2
2) Tennessee 11-5
3) Indianapolis 11-5
4) Las Vegas 8-8
5)  LA Chargers 7-9
6) Denver 5-11
7) Houston 4-12
8) Jacksonville 1-15

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) KC, 2) Buf, 3) Pit, 4) Bal, 5) Cle, 6) Ten, 7) Ind.

The new format would improve seeding. Instead of only Ten and Ind battling for the 4th seed, the seeding would've been wide up down the stretch. Tie-breakers involved head-to-head among the four 11-5 teams. Bal had the best record against the other three, so they would rightfully deserve the best seed of the lot, and a home game in the playoffs.

New NFL Format

 AFC

Current format
1. KC 13-1
2. Buf 11-3
3. Pit 11-3
4. Ten 10-4
5. Cle 10-4
6. Ind 10-4
7. Mia 9-5

New format
1. KC 12-1
2. Buf 11-3
3. Pit 11-3
4. Cle 10-4
5. Ind 10-4
6. Ten 10-4
7. Mia 8-5

The landings look similar except in the new format, everything would be wide open. Two divisions are clinched in the current format. In the new format, Buf and Pit be battling for the division. Currently, Ten or Ind will finish in at least 4th place. Cle is really only competing with Pit for a spot 4th or better. The tie-breaker would change in the new format because three teams would be tied and not for the division lead.

NFC
Current formant
1. GB 11-3
2. NO 11-4
3. Sea 10-4
4. Was 6-8
5. TB 10-5
6. LAR 9-5
7. Ari 8-7

New format
1. GB 11-3
2. NO 11-4
3 Sea 10-4
4. TB 10-5
5. LAR 9-5
6. Ari 8-7
7. Chi 7-7

The NFC is why the NFL needs to adopt the new format. There is absolutely no reason with Was should be the 4th seed. They objectively have a worse record than the next four teams. Winning the NFC East doesn't take any special skill. If anything, it's much easier than coming in the 3rd or 4th in the NFC West because all four teams in the East are terrible.

But it gets worse. Of coruse, the current format is completely unfair to TB, LAR, Ari, and Chi. While Sea or LAR will finish with the 5th seed at best, Phi could grab the 4th seed. Sea is 10-4 while Phi is 4-9-1. How does that make any sense? It gets more bizarre. The 9th & 10th seed teams in the NFC have been eliminated, but not the 11th, 12th, or 14th seeds. How in the world does that make any sense?!

New NFL Division Format Proposal

 The NFL should have two divisions in each conference to help make things fairer. In the NFC, the South and East would be a division and the North and West would be another. In the AFC, the North and East would be one and the South and West would be another. Teams would play teams in their current division (now called subdivision) twice and every other team in their new division (teams from the other subdivision) once, alternating home games each season.

The NFL has added a 7th team to the playoffs in each conference (hopefully for this year only. Nothing like hurting a playoff brand like adding mediocrity). That helps the current system because the 3rd Wild Card team often has a better record than the 4th division winner. But it solves the only major problem of my new format, which is that the worse division winner in a conference could have a worse record that the 2nd place team in the other division, and yet still get the bye. Now only the top seed gets the bye.

AFC
Current format
1. KC 12-1
2. Pit 11-2
3. Buf 10-3
4. Ten 9-4
5. Cle 9-4
6. Ind 9-4
7. Mia 8-5

New format
1. KC 12-1
2. Pit 11-2
3. Buf 10-3
4. Cle 9-4
5. Ind 9-4
6. Ten 9-4
7. Mia 8-5

The landings look similar except in the new format, everything would be wide open. Currently, Ten or Ind will finish in at least 4th place. Cle is really only competing with Pit for a spot 4th or better. The tie-breaker would change in the new format because three teams would be tied and not for the division lead.

NFC
Current formant
1. GB 10-3
2. NO 10-3
3. LAR 9-4
4. Was 6-7
5. Sea 9-4
6. TB 8-5
7. Ari 7-6

New format
1. GB 10-3
2. NO 10-3
3 LAR 9-4
4. Sea 9-4
5. TB 8-5
6. Ari 7-6
7. Min 6-7

See a problem with the current format? The NFC East is particularly bad this season. It happens with at least one division just about every year. At worst, that division winner has a worse record than teams missing the playoffs. At best, that division's winner gets an undeserved home game in the playoffs.

Not only does the new format rectify that perennial injustice, but it would make the division and playoff races more exciting. Right now, the NFC North is over. But in the new format, GB would only be a game ahead of Sea and LAR for the NorthWest Division lead. In the current format, two teams are a game behind the lone team in 7th place. In the new format, 3 teams would be tied for 7th place, which is much more exciting.

New Format Final Standings

If the NFL moved back to two divisions per conference, we would get fairer and more exciting playoff games.

NFC South and East
1) New Orleans 13-3
2) Dallas 10-6
3) Philadelphia 9-7
4) Atlanta 7-9
5) Washington 7-9
6) Carolina 7-9
7) NY Giants 5-11
8) Tampa Bay 5-11

NFC North and West
1) LA Rams 13-3
2) Chicago 12-4
3) Seattle 10-6
4) Minnesota 8-7-1
5) Green Bay 6-9-1
6) Detroit 6-10
7) San Francisco 4-12
8) Arizona 3-13

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) NO, 2) LAR, 3) Chi, 4) Sea, 5) Dal, 6) Phi.

In the new format, Seattle would have the home game in the wild card game as they beat Seattle earlier in the season.

AFC North and East
1) New England 11-5
2) Baltimore 10-6
3) Pittsburgh 9-6-1
4) Cleveland 7-8-1
5) Miami 7-9
6) Cincinnati 6-10
7) Buffalo 6-10
8) NY Jets 4-12

AFC South and West
1) Kansas City 12-4
2) LA Chargers 12-4
3) Houston 11-5
4) Indianapolis 10-6
5) Tennessee 9-7
6) Denver 6-10
7) Jacksonville 5-11
8) Oakland 4-12

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) KC, 2) NE, 3) LAC, 4) Hou, 5) Bal, 6) Ind.

In the new format, the Chargers would have a home wild card game instead of a road game. In the current format, Kansas City is more likely to face the Chargers (the team with the second best record in the conference) in the divisional round than any other team. The current format is no only unfair to the Chargers, but also Kansas City, the number one seed.

New NFL Division Format Proposal

The NFL should have 4 division, two in each conference. That would prevent the possibility of the 2nd best team getting the 5th seed and starting out on the road and weak division winners from getting a home game when sometimes they shouldn't even make the playoffs.

In the AFC, the East and North merge and the South and West meld. Teams still play their current intra-division rivals twice and their new division rivals once. They play 2 teams from the other division and 4 from the other conference and two from the same Int he NFC, the East and South become a division and the North and West.


Current AFC standings 
1) KC 11-3
2) Hou 10-4
3) NE 9-5
4) Pit 8-5-1
5) LAC 11-3
6) Bal 8-6

AFC in New Format
1) KC 11-3
2) NE 9-5
3) LAC 11-3
4) Hou 10-4
5) Pit 8-5-1
6) Bal 8-6

The current standings are absurd. The one ssue with the new format is the AFC NorthEast is unusually weak this year, so New England would be seeded ahead of two worse teams. Houston would prefer the current format, but it's certainly fairer for Los Angeles. In the Wild Card round, the home teams would have better records in the new format, but not int he current format. Pittsburgh, which is two and half games behind the Chargers, would actually get a home game against them.

Current NFC standings 
1) NO 12-2
2) LAR 11-3
3) Chi 10-4
4) Dal 8-6
5) Sea 8-6
6) Min 7-6-1

NFC in New Format
1) NO 12-2
2) LAR 11-3
3) Chi 10-4
4) Sea 8-6
5) Dal 8-6
6) Min 7-6-1

The only difference is Seattle moves ahead of Dallas because they beat the Cowboys in week 3. But the playoff race would be far more competitive in the new format. Right now there is one division race in the NFC and the Wild Card race is a bit stunted.

In the new format Chicago and LA would be battling for the NorthWest crown. Dallas would be part of the Wild Card race. Seattle and Minnesota would be fighting with Dallas for a home playoff game. As of now, the best Seattle and Minnesota can hope for is a road playoff game int he Wild Card round, even if they finish ahead of whoever comes out of the East.

New Format Final Standings

If the NFL moved back to two divisions per conference, we would get fairer and more exciting playoff games.

NFC South and East
1) Philadelphia 13-3
2) New Orleans 11-5
3) Carolina 11-5
4) Atlanta 10-6
5) Dallas 9-7
6) Washington 7-9
7) Tampa Bay 5-11
8) NY Giants 3-13

NFC North and West
1) Minnesota 13-3
2) LA Rams 11-5
3) Detroit 9-7
4) Seattle 9-7
5) Arizona 8-8
6) Green Bay 7-9
7) Chicago 5-11
8) San Francisco 6-10

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) Phi, 2) Min, 3) LAR, 4) NO, 5) Car, 6) Atl.

In the new format, the division races wouldn't have been sewn up so quickly.

AFC North and East
1) New England 13-3
2) Pittsburgh 13-3
3) Buffalo 9-7
4) Baltimore 9-7
5) Cincinnati 7-9
6) Miami 6-10
7) NY Jets 5-11
8) Cleveland 0-16

AFC South and West
1) Jacksonville 10-6
2) Kansas City 10-6
3) Tennessee 9-7
4) LA Chargers 9-7
5) Oakland 6-10
6) Denver 5-11
7) Houston 4-12
8) Indianapolis 4-12

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) NE, 2) Jax, 3) Pit, 4) KC, 5) Ten, 6) Buf.

The one situation in which the new format is less fair is when two teams from one division finish with the top two records. However, the new format would've made the run up to the playoffs far more exciting and competitive. NE and Pitt would jockey for the bye and so would Jacksonville and Kansas City.

New NFL Format Standings Update

An update on the standings. In the proposed format, there would be two divisions in each conference. In the AFC, the East and North would form one division and the South and West would constitute the other. In the NFC, the East and South combine, and the North and West would be the other.

Current AFC standings
1) NE 11-3
2) Pit 11-3
3) Jax 10-4
4) KC 8-6
5) Ten 8-6
6) Buf 8-6

AFC in New Format
1) NE 11-3
2) Jax 10-4
3) Pit 11-3
4) KC 8-6
5) Ten 8-6
6) Buf 8-6

The only scenario where the new format is less fair is when the top teams would be in the same division as is the case here with Pittsburgh and New England. Otherwise, instead of Kansas City coasting to the 4 seed, there would be a 4-way tie for 4th.

Current NFC standings
1) Phi 12-2
2) Min 11-3
3) LAR 10-4
4) NO 10-4
5) Car 10-4
6) Atl 9-5

NFC in New Format
1) Phi 12-2
2) Min 11-3
3) LAR 10-4
4) NO 10-4
5) Car 10-4
6) Atl 9-5

The seeds are the same in either format. The difference is the number of teams jockeying for position. The North and West division race would be tight between Min and LAR. More teams would be at play for the final four Wild Card spots.

NFL Standings Update

An update on the standings. In the proposed format, there would be two divisions in each conference. In the AFC, the East and North would form one division and the South and West would constitute the other. In the NFC, the East and South combine, and the North and West would be the other.

Current AFC standings
1) Pit 11-2
2) NE 10-3
3) Jax 9-4
4) KC 7-6
5) Ten 8-5
6) Buf 7-6

AFC in New Format
1) Pit 11-2
2) Jax 9-4
3) NE 10-3
4) Ten 8-5
5) KC 7-6
6) Buf 7-6

The only scenario where the new format is less fair is when the top teams would be in the same division as is the case here with Pittsburgh and New England. Otherwise, instead of Kansas City having an undeserved home game in the wild car round, they would be on the road at Tennessee- a much fairer situation. There would be two out of two hot division races, and a four-way tie for the final spot.

Current NFC standings
1) Phi 11-2
2) Min 10-3
3) LAR 9-4
4) NO 9-4
5) Car 9-4
6) Atl 8-5

NFC in New Format
1) Phi 11-2
2) Min 10-3
3) LAR 9-4
4) NO 9-4
5) Car 9-4
6) Atl 8-5

The seeds are the same in either format. The difference is in the races. Currently there are 2 races in the 4 NFC divisions. In the new format, both divisions would have tight races.

New NFL Division Format Proposal

The NFL playoff format should be changed by combining divisions. Here's the plan: The NFC South and East divisions would be combined. The NFC North and West would be another division. In the AFC, the North and East would come together and so would the AFC South and West.

Teams in the same current divisions would play each other twice while teams would play the other four teams in their new division once. Four games would be played against teams in the opposing conference in the same current four year rotation. The remaining two games would be against teams in the same conference but different division.

Current AFC standings
1) Pit 10-2
2) NE 10-2
3) Ten 8-4
4) KC 6-6
5) Jax 8-4
6) Bal 7-5

AFC in New Format
1) Pit 10-2
2) Ten 8-4
3) NE 10-2
4) Jax 8-4
5) Bal 7-5
6) KC 6-6

The only scenario where the new format is less fair is when the top teams would be in the same division as is the case here with Pittsburgh and New England. Otherwise, instead of Kansas City having an undeserved home game in the wild car round, they would be on the road at New England- a much fairer situation. There would be two out of two hot division races, and a four-way tie for the final spot.

Current NFC standings
1) Min 10-2
2) Phi 10-2
3) LAR 9-3
4) NO 9-3
5) Sea 8-4
6) Car 8-4

NFC in New Format
1) Min 10-2
2) Phi 10-2
3) LAR 9-3
4) NO 9-3
5) Sea 8-4
6) Car 8-4

While the seedings would be the same right now, the new format would Include two out of two tight division races. Right now, the East and North are all but over. In the new format, New Orleans would trail Philly by just one game and the Ram would be one back of Minnesota.

NFL's New Format Final Standings

If the NFL moved back to two divisions per conference, we would get fairer and more exciting playoff games.

NFC South and East
1) Carolina 15-1
2) Washington 9-7
3) Atlanta 8-8
4) Philadelphia 7-9
5) New Orleans 7-9
6) NY Giants 6-10
7) Tampa Bay 6-10
8) Dallas 4-12

NFC North and West
1) Arizona 13-3
2) Minnesota 11-5
3) Green Bay 10-6
4) Seattle 10-6
5) St, Louis 7-9
6) Detroit 7-9
7) Chicago 6-10
8) San Francisco 5-11

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) Car, 2) Ari, 3) Min, 4) GB, 5) Sea, 6) Was.

The Wild Card round would look like this:
3) Min 11-5 vs. 6) Was 9-7; 4) GB 10-6 vs. Sea 10-6.

Instead of this mess:
3) Min 11-5  vs. 6) Sea 10-6; 4) Was 9-7 vs. GB 10-6.

AFC North and East
1) New England 12-4
2) Cincinnati 12-4
3) Pittsburgh 10-6
4) NY Jets 10-6
5) Buffalo 8-8
6) Miami 6-10
7) Baltimore 5-11
8) Cleveland 3-13

AFC South and West
1) Denver 12-4
2) Kansas City 11-5
3) Houston 9-7
4) Indianapolis 8-8
5) Oakland 7-9
6) Jacksonville 5-11
7) San Diego 4-12
8) Tennessee 3-13

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) Den, 2) NE, 3) Cin, 4) KC, 5) Pit, 6) NYJ.

The Wild Card round would look like this:
3) Cin 12-4 vs. 6) NYJ 10-6; 4) KC 11-5 vs. 5) Pit 10-6.

Instead of this mess:
3) Cin 12-4 vs. 6) Pit 10-6; 4) Hou 9-7 vs. 5) KC 11-5.

New NFL Format Standings after Week 14

Current AFC Standings
1) NE 11-2
2) Cin 10-3
3) Den 10-3
4) Indy 6-7
5) KC 8-5
6) NYJ 8-5

AFC in New Format
1) NE 11-2 (up one game over NorthEast rival Cin)
2) Den 10-3 (leading SouthWest)
3) Cin 10-3
4) KC 8-5
5) NYJ 8-5
6) Pit 8-5

Simple math tells us that the current system doesn't work. A 6-7 team makes the playoffs because it is beating up on the other mediocre teams in its division while a n 8-5 team is out of the playoffs because it is in a tough division. There's no logic to it. There would be two out of two division races at the highest level. The 8-5 teams would be fighting for a home field game int he Wild Card round instead of the right to play the terrible AFC South winner on the road. The new format is a fairer and more exciting system.

Current NFC Standings
1) Car 13-0
2) Ari 11-2
3) GB 9-4
4) Was 6-7
5) Sea 8-5
6) Min 8-5

NFC in New Format
1) Car 13-0 (clinched the SouthEast)
2) Ari 11-2 (up 2 games over NorthWest rival GB)
3) GB 9-4
4) Sea 8-5
5) Min 8-5
6) Was 6-7

Instead of a race to see who wins the NFC East and gets a home game in the playoffs, every 6-7 team would have an equal shot at the last playoff spot. There are 5 6-7 teams in the NFC and 3 more 5-8 teams, but only 3 of those 8 teams have a legitimate shot of making the playoffs under the current format. If the NFL switched the new format (the AFC North and East are in one division and the South and West are in another; in the NFC the South and East are together and the North and West are together) all 8 teams would be playing for that last spot. The NFC would not only be more exciting, but fairer as well.

New NFL Format Standings after Week 13

Current AFC standings

1) Cin 10-2

2) Den 10-2

3) NE 10-2

4) Ind 6-6

5) KC 7-5

6) NYJ 7-5

AFC in New Format

1) Cin 10-2

2) Den 10-2

3) NE 10-2

4) KC 7-5

5) NYJ 7-5

6) Pit 7-5

Three important differences if the new format was in place. The first is the teams that make the playoffs. Teams with better records would make the playoffs. The second is the playoff race. Right now there are two races: one for the AFC South and one for the final two wild card spots. Indy and Houston have a much better chance of making the playoffs than Pittsburgh and Buffalo even though Pitt's record is better and Buffalo's is the same as those two teams.

The third difference is the division races. Currently, the only division race in the AFC is in the mediocre south. The better teams have their divisions wrapped up. Under the new format, Cincy and New England would be tied for first in the NorthEast, a division race at the highest level.

Current NFC standings

1) Car 12-0

2) Ari 10-2

3) GB 8-4

4) Was 5-7

5) Min 8-4

6) Sea 7-5

NFC in New Format

1) Car 12-0

2) Ari 10-2

3) GB 8-4

4) Min 8-4

5) Sea 7-5

6) TB 6-6

Int he new format, teams would make the playoffs based on their record. A 5-7 team would not get a better seed than a 8-4 team simply because the other teams' in the 5-7 club's division are also terrible. 

New NFL Format Standings after Week 12

Here is the updated playoff picture if the NFL had two divisions per conference. In the AFC the East and North become one and the West and South. In the NFC, it's the East and South joining and the West and North.

Current AFC Standings

1. NE 10-1 (4 game division lead)

2. Cin 9-2 (3 game division lead)

3. Den 9-2 (3 games division lead)

4. Ind 6-5 (tiebreaker)

5. KC 6-5

6. Hou 6-5

AFC in New Format

1. NE 10-1

2. Den 9-2

3. Cin 9-2

4. KC 6-5

5. Ind 6-5

6. Hou 6-5

Int he AFC, the new format would make for an exiting division race in the AFC NorthEast. And it would the race would be between a 10-1 team and a 9-2 team (instead of the only division race being between some mediocre 6-5 teams).

Current NFC Standings

1. Car 11-0

2. Ari 9-2 

3. Min 8-3

4. Was 5-6

5. GB 7-4

6. Sea 6-5

NFC in New Format

1. Car 11-0

2. Ari 9-2

3. Min 8-3

4. GB 7-4

5. Sea 6-5

6. Atl 6-5

The new format makes things fairer for more teams. The NFC NorthWest divison would be competitive at a high level. The teams behind in the playoff chase wouldn't be penalized for being int he wrong division. The teams int he current NFC East would have to earn a playoff spot by winning mroe than the other teams in the conference, not by the luck of being in a weak division.

New NFL Format Standings after Week 11

An update of the NFL standings in the division and playoff format was in use. For a more comprehensive look at the format, here's last week's post.

Current AFC standings
1. NE 10-0
2. Cin 8-2
3. Den 8-2
4. Ind 5-5
5. Pit 6-4
6. KC 5-5

AFC in New Format
1. NE 10-0 (leader of NorthEast Division)
2. Den 8-2 (leader of SouthWest Division)
3. Cin 8-2 (2nd in NorthEast)
4. Pit 6-4 (3rd in NorthEast)
5. KC 5-5 (T2nd in SouthWest)
6. Ind 5-5 (T2nd in SouthWest)

In the new format, the Colts would not get a home game in the playoffs even though they have a worse record than Pittsburgh. Instead, they would be one of eight teams 5-5 or 4-6 in the AFC, all battling for the last two playoff spots. Right now, the Colts, Texans, and Jaguars are vying for the 4th spot and the other 5-5 and 4-6 teams are aiming for the 6th spot. The current format makes no sense!

Under the current format, there are two divisions without a race and a third- the North- that is in danger of being over. Only the horrid AFC South has a true race. In the new format, The Pats aren't 5 games up; they're only 2 up. Denver would still have a 3 game lead.

Current NFC standings
1. Car 10-0
2. Ari 8-2
3. GB 7-3
4. NYG 5-5
5. Min 7-3
6. Atl 6-4

NFC in New Format
1. Car 10-0 (leader of SouthEast Division)
2. Ari 8-2 (leader of NorthWest Division)
3. GB 7-3 (T2nd in NorthWest)
4. Min 7-3 (T2nd in NorthWest)
5. Atl 6-4 (2nd in SouthEast)
6. TB 5-5 (T3rd in SouthEast)

In the new format, the Giants would not even be in playoff position because they have a worse conference record than the other 5-5 teams, Tampa Bay and Seattle. The new format makes the division races and playoff chases more competitive.

The NorthWest Division race would be incredibly competitive down the stretch. Atlanta would have a shot at home field advantage int he playoffs if they play well. Mediocre teams wouldn't get a home playoff game.

New NFL Division Format

It's time to revive my annual crusade to change the NFL playoff format by combining division, Here's the plan: The NFC South and East divisions would be combined. The NFC North and West would be another division. In the AFC, the North and East would come together and so would the AFC South and West.

Teams in the same current divisions would play each other twice while teams would play the other four teams in their new division once. Four games would be played against teams in the opposing conference in the same current four year rotation. The remaining two games would be against teams in the same conference but different division.

Current AFC standings:
1) NE 9-0
2) Cin 8-1
3) Den 7-2
4) Ind 4-5
5) Pit  6-4
6) Buf 5-4

AFC in New Format:
1) NE 9-0
2) Den 7-2
3) Cin 8-1
4) Pit 6-4
5) Buf 5-4
6) NYJ 5-4

Currently, three division races are all but over already. The fourth division is the AFC South where the first place team is 4-5. The new format would currently oust the Bengals from the bye, but it would make the AFC NorthEast division very competitive at the highest level. Eliminating a losing team from having home field advantage in a playoff game makes up for the slight to the Bengals . In the new format, the Colts would be out of the playoffs and the Jets, who have a better record than the Colts, would be in.

Current NFC standings:
1) Car 9-0
2) Ari 7-2
3) Min 7-2
4) NYG 5-5
5) GB 6-3
6) Atl 6-3

NFC in New Format:
1) Car 9-0
2) Ari 7-2
3) Min 7-2
4) GB 6-3
5) Atl 6-3
6) NYG 5-5

The NFC is why I created the new format. Green Bay would get a home playoff game instead of the Giants, who are a game and half worse than the Packers. The NorthWest division race for a bye spot would be very competitive. Let's take a look:

NFC NorthWest division race in new format:
1) Ari 7-2
2) Min 7-2
3) GB 6-3

Also, more teams would be in the playoff hunt. Right now, 4-5 teams are two games back from making the playoffs (unless they're in the NFC East). Under the format, all 4-5 teams (Was, TB, STL, Sea, Phi, and Chi) would be just a game back of the playoffs. NO would be a game back and SF only a game and a half back. It would be a very exciting 10-team race for the last Wild Card spot. Instead it's a 3 team race for the weakest division.

NFL's New Format Final Standings

If the NFL moved back to two divisions per conference, we would get fairer and more exciting playoff games.

NFC South and East
1) Dallas 12-4
2) Philadelphia 10-6
3) Carolina 7-8-1
4) New Orleans 7-9
5) NY Giants 6-10
6) Atlanta 6-10
7) Washington 4-12
8) Tampa Bay 2-14

NFC North and West
1) Seattle 12-4
2) Green Bay 12-4
3) Arizona 11-5
4) Detroit 11-5
5) San Francisco 8-8
6) Minnesota 7-9
7) St. Louis 6-10
8) Chicago 5-11

The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) Sea; 2) Dal; 3) GB; 4) Ari; 5) Det; 6) Phi.

The Wildcard round would look like this:
6) Phi 10-6 vs. 3) GB 12-4; 4) Ari 11-5 vs. 5) Det 11-5.
instead of:
6) Det 11-5 vs. 3) Dal 12-4; 4) Car 7-8-1 vs. Ari 11-5.

AFC North and East
1) New England 12-4
2) Pittsburgh 11-5
3) Cincinnati 10-5-1
4) Baltimore 10-6
5) Buffalo 9-7
6) Miami 8-8
7) Cleveland 7-9
8) NY Jets 4-12

AFC South and West
1) Denver 12-4
2) Indianapolis 11-5
3) Houston 9-7
4) Kansas City 9-7
5) San Diego 9-7
6) Jacksonville 3-13
7) Oakland 3-13
8) Tennessee 2-14
Playoff seedings and matchup would be the same.