The Minnesota Vikings they are tied for the second-best record in the NFC this season, but their first playoff game will be on the road.
That's because the team ahead of them is 15-2 Detroit Lionswho won the NFC North with a win over Minnesota in Week 18.
The Lions received an even higher seed, while the Vikings traveled to Arizona to face the Los Angeles Rams. The game was scheduled for LA, but was moved due to wildfires.
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The NFL shield sign on the field at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Nov. 25, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
It's not a surprise early in the NFL playoffs. In the past, the seven winning teams have hosted the wild card round games.
However, that may change soon.
According to CBS SportsThe NFL will look at another season this season to change its playoff structure.
Jonathan Jones of CBS said one suggestion is to award the top four teams based on home winning percentage, rather than division winners.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell listens to a question during a press conference ahead of the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 5, 2024, Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
If that system were in place this year, it would mean that the Lions, Vikings, Eagles and Chiefs would host games on the NFC side. For the AFC, it would be the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens and Chargers.
The Commanders and Chargers are on the road this weekend against the Buccaneers and Texans, respectively, because the two teams that ended up winning the NFC and AFC South divisions.
Jones later added, however, that club owners have not shown “much desire” to change the format.
Before winning the division, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown proposed an amendment.
“Obviously if you win the division, obviously you have to make the playoffs, but having a 14th team that has to go on the road is kind of crazy. But I guess I don't make the rules,” he said at the time.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell listened to a question during a press conference before the Super Bowl on Feb. 8, 2023, Phoenix. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
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The last time the playoff format was changed was before the 2020 season, when it was expanded from 12 to 14 teams. That resulted in one team in the conference each got the first way instead of two. It also led to six wild-card playoff games, instead of four.
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