History is destined to repeat itself. The Detroit Lions crumbled under the brightest lights by watching their No. 1-seeded dreams dissolve in last season's divisional round.
On Wednesday, they experienced another embarrassing postseason defeat. The Lions submitted a proposal to reshape playoff seeding by ranking teams strictly on record, regardless of division winners. Under the proposed changes, the Green Bay Packers would've had the No. 5 seed last season instead of No. 7.
The current rule reserves the top four seeds for the division winners, regardless of record. In theory, an 8-9 team that wins the NFC East could host a wild-card team that goes 14-3.
But much like their embarrassment against the Washington Commanders in January, the Lions threw in the towel again — withdrawing their proposal hours before the league vote. Poetry.
This time, though, it impacts the Packers.
We all enjoyed a chuckle while Jared Goff was slinging interceptions like they were going out of fashion, but the Lions' proposal would've benefitted Green Bay.
Lions' playoff rule proposal falls flat, and it could impact the Packers in 2025
We argued that the Lions' proposal was dripping with fear of losing their division title. As it turns out, they were too scared to even follow through with it.
The current rules hurt the Packers and Minnesota Vikings last season. The 11-win Packers had to settle for the No. 7 seed, which set up a daunting date with the final boss in Philadelphia. Minnesota suffered an even worse fate, receiving a brutal road game against the Los Angeles Rams as reward for winning 14 games.
Under the Lions' proposed rule changes, the Vikings would've clinched the No. 3 seed and hosted a playoff game. The Packers would've taken the No. 5 spot and hit the road against the Commanders.
The NFC North remains wildly competitive.
Despite their frustrating offseason choices and loss of two coordinators, the Lions remain the team to beat. Their roster is terrifyingly talented. Minnesota is a wild card — can J.J. McCarthy lead a playoff charge? Was last season a fluke? Even with an unproven quarterback, the Vikings appear to have a roster with genuine Super Bowl aspirations.
Add in a potentially resurgent Bears, and the NFC North will become awfully crowded.
Only one team can host a first-round playoff game. The battle for first place is as important as ever, and we can thank the Lions' last-minute withdrawal for that.