Detroit Lions Withdraw NFL Playoff Seeding Proposal Ahead of Owners Vote

The Detroit Lions have officially withdrawn their proposal to modify the NFL playoff seeding format, just hours before league owners were set to vote on the measure during Wednesday’s spring meetings.

Current Playoff Format Stays Intact — For Now

The NFL currently features a 14-team playoff structure in which each conference's four division champions are granted the top four seeds, along with home-field advantage in the opening round. The three remaining postseason spots are awarded to wild card teams with the best records, regardless of division.

What the Lions Proposed

The Lions’ proposal aimed to adjust the seeding process by ranking teams strictly by regular-season record after the No. 1 overall seed — which would still go to the division winner with the league’s best record and first-round bye. This would have opened the door for higher-performing wild card teams to be seeded above division champions with inferior records.

Under the proposal:
The top seed would still be the division winner with the best overall record.
Seeds 2 through 7 would be determined solely by win-loss records.
The top three seeds would host Wild Card Round games.
Higher seeds would retain home-field advantage in the Divisional Round.

Such a change would have been a significant shift from tradition, potentially eliminating scenarios where division winners with worse records host playoff games over stronger wild card teams.

Owners Still Reviewing Other Rule Changes

Although the seeding proposal was shelved, NFL owners are still evaluating a number of other potential rule changes during this week’s meetings. Among the items under discussion:

Adjustments to the "Tush Push" quarterback sneak, made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Revisions to kickoff and onside kick procedures.
Possible changes to free kick formations.
Enhancements to special teams safety and strategy.

On Tuesday, owners approved a motion to allow NFL players to compete in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

MLB Fixtures & Results for Wednesday, May 21, 2025

By Jose Hernandez • May 21, 2025

MLB Fixtures & Results for Wednesday, May 21, 2025

A basketball player is dribbling the ball while another player tries to stop him.

Gilgeous-Alexander Powers Thunder Past Timberwolves in Game 1 of Western Conference Finals

By Jose Hernandez • May 21, 2025

Gilgeous-Alexander Powers Thunder Past Timberwolves

NBA All Time Player Stats (Top 10)

By Chris Vahey • May 21, 2025

1. LeBron James Games: 292 | Minutes: 12,062 Points: 8,289 | FG%: 49.6 | 3P%: 33.3 | FT%: 74.1 Rebounds: 2,628 | Assists: 2,095 | Steals: 493 | Blocks: 284 EFG%: 53.7 | TS%: 58.4 2. Michael Jordan Games: 179 | Minutes: 7,474 Points: 5,987 | FG%: 48.7 | 3P%: 33.2 | FT%: 82.8 Rebounds: 1,152 | Assists: 1,022 | Steals: 376 EFG%: 50.3 | TS%: 56.8 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Games: 237 | Minutes: 8,851 Points: 5,762 | FG%: 53.3 | FT%: 74.0 Rebounds: 2,481 | Blocks: 476 EFG%: 53.3 | TS%: 57.1 4. Kobe Bryant Games: 220 | Minutes: 8,641 Points: 5,640 | FG%: 44.8 | 3P%: 33.1 | FT%: 81.6 Rebounds: 1,119 | Assists: 1,040 | Steals: 310 EFG%: 48.0 | TS%: 54.1 5. Shaquille O'Neal Games: 216 | Minutes: 8,098 Points: 5,250 | FG%: 56.3 | FT%: 50.4 Rebounds: 2,508 | Blocks: 459 EFG%: 56.3 | TS%: 56.5 6. Tim Duncan Games: 251 | Minutes: 9,370 Points: 5,172 | FG%: 50.1 | FT%: 68.9 Rebounds: 2,859 | Blocks: 568 EFG%: 50.2 | TS%: 54.8 7. Kevin Durant Games: 170 | Minutes: 6,893 Points: 4,985 | FG%: 47.7 | 3P%: 35.6 | FT%: 86.8 Rebounds: 1,327 | Assists: 709 | Blocks: 204 EFG%: 52.9 | TS%: 59.9 8. Karl Malone Games: 193 | Minutes: 7,907 Points: 4,761 | FG%: 46.3 | FT%: 73.6 Rebounds: 2,062 | Assists: 610 EFG%: 46.3 | TS%: 52.6 9. Jerry West Games: 153 | Minutes: 6,321 Points: 4,457 | FG%: 46.9 | FT%: 80.5 Assists: 970 EFG%: 46.9 | TS%: 54.1 10. Stephen Curry Games: 155 | Minutes: 5,773 Points: 4,147 | FG%: 45.4 | 3P%: 39.7 | FT%: 88.9 Rebounds: 828 | Assists: 953 | Steals: 231 EFG%: 56.1 | TS%: 60.8

A group of people are playing a game of football on a field.

NFL Approves Player Participation in Flag Football at 2028 Summer Olympics

By Jose Hernandez • May 20, 2025

NFL Approves Player Participation in Flag Football at 2028 Summer Olympics

A group of baseball players are standing next to each other holding bats.

2025 MLB Top 50 Prospect Rankings

By Chris Vahey • May 20, 2025

2025 MLB Top 50 Prospect Rankings

The okc storm chasers and minnesota timberwolves logos are on a red and blue background.

Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Player Stats

By Chris Vahey • May 20, 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Stats

A baseball player wearing a phillies jersey and helmet is running on the field.

Phillies Power Past Rockies Behind Sosa’s Big Night and Schwarber’s Milestone Homer

By Chris Vahey • May 20, 2025

Phillies Power Past Rockies Behind Sosa’s Big Night and Schwarber’s Milestone Homer

A football player in an orange uniform is throwing a football.

Cleveland Browns Sign Rookie QB Spencer Sanders to Four-Year Deal

By Chris Vahey • May 19, 2025

Cleveland Browns Sign Rookie QB Spencer Sanders to Four-Year Deal

MLB Results – Sunday, May 18, 2025

By Chris Vahey • May 18, 2025

MLB Results – Sunday, May 18, 2025

A football player with the number 75 on his jersey is standing on the field.

Alijah Vera-Tucker Named Jets' Most Underrated Player Ahead of 2025 Season

By Chris Vahey • May 18, 2025

Alijah Vera-Tucker Named Jets' Most Underrated Player Ahead of 2025 Season