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Kicking zones and a ban on losing teams: NFL playoff tweaks we’d like to see

January 8, 2026

Bryce Young’s Panthers will play in the postseason despite a losing record. usty Jones/APBryce Young’s Panthers will play in the postseason despite a losing record. usty Jones/APKicking zones and a ban on losing teams: NFL playoff tweaks we’d like to seeThe postseason consistently serves up enthralling football.

Kicking zones and a ban on losing teams: NFL playoff tweaks we’d like to see

Credit: Theguardian

Key Highlights

But there are ways to make it even more compellingRemove teams with losing recordsNo legitimate Super Bowl champion should have a losing record in the regular season.
The Panthers, crowned NFC South champions at 8-9, are not an outlier.
Since 2010, five teams with losing records have made the postseason.
The 2022 Bucs were the first team to make the dance with a losing record since the league instituted a 17-game schedule.
This season, the NFC South has done it again. This isn’t an annual problem, but it is an inherent design flaw. Division champs getting an automatic playoff berth – and a home game – is a hot topic every season.

Sport nfl US sports Jacksonville Jaguars Carolina Panthers

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Kicking zones and a ban on losing teams: NFL playoff tweaks we’d like to see

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Kicking zones and a ban on losing teams: NFL playoff tweaks we’d like to see

Key Highlights

Sources

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