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2025Carolina PanthersFan ZoneNFCNFC SouthNFLTampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 18

Pissed Off NFL Fans Are Demanding Major Rule Change After Panthers-Buccaneers Game

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Tre'von Moehrig, Baker Mayfield and Roger Goodell. Fans want the rules to change for the NFL playoffs.
Tre’von Moehrig, Baker Mayfield and Roger Goodell (Photos via Imagn Images)

Football fans are demanding a change to the rules concerning the NFL playoffs after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.

With the Bucs winning 16-14, the Panthers failed to clinch the NFC South. Carolina will win the division if the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. With the Bucs winning 16-14, the Panthers failed to clinch the NFC South. Carolina will win the division if the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Carolina’s loss also ensures that the NFC South winner will finish with a losing record. That means the NFL playoffs will feature an 8-9 team hosting a Wild Card Round game against a team that finishes 12-5 or better.

Tampa or Carolina will get home advantage against either the 13-4 Seattle Seahawks, 12-5 San Francisco 49ers or 12-4 Los Angeles Rams.

Fans & Analysts Want Re-Seeding For NFL Playoffs

Baker Mayfield in uniform
Baker Mayfield (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Following Tampa Bay’s win, fans and analysts called for the NFL to re-seed teams by record for the postseason.

“Once the NFL went to 7 playoff teams in each league making playoffs and just 1 bye, they needed to seed based upon record. It’s just wrong that one of these teams gonna host a juggernaut from NFC West. This needs to change,” wrote CBS Sports’ Adam Schein.

“Couldn’t agree more Mr. Schein! Unfortunately I don’t see NFL owners allowing it to happen,” a user said.

“No wonder @ESPNNFL got this game between #CARvsTB – these teams are awful, and somehow one of them will host a #NFLPlayoffs game. @NFL really needs to fix this. Reseed by record.🤷🏻‍♂️,” said another.

“8-9 NFC South champ gets home playoff game. Because of course they do🤣,” a fan commented.

“the fact one of these teams gets a home playoff game is insane,” a fan said.

“Yep a losing record team makes the playoffs while a team 10-7 seats at home. We need a ranking playoff system with NFC/AFC 1-8 no byes for #1 seeds!” another wrote.

Per The Sporting News, only five teams have made the playoffs with a losing record since 1983: The 2010 Seattle Seahawks, 2014 Panthers, 2020 Washington Football Team and 2022 Buccaneers. The NFC South winner will join one of them.

Seattle and Carolina won their respective Wild Card Round games. Washington and Tampa lost theirs.

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