As the NFL season heads toward the playoffs, teams start to get caught in ties for playoff spots. Understanding how tiebreakers work becomes crucial, especially when records are closed. The NFL has a system in place to determine which teams move forward when teams finish with the same record, whether they’re fighting for a divisional title or a Wild Card spot. The rules might seem complicated at first, but they are meant to ensure the best teams make it to the postseason.
Most of the time, tiebreakers are straightforward, but as teams battle for those final spots, the process can get more detailed. Divisional and Wild Card tiebreakers are applied differently, depending on whether the teams are in the same division or not. These rules ensure that the most deserving teams make it to the playoffs. Here’s a breakdown of how the NFL decides who makes it to the postseason when teams finish tied.
Division Tiebreakers: Deciding Who Wins The Division
When two or more teams are tied within the same division, the NFL first looks at head-to-head records. If one team has beaten the other more times, that team will win the division. If the head-to-head record doesn’t break the tie, the next factor is the win percentage within the division. Teams with better records against divisional opponents get an edge.
If that doesn’t do it, the NFL moves to conference records, then common games, and even strength of schedule. These deeper tiebreakers look at how teams performed against other teams across the league. If teams are still tied after all this, it can even come down to the strength of victory or combined rankings in points scored and points allowed. And if it still can’t be decided, a coin toss might be the final solution.
Also Read: Which Team Holds The NFC North Tiebreaker For The Division Title In The NFL Playoffs?
The division tiebreaker process is especially important for teams trying to win a division title. Division winners automatically get a playoff spot, which means tiebreakers are often the difference between making it or not. In cases where teams are tied for different playoff spots within the division, the division tiebreakers will still apply first, and then Wild Card tiebreakers are used to rank the teams.
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Also Read: Which Team Holds The NFC North Tiebreaker For The Division Title In The NFL Playoffs?
Wild Card Tiebreakers: Sorting Out The Other Spots
When teams are fighting for a Wild Card spot but haven’t won their division, tiebreakers come into play. These tiebreakers follow a similar process to division tiebreakers, starting with head-to-head records. If one team has the advantage here, that team will take the Wild Card spot, and if not, the NFL moves to conference record to see how well the teams performed within their own conference.
If teams are still tied, the next step is to win percentage in common games. From there, the NFL looks at the strength of victory and the strength of the schedule. As tiebreakers continue, the NFL compares teams’ combined rankings in points scored and points allowed. If it comes down to the final tiebreakers, it could be based on net points or net touchdowns. If everything else fails, a coin toss may determine who gets the spot.
When more than two teams are tied for a Wild Card spot, the tiebreakers start by eliminating one team at a time. The process works like this: the first team to be eliminated is ranked lowest, and the tiebreakers continue with the remaining teams until the tie is fully resolved.
Also Read: Which Team Holds The NFC West Tiebreaker In The NFL Playoffs Division Title Race?
Conference Tiebreakers And Coin Tosses
When teams are from different divisions but the same conference, the NFL applies conference tiebreakers after the division tiebreakers are sorted out. These rules follow a similar structure to Wild Card tiebreakers, starting with head-to-head and conference records. If teams remain tied, the league considers common games, the strength of victory, and other factors. However, the league always prioritizes division records, handling divisional ties first before applying conference-wide tiebreakers.
A coin toss might seem random, but it’s the last step in the tiebreaker process. While it’s rare, sometimes it’s needed after all other tiebreakers have been exhausted. In these cases, a flip of a coin can decide who makes the playoffs.
Examples Of Tiebreakers In Action
Right now, tiebreakers are playing out in the AFC and NFC. For example, in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos have both tied for a Wild Card spot, but Baltimore holds the advantage because they won their head-to-head matchup earlier in the season. In the NFC, the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles are both 12-2. The Lions currently hold the top spot based on their superior conference record.
In the Wild Card race, the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tied at 8-6. The Rams hold the edge over the Seahawks due to a head-to-head win, but the two teams still have to meet again in Week 17. The Rams and Buccaneers are also tied, but the Buccaneers are ahead thanks to a better conference record.
All in all, NFL tiebreakers ensure that the best teams make the playoffs. From head-to-head records to conference performance, these rules decide who gets a postseason spot, with a coin toss as a last resort.
Also Read: How NFL Teams Earn A Spot In The Super Bowl? A Complete Guide To The Playoff Process
