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Win the division at 7-9?


SolidSnake84

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Hey everyone,

i am arguing with a guy at my work right now on if an NFL team could win their division at 7-9 and go into the playoffs.

He says it's mathmatically impossible, but i think he's wrong. If the team finished 7-9 and that was the best record in their division, then they're going.

What do you think? Does anyone know for sure?

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If 7-9 is the best in the division (and it IS possible), then yes that team would make the playoffs and play a home game in the first round. UGH.

It nearly happened in the NFC West a few years ago if I remember correctly. I think 8-8 won the division.

Wasn't it St Louis finished 8-8 with Seattle but had the better division record and the Rams hosted them?

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Earlier this season, it was looking like 7-9 could win both the AFC and NFC West.

With a similar playoff structure to the NFL, the AFL has had a 7-9 team win the '06 Arena Bowl and another 7-9 team as a conference champ this past season. They were both 6th seeds however.

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Hey everyone,

i am arguing with a guy at my work right now on if an NFL team could win their division at 7-9 and go into the playoffs.

He says it's mathmatically impossible, but i think he's wrong. If the team finished 7-9 and that was the best record in their division, then they're going.

What do you think? Does anyone know for sure?

In '85, Marty's Browns won their division with an 8-8 record. However, they were ONE loss away from not doing so b/c the Bengals were 7-9.

If you ask me, they need to change the rules to where the 4th seed(the div winner with the worst record, that is) ISN'T guaranteed a home playoff game IF the WC team with the BETTER record of the 2 has a better record than this div winner.:2cents:

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Wasn't it St Louis finished 8-8 with Seattle but had the better division record and the Rams hosted them?

I had thought so too, but I looked it up and saw it was 2004 and the Seahawks managed to finish 9-7 and host the 8-8 Rams. The Vikings also made it to the playoffs at 8-8. :laugh:

No, you couldn't.

You play a division foe 6 times.

Each team could win 3 and lose 3 in the division, and then lose every game left on their schedule. The odds are astronomical, but it's still possible.

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I know it's a bit off subject, but for those that remember, in 1991, 8-8 got the NY Jets into the playoffs as a wild card and 10-6 kept the 49ers out.

Sort of what's happening in reverse these days......8-8 has been good enough to snag a WC in the NFC, while it takes a bit more effort in the AFC.

I remember that Niners situation in '91. They had a really bad start (I think Montana had missed significant time at the start of the year) but were finishing strong. Their last game was against Chicago on MNF and they absolutely had a chip on their shoulder......they were up big in the 4th but were still passing the ball.....I don't think they liked Ditka very much!!

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Thanks guys.

My buddy is coming around slowly now to this idea, but he still says most likely it will never happen in the NFL. I hope one day i really can prove him wrong.

Thanks to everyone who answered.

--Mark

I hope this never happens, who wants to watch a 7-9 or worse team in the playoffs? Especially if we have a better record and don't make it because we were in a harder division.

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