Can someone please explain how Tampa Bay could host the wild card game with an 8-9 record, while Dallas had a 12-5 record?

[Wallythewalrus]

I tried to Google it but all I got was post game info, also, I didn't wanna spend all day trying to find out. I always thought it was based on your overall record? And if there are tied records, they go by divisional wins, conference wins...

[TadCurious]

Under the current NFL playoff format, each division winner receives a higher seed than a wild card team. The Cowboys are a wild card team because they didn't win their division (the Eagles did). The Bucs however did win their division even though they had a losing record. The NFC South division was that bad.
So whether or not the current playoff format makes sense or not that's what it is.
🏉

[Wallythewalrus]

Ahh! I guess my brother did try to explain a little like you did but wasn't as clear. I always knew a division winner was guaranteed a playoff spot, I just didn't realize they could actually host a game with that bad of a record.

[spartan55]

Tampa won the NFC South division, Dallas was a wild card team from NFC East. Division winners are seeded ahead of wildcards regardless of their record. Tampa Bay was in probably the shitiest division in the league... but someone had to win it.

[LiamJHayden]

Tampa was a Division winner. Dallas was not.

[Wallythewalrus]

Oh! Thanks a lot. Seriously... I'm not a huge football fan and neither are the people I know. It's been bugging me for two days. Out of curiosity, do you think that's fair?

[CuriousMufuxka]

Tampa won their division. Dallas didn't make their playoff entry any better after getting pwned by Washington. Philly already had first round bye on lock.