Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Fozzy Whittaker (35) runs with the ball on a thirty five yard pass reception for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The league is thinking about adding a team into the playoffs which would bring the 7th seed teams into the playoffs. The 2nd seed would no longer receive a BYE in the first round and they would then play the 7th seed in the first round of the playoffs.
If this rule had been in effect for the last 10 seasons, here are the teams that would have made it into the tournament, per Reddit.
The Cleveland Browns would have made the playoffs!!!
It is interesting that none of the teams have a losing record at the 7th seed. That makes adding the 7th seed into the playoffs a little more legit. The league wants to add the 7th seed to the playoffs and there is chatter about adding the 7th seed this season.
The Steelers missed out on the playoffs the last couple of seasons and would have locked down that 7th spot in the last couple of years. The owners would love to bring more money into the league and into stadiums. Adding another team in the playoffs means that there are more meaningful games at the end of the season and it also means another game to generate money from the playoffs. It is all about the money.