If the NFL ever considered adjusting conference alignments or implementing a promotion and relegation system, now would be the opportune moment. This season, the AFC and NFC seem to be participating in completely different leagues. The AFC boasts numerous playoff-ready teams, equipped with several franchise quarterbacks vying for a postseason spot. In stark contrast, the NFC fails to reach anywhere close to that level.
Despite the glaring discrepancy in quality between the conferences, both are still required to send seven teams to the playoffs. The writer of this article might even consider starting a petition for the top 14 teams to advance to the playoffs annually. However, as of now, the NFC and, in particular, the NFC South still hold significant influence.
As the playoffs draw near and the NFC South’s 5-5 New Orleans Saints continue to lead, it’s essential to highlight the possibility of multiple teams from this division making it to the playoffs. The Saints’ quarterback situation is shaky, with Derek Carr underperforming and backup Jameis Winston taking over. Despite their issues, the Saints could still host a playoff game. Meanwhile, the Falcons and Buccaneers remain contenders for the seventh seed, despite their mediocre performance. This scenario, if it plays out, is both outrageous and unsettling.
Looking beyond the NFC South and its rollercoaster storyline, the NFC’s playoff teams appear to be fairly decided unless marred by catastrophic injuries. The Eagles, Lions, 49ers, Seahawks, and Cowboys are all poised to easily make the playoffs. While the NFC’s top teams remain formidable, overall, the conference is considerably weaker compared to the AFC.
Examine the quarterback talent on the fringe NFC teams—Carr and Winston, Sam Howell, Baker Mayfield, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinecke. In contrast, the AFC’s fringe teams boast quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen. It’s evident that the latter three are the caliber of quarterbacks and players you’d expect in the playoffs. And this is just the tip of the iceberg for AFC postseason contenders, with Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Trevor Lawrence, and Tua Tagovailoa in the mix, alongside the Steelers and Browns offering tenacious play from their quarterbacks in crucial moments.
Another illustration of the AFC-NFC gap is the projected draft order. According to Tankathon, seven of the current top 10 2024 draft order teams are from the NFC. In comparison, only the Titans, Patriots, and Broncos are on par with the NFC’s lowest-performing teams. This discrepancy in conference quality is reflected in the current playoff seeding. The AFC’s depth is such that several of the league’s best young quarterbacks are at risk of missing out on the postseason. Even Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ quarterback, is currently the 12th seed as they struggle to establish a defensive identity.
While rules must be followed, the stark disparity between the AFC and NFC, particularly regarding the bottom of the playoff picture, is quite amusing. Perhaps Roger Goodell should intervene and adjust the playoff structure to ensure that the top quarterbacks secure a spot in the playoffs, or at least prevent the NFC South from hosting a playoff game this season. It’s the equitable thing to do.
