History has a funny way of repeating itself. Especially when it comes to Pat McAfee and Dan Campbell – the drama never stops. Remember 2023, when McAfee was ready to fight a battle when the Detroit Lions’ PR team blocked his interview with Dan Campbell? “This isn’t Pee Wee football, shut the f__ up,” McAfee ranted. Only to apologize later saying, “offended by the situation” and “talked some shit that wasn’t needed” – Classic McAfee.
Well, get your popcorn ready for another season of the McAfee-Campbell drama – as the saga continues. Only this time it’s about the NFL rule change proposal.
On a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee talked about the latest attempt by the Detroit Lions’ to shake up the NFL playoffs rulebook. The Lions have proposed a dramatic change to the current playoff seeding format – to allow wild card teams to be seeded higher than division champions if the wild card team has a better regular season record. Looks like the Lions are trying to roar their way into a better playoff spot.
It’s rule change proposal season in the NFL
The Detroit Lions have proposed a change that would allow wild card teams to be seeded higher than division winners based on record #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/0FIwVy8rsd
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 19, 2025
And McAfee wasn’t surprised at all. “This is obviously from the Lions,” he said. He pointed out the chaotic Week 18 showdown between the Lions and Vikings last season. If Minnesota had won that game, they would’ve been the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Instead, they fell to the No. 5 seed just because they didn’t win their division.
But McAfee also didn’t hold back his reaction – a clear warning to Campbell. “I don’t know if they’re gonna pass this one.” Why you ask? Because Playoffs are like a goldmine for TV ratings. But Pat McAfee continued, “Teams from crappy divisions are like we will not vote for that, what are you talking about.” Well, Lions listen up, according to McAfee your proposal isn’t getting the votes.
The rule change proposals are a huge thing every offseason. Any NFL team can throw in their two cents on the existing rules. And this year, the most noise is being made by the Lions. But there are other rules as well that are suggested. The Packers want to ban the Eagles’ “Brotherly Shove” play, the Eagles want to ensure both teams get the ball in overtime, and the Steelers want to loosen free agency contact rules. Plus, the Lions have another one: defensive holding penalties. Right now, it’s an automatic first down for the offense, but Detroit argues it should just be a five-yard penalty without the extra advantage. But for now, it looks like their playoff seeding proposal has started a crazy internet debate.
Lions want the NFL rule book to change, but what do the fans think about it
The Lions just dropped a playoff seeding proposal that has turned the NFL Twitter (sorry, “X”) into a full-blown battleground. Some fans are all in, cheering in favour of the Lions for finally trying to stop the injustice of bad teams hosting wild-card games. “Thank you, Lions!!! No more bad teams hosting wild card games!!!” tweeted one. While some others, chimed in, “This is how it should be. A team with a worse record shouldn’t get a home game over a team with a better record.” Makes sense, right?
Well, the traditionalists aren’t buying it. “Disagree, teams should get rewarded for winning their division, even if it’s a weak division. That’s not the team’s fault,” argued another. Others think this proposal has the same odds of passing as a 50-yard Hail Mary in a blizzard. “The owners will never go for this. Nor should they,” declared one fan. Well, that’s what Pat McAfee is talking about. And then there were some, who saw a weird similarity in this rule with another game, “This makes the divisions meaningless like basketball! Then you might as well have an afc table and a nfc table.” Whether this rule sticks or not, one thing’s for sure – the Lions got people talking.
So, will their proposal receive an approval? History says no and Pat McAfee too – plus several fans have a similar feeling. Will this rule become the game-changer this season or just end up fizzling out? We’ll find out when the NFL owners meet at the end of March. Till then, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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