Playoff Questions

Orim

I'm fairly new to football and relatively untutored in the finer points so forgive the question if it's silly.

The playoffs consist of the four division winners and two wildcards compromised of the teams with the best winning percentages after the winners. That's six teams from each conference. Got that okay.

But I was playing Madden earlier and it put me into the playoffs when it looked like I was second placed in the division. Starting checking the tiebreakers in case it was a display glitch. Got down to common games before I gave up. I was in the wildcard round though so I have to assume they won the division.

I'm guessing that there was a glitch due to the number of tiebreakers (3 teams in my division with equal win pct and 3 others in the conference) or the game defaults to let you through in certain cases.

So I'm wondering if there is any circumstances in which a division champion doesn't go the the playoffs?

HigginsJ

The 8 divisional champs are always in the playoffs.

Courtesy of NFL.com

TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION

If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.

Two Clubs

Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.
Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best net points in common games.
Best net points in all games.
Best net touchdowns in all games.
Coin toss
Three or More Clubs

(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format).

Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs).
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.
Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best net points in common games.
Best net points in all games.
Best net touchdowns in all games.
Coin toss

The full set of tie-breaking rules are at

http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures

Orim

Fair enough, just a glitch so. Guess I was hoping there was more intricacies.

helimachoptor

Madden you say.... If you're on the 360 come over to the forum!