And they should be.
The Detroit Lions had their chance.
After securing the NFC's top seed and taking any opportunity they could to embarrass their opponents, the Lions received a taste of their own medicine once the real games started.
Within days of being one-and-doned by Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders, harsh reality set in for the Lions. Ben Johnson, who crafted the Lions' unplayable offense, bolted for the Chicago Bears, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn headed to the New York Jets.
The Green Bay Packers should've beaten the Lions when they last met at Ford Field. Christian Watson had a touchdown wrongly ruled out before the refs overlooked a blatant push-off from Amon-Ra St. Brown during the Lions' game-winning drive.
We won't get into it again, but it proved the Packers were close. Since then, the Lions have lost their offensive and defensive coordinators while the Bears and Minnesota Vikings went wild in free agency.
Now, the Lions want a rule change.
Lions propose new rule that allows wild-card teams to earn higher playoff seeds than division winners
The NFL has announced the proposed rule changes for the 2025 season, including the Packers' hilarious attempt to ban the tush push. The Lions have also proposed a change to playoff seeding.
Here is the official word from NFL Football Operations:
"By Detroit; amends Article XX, Section 20.2 of the Constitution & Bylaws, to amend 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."
In other words, wild-card teams can earn higher playoff seeding than division winners if they have a better record.
Last season, the 14-3 Vikings tied the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC's second-best record, but they had to settle for the No. 5 seed to make way for the division winners.
Why would the Lions want this move? Is it because they believe they will win a bunch of games but might not win the NFC North in 2025? That's my biased Packers fan interpretation, at least.
The NFC North isn't getting any easier. Detroit remains the team to beat but must adjust after losing several key members of Dan Campbell's staff. Minnesota has a Super Bowl-ready roster but is passing on Aaron Rodgers to go with the untested and unproven J.J. McCarthy. Chicago spent big to support second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and Lions-turned-Bears coach Ben Johnson.
Then there are the Packers. Matt LaFleur's team quietly and unexcitingly went 11-5 last season. They've maintained continuity and have the chance to build on that record if they can find the necessary upgrades at key positions.
The Lions are looking over their shoulder at the daunting challenge of retaining their NFC North crown. A convenient rule change may help.
