The NFL has adopted the radical rule change to expand the playoffs, adding one team in each conference beginning with the upcoming 2020 season. It’s a year earlier than anticipated for including the seventh team in both the AFC and NFC and removing the bye for the No. 2 seed.
The NFL owners approved the change via a teleconference vote during what constitutes the league meetings regularly scheduled for this time but altered due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The expansion can only help the Cleveland Browns end their prolonged playoff drought. Cleveland has made the playoffs just once this century, after the 2002 season. Had this rule been in effect, the 2007 Browns would have made the postseason with the 10-6 record, the last time the team finished with more wins than losses.
