Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
You think so? I think the NFC West will be significantly better next year than the AFC West was this year. San Fran obviously, but Seattle and Arizona played good football down the stretch. lol Rams. AFC South could also be significantly improved. I don't see that the NFC North schedule is any easier than it was this year.
I do have faith that the Lions will have a better record next year, although I agree with you in thinking the schedule isn't a cakewalk.
I expect the Bears to take a step back. The Vikings are the Vikings and the Packers are set up for a dynasty run. I expect the Rams to suck and the Cardinals to be hanging around 8-8 again. The Seahawks will, I think, be a playoff contender and the 49ers are here to stay.
Detroit also gets the Falcons and Cowboys who are total wildcards.
The AFC South, though...Titans aren't great, Jags are terrible, the Texans are good but the Colts are terrible. Everybody this year was focused on the offense because of no Manning but the defense and special teams are just horrendous. That's going to take 2-3 years of rebuilding. I don't see them in the playoffs next year--even with Manning.
In the end, it's the NFL and every team can completely turnaround from the year before. They could end up 6-10 and I wouldn't bat an eye.