An NFL Rule Change We Can Get Behind

In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Bud Light:

While at a crawfish boil in Louisiana yesterday, I overheard a guy boasting about how he’s never ever been a Saints fan. Hmm. Cool. Easy thing to say in 2025, buddy.

But I reluctantly took the bait: "Well … Which team do you root for, then?"

That's when he pulled down the collar of his shirt to reveal a huge, 6x6-inch royal blue horseshoe tattoo. Go … Colts?!

Look, this anecdote has absolutely nothing to do with today's newsletter. But just like his tattoo, I needed to get that off my chest.

Let's talk about NFL rule changes!

NFL owners will meet this week to vote (again) on banning the tush push. But there’s another vote to keep your eye on, because the Lions have proposed a rule change that would alter the NFL's playoff seeding.

Rule Change: Winners Deserve Some Respect

Detroit's proposal looks to reseed teams (after the first round of the playoffs) by prioritizing their regular-season records.

In other words (I'm pretty sure this is exactly how it's worded in Detroit's proposal): “Sh*tty teams with sh*tty records who played in sh*tty, non-competitive divisions should be reseeded to account for their aforementioned sh*tty records.”

And I have to say … It makes sense.

If a Wild Card team finishes the regular season with an exceptional record, that should count for something, right? And if a team only squeezed into the playoffs because its entire division was a dumpster fire, that should be accounted for, too, right?

Otherwise, weird stuff can happen when the NFL is lopsided with top-weighted heavy hitters in one division and low-scoring losers in another. It’s a tale as old as time:

2020: Washington won the NFC East with a losing record (7-9).
2022: Tampa Bay won the NFC South with a losing record (8-9).
2024: Minnesota, T-2nd best regular season record in the league (14-3), had to play on the road against the 10-7 Rams because the Vikings finished second in their division.

Detroit originally received backlash to this proposal a few months ago from owners who wouldn’t support a divisional champion losing their hard-earned home-field advantage.

But in response, the Lions have amended their proposal to now postpone the reseeding of teams until the 2nd round of the playoffs, which has garnered enough support from the league to put it up for a vote this week.

Change can be scary. But you've got my vote, Detroit!

OK, Fantasy Football fans …

Sure, the NFL season may be long over … but next season’s action is already well underway. We’re talking big trades, new signings, draft order shuffles—you name it.

And all this preseason NFL action is easier to enjoy with the Official Beer of the NFL. So get Bud Light delivered today and enjoy every season projection, every player trade, every coaching change, and draft pick with the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light: the Official Beer of the NFL. Stock up now for the offseason and enjoy. Bud Light: Easy to Drink, Easy to Enjoy.

ORDER NOW

Test Your Fantasy Football Expertise

The best way to combat ‘recency bias’ is to put your recent knowledge to the test.

Yeah, Saquon Barkley is a DAWG and a Super Bowl Champion. But what about the other dawgs in 2024? We can’t forget about them just because they didn’t make the big game.

So whad’ya say? It’s only been a few months … Can you remember which players held it down at their position last season?

NO. 3 WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

Dome, Sweet Dome

Spring is in full bloom—sorry for those with allergies—and sunshine is breaking out all over. We’re thinking of grilling in the backyard, or maybe even hitting a lake or the ocean. We’d be excused if thinking of bad weather might be a downer. Good news, we want you to avoid bad weather, too.

Chris Allen examined the new NFL schedule and picked out some quarterbacks to keep an eye on because they have schedules that will have them playing a good number of indoor games. Some will even be inside during the fantasy playoffs in Weeks 15-17, while others could be battling the elements. Remember this article come draft time.👇🏼

WILL THIS YOUNG QB BOUNCE BACK WITH AN INDOOR PLAYOFF RUN?

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.

📉 Three WRs fall in ADP post-NFL Draft … and they’re all on the same team?!

🔮 Two RBs who are former teammates may actually be bargains in best ball.

🚨 Ian’s pretty, pretty, pretty set at his No. 5 pick.

📈 Five massive QB upgrades. Their schedules indicate bounceback seasons on tap.

👀 ICYMI: We started our NFL team previews in the NFC East with the Eagles, Commanders, Cowboys, and Giants.