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This is an unusually lopsided year, though. Last year, this would have given us the 10-6 Cardinals at Carolina, the 8-8 Cowboys or Bears at Seattle, and two 8-8 teams (Jets, Dolphins, Steelers, or Ravens) at the Broncos and Patriots. In 2012, it would have been the 10-6 Bears at San Francisco, the 9-7 Giants at Atlanta, the 8-8 Steelers at New England, and the 7-9 Chargers or Dolphins at Denver. The same holds true looking further back: in 2011, the added teams would have been 9-7, 8-8, 8-8, and 8-8; in 2010, 10-6, 10-6, 9-7, and 8-8; in 2009, 9-7, 9-7, 9-7, and 8-8.
So across the previous five seasons, an expanded playoffs would have added twenty games, only one of which would have gone to a 7-9 team. Half of the time - including for four 10-6 teams - it would have meant playoff appearances for teams with winning records when under the current system they would get sent home.
I'm starting to talk myself into liking this idea.
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