[LitlBuck]

Cleveland Browns News, Schedule, Players and Multimedia - cleveland.com

As expected, Commissioner Roger Goodell's proposal to change the playoff seeding format went down in flames. Owners did not even formally vote. A show of hands indicated little support. The Browns were against the proposal because it would result in a division winner possibly playing on the road against a wild card team in the playoffs.
The proposal was intended to make late season games more meaningful. But owners were more worried about the ramifications in the playoffs.
Goodell and the competition committee may introduce a different proposal in the future to somehow discourage tanking games in the regular season.
Other changes were approved by the owners.
* The forceout rule was eliminated.
* Field goals and extra points will be subject to replay review, except for kicks that officials say passed over the upright.
* Teams can now defer the opening coin toss and choose to receive or defend the goal in the second half.
* The 5-yard facemask penalty was eliminated.
There was no action taken on calling a timeout an instant before a field goal is attempted. Coaches felt that this practice, popular early last season, will lose its appeal over time.