However they want to frame it, Play-ins are nothing more than a best of 5 playoff series for a chance at round of 16. Winner proceeds to the next round, loser's season is done. As I said a many posts ago, it benefits a team like Montreal, for example, who is in a win-win situation. Win and you proceed to the next round. Lose and you still retain your pick based on points%. For Pittsburgh, it means they will have to play an extra round AND win to qualify to the next round - they get no benefit for having the 7th best record. There is some interesting "spitballing" from the Bob Father to mitigate some of what's being debated in the forum thread with selfish takes from all HFers lol:
The silver lining is we will likely have these questions resolved sooner rather than later:
The silver lining is we will likely have these questions resolved sooner rather than later: