> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rffl.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tiebreakers & Playoffs

> RFFL tiebreaker criteria, seeding, Alpha Bowl, Beta Bowl, and bracket authority.

RFFL playoff placement depends on division winners, wild cards, seeding tiebreakers, and Alpha/Beta bracket rules.

## Playoff Concepts

| Concept                  | Meaning                                                                |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Division winners         | Seeds 1-4 are derived from division winner rules                       |
| Wild cards               | Remaining teams are seeded through wild card and Beta seeding rules    |
| Alpha Bowl               | Championship bracket                                                   |
| Beta Bowl                | Consolation bracket                                                    |
| ESPN vs official bracket | RFFL policy controls official interpretation when ESPN display differs |

## Tiebreaker Use

Use the Operations Manual for tiebreaker order and criteria. Use a validated season page, such as 2025, as the worked example for how those rules become a final record.

## Source Boundary

Do not infer final seeds from standings tables alone. Use the season recap's seeding derivation and reconcile with the Operations Manual.

## Related

| Page                                               | Use it for                         |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| [Operations Manual](/governance/operations-manual) | Primary governance reference       |
| [Rulings](/governance/rulings)                     | Official rule interpretations      |
| [Decisions](/governance/decisions)                 | Commissioner and process decisions |