I play Madden 2004 about twelve hours a day, every day. Franchise mode all the time. When I sim full seasons, every so often, a 6-10 team will make the playoffs as a division winner, so it can happen. We all remember the Seahawks getting in with a 7-9 record. I'd love to see a 5-11 team make the playoffs. It is mathematically possible that all four teams in a division finish with a 5-11 record.