The NFL season always brings excitement, anticipation, and of course, the ultimate goal of making it to the playoffs. For fans and players alike, the playoff race is a thrilling and nerve-wracking time as teams battle it out for a chance at the coveted Super Bowl title. If you’re wondering just how many teams get a shot at playoff glory in the NFL, you’ve come to the right place.
In the National Football League, a total of 14 teams qualify for the playoffs each season. This number has been in place since the 2020 season when the league expanded the playoff field to include an additional two teams per conference. Prior to this expansion, 12 teams made it to the playoffs – six from the American Football Conference (AFC) and six from the National Football Conference (NFC).
So, how do these 14 playoff spots break down? Well, in the current format, the top seven teams from each conference make it to the postseason. The division winners from the AFC and NFC automatically secure a spot in the playoffs, regardless of their win-loss record. These division winners are determined based on the best records within their respective divisions.
In addition to the division winners, the three wild card spots in each conference are awarded to the next best teams based on their overall records. These wild card teams are the ones who didn’t win their divisions but still performed well enough to earn a shot at playoff glory.
The playoff picture is further determined by seeding, which is based on the teams’ overall records and tiebreakers if necessary. The top seed in each conference gets a first-round bye, meaning they automatically advance to the divisional round without having to play in the wild card round.
The remaining six teams in each conference then face off in the wild card round, with the lower-seeded teams traveling to play the higher-seeded teams. This single-elimination round is a do-or-die situation for teams looking to keep their playoff hopes alive.
From there, the winners advance to the divisional round, where they face off against the top-seeded teams. The winners of the divisional round games move on to the conference championships, with the victors earning a spot in the Super Bowl.
The expanded playoff format has added even more excitement and drama to the NFL postseason, giving more teams and fans a chance to experience the thrill of playoff football. Whether you’re a die-hard fan rooting for your favorite team or just a casual observer caught up in the playoff frenzy, the NFL postseason never fails to deliver heart-stopping moments and unforgettable performances.
So, the next time you’re watching a game and wondering how many teams make it to the playoffs in the NFL, remember that it’s 14 – seven from each conference. And as the playoff race heats up each season, get ready for some intense matchups, incredible plays, and the quest for Super Bowl glory.