When it comes to the NFL playoffs, one common question that fans often ask is, “How many teams in the NFL make the playoffs?” Well, the answer to that is a total of 14 teams make it to the NFL playoffs each season.
In the current NFL playoff format, which was expanded in 2020, there are seven teams from each conference that make the playoffs. This means that four division winners and three wild card teams from the NFC and AFC qualify for the postseason.
Let’s break it down further. In each conference, there are four divisions: North, South, East, and West. The team with the best record in each division automatically secures a spot in the playoffs as a division winner. This makes a total of four teams from each conference.
Now, let’s talk about the wild card teams. These are the teams that didn’t win their division but have one of the best records in the conference. In each conference, the three teams with the next best records, regardless of their division, earn a wild card spot in the playoffs. This brings the total number of playoff teams in each conference to seven.
The NFL playoff system is designed to ensure that the best teams from each conference have a chance to compete in the postseason. It adds an extra level of excitement as teams battle it out for a spot in the playoffs during the regular season.
Once the 14 teams are determined, the playoffs kick off with the Wild Card round, where the wild card teams face off against higher-seeded division winners. The winners of the Wild Card games move on to the Divisional Round, where they face the top two seeded teams from each conference who earned a bye week.
The Divisional Round is followed by the Conference Championships, where the winners of each conference face off to determine the AFC and NFC champions. Finally, the two conference champions meet in the ultimate showdown, the Super Bowl, to compete for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.
So, there you have it – a total of 14 teams, seven from each conference, make it to the NFL playoffs each season. It’s a thrilling journey that tests the mettle of the best teams in the league and culminates in the crowning of a Super Bowl champion. Next time you’re watching your favorite NFL team, remember the playoff race is always on, and only the best of the best get a shot at postseason glory.