Key Takeaways
- The NFL regular season consists of 18 weeks, with each team playing 17 games and having one bye week for rest and recovery.
- The league expanded the regular season to 17 games in 2021, reducing preseason games from four to three for player safety and improved fan experience.
- A team’s schedule includes six divisional matchups and 11 games against non-divisional opponents, ensuring diverse and competitive play.
- The NFL postseason involves 14 teams, culminating in the Super Bowl, where the top AFC and NFC teams compete for the championship.
- Historical schedule changes, like the transition from 16 to 17 regular-season games, highlight the league’s evolution to enhance excitement and revenue.
- Preseason games remain vital for player development and roster decisions, even though they don’t impact the official standings.
I’ve always found the NFL season to be one of the most exciting times of the year. From nail-biting matchups to unexpected underdog victories, there’s nothing quite like the energy of football season. But if you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered exactly how many games make up a full NFL season.
Overview Of The NFL Season
An NFL season consists of 18 weeks, packed with action and drama. Each team plays 17 games with one designated bye week. This schedule format allows every franchise to battle week after week while getting a brief mid-season breather.
The NFL regular season usually starts in early September and runs through early January. Fans can expect intense matchups as teams face divisional opponents twice (home and away) while also competing against non-divisional conference and inter-conference teams. These games create opportunities for rivalries to grow and new stars to shine.
In addition to the regular season, the NFL postseason includes 14 teams: seven from each conference. This setup offers one bye week to the top seed in each conference, while six wildcard matchups kick off the playoffs. From there, the action builds to the highly-anticipated Super Bowl, where the champions claim their glory.
Regular Season Games
The NFL regular season is packed with action and drama, making every week unmissable. Each team battles through a carefully structured schedule to earn their place in the postseason.
Number Of Games For Each Team
Every NFL team plays 17 regular season games over 18 weeks. The extra week is designated as a bye week, giving teams a critical chance to rest and recover. Divisional rivalries dominate six of these games, as each team plays their three division opponents twice—once at home and once away. The remaining 11 games match teams against non-divisional opponents, determined by a league formula based on team performance from the previous season.
Playing only 17 games adds extra intensity to every matchup because there’s little room for error when trying to secure a playoff spot. Teams fight to balance aggressive play with the endurance needed to last a full season.
Recent Changes To The Schedule
The league expanded the regular season to 17 games in the 2021 season, the first major change since introducing a 16-game schedule in 1978. This adjustment resulted in a longer regular season while cutting the preseason from four to three games. As someone who loves watching football, this change added excitement as fans get an extra week of competitive action.
These updates also mean records set before 2021 can be tougher to compare with today’s stats. That said, this change gave an edge to the fan experience by ensuring more opportunities to see our favorite teams play meaningful games.
Preseason Games
Preseason games bring a different kind of energy compared to the regular season. These games might not count in the standings, but they’re essential for teams and fans alike.
Purpose Of Preseason Games
Preseason games serve as preparation for the regular season. Coaches evaluate players, test strategies, and make decisions about the final roster. For younger players, it’s their chance to prove they belong in the NFL. Veterans use these games to fine-tune their skills and get game-ready without the same pressure as the regular season. For me, I love seeing rookies and fringe players fight for roster spots—it’s pure competition.
Fans benefit by getting an early taste of football after months of offseason, even if starters play limited snaps. These games let us see new draft picks and offseason acquisitions in action, starting to imagine how they’ll impact the team.
Number Of Preseason Games
Each NFL team plays three preseason games, reduced from four after the league expanded the regular season in 2021. Teams often approach them differently: the first game highlights newcomers, the second ramps up intensity, and the third focuses on starters while avoiding injuries. Back when I played, scrimmages followed a similar vibe—early games were about trying new things and later ones got serious fast.
With 32 teams in the league and three games each, preseason totals 96 matchups. These may not have the stakes of regular or postseason battles, but they’re critical for shaping the year ahead. Watching these games is like getting a sneak peek of what’s coming in September.
Postseason And Playoffs
The NFL postseason takes the excitement to new heights. After the regular season concludes, 14 teams battle for a shot at the Lombardi Trophy, delivering unforgettable moments and intense competition.
Structure Of The Playoffs
The playoffs include seven teams from each conference, the AFC and NFC. Each conference has four division winners and three wild-card teams. The division winners secure the top four seeds, ranked by their regular-season records, while the wild cards fill seeds five through seven.
The playoffs start with Wild Card Weekend, where the No. 1 seed in each conference gets a bye. The remaining six teams play in three matchups: the No. 2 seed faces No. 7, No. 3 faces No. 6, and No. 4 faces No. 5. Winners advance to the Divisional Round, where the top seed joins the competition. The winners of these games move on to the Conference Championship, determining which team from each conference earns a place in the Super Bowl.
This format guarantees high stakes at every stage. Upsets, rivalries, and superstar performances make playoff games unforgettable.
Super Bowl Game
The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of the NFL season. Played on the first Sunday in February, it features the AFC and NFC champions vying for league supremacy. The game rotates cities each year and typically takes place in a warm-weather or dome stadium for ideal conditions.
From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the stakes are enormous. Players leave everything on the field, knowing a victory etches their name in history. For fans like me, it’s the ultimate spectacle: elite strategy, incredible athleticism, and emotion-packed moments.
Beyond the game itself, the halftime show and commercials add to the grandeur, making the Super Bowl much more than just a football game. It’s the perfect ending to months of NFL drama and action.
Key Changes Over The Years
The NFL has evolved significantly, with adjustments to its game schedule shaping how seasons unfold. As someone who’s always loved football, I find it fascinating to see how these changes impacted the pace and excitement of the league.
Historical Game Counts
Originally, the NFL featured 12-game seasons when it was formed in 1920. By 1935, the schedule expanded to 14 games, adding two more matchups per team. Following the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the league’s 26 teams continued with the 14-game system.
In 1978, a major shift occurred when the league introduced an expanded 16-game schedule while shortening the preseason to four games. This new structure remained in place for over four decades, solidifying itself as the standard. Then came 2021, and the league decided to increase regular-season games to 17, marking its first significant change since 1978. Preseason games were reduced to three to accommodate this adjustment.
Reasons For Schedule Changes
The NFL has changed its schedule over the years to keep up with fans’ growing interest and to maintain competitive balance. The transition in 1978 to 16 games allowed for more revenue through additional broadcasts while extending the thrilling competition between teams.
In 2021, expanding to 17 games satisfied the demand for more meaningful contests and higher stakes. This decision also aligned with the league’s broadcasting agreements, which marked record-setting deals. While some worried about player fatigue and safety with the added game, the league prioritized player health by retaining teams’ bye weeks and cutting one preseason game.
Key adjustments like these have defined the league’s evolution and fueled the unforgettable intensity we see today. As a longtime football follower and former player, I love dissecting how these changes continue to shape the game.
Conclusion
The NFL season is truly a rollercoaster of emotions, packed with unforgettable moments and intense competition. From the first kickoff in September to the final whistle of the Super Bowl, every game has its own story and stakes. Whether it’s the regular season battles or the high-pressure postseason, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of football.
As the league continues to evolve, the passion and energy it brings remain unmatched. For fans like me, the NFL isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. I can’t wait to see what the next season has in store!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many games are in a full NFL season?
Each NFL team plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks, with one bye week. Teams also play three preseason games, and up to four additional games if they advance through the playoffs, making the total vary depending on postseason participation.
When does the NFL regular season typically start and end?
The NFL regular season usually kicks off in early September and concludes in early January, spanning 18 weeks of play before the postseason begins.
How is the NFL schedule structured for each team?
Each team plays six divisional games and 11 non-divisional games, designed to ensure competitive balance and enhance playoff positioning opportunities.
Why was the NFL schedule expanded to 17 games?
The NFL expanded to 17 games in 2021 to increase fan engagement and revenue, adding an extra week of competitive action. It was the first significant change to the schedule since 1978.
How do the NFL playoffs work?
The playoffs feature 14 teams, with seven from each conference (AFC and NFC). Four are division winners, and three are wild-card teams. The playoffs progress through the Wild Card Round, Divisional Round, Conference Championships, and the Super Bowl.
What is the importance of preseason games?
Preseason games are crucial for coaches to evaluate players, test strategies, and finalize rosters. They also help veterans fine-tune their skills and allow younger players to prove themselves before the regular season.
When is the Super Bowl played?
The Super Bowl is held on the first Sunday in February. It features the AFC and NFC champions and is celebrated as the NFL’s biggest event of the year.
How many preseason games does each NFL team play?
Each team now plays three preseason games, reduced from four after the regular season expanded to 17 games in 2021.
What are the key historical changes in the NFL schedule?
The NFL season originally had 12 games in 1920, expanded to 14 games in 1935, then 16 games in 1978, and finally 17 games starting in 2021 to meet fan interest and enhance competition.
What makes the NFL postseason special?
The NFL postseason showcases the league’s best teams battling for the Lombardi Trophy. It’s filled with unforgettable moments, surprising upsets, and intense competition leading to the Super Bowl.
