Playoff Games

Playoff Formats

Seasons 1-9

14 Teams

7 Per Conference

Each 1 Seed Gets a Bye to Divisional Round

Names of Each Round: Wild Card, Divisional, Conference Championships, Super Bowl

Season 10

16 Teams

8 Per Conference

No Teams Get a Bye

Names of Each Round: Wild Card, Divisional, Conference Championships, Super Bowl

Seasons 11-13

16 Teams

8 Per Conference

Each 1 Seed Gets a Bye to Divisional Round

Each 7 & 8 Seed Plays Each Other in a "Play-in" Game

Names of Each Round: First Round, Wild Card, Divisional, Conference Championships, Super Bowl

Seasons 14-Present

20 Teams

10 Per Conference

Each 1 Seed Gets a Bye to Divisional Round

All Other Division Winners (2-4 Seeds) Get a Bye to Wild Card Round

5-10 Seeds Play Each Other in the First Round

 Names of Each Round: First Round, Wild Card, Divisional, Conference Championships, Super Bowl