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How Many Games Are in the NFL Season | LeoVegas

How Many Games Are in the NFL Season?

In the NFL regular season, each team plays 17 games over 18 weeks. As there are 32 teams, a total of 272 games are played during the regular season. Throughout the campaign, every team gets one bye week, which takes place between week five and 15 but not on week eight or 13.

The NFL schedule follows a very specific structure based on this formula:

  • Six games are always between division rivals.
  • Another four games take place between teams from the same conference but from different divisions.
  • Four games are played between teams from a particular division from the opposing conference.
  • Two games between teams from the other divisions in the same conference.
  • The 17th game is a matchup between a non-conference opponent from a division that the team has not faced yet.

Table of Contents:

Regular Season Structure

An NFL regular season has 17 games. The season was extended in 2020 after the NFL and Players Association agreed to increase the season from 16 and eliminate one of the preseason games.

An 18th game has been floated around in recent years as every additional game means additional revenue from advertisers, ticket, food and merchandise sales. However, the NFL is also sympathetic to the well-being of players and believes it has struck a balance that prioritizes players’ health but also maximises revenue for the league.

Preseason

Prior to 2021, there were four NFL preseason games. However, that has been reduced to three after the Players Association insisted on reducing the preseason if the NFL wanted to increase the regular season.

The main objective of preseason is to get players in shape for the regular season but, due to the taxing schedule that lies ahead, star players are often benched or feature sparingly. With the bigger names on the roster missing out on the games, opportunities arise for players on the fringes of the squad or rookies to make a name for themselves.

Postseason (Playoffs)

14 of the 32 NFL teams progress to the playoffs at the end of the regular season - seven teams from each conference. The eight teams that win their respective division clinch a playoff berth, while the two teams with the best record across both conferences earn a first-round bye.

After the division winners, the three teams with the best record in the NFC and AFC round out the playoff picture and enter the Wild Card round. The winners during the Wild Card round progress to the Divisional round.

Once the Division Round concludes, the Conference Championships begin, which is essentially the semifinal. The best teams from each conference battle it out to become the AFC or NFC champion.

The winners of the Conference Championship move on to the Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event in the US. Whoever secures the win in the Super Bowl is crowned the NFL champion.

Bye Weeks

Every NFL team receives one bye week per regular season, which means they don’t play a game that weekend. Bye weeks occur throughout the NFL season from week five to 15 but not on week eight or 13.

The purpose of a bye week is to give players and coaches a week off. Football is a notoriously gruelling sport and the players welcome a brief respite. During the bye week, athletes can recuperate, take care of niggling injuries, and coaches can make strategic changes that get their team back in the win column.

International Games

Every season, at least four NFL regular season games are played internationally. The very first international game took place in 1960 in Toronto, Canada, between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants.

In 2024 NFL, three games will be played in London and one game in Munich and São Paulo respectively. There’s also an additional game coming to the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid during the 2025 season.

The 2024 games will be hosted in legendary soccer stadiums like Corinthians Arena, Wembley Stadium and the Allianz Arena. International games are implemented to grow the league and appeal to an international audience.

Special Events

Throughout the year, there are some must-watch events in the NFL calendar, including the Pro Bowl, NFL Draft and NFL Combine.

The Pro Bowl is held a week before the Super Bowl and is a celebration of the best players in the league that didn’t make the Super Bowl. Star players from the AFC and NFC form a super team and compete in entertaining mini-games before a flag football matchup rounds the week off.

The NFL has a draft system where the best college players declare their desire to go pro. The draft is held at the end of April and consists of seven rounds, with teams making selections from their accrued draft picks.

Prior to the NFL Draft is the NFL Combine. This is where players hoping to get drafted perform public workouts and complete different exercises like the broad jump, bench press and 40-yard dash in a bid to impress scouts.

Historical Context

From 1947 until 1960, there were 12 regular season NFL games. After 1960, the regular season increased to 14 games, which were played over 14 weeks with no bye week. 1978 was the first year the NFL moved to a 16-game regular season schedule and there were 28 teams. Again, there was no bye week.

Bye weeks were introduced in 1990 and, in 2002, the league expanded to 32 teams. Following 2002, the NFL schedule remained essentially the same until 2021 when an additional game was added.

NFL Regular Season FAQs

How many games are in a full NFL season?

There are 285 games in a full NFL season. 272 of these games are played in the regular season, before an additional 13 in the postseason. The season concludes with the historic Super Bowl.

Are there 32 teams in the NFL?

Yes, there are 32 teams in the NFL. However, the NFL constantly has expansion plans and additional teams have been rumoured.

How is the 17th NFL game determined?

The 17th NFL game is against a non-conference opponent from a division that the team has not played yet. This matchup is determined by last season’s division ranking.

How many NFL teams make the playoffs?

14 NFL teams make the playoffs (seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC).

How many games are in the current NFL regular season?

The current NFL regular season features 272 total games, with each team playing 17 games over 18 weeks.

Why did the NFL increase the number of regular season games?

The NFL increased the number of regular season games to generate additional revenue. The Players Association only agreed after the NFL agreed to remove one of the preseason games.

How are NFL team schedules determined?

NFL team schedules are based on the following formula:

  • Six games against divisional opponents
  • Four games against teams from a division from the same conference
  • Four games against teams from a division in the opposing conference
  • Two games against teams from the two other divisions in the same conference
  • 17th game against a non-conference opponent from a division that the team has not played yet

What is the purpose of preseason games?

The purpose of NFL preseason games is to prepare teams for the regular season and identify which players will make the final roster. Most preseason games involve rookies or fringe roster guys vying for a spot on the squad.

How does the playoff structure work in the NFL?

Seven teams from the AFC and NFC make it to the playoffs. Four teams that won their division earn a spot, while the next three teams are decided by who has the best records. To get to the Super Bowl, teams will have to win three single-elimination playoff games, unless you were the top-seed and received a bye.

What are bye weeks, and how do they affect the season?

Each team gets on bye week during the regular season. Bye weeks are rest periods where teams don’t play a game and were introduced to allow players to get more rest inbetween games.

What impact do international games have on the NFL season?

Every NFL season, at least four games are played internationally. This has increased to five in 2024 and will further increase to eight according to reports. Prolonged travel and jet lag makes international games difficult to prepare for, however, often teams will receive a bye once they’ve played internationally.

How does the NFL season compare to other sports leagues?

In the NFL regular season, each team plays 17 games. This is in stark contrast to the MLB and NBA, where teams play 162 and 82 games.

Learn more about NFL betting in our guides