How Many Teams Make the NFL Playoffs
14 teams make the NFL playoffs. The NFL playoffs include 7 teams from each conference (AFC and NFC), with the top 4 teams in each conference being division winners and the remaining 3 spots filled by wild-card teams. This represents 43.75% of the league's teams in the postseason.
NFL playoff structure
Number of teams in NFL postseason
- Total NFL playoff teams: 14 teams qualify for the NFL playoffs
- Conference breakdown: 7 teams from each conference (AFC and NFC) make the NFL playoffs
- Percentage of league: 43.75% of the league's teams are involved in postseason play
Seeding system for NFL playoff teams
- Division winners: The top 4 teams in each conference are seeded 1-4 based on their win-loss records
- Wild-card teams: The final 3 spots in each conference are filled by wild-card teams
- Bye week: Only the No. 1 seed in each conference receives a bye week
Playoff format for NFL postseason teams
Wild Card round
- No. 2 vs No. 7: Second seed plays the seventh seed
- No. 3 vs No. 6: Third seed plays the sixth seed
- No. 4 vs No. 5: Fourth seed plays the fifth seed
Divisional round
- Top seed matchup: The No. 1 seed plays the lowest remaining seed from the Wild Card round
- Reseeding: Matchups are determined after the Wild Card round, based on seeding
Conference championships and Super Bowl
- AFC and NFC championships: Winners of the Divisional Round games face off in their respective conference championship games
- Super Bowl: The winners of the conference championship games meet in the Super Bowl
Impact of divisional structure on NFL playoff teams number
- Rivalry preservation: The divisional system maintains meaningful rivalries and regional competition
- Schedule strength: Divisional play ensures teams face a competitive schedule
- Fair comparison: Divisions provide a basis for comparing teams season-to-season
FAQ
How many teams make the NFL playoffs?
14 teams make the NFL playoffs, with 7 teams from each conference (AFC and NFC) qualifying for the postseason.
What percentage of NFL teams make the playoffs?
43.75% of NFL teams make the playoffs, which represents 14 out of the 32 teams in the league.
How are the NFL playoff teams divided between conferences?
The NFL playoff teams are evenly divided between conferences, with 7 teams from the AFC and 7 teams from the NFC qualifying for the postseason.
How many wild-card teams are in the NFL playoffs?
There are 6 wild-card teams in the NFL playoffs, with 3 wild-card spots available in each conference (AFC and NFC).
How many division winners make the NFL playoffs?
8 division winners make the NFL playoffs, with the top 4 teams in each conference being division winners and automatically qualifying for the postseason.
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