SEASONS
This page summarises key National Football League Playoffs and highlights for all seasons from 1970, the AFL-NFL merger, up to and including the 2026 NFL season, its 107th season.
2026 NFL SEASON
This is the 107th season and is made up of three pre-season games per team and an 17 games/18-week season where teams will each receive one bye week.
2026 NFL Kickoff Game will feature the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting New England Patriots.
The regular season is scheduled to end on January 10, 2027; all games during the final weekend will be intra-division games, as it has been since 2010.
The playoffs will begin on January 16 and conclude with Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on February 14.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Each team played the other three teams in its own division twice, one game against each of the four teams from a division in its own conference, one game against each of the four teams from a division in the other conference, one game against each of the remaining two teams in its conference that finished in the same position in their respective divisions the previous season (e.g., the team that finished fourth in its division would play all three other teams in its conference that also finished fourth in their divisions), and one game against a team in another division in the other conference that also finished in the same position in their respective division the previous season.
|
Four intra-conference games |
Four interconference games |
Interconference game by 2024 position |
SCHEDULE
| duration | September 9, 2026 – January 10, 2027 |
| NFL Kickoff Game | September 9, 2026 |
| PLAYOFFS | |
|---|---|
| Wild Card Round | January 16–18, 2027 |
| Divisional Round | January 23–24, 2027 |
| Conference Championship Games | January 31, 2027 |
| Super Bowl LXI | February 14, 2027 |
PLAYOFFS (1970-)
2025 Season
Super Bowl LIX Champions: TBD
Runner-Up: TBD
Playoff Teams: TBD
Notes: Season in progress.
2024 Season
Super Bowl LVIII Champions: Kansas City Chiefs
Runner-Up: San Francisco 49ers
Playoff Teams: Kansas City, San Francisco, Baltimore, Detroit, Buffalo, Dallas, Cleveland, Miami, Green Bay, Los Angeles, Houston, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia
Notes: Chiefs win back-to-back championships.
2023 Season
Super Bowl LVIII Champions: Kansas City Chiefs
Runner-Up: San Francisco 49ers
Playoff Teams: Kansas City, San Francisco, Baltimore, Detroit, Buffalo, Dallas, Cleveland, Miami, Green Bay, Los Angeles, Houston, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia
Notes: First overtime Super Bowl since 2016.
2022 Season
Super Bowl LVII Champions: Kansas City Chiefs
Runner-Up: Philadelphia Eagles
Playoff Teams: Kansas City, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Buffalo, Dallas, Jacksonville, New York, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Miami, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Baltimore
Notes: Patrick Mahomes wins MVP and Super Bowl MVP.
2021 Season
Super Bowl LVI Champions: Los Angeles Rams
Runner-Up: Cincinnati Bengals
Playoff Teams: Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Francisco, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Dallas, Las Vegas, Arizona, New England, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
Notes: Rams win at home in SoFi Stadium.
2020 Season
Super Bowl LV Champions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Runner-Up: Kansas City Chiefs
Playoff Teams: Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Green Bay, Buffalo, New Orleans, Cleveland, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Washington
Notes: Tom Brady wins his 7th championship.
2019 Season
Super Bowl LIV Champions: Kansas City Chiefs
Runner-Up: San Francisco 49ers
Playoff Teams: Kansas City, San Francisco, Green Bay, Tennessee, Baltimore, Seattle, Houston, Minnesota, Buffalo, New England, Philadelphia, New Orleans
Notes: Chiefs win first title in 50 years.
2018 Season
Super Bowl LIII Champions: New England Patriots
Runner-Up: Los Angeles Rams
Playoff Teams: New England, Los Angeles, Kansas City, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Houston, Seattle, Baltimore
Notes: Lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever (13–3).
2017 Season
Super Bowl LII Champions: Philadelphia Eagles
Runner-Up: New England Patriots
Playoff Teams: Philadelphia, New England, Minnesota, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Carolina, Buffalo, Tennessee, Kansas City
Notes: “Philly Special” becomes iconic.
2016 Season
Super Bowl LI Champions: New England Patriots
Runner-Up: Atlanta Falcons
Playoff Teams: New England, Atlanta, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle, Houston, Oakland, Miami, Detroit, New York
Notes: Patriots overcome 28–3 deficit.
2015 Season
Super Bowl 50 Champions: Denver Broncos
Runner-Up: Carolina Panthers
Playoff Teams: Denver, Carolina, New England, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Green Bay, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Houston, Minnesota, Washington
Notes: Peyton Manning retires after championship.
2014 Season
Super Bowl XLIX Champions: New England Patriots
Runner-Up: Seattle Seahawks
Playoff Teams: New England, Seattle, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Carolina, Arizona, Cincinnati, Detroit
Notes: Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception seals the win.
2013 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLVIII Champions: Seattle Seahawks
Runner-Up: Denver Broncos
Playoff Teams: Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, New England, Carolina, Indianapolis, New Orleans, San Diego, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Green Bay
Notes: Seattle’s defense dominates in a 43–8 victory.
2012 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLVII Champions: Baltimore Ravens
Runner-Up: San Francisco 49ers
Playoff Teams: Baltimore, San Francisco, New England, Atlanta, Denver, Green Bay, Houston, Seattle, Indianapolis, Washington, Minnesota, Cincinnati
Notes: The “Harbaugh Bowl” features brothers coaching against each other.
2011 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants
Runner-Up: New England Patriots
Playoff Teams: New York, New England, San Francisco, Baltimore, Green Bay, New Orleans, Houston, Denver, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Detroit, Cincinnati
Notes: Giants defeat Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch.
2010 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLV Champions: Green Bay Packers
Runner-Up: Pittsburgh Steelers
Playoff Teams: Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, New England, Baltimore, Atlanta, New Orleans, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Seattle
Notes: Packers win as a No. 6 seed.
2009 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLIV Champions: New Orleans Saints
Runner-Up: Indianapolis Colts
Playoff Teams: New Orleans, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New York, San Diego, Dallas, Arizona, Baltimore, Green Bay, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, New England
Notes: Saints win first championship in franchise history.
2008 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
Runner-Up: Arizona Cardinals
Playoff Teams: Pittsburgh, Arizona, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Tennessee, Carolina, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Minnesota, Indianapolis, San Diego
Notes: Santonio Holmes makes iconic toe‑tap TD catch.
2007 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLII Champions: New York Giants
Runner-Up: New England Patriots
Playoff Teams: New York, New England, Green Bay, San Diego, Dallas, Indianapolis, Seattle, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Washington
Notes: Giants end Patriots’ perfect season bid.
2006 NFL Season
Super Bowl XLI Champions: Indianapolis Colts
Runner-Up: Chicago Bears
Playoff Teams: Indianapolis, Chicago, New Orleans, New England, Baltimore, San Diego, Philadelphia, Seattle, New York, Kansas City, Dallas, New York
Notes: Peyton Manning wins his first Super Bowl.
2005 NFL Season
Super Bowl XL Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
Runner-Up: Seattle Seahawks
Playoff Teams: Pittsburgh, Seattle, Denver, Carolina, Indianapolis, Chicago, New England, Washington, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, New York, Cincinnati
Notes: Steelers win as a No. 6 seed.
2004 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXIX Champions: New England Patriots
Runner-Up: Philadelphia Eagles
Playoff Teams: New England, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Indianapolis, New York, San Diego, Green Bay, Minnesota, Denver, St. Louis, Seattle
Notes: Patriots win their third title in four years.
2003 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXVIII Champions: New England Patriots
Runner-Up: Carolina Panthers
Playoff Teams: New England, Carolina, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Tennessee, Green Bay, Baltimore, Denver, Dallas, Seattle, Kansas City
Notes: Adam Vinatieri kicks another game-winner.
2002 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXVII Champions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Runner-Up: Oakland Raiders
Playoff Teams: Tampa Bay, Oakland, Philadelphia, Tennessee, Green Bay, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, New York
Notes: Tampa Bay’s defense dominates with multiple pick-sixes.
2001 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXVI Champions: New England Patriots
Runner-Up: St. Louis Rams
Playoff Teams: New England, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago, Oakland, Green Bay, San Francisco, Baltimore, New York, Miami, Tampa Bay
Notes: Start of the Brady–Belichick dynasty.
2000 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXV Champions: Baltimore Ravens
Runner-Up: New York Giants
Playoff Teams: Baltimore, New York, Minnesota, Oakland, Tennessee, Miami, Denver, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Washington
Notes: Ravens field one of the greatest defenses ever.
1999 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXIV Champions: St. Louis Rams
Runner-Up: Tennessee Titans
Playoff Teams: St. Louis, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Washington, Minnesota, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Dallas, Buffalo
Notes: “The Greatest Show on Turf” wins it all.
1998 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXIII Champions: Denver Broncos
Runner-Up: Atlanta Falcons
Playoff Teams: Denver, Atlanta, Minnesota, New York, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Miami, Arizona, Dallas, New England, Green Bay, Buffalo
Notes: John Elway wins his final game.
1997 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXII Champions: Denver Broncos
Runner-Up: Green Bay Packers
Playoff Teams: Denver, Green Bay, San Francisco, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, New England, Tampa Bay, Miami, Minnesota, Detroit, New York, Jacksonville
Notes: Broncos upset the defending champions.
1996 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXXI Champions: Green Bay Packers
Runner-Up: New England Patriots
Playoff Teams: Green Bay, New England, Carolina, Denver, San Francisco, Dallas, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington
Notes: Brett Favre wins his only Super Bowl.
1995 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXX Champions: Dallas Cowboys
Runner-Up: Pittsburgh Steelers
Playoff Teams: Dallas, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Kansas City, San Francisco, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Detroit, Miami, Atlanta, San Diego
Notes: Cowboys win their third title in four years.
1994 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXIX Champions: San Francisco 49ers
Runner-Up: San Diego Chargers
Playoff Teams: San Francisco, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Green Bay, Miami, Cleveland, New England, Chicago, Minnesota, Denver, Kansas City
Notes: Steve Young throws a Super Bowl-record six TDs.
1993 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXVIII Champions: Dallas Cowboys
Runner-Up: Buffalo Bills
Playoff Teams: Dallas, Buffalo, San Francisco, Kansas City, Green Bay, New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, New York
Notes: Cowboys repeat as champions.
1992 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXVII Champions: Dallas Cowboys
Runner-Up: Buffalo Bills
Playoff Teams: Dallas, Buffalo, San Francisco, Miami, Pittsburgh, Houston, Washington, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Denver, New Orleans
Notes: Bills make their third straight Super Bowl.
1991 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXVI Champions: Washington Redskins
Runner-Up: Buffalo Bills
Playoff Teams: Washington, Buffalo, Detroit, Denver, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, New York
Notes: Washington fields one of the most dominant teams ever.
1990 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXV Champions: New York Giants
Runner-Up: Buffalo Bills
Playoff Teams: New York, Buffalo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Washington, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Houston, Seattle
Notes: “Wide Right” — Bills miss game-winning FG.
1989 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXIV Champions: San Francisco 49ers
Runner-Up: Denver Broncos
Playoff Teams: San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Minnesota, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Houston, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New York
Notes: 49ers dominate 55–10.
1988 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXIII Champions: San Francisco 49ers
Runner-Up: Cincinnati Bengals
Playoff Teams: San Francisco, Cincinnati, Chicago, Buffalo, Minnesota, Houston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Cleveland, New England, New York, Seattle
Notes: Montana leads iconic game-winning drive.
1987 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXII Champions: Washington Redskins
Runner-Up: Denver Broncos
Playoff Teams: Washington, Denver, Minnesota, Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York
Notes: Strike-shortened season.
1986 NFL Season
Super Bowl XXI Champions: New York Giants
Runner-Up: Denver Broncos
Playoff Teams: New York, Denver, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, Cleveland, New England, Los Angeles, Kansas City, New York, New Orleans, Minnesota
Notes: Giants win their first Super Bowl.
1985 NFL Season
Super Bowl XX Champions: Chicago Bears
Runner-Up: New England Patriots
Playoff Teams: Chicago, New England, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Cleveland, New York, San Francisco, Washington, Denver, New York, Cincinnati
Notes: Bears’ defense is one of the greatest ever.
1984 NFL Season
Super Bowl XIX Champions: San Francisco 49ers
Runner-Up: Miami Dolphins
Playoff Teams: San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, Washington, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, New England, Green Bay
Notes: Montana vs. Marino showdown.
1983 NFL Season
Super Bowl XVIII Champions: Los Angeles Raiders
Runner-Up: Washington Redskins
Playoff Teams: Los Angeles, Washington, Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Green Bay, New England
Notes: Raiders dominate with strong defense.
1982 NFL Season
Super Bowl XVII Champions: Washington Redskins
Runner-Up: Miami Dolphins
Playoff Teams: Washington, Miami, Dallas, New York, Green Bay, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Detroit, St. Louis, Cleveland, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, New England
Notes: Strike-shortened season with expanded playoffs.
1981 NFL Season
Super Bowl XVI Champions: San Francisco 49ers
Runner-Up: Cincinnati Bengals
Playoff Teams: San Francisco, Cincinnati, Dallas, San Diego, New York, Buffalo, Miami, Tampa Bay
Notes: Joe Montana wins his first Super Bowl.
1980 NFL Season
Super Bowl XV Champions: Oakland Raiders
Runner-Up: Philadelphia Eagles
Playoff Teams: Oakland, Philadelphia, San Diego, Dallas, Atlanta, Minnesota, Cleveland, Buffalo
Notes: Raiders become first Wild Card team to win the Super Bowl.
1979 NFL Season
Super Bowl XIV Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
Runner-Up: Los Angeles Rams
Playoff Teams: Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Houston, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego
Notes: Steelers win their fourth Super Bowl of the decade.
1978 NFL Season
Super Bowl XIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
Runner-Up: Dallas Cowboys
Playoff Teams: Pittsburgh, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia
Notes: Famous high‑scoring Steelers–Cowboys classic.
1977 NFL Season
Super Bowl XII Champions: Dallas Cowboys
Runner-Up: Denver Broncos
Playoff Teams: Dallas, Denver, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Oakland
Notes: First Super Bowl with co‑MVPs.
1976 NFL Season
Super Bowl XI Champions: Oakland Raiders
Runner-Up: Minnesota Vikings
Playoff Teams: Oakland, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New England, Baltimore, Washington, Dallas
Notes: Raiders dominate in their first Super Bowl win.
1975 NFL Season
Super Bowl X Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
Runner-Up: Dallas Cowboys
Playoff Teams: Pittsburgh, Dallas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Minnesota, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Baltimore
Notes: Lynn Swann delivers legendary WR performance.
1974 NFL Season
Super Bowl IX Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers
Runner-Up: Minnesota Vikings
Playoff Teams: Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Oakland, Los Angeles, Miami, Buffalo, St. Louis, Washington
Notes: Start of the Steelers’ dynasty.
1973 NFL Season
Super Bowl VIII Champions: Miami Dolphins
Runner-Up: Minnesota Vikings
Playoff Teams: Miami, Minnesota, Oakland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington
Notes: Dolphins repeat as champions.
1972 NFL Season
Super Bowl VII Champions: Miami Dolphins
Runner-Up: Washington Redskins
Playoff Teams: Miami, Washington, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Oakland, San Francisco, Green Bay, Cleveland
Notes: Only perfect season in NFL history.
1971 NFL Season
Super Bowl VI Champions: Dallas Cowboys
Runner-Up: Miami Dolphins
Playoff Teams: Dallas, Miami, San Francisco, Baltimore, Minnesota, Washington, Kansas City, Cleveland
Notes: Cowboys win their first Super Bowl.
1970 NFL Season
Super Bowl V Champions: Baltimore Colts
Runner-Up: Dallas Cowboys
Playoff Teams: Baltimore, Dallas, San Francisco, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Miami, Oakland, Detroit
Notes: First Super Bowl after AFL–NFL merger.
