TEAMS RULES SEASONS

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
AFC East vs AFC North
AFC South vs AFC West
NFC East vs NFC North
NFC South vs NFC West

Four interconference games
AFC East vs NFC South
AFC North vs NFC North
AFC South vs NFC West
AFC West vs NFC East

Interconference game by 2024 position
NFC East at AFC East
NFC North at AFC West
NFC South at AFC South
NFC West at AFC North

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.