So you're trying to figure out how many games are in the NFL season? Honestly, I remember scratching my head about this last year when planning my Sunday viewing schedule. It's not as straightforward as you'd think. Let's break it down without the fluff.
Quick Answer: For the 2024 season, there are 272 regular season games, 13 playoff games, and 1 Super Bowl – totaling 286 official NFL games. But stick around because there's way more to it than just that number.
The Regular Season Breakdown
Every NFL team plays 17 regular-season games now. This changed recently – up through 2020 it was only 16 games. Honestly, I'm not sold on the extra game; players seem more banged up by December.
Here's how those 17 games break down per team:
| Opponent Type | Number of Games | How Matchups Are Decided |
|---|---|---|
| Division Opponents | 6 games (home & away) | You play each team in your division twice |
| One AFC Division | 4 games | Rotates yearly (home/away alternates) |
| One NFC Division | 4 games | Rotates yearly (home/away alternates) |
| AFC Team (Same Conference Rank) | 1 game | Based on previous season standings |
| NFC Team (Same Conference Rank) | 1 game | Based on previous season standings |
| International Game (Some Teams) | 1 game* | *Replaces a home game for select teams |
See that asterisk? That's important. Like when my Packers played in London last season – that counted as a home game for us technically, even though we flew overseas. Kind of a raw deal for local fans if you ask me.
Wait – does that international game affect the total number of games in the NFL season? Nope, it just shifts where one game is played.
Now for the math: 32 teams × 17 games each = 544. But each game involves two teams, so we divide by two → 272 regular season games total.
Playoff Games: Where Things Get Intense
This is where my buddies always get confused. People often forget to include playoffs when counting NFL season games.
Playoff Structure Step-by-Step
Fourteen teams make the playoffs: Seven from each conference.
| Playoff Round | Games Played | Teams Involved | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Weekend | 6 games | 12 teams | Top 2 seeds in each conference get bye |
| Divisional Round | 4 games | 8 teams | Winners advance to conference finals |
| Conference Championships | 2 games | 4 teams | AFC and NFC title games |
| Super Bowl | 1 game | 2 teams | Counted separately |
Add those up: 6 + 4 + 2 = 12 playoff games plus the Super Bowl → 13 postseason contests. The Super Bowl is technically a playoff game, but we list it separately since it's... well, the Super Bowl.
Now here's something most articles don't tell you: There could technically be fewer playoff games if a team withdraws due to COVID protocols (like what almost happened to the Browns in 2021) or other emergencies. The NFL has contingency plans for that mess.
Total NFL Games in a Season
Putting it all together for 2024:
- Regular Season: 272 games
- Playoffs: 13 games
- Super Bowl: 1 game
Grand Total: 286 NFL season games
But here's a curveball – if you include the preseason (which many fans don't), add another 65 exhibition games. Nobody really counts those when asking about the NFL season though.
So when people ask "how many games in an NFL season?" they're usually talking about the 286 that matter.
How the NFL Season Length Changed Over Time
Remember when seasons were shorter? Makes me feel old. Here's the evolution:
| Time Period | Regular Season Games | Playoff Games | Total Games | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920-1935 | 10-14 games | 0-1 | Varies wildly | No set structure |
| 1936-1946 | 11 games | 1 championship | ~50 total | First championship game |
| 1947-1960 | 12 games | 1 championship | ~60 total | More stable league |
| 1961-1977 | 14 games | 4 playoff games | ~110 total | AFL merger begins |
| 1978-1989 | 16 games | 11 playoff games | ~240 total | Modern playoff format |
| 1990-2020 | 16 games | 13 playoff games | 267 total | Wildcard round added |
| 2021-Present | 17 games | 13 playoff games | 286 total | 17-game schedule adopted |
The jump to 17 games in 2021 was controversial. Players hated it – extra injury risk with no extra pay. Personally, I think the quality suffers late in the season with more games.
What About Ties?
Ah yes, everyone's favorite headache. Ties count as completed games toward the total. There have been 29 ties since 1974 when sudden death overtime was introduced. Most seasons have 0-2 ties.
Fun fact: The Steelers have the most ties in NFL history with 8. Must be frustrating for their fans!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Planning Your NFL Viewing Schedule
Since we're counting NFL season games, here's how to manage watching them:
Viewer Tip: The NFL releases the full schedule in early May. Mark these key dates:
- Regular Season: 18 weeks (each team has 1 bye week)
- Week 18: All division games - chaos guaranteed
- Playoffs: 4 weekends in January
- Super Bowl: Second Sunday in February
Truth time: Attempting to watch all 286 games is impossible unless you're unemployed with no family. I tried during COVID lockdown – made it through week 10 before burning out. Don't recommend it.
How TV Broadcasting Affects Game Counts
This impacts how many games you actually see. Your local market gets:
| Broadcast Slot | Games Shown | National Coverage? |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1 game | Yes (Amazon Prime) |
| Sunday Early (1pm ET) | Up to 8 games | Regional only |
| Sunday Late (4pm ET) | Up to 7 games | Regional only |
| Sunday Night | 1 game | Yes (NBC) |
| Monday Night | 1-2 games | Yes (ESPN/ABC) |
Without Sunday Ticket or streaming packages, you'll miss about 80% of regular season games. Kinda frustrating when you're trying to follow multiple teams.
Final Thoughts on NFL Game Counts
So there you have it – 286 games make up the full NFL season from kickoff to Super Bowl. Whether you're setting fantasy reminders or planning sports bar budgets, this breakdown should help.
The 17-game schedule feels bloated to me. Players look exhausted by December, and Thursday night games often feature subpar football. But hey, more football for fans.
As for what's next? I'd put money on the NFL eventually moving to 18 regular season games with only 2 preseason games. The revenue's too tempting. But player safety might finally become a real concern then.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to explain this to my uncle who still thinks there are only 16 games. Wish me luck.
Leave a Comments