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List of NFL seasons

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The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States and the highest professional level of American football in the world.[1] It was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before adopting its current name for the 1922 season. After initially determining champions through end-of-season standings, a playoff system was implemented in 1933 that culminated with the NFL Championship Game. Following an agreement to merge the NFL with the rival American Football League (AFL) in 1966, the Super Bowl was first held in 1967 to determine a champion between the best teams from the two leagues and has remained as the final game of each NFL season since the merger was completed in 1970. After the merger, all AFL Championship Games and records were included in NFL record books, and the teams have been divided between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).[2]

Since 2002, the league has consisted of 32 teams based across the United States. Each NFL season since 2021 has started with a three-week preseason in August, followed by the 18-week regular season which runs from early September to early January, with each team playing 17 games and having one bye week. Following the conclusion of the regular season, seven teams from each conference (four division winners and three wild card teams) advance to the playoffs, a single-elimination tournament that culminates in the Super Bowl, which is contested in February and is played between the AFC and NFC conference champions.

Early years (1920–1932)

Early championships between 1920 and 1932 were awarded to the team with the best won-lost record, initially rather haphazardly, as some teams played more or fewer games than others, or scheduled games against non-league, amateur or collegiate teams; this led to the 1920 title being determined during a league meeting after the season,[3] the 1921 title being decided on a controversial tiebreaker,[4] a disputed 1925 title,[5] and the scheduling of an impromptu 1932 indoor playoff game.[6]

SeasonNo. of
teams		ChampionRef.
192014Akron Pros[a][7]
192121Chicago Staleys[b][8]
192218Canton Bulldogs[9]
192320Canton Bulldogs[10]
192418Cleveland Bulldogs[11]
192520Chicago Cardinals[c][12]
192622Frankford Yellow Jackets[13]
192712New York Giants[14]
192810Providence Steam Roller[15]
192912Green Bay Packers[16]
193011Green Bay Packers[17]
193110Green Bay Packers[18]
19328Chicago Bears[d][19]

1933–1959

In 1933, the teams were divided between the Eastern Division and Western Division. This became the American and National conferences in 1950 after absorbing the rival All-America Football Conference (AAFC), then the Eastern and Western conferences in 1953. The two division/conference regular season champions then played in the NFL Championship Game. If two teams tied for the division/conference championship at the end of the regular season, then a one-game playoff was played to determine who would advance to the NFL Championship Game.[20][21]

SeasonNo. of
teams		Division/Conference championNFL Championship GameRef.
Eastern Division (1933–1949)
American Conference (1950–1952)
Eastern Conference (1953–1959)		Western Division (1933–1949)
National Conference (1950–1952)
Western Conference (1953–1959)		YearChampion
193310New York GiantsChicago Bears1933Chicago Bears[22]
193411New York GiantsChicago Bears1934New York Giants[23]
19359New York GiantsDetroit Lions1935Detroit Lions[24]
19369Boston RedskinsGreen Bay Packers1936Green Bay Packers[25]
193710Washington RedskinsChicago Bears1937Washington Redskins[26]
193810New York GiantsGreen Bay Packers1938New York Giants[27]
193910New York GiantsGreen Bay Packers1939Green Bay Packers[28]
194010Washington RedskinsChicago Bears1940Chicago Bears[29]
194110New York GiantsChicago Bears[a]1941Chicago Bears[30]
194210Washington RedskinsChicago Bears1942Washington Redskins[31]
19438Washington Redskins[b]Chicago Bears1943Chicago Bears[32]
194410New York GiantsGreen Bay Packers1944Green Bay Packers[33]
194510Washington RedskinsCleveland Rams1945Cleveland Rams[34]
194610New York GiantsChicago Bears1946Chicago Bears[35]
194710Philadelphia Eagles[c]Chicago Cardinals1947Chicago Cardinals[36]
194810Philadelphia EaglesChicago Cardinals1948Philadelphia Eagles[37]
194910Philadelphia EaglesLos Angeles Rams1949Philadelphia Eagles[38]
195013Cleveland Browns[d]Los Angeles Rams[e]1950Cleveland Browns[39]
195112Cleveland BrownsLos Angeles Rams1951Los Angeles Rams[40]
195212Cleveland BrownsDetroit Lions[f]1952Detroit Lions[41]
195312Cleveland BrownsDetroit Lions1953Detroit Lions[42]
195412Cleveland BrownsDetroit Lions1954Cleveland Browns[43]
195512Cleveland BrownsLos Angeles Rams1955Cleveland Browns[44]
195612New York GiantsChicago Bears1956New York Giants[45]
195712Cleveland BrownsDetroit Lions[g]1957Detroit Lions[46]
195812New York GiantsBaltimore Colts1958Baltimore Colts[47]
195912New York GiantsBaltimore Colts1959Baltimore Colts[48]

War with the AFL (1960–1969)

The rival American Football League (AFL) began play in 1960 with its own Eastern and Western divisions and AFL Championship Game. Following an agreement to merge the NFL with AFL, the Super Bowl was first held at the conclusion of the 1966 season to determine a champion between the best teams from the two leagues. The NFL then established a four-team postseason tournament in 1967, and the AFL did the same in 1969.[49]

NFLAFLSuper Bowl
(1966–1969)		Ref.
SeasonNo. of
teams		Conference championsNFL Championship GameSeasonNo. of
teams		Division championsAFL Championship GameGameChampion
Eastern
Conference		Western
Conference		YearChampionEastern
Division		Western
Division		YearChampion
196013Philadelphia EaglesGreen Bay Packers1960Philadelphia Eagles19608Houston OilersLos Angeles Chargers1960Houston Oilers—[50][51]
196114New York GiantsGreen Bay Packers1961Green Bay Packers19618Houston OilersSan Diego Chargers1961Houston Oilers[52][53]
196214New York GiantsGreen Bay Packers1962Green Bay Packers19628Houston OilersDallas Texans1962Dallas Texans[54][55]
196314New York GiantsChicago Bears1963Chicago Bears19638Boston Patriots[a]San Diego Chargers1963San Diego Chargers[56][57]
196414Cleveland BrownsBaltimore Colts1964Cleveland Browns19648Buffalo BillsSan Diego Chargers1964Buffalo Bills[58][59]
196514Cleveland BrownsGreen Bay Packers[b]1965Green Bay Packers19658Buffalo BillsSan Diego Chargers1965Buffalo Bills[60][61]
196615Dallas CowboysGreen Bay Packers1966Green Bay Packers19669Buffalo BillsKansas City Chiefs1966Kansas City ChiefsIGreen Bay Packers[62][63]
196716Dallas CowboysGreen Bay Packers1967Green Bay Packers19679Houston OilersOakland Raiders1967Oakland RaidersIIGreen Bay Packers[64][65]
196816Cleveland BrownsBaltimore Colts1968Baltimore Colts196810New York JetsOakland Raiders[c]1968New York JetsIIINew York Jets[66][67]
196916Cleveland BrownsMinnesota Vikings1969Minnesota Vikings196910New York Jets[d]Oakland Raiders1969Kansas City ChiefsIVKansas City Chiefs[68][69]

Modern era (1970–present)

The AFL–NFL merger between the two leagues was completed before the 1970 season. The teams were divided between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The two conference playoff champions then played in the Super Bowl to determine the NFL champion.[70]

SeasonNo. of
teams		Regular seasonPlayoffsSuper BowlRef.
No. of
games		AFC top seedNFC top seedPostseasonAFC championNFC championGameChampion
19702614—[a]—[a]1970–71Baltimore ColtsDallas CowboysVBaltimore Colts[71]
19712614—[a]—[a]1971–72Miami DolphinsDallas CowboysVIDallas Cowboys[72]
19722614—[a]—[a]1972–73Miami DolphinsWashington RedskinsVIIMiami Dolphins[73]
19732614—[a]—[a]1973–74Miami DolphinsMinnesota VikingsVIIIMiami Dolphins[74]
19742614—[a]—[a]1974–75Pittsburgh SteelersMinnesota VikingsIXPittsburgh Steelers[75]
19752614Pittsburgh Steelers[b]Minnesota Vikings[c]1975–76Pittsburgh SteelersDallas CowboysXPittsburgh Steelers[76]
19762814Oakland RaidersMinnesota Vikings1976–77Oakland RaidersMinnesota VikingsXIOakland Raiders[77]
19772814Denver Broncos[b]Dallas Cowboys1977–78Denver BroncosDallas CowboysXIIDallas Cowboys[78]
19782816Pittsburgh Steelers[b]Los Angeles Rams[b][d]1978–79Pittsburgh SteelersDallas CowboysXIIIPittsburgh Steelers[79]
19792816San Diego Chargers[e]Dallas Cowboys[b][f]1979–80Pittsburgh SteelersLos Angeles RamsXIVPittsburgh Steelers[80]
19802816San Diego Chargers[b][g]Atlanta Falcons[h]1980–81Oakland RaidersPhiladelphia EaglesXVOakland Raiders[81]
19812816Cincinnati BengalsSan Francisco 49ers1981–82Cincinnati BengalsSan Francisco 49ersXVISan Francisco 49ers[82]
1982289[i]Los Angeles RaidersWashington Redskins1982–83Miami DolphinsWashington RedskinsXVIIWashington Redskins[83]
19832816Los Angeles Raiders[b][j]Washington Redskins1983–84Los Angeles RaidersWashington RedskinsXVIIILos Angeles Raiders[84]
19842816Miami DolphinsSan Francisco 49ers1984–85Miami DolphinsSan Francisco 49ersXIXSan Francisco 49ers[85]
19852816Los Angeles Raiders[k]Chicago Bears1985–86New England PatriotsChicago BearsXXChicago Bears[86]
19862816Cleveland BrownsNew York Giants[b][l]1986–87Denver BroncosNew York GiantsXXINew York Giants[87]
19872815[m]Denver BroncosSan Francisco 49ers1987–88Denver BroncosWashington RedskinsXXIIWashington Redskins[88]
19882816Cincinnati Bengals[b][n]Chicago Bears[b]1988–89Cincinnati BengalsSan Francisco 49ersXXIIISan Francisco 49ers[89]
19892816Denver BroncosSan Francisco 49ers[b]1989–90Denver BroncosSan Francisco 49ersXXIVSan Francisco 49ers[90]
19902816[o]Buffalo BillsSan Francisco 49ers1990–91Buffalo BillsNew York GiantsXXVNew York Giants[91]
19912816Buffalo BillsWashington Redskins1991–92Buffalo BillsWashington RedskinsXXVIWashington Redskins[92]
19922816Pittsburgh Steelers[p]San Francisco 49ers1992–93Buffalo BillsDallas CowboysXXVIIDallas Cowboys[93]
19932816[q]Buffalo Bills[r]Dallas Cowboys1993–94Buffalo BillsDallas CowboysXXVIIIDallas Cowboys[94]
19942816Pittsburgh SteelersSan Francisco 49ers1994–95San Diego ChargersSan Francisco 49ersXXIXSan Francisco 49ers[95]
19953016Kansas City ChiefsDallas Cowboys1995–96Pittsburgh SteelersDallas CowboysXXXDallas Cowboys[96]
19963016Denver BroncosGreen Bay Packers1996–97New England PatriotsGreen Bay PackersXXXIGreen Bay Packers[97]
19973016Kansas City ChiefsSan Francisco 49ers[s]1997–98Denver BroncosGreen Bay PackersXXXIIDenver Broncos[98]
19983016Denver BroncosMinnesota Vikings1998–99Denver BroncosAtlanta FalconsXXXIIIDenver Broncos[99]
19993116Jacksonville JaguarsSt. Louis Rams1999–2000Tennessee TitansSt. Louis RamsXXXIVSt. Louis Rams[100]
20003116Tennessee TitansNew York Giants2000–01Baltimore RavensNew York GiantsXXXVBaltimore Ravens[101]
20013116[t]Pittsburgh SteelersSt. Louis Rams2001–02New England PatriotsSt. Louis RamsXXXVINew England Patriots[102]
20023216Oakland Raiders[u]Philadelphia Eagles[v]2002–03Oakland RaidersTampa Bay BuccaneersXXXVIITampa Bay Buccaneers[103]
20033216New England PatriotsPhiladelphia Eagles[w]2003–04New England PatriotsCarolina PanthersXXXVIIINew England Patriots[104]
20043216Pittsburgh SteelersPhiladelphia Eagles2004–05New England PatriotsPhiladelphia EaglesXXXIXNew England Patriots[105]
20053216Indianapolis ColtsSeattle Seahawks2005–06Pittsburgh SteelersSeattle SeahawksXLPittsburgh Steelers[106]
20063216San Diego ChargersChicago Bears2006–07Indianapolis ColtsChicago BearsXLIIndianapolis Colts[107]
20073216New England PatriotsDallas Cowboys[x]2007–08New England PatriotsNew York GiantsXLIINew York Giants[108]
20083216Tennessee TitansNew York Giants[y]2008–09Pittsburgh SteelersArizona CardinalsXLIIIPittsburgh Steelers[109]
20093216Indianapolis ColtsNew Orleans Saints2009–10Indianapolis ColtsNew Orleans SaintsXLIVNew Orleans Saints[110]
20103216New England PatriotsAtlanta Falcons2010–11Pittsburgh SteelersGreen Bay PackersXLVGreen Bay Packers[111]
20113216New England PatriotsGreen Bay Packers2011–12New England PatriotsNew York GiantsXLVINew York Giants[112]
20123216Denver BroncosAtlanta Falcons2012–13Baltimore RavensSan Francisco 49ersXLVIIBaltimore Ravens[113]
20133216Denver BroncosSeattle Seahawks2013–14Denver BroncosSeattle SeahawksXLVIIISeattle Seahawks[114]
20143216New England Patriots[z]Seattle Seahawks[aa]2014–15New England PatriotsSeattle SeahawksXLIXNew England Patriots[115]
20153216Denver Broncos[ab]Carolina Panthers2015–16Denver BroncosCarolina Panthers50[ac]Denver Broncos[116]
20163216New England PatriotsDallas Cowboys2016–17New England PatriotsAtlanta FalconsLINew England Patriots[117]
20173216New England Patriots[ad]Philadelphia Eagles[ae]2017–18New England PatriotsPhiladelphia EaglesLIIPhiladelphia Eagles[118]
20183216Kansas City Chiefs[af]New Orleans Saints2018–19New England PatriotsLos Angeles RamsLIIINew England Patriots[119]
20193216Baltimore RavensSan Francisco 49ers[ag]2019–20Kansas City ChiefsSan Francisco 49ersLIVKansas City Chiefs[120]
20203216Kansas City ChiefsGreen Bay Packers2020–21Kansas City ChiefsTampa Bay BuccaneersLVTampa Bay Buccaneers[121]
20213217Tennessee Titans[ah]Green Bay Packers[ai]2021–22Cincinnati BengalsLos Angeles RamsLVILos Angeles Rams[122]
20223217Kansas City ChiefsPhiladelphia Eagles2022–23Kansas City ChiefsPhiladelphia EaglesLVIIKansas City Chiefs[123]
20233217Baltimore RavensSan Francisco 49ers[aj]2023–24Kansas City ChiefsSan Francisco 49ersLVIIIKansas City Chiefs[124]

Future seasons

Listed below is the current schedule of division match-ups for the next few upcoming regular seasons, based on the three-year intra-conference and four-year inter-conference rotations in place since 2021. In each year, besides the home and away games against their three division rivals, all four teams in each division listed at the top will play one game against all four teams in both of the divisions to which it has been assigned — one from the AFC, the other from the NFC. Each team will also play an additional inter-conference "17th game" from another division based on the prior season's standings, with the AFC team hosting it in odd years and the NFC team hosting it in even years. This table also lists the sites of the regular season games that are planned to be held outside the United States as part of the NFL International Series, as well as the sites and US TV networks of the corresponding Super Bowls.

Current listing of International Series games are based on extant contracts. The league stated in 2017 that it was using "inventory management" to wait until current agreements expire before potentially expanding the series, particularly into Germany.[125] The current agreement with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London runs through 2027.[126] Germany will host four games between 2022 and 2025, two each in Allianz Arena, Munich and Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, starting with Munich.[127] The NFL expanded their partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London until 2029.[128] On December 13, 2023, the league announced that an additional international game in 2024 will be held at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil. And the league plans to hold up to 8 international games beginning in 2025.[129]

SeasonScheduled division match-ups[130]NFL International Series[131][132]Super Bowl
AFC EastAFC NorthAFC SouthAFC WestNFC EastNFC NorthNFC SouthNFC West
2024AFCSouthWestEastNorthNorthSouthWestEast
NFCWestEastNorthSouthSouthWestEastNorth
17th Gameat NFC Northat NFC Southat NFC Eastat NFC WestAFC SouthAFC EastAFC NorthAFC West
2025AFCNorthSouthNorthEastWestNorthEastSouth
NFCSouthNorthWestEastNorthEastWestSouth
17th GameNFC EastNFC WestNFC SouthNFC Northat AFC Eastat AFC Westat AFC Southat AFC North
2026AFCWestNorthSouthEastSouthEastNorthWest
NFCNorthSouthEastWestWestNorthSouthEast
17th Gameat NFC Westat NFC Eastat NFC Northat NFC SouthAFC NorthAFC SouthAFC WestAFC East
2027AFCSouthWestEastNorthEastWestSouthNorth
NFCEastWestSouthNorthSouthWestEastNorth
17th GameNFC SouthNFC NorthNFC WestNFC Eastat AFC Westat AFC Northat AFC Eastat AFC South
Scheduled division match-up[130]AFC EastAFC NorthAFC SouthAFC WestNFC EastNFC NorthNFC SouthNFC West

See also

References

General
  • "2023 National Football League Record & Fact Book". National Football League. 2023. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  • "NFL Media Guides". National Football League. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  • "Standings". National Football League. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  • "Football History". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  • "Pro Football & NFL History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  • Carroll, Bob; Gershman, Michael; Neft, David; Thorn, John (August 4, 1999). Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. William Morrow. ISBN 978-0062701749.
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