The NFL season officially begins in early September and runs through the end of December. During this time, each team plays a total of 17 regular-season games. These games are distributed over a span of 18 weeks. The extra week is introduced to allow for each team to have a bye week, where they get a week off to rest and recover from previous games.
The regular season consists of a total of 256 games. Each team plays 8 games at home, 8 games on the road, and one additional game at a neutral location. This neutral game is known as the “International Series,” where the NFL takes some matchups overseas to promote the sport globally.
After the grueling 18-week regular season, the top 14 teams (7 from each conference) advance to the playoffs. The playoffs are a knockout tournament, where teams compete to secure a spot in the Super Bowl, the grand finale of the NFL season. The playoffs consist of three rounds: Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round, and Conference Championships.
Wild Card Weekend is the first round of the playoffs, held during the first weekend in January. It features six games – three from each conference – where the four division winners with the best records in each conference receive a bye week and the top two wild-card teams from each conference face off. The winners advance to the Divisional Round.
The Divisional Round takes place on the second weekend of January and consists of four games. The two remaining division winners from each conference join the winners from the Wild Card Weekend to compete for a spot in the Conference Championships.
The winners of the Divisional Round move on to the Conference Championships, held on the third weekend of January. It is here that the conference champions are determined. The two victorious teams face off in separate games, one representing the AFC (American Football Conference) and the other representing the NFC (National Football Conference).
Finally, after the intense playoffs, the Super Bowl takes place on the first Sunday of February. This grand event is one of the most-watched broadcasts worldwide, attracting millions of viewers. The winning team is crowned the champion of the NFL season and hoists the prestigious Vince Lombardi Trophy.
In summary, the NFL season encompasses 18 weeks, from early September to the end of December, with each team playing 17 regular-season games. This is followed by a three-round playoff tournament culminating in the Super Bowl. The entire season is filled with excitement, passion, and unforgettable moments, making it an eagerly anticipated event for football enthusiasts across the globe.